[TammieD]

Hello everyone and thanks for all the great information. I really enjoy reading the site. I am 40 and my daughter graduates this May and plans to attend Nursing School. Her goal is to be a Nursing Practioner. I Too have been reading Nursing sites and Medical sites for about 2 years. I have a really good paying job that I hate. I want to begin a new Career rather than just have a job. I shift work and it is impossible to attend while working. Have any of you left a good paying job to start over. It's scary. I mean I haven't went to College for 15 years. I don't remember the Algebra. lol My husband is supportive most the time but sometimes I sense his reluctance as well. He keeps making excuses well how about waiting 1 or 2 more years. He and I want to travel and he is retired but works away from home on short term jobs. The other wives are able to go with their husbands but I am not able to. Travel Nursing would afford me the opportunity to travel as well. I was an excellant student in school and although I worry I believe I can do it. I even went so far as to sell my Large home and puchased a much smaller and cheaper one just this month. (closing next week) My goal is to be debt free by the end of the year. My daughter goes in the fall and I have saved her portion. Guess I needed some guidance or advice. Sorry so long. Again thanks for the info.

[tcdaniels]

I left a good paying job in the finance industry last year to complete my nursing degree. My advice is to make sure that it is REALLY what you want to do before you leave. About half way through my clinical rotations last year I decided that maybe nursing wasn't for me. I think it is difficult to know until you really get into the clinical aspect of your education. I really loved reading and learning about the human body, but dealing w/another person's body and their bodily functions is a whole different story. I went into nursing because I lost both my parents and an older brother to cancer. I spent so much time in a hospital w/them that I became interested in nursing and started taking some courses. I had to leave my full time job last year to complete my rotations. I graduated in December and now I am struggling w/the decision on whether to take the boards....I probably will. Anyways, just be absolutely sure that it is what you want before you jump into it. Money has been tight the past year and now I am trying to find a job back in my old profession. I also feel guilty for speding time and money on something I may not use. Also, I went to nursing school with many people that were on their 2nd careers....many were older men that were managers and CEO's of big companies. It is tough to get back into the school thing once you have been out for a while but if it what you really want then you just find a way to do it! Good luck. Hope this has helped you!

[explorer]

When things feel right in your life and things have lined
up, if that is what you want, Go For It.

[smbrn]

I don't think forty years old is too late to start studying nursing. It is a tough career but has many opportunities. If traveling fits into your lifestyle and plans for the future it sounds great as a goal. You will need one year med/surg experience, I believe, to work with most travel nursing companies. Good luck. PS I hope the person who attended nursing school will at least sit for the boards. I am frequently writing about this, but how about an advanced degree in psychiatric nursing with helping oncology patients and families in particular as a focus? I don't know that there are any programs out there specific to that, but I am sure you could get training along those lines from the American Cancer Society in their group settings, etc. It really is an underserved area. My sister has stage IV ovarian cancer and searched high and low in the Phoenix area, where there are many psychiatric practitioners, before she could find someone whose practice specialized in oncology patients. I know all diseases present difficulties for patients and families, but I really do believe that cancer is unique.