Becoming A Nurse After 40

Enroll In A Graduate Program

The simplest route to becoming a nurse practitioner for RNs who already have their bachelor’s degree is by earning a masters degree.

For RNs without bachelor’s degrees, there are RN-to-MSN programs. You may also see such programs called ADN-to-MSN .

Some institutions offer doctoral degrees like Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, which is the highest level of nursing education available.

How To Transition Careers

Depending on the career you choose, you may need to update your skills. This might involve taking formal classes to gain a new qualification, taking an online vocational course or just researching the new industry you want to break into.

The basic steps for changing careers at 40 are:

If you need to continue working full-time before making a career change, then investigate online degree programs. There are many credentials you can gain while still working. Building a network of professional contacts in your desired field can ease the transition.

Some careers will require more of a time commitment to gain the certifications required. Taking time to gain qualifications could improve your prospects and enable you to pursue a completely new career in your 40s.

Whether you are planning to use your existing skills or need to learn different skills, there are plenty of resources available to help you succeed in your new career.

Read more:

Is 43 Too Old To Be A Nurse

You will dismiss any doubts about being too old to go to school when we tell you that nursing students tend to be older than typical college students: The average age of ADN nursing students at community colleges is 26-40 years old. … Students in RN-to-BSN programs are typically in their late 30s.

References:

You May Like: How To Get Through Nursing School While Working Full Time

Nursing Programs Make It Easy To Switch

Thanks to accelerated programs, it is relatively easy to enter a nursing program even if you have a degree in another field. For example, the ABSN, or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a quick way to enter the profession if you already completed an undergraduate degree.

The ABSN is an accelerated program that prepares students for nursing positions. Like regular four-year nursing degrees, an ABSN covers the information you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, which makes you eligible for licensure to practice nursing. The program consists of 58 credit hours of study and 800 hours of clinical experience. You can complete the ABSN in 16 months with a full-time class schedule.

Thanks to bridge programs, you can transfer credits from previous degrees you may have completed and earn your BSN within 18 months. These programs allow those previously certified in other healthcare positions to become nurses. For example, paramedics, respiratory therapists, cardiovascular technicians or licensed practical nurses can transfer credits from their previous training and join the Registered Nurse workforce upon graduation.

Consider Doing An Online Course First

Before launching into a bachelors degree, it could be worth taking small steps first.

Adding on from tip #2, nursing school and nursing, in general, could be a totally new ball game and can take some adjusting.

Doing an online aged care course, immunization course, personal care certificate, etc to learn some basic skills before undertaking the degree could make the transition less daunting.

Youll not only gain experience but youll also have casual work on the side to assist financially whilst you are studying.

If you are interested in taking this road, look outside the popular teaching facilities. A smaller private university or a community college might be perfect as there could be fewer students and you feel like a person and not just a number.

Recommended Reading: Nursing School In Fort Pierce Fl

Never Be Afraid To Ask Questions

As you build on your online coursework, in-person skills and simulation labs as well as clinical rotations will allow you the opportunity to apply nursing skills and techniques. Youll start in mock clinical settings but move onto working with real patients under expert instructor supervision and guidance. Pay attention while observing new techniques, and dont be afraid to speak up and ask questions if you dont understand something. Our instructors are here to ensure that you have the knowledge you need you cant succeed if you dont have a thorough understanding of the techniques youll be applying each day as an RN.

You Can Find Day Shiftseven As A New Nurse

I was led to believe everyone had to put in their time on night shifts before they could work on days, says Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN and CEO of The Nerdy Nurse. But that just wasnt so.

Though specific hiring situations will vary depending on location, there is no rule against new nurses finding their ideal shifts as soon as they begin.

Many local hospitals also accept new graduates into specialty and critical care roles, which was something I was led to believe was not common practice, Wilson says.

Recommended Reading: Private Nursing Schools In Northern California

Consider The Emotional Aspect

Nursing requires specific qualities such as compassion and a will to help others. It also involves challenging situations in which you may see patients with severe injuries or illnesses.

Some of the patients you will care for may require a lot of patience and understanding on your part. In emergency care, you might need to act fast and execute instructions from doctors or senior nurses. Make sure to consider these aspects and ensure you are prepared on an emotional level.

Becoming A Registered Nurse

If you are interested in caring for people and are a high school graduate, you can eventually become a Registered Nurse . There are a number of steps you need to take before you can turn your dream into a career, but they are straightforward and youll find there is plenty of support along the way. If you are interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner, the steps follow below.Step #1. You will need a post-secondary education.Why? All provincial and territorial nurses associations have adopted the goal of having a baccalaureate requirement for entry into nursing. Evidence supports the fact that baccalaureate-prepared nurses are most able to provide safe, ethical, cost-effective and high quality nursing care for Canadians.The trend toward a university education for Registered Nurses is here: with the exception of students in Quebec, students must choose to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing in order to prepare for a RN career.

• Check out a complete list of nursing schools and continuing education options.
• Check out where to apply for nursing financial assistance here.

Step #2. You need to apply to the College of Nurses of Ontario directly for assessment.

All nursing graduates who plan to practise in Ontario must be registered with the CNO.

Once you are deemed eligible , youll take the registration exam. Why? This exam is designed to measure the competencies of nurses at the start of your practice.

• What if Im an internationally educated nurse?

You May Like: Nurse Practitioner Programs In Washington Dc

Get Your Finances In Order

Getting a nursing degree may require a significant financial commitment. Don’t just throw up your hands and say you could never afford it, however there are ways to make it work. Visit with a college counselor to explore the various ways you might pay for your tuition and other expenses. Counselors can help you discover if you are eligible to apply for any scholarships particular to your circumstances, such as your ethnic background or others. You may also be eligible for grants and loans.

Once You Have Graduated

When you have graduated as an RN or an EN, you then have to register with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia s registration standards in order to practice in Australia.

For more information about these requirements, visit: www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx

You May Like: Baccalaureate Of Science In Nursing

Get Licensed As A Registered Nurse

Once you have earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing you will be eligible to take the examination required to become a Registered Nurse.

This test, called the NCLEX-RN, or National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing . Every state has its own requirements for licensure and process for exam registration, so make sure that you are familiar with the requirements as they apply to you and your locale.

How Do I Train To Be A Nurse

Nursing training will usually require:

• Basic literacy and numeracy skills
• A nursing degree or a degree apprenticeship
• A DBS check
• Registration through the Nursing and Midwifery Council

The routes typically are:

• A Levels followed by a nursing degree
• An Access to HE Diploma in Nursing UK followed by a nursing degree
• An undergraduate degree in a science-based subject followed by a postgraduate degree in nursing

Read Also: Arizona State University Online Nursing

Learn How To Toot Your Own Horn With Panache

Create your plan for self-promotion. Regardless of whether you are a boisterous extrovert or a restrained introvert, expand your professional networks and let people know your capabilities. Make a list of who can help you achieve your objective and then strategize how best to directly and indirectly gain their notice.

The most important place to start is within your own company. When you win a piece of business or create an attractive website or advance a project in any way, you really have to let people know. Dont be shy. Also, dont assume that you can just dash off an email that the higher ups will necessarily read. You need to get comfortable with promoting your achievements. No one will do this for you.

Eleven What Is The Career Outlook For Crnas

The job prospects for CRNAs are excellent. Healthcare legislation, increased emphasis on preventative care, an increasing number of insured patients, and an aging patient population have led to more patients seeking medical care.

The BLS estimates that the projected job growth for CRNAs between 2018 and 2028 will be 26%, much faster than the 12% expected job growth for RNs. As noted above, many rural areas are already using high numbers of CRNAs when they are available, and this is expected to increase significantly. Many organizations are utilizing them in place of anesthesiologists due to availability and costs.

Don’t Miss: Find Nurses Looking For Work

Excelling In People Skills

People skills are one of the first skillsets we develop, from the time we first enter school as children and throughout our careers. As someone whos gathered experience and made connections in your first career, you understand that people skills are essential to getting ahead and advancing as an employee.

As a nurse, youll quickly learn that theres more to the profession than administering care and carrying out nursing techniques. Youll always be working as a team in a unit, and its your goal to make patients as comfortable as possible while under your care. Some of the people skills youve developed can be put to good use by:

• Communicating effectively with doctors and fellow nurses.
• Fostering and encouraging a team spirit as you take on each day.
• Communicating clearly and effectively with patients and loved ones to:
• Keep them in the know on their medical situation.

• Properly prepare them for medical procedures.

• Form a personal bond and make a frightening situation more approachable.

What Happens After Nurse Training

First, you must register with the NMC allowing you to practise as a nurse in the UK. You can then apply for a job, usualy through the NHS Jobs website.

There are opportunities to work in a wide range of settings and to progress your career in specialist roles or maybe into teaching, management or research. Youll need some experience in a more general role before you specialise in an area that interests you, such as intensive care nursing, health visiting or occupational health nursing. Moving into a specialist role may involve studying for further qualifications.

To maintain your registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, youll need to go through the process of revalidation. The process is straightforward and will help you as a nurse or midwife to demonstrate that you practise safely and effectively. You will have to revalidate every three years to renew your registration. Find out more about revalidation on the NMC microsite

Recommended Reading: Luther Oaks Nursing Home Bloomington Il

Butwhat If My Partner Snores

If you or your partner snores, I found a nifty solution you must try before you launch into nursing school.

Its the VitalSleep Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece and it looks like this

They offer a 60-Night Risk-Free Trial so youve got nothing to lose, plus the reviews are amazing!

Give it go and Shop now at vitalsleep.com!

Sometimes you dont realise youre actually drowning when trying to be everyone elses anchor

The Basics: Steps To Becoming An Rn In California

The California Board of Registered Nursing details how to become an RN in California in a series of steps. These steps include choosing the best type of nursing school and program to fit your needs, selecting a college and applying for admission, applying for financial aid, and obtaining your RN license.

You May Like: Online Bsn To Phd Nursing Programs

Is 51 Too Old To Become A Nurse

Dear Donna,

I am 51 years old and wonder if this age is too old to consider a nursing career? I started about 20 years ago, but with family, etc., I never finished the course. I have condidered returning, but always talk myself out of it by thinking I am too old. Can I really keep up with the young students and others who are much younger than me? I have always worked, and work as a 911 dispatcher at the fire department. With at least 15 years until retirement, is nursing something that I can start now and continue until that time? Still Wants to be a Nurse

Dear Still Wants to be a Nurse,

At the very young age of 51 you are not even close to being too old to get into nursing. Many people are coming into the profession at every stage of life. In fact the oldest student I have met to date was 70 years old. Youll also find that many students today are older and have had previous careers. If youve already been a 911 dispatcher, you can definitely hold your own in a nursing program.

It is said that on our death bed, we dont regret the tings we did but the things we didnt do. So end the cycle of regret that you currently carry. Stop thinking about it and just do it.

Will it carry you another 15 years until retirement? Absolutely. There are nurses in their 80s still working by choice because they love what they do. Everyone is living and working longer these days. And nursing is so diverse, there is literally something for every nurse at every stage of life.

Classes To Become A Nurse

Youll need to be able to pass courses in a variety of sciences to become a nurse. Nursing degrees and certificate classes typically include biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and behavioral sciences. Youll also need to learn how to fill out care-related paperwork and learn medical facility practices and procedures. Part of your training will include working with actual patients and the same equipment youll use on the job.

Youll be observed working with patients, so youll need to be a people-person enjoy working with patients, nurses and doctors and have good communications skills. Good communication is critical when you are filling out medical paperwork and writing down instructions from a doctor or other nurse.

Some hospitals and health care facilities offer training via certificate or diploma programs. Youll get your training while working and will usually have a job waiting for you when you earn your certificate or diploma.

However you decide to prepare for a career in nursing, make sure the program thats training you is accredited and that you will be able to sit for your states licensing exam upon completion of your studies. Potential employers will be able to tell you whether or not they will accept a certain programs certificate or diploma.

Also Check: Schoolcraft College Nursing Program Reviews

Will It Be Hard Going To Nursing School As An Older Adult

Whether youre 21 or 51, nursing school is going to be hard compared to other degrees. But heres the thing being a nurse has many advantages that those other easier degrees dont have. You, as an older nurse, have advantages that younger traditional students dont have.

Heres what Im going to do. Below Im going to list out the points that I think give you an advantage in nursing school compared to younger nursing students.

To make sure you make the best decision for yourself and your family, Im also going to list some challenges I think youll have as an older nurse. These are challenges you can overcome, but they are challenges nonetheless.

If youre on the fence about whether or not a career in nursing is even worth it. Make sure to check out the linked article that goes over that question.