Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:50 with BSN. Got RN at 45. Never too late!

Did you have an easy time finding a job? I’m not so worried about myself, worried more about other people not wanting to hire an older entry level nurse.

LOL 35 is not "older entry level nurse." I graduated nursing school in May with only an associates in nursing and had absolutely NO trouble finding a new grad nursing position and I'm 33 yrs old. Most of my classmates had the same experience. The DC job market for new grad nurses is really good- we are very lucky in this respect! There are also a ton of hospitals in DC/VA/MD.

PO here. NO trouble finding a job, had 2 offers went with hospital to get floor practice.

Anonymous wrote:I've considered a career switch to the healthcare field, and got into a top nursing program 9 years ago, but due to life circumstances, decided to stay in my current profession.

Lately, as I've been caring for aging parents, I've been thinking about pursuing a nursing degree again. Where I struggle is with the decision of medical school or nursing school.

For those who are either, how did you decide which path to take? I know a nursing degree is far less expensive and takes less time than medical school. But as a highly analytical INFJ I wonder if a medical program would suit me better. In particular, I've considered DO programs as I like the holistic approach to healing.

Thoughts?

I am an RN. I have zero interest in diagnosing people (which sometimes I still end up doing but pass it on to the docs) or prescribing medication. I prefer the care that a nurse provides vs the care a doctor provides. They are very, very different things. That's really the main reason. Add in the time and money to become an MD, and it just solidifies how I feel

My friends/neighbor became an RN in her mid-thirties (now in her mid-forties). From what I hear she is fantastic at her job and has scaled the ladder very quickly. So no, it is definitely not to late.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is with American women thinking they are “too old” for everything if they are over 30? What an ageist culture! Please stop it! No, OP, you’re not too old! You only have one life, do what you want.

I personally don't agree with switching careers or going back to school. Even if op or anyone else was 22 I would think they are too old. Age has nothing to do with it.

That’s one of the most ignorant things I’ve read on DCUM and that’s saying a lot. So people should just stay in a career they find miserable?

Yes , I view careers the same way I view dating. 1 shot , if you don't like your first boyfriend and marry him then you are alone for life.

You are a very rigid person and you are going to have a long, tough life with that attitude. People make mistakes. Smart people learn from their mistakes and change course.

And then there's you....

Anonymous wrote:I've considered a career switch to the healthcare field, and got into a top nursing program 9 years ago, but due to life circumstances, decided to stay in my current profession.

Lately, as I've been caring for aging parents, I've been thinking about pursuing a nursing degree again. Where I struggle is with the decision of medical school or nursing school.

For those who are either, how did you decide which path to take? I know a nursing degree is far less expensive and takes less time than medical school. But as a highly analytical INFJ I wonder if a medical program would suit me better. In particular, I've considered DO programs as I like the holistic approach to healing.

Thoughts?

The main reason at the time that I didn't do medical school instead of nursing was that I wanted to jumpstart my life more quickly and wanted to finish school and start working. Secondary reasons were that medical school and practicing medicine didn't seem fun and nursing always seemed so fun- lots of different specialties and contexts if you get bored and you can move easily between fields and jobs. Another reason was that I had scholarships that would cover my undergrad degree only. I wasn't sure how well I'd keep up the interest if I stayed in longer, looking back. In addition, I just planned on getting a degree where I could do well and have fun (I like science and people) and make more money, before I went on to law school. I ended up deferring law and never did enter! I was having too much fun I guess... These days I'm satisfied with my choice because it's how I met DH (in a cultural exchange where I wouldn't have gone in med school) and it's allowed me a lot of time being our kids without derailing my career.

I'm an ISTP but I can't remember what it stands for anymore.

I've considered a career switch to the healthcare field, and got into a top nursing program 9 years ago, but due to life circumstances, decided to stay in my current profession.

Lately, as I've been caring for aging parents, I've been thinking about pursuing a nursing degree again. Where I struggle is with the decision of medical school or nursing school.

For those who are either, how did you decide which path to take? I know a nursing degree is far less expensive and takes less time than medical school. But as a highly analytical INFJ I wonder if a medical program would suit me better. In particular, I've considered DO programs as I like the holistic approach to healing.

Thoughts?

Okay OP - couldn't help myself and read the thread. I love, Love, LOVE how supportive and encouraging everyone is!

Let us know when you graduate

Dearest OP - I've not read this thread because I don't need to ... I'm 53 and at your age, I would have asked the same question but now that I'm older, I realize how YOUNG you are! It's really a question of your energy level and interest ... if you are a high or even average energy-type, a career that really interests you can be energizing! Also, be sure to be mindful of your family and if you'll have enough left for your loved-ones.

Let me tell you, OP I have a number of regrets and the only thing I really don't like about ageing is that I'm running out of time - and that there truly are certain things I'm too old for at this point. If I was your age, I'd grab the brass ring and never look back!

Best of everything to you - and with nursing, you'll never be out of a job and can practice anywhere you go!

Anonymous wrote:OP! My mom is in the hospital, and the RN there just gave me some advice on how to make a particular decision ("what I would do if it were my mom") and I believe she saved my mom's life.

Nurses are amazing. My mom is a retired RN, so I've been around them all my life.

We only live once, and in 10 years you'll be 10 years older anyways. If you have a desire to do something that has the potential to do so much good in the world, why not go do it? I mean, you would be one of the few people in one hundred that actually makes a difference. I say that as a former lawyer who struggled with the idea of how what I was doing was helping make the world a better place.

I hope you go for it. Might as well fill out the paperwork and then decide!

OP- thank you. I am going for it. Taking prereqs one at a time while working pt is my plan, and then I want to apply to Johns Hopkins direct entry MSN program. My goal is to get a scholarship. Backup plan is to get an RN from a community college near me and transfer to BSN program.

I hope your mom is doing better now.

OP! My mom is in the hospital, and the RN there just gave me some advice on how to make a particular decision ("what I would do if it were my mom") and I believe she saved my mom's life.

Nurses are amazing. My mom is a retired RN, so I've been around them all my life.

We only live once, and in 10 years you'll be 10 years older anyways. If you have a desire to do something that has the potential to do so much good in the world, why not go do it? I mean, you would be one of the few people in one hundred that actually makes a difference. I say that as a former lawyer who struggled with the idea of how what I was doing was helping make the world a better place.

I hope you go for it. Might as well fill out the paperwork and then decide!

Nursing is a field where it helps to be older/more mature. You have far better insights into behavior, motivation, emotional reactions, etc than you would have had at age 20. Takes patience and understanding people to do this work well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is with American women thinking they are “too old” for everything if they are over 30? What an ageist culture! Please stop it! No, OP, you’re not too old! You only have one life, do what you want.

I personally don't agree with switching careers or going back to school. Even if op or anyone else was 22 I would think they are too old. Age has nothing to do with it.

That’s one of the most ignorant things I’ve read on DCUM and that’s saying a lot. So people should just stay in a career they find miserable?

Yes , I view careers the same way I view dating. 1 shot , if you don't like your first boyfriend and marry him then you are alone for life.