Morning, I am considering starting a new career , I already have an AS degree (in Criminal Justice) , am 52 , in excellent shape, like working shiftwork and want to make around 50-60k in my area (NE Texas). I dont mind travelling and like the idea of flexible hours as well as wearing something cheap and easy as scrubs. I have very little medical knowledge, besides being first responder certified.
Am I too old to jump in this?
Can I take most of this online?
I currently have a great job that allows me a LOT of flexibility, only catch is it only pays @29k a year. I need more money that that, I can study while i work some and I do have the ability to flex schedule around school. I am 2 hrs away from any major city (DFW being closest) so travelling to school daily is not an option. Online seems to be where i need to head. while I am no genius I am above avergae intelligence, have good work and study habits and could use some solid suggestions on what to look at next in my life.
thanks !

You will need to take the clinical in person. How many hours you will need to check with a counselor or school. God Bless !!!

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
You will need to take the clinical in person. How many hours you will need to check with a counselor or school. God Bless !!!

I have several hospitals in my area w/ RTs, so that should not be a problem, my schedule also will allow that

Definitely check with local schools and see what their requirements are. There are some prerequisite classes you will need to take prior to starting the program but they can help you with that. Clinicals-times at hospitals,clinics,etc., are a big part of the nursing program and you will need to find time to do those, as certain schools only work with certain hospitals with their instructors. The nursing program is roughly 2 years plus prereq. classes, so it is something you need to decide if you want to do seriously. The cost of schooling is hefty as well but their is financial aid if you qualify.

Mind you, I am not a r.n. but went down that road and decided to be a ff/paramedic instead/first and that has been my career/path. I debate now, as far as finishing my last year of nursing to get my r.n. but it is a big choice and takes dedication. I might go that route when I retire in a couple years. The pay and benefits are good but if that is your main goal, it will not fulfill you for long.

There are others here that know more than I and I am sure will be along shortly to share their expertise. Good luck with your choice.

Email me

I have no interest in being an RN, only the RT side..I will message above poster also

quote:

Originally posted by 1flynDO:
Email me

EM inbound

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
I have no interest in being an RN, only the RT side..I will message above poster also

Gotcha. I was only relaying info for the Rapid Response Team Nurse in your title.

My bad, I thought that was for registered respiratory therapist, a certification level I think

I guess my main concern, is that I don't know if I will be marketable in my age, although I look quite a bit younger than I am I will be close to 55 or 56 when I'm done and I don't know if people will hire me that old for that position

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
You will need to take the clinical in person. How many hours you will need to check with a counselor or school. God Bless !!!

I have several hospitals in my area w/ RTs, so that should not be a problem, my schedule also will allow that

You mentioned RT. For clarification is that Rad Tech or Respiratory Tech ?? God Bless !!!

I apologize, Respiratory therapist, sorry long day and short on coffee lol

Please be cognizant that, despite laws prohibiting this, you will face "age discrimination" if you are over 50. It doesn't happen in every profession, but is more prevalent in positions requiring technical skills.

I earned my Master's degree late in life (at 51). After I got laid off, I applied for a position I could do in my sleep. I applied for the job when my degree was only 6 years old. When I arrived for the interview, I got a strange look from the receptionist. I also got a strange look from the interviewer. The interview went well and I explained how I could resolve one of their inherent problems.

Got notified a few days later that I was "over qualified"!

So, before spending cash acquiring skills that may or may not be rejected due to your age, please consider my experience. Again, this was quite a few years ago and needs may have changed!

I was hoping with my age, I could get something in the geriatric sector and that may be a help for me.

RN/RRT here. You may have some luck with partial online degree for Respiratory Care, but you will still have to do clinicals on site somewhere. Have you considered Radiology? Quite a few different areas to specialize in. Also there is flexibility to work in outpatient areas as well as hospitals. After 40 years as an RRT/RN I am more than ready to hang it up. The profession has changed dramatically, and IMHO not for the better.
And for nursing, there is definitely a hiring bias against older nurses. They want young new grads who will work like sled dogs for less pay.

I've been an RRT for 12 years, feel free to reach out if you'd like to talk. I'd be happy to help any way I can.

A medically retired RRT here. Me and gocatgo must have graduated about the same time.(82) I agree with everything he says. The RRTs I stay in touch with are being worked to death. I probably wouldn’t go into it again. But then, I was burnt out by the time I left.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….

Right now most all health care facilities are so desperate for staff your age should be no problem at all

Also a lot of people younger considering health care after the Covid fiasco said no thanks and most training programs are short on applicants.

Those that are working in healthcare are being pushed beyond limits due to short staffing and demands pushed by non healthcare experienced administrators squeezing every last drop of blood out of the workers with new onerous regulations and policies popping up what seems daily.

I am at the tail end of my career and feel anyone going into healthcare now is in for a rocky road - our chronic on the edge of crisis staffing shortages will only get worse, the charting and non clinical demands ( paperwork, compliance continuing education and more) will continue to burden the workers.

Was a time there was ten nurses on a floor and one administrator, now it seems there is two nurses and 6 administrators each one hounding the nurse with one more petty check the box list or task which adds nothing to the quality of care but makes the organization or administrators “look good”

With all that said getting a healthcare education and carefully navigating the current storm can be financially and personally rewarding, but is getting harder alll the time to comply with the BS

Respiratory Care graduated '76, Nursing '96. Dang that makes me look old Honestly I enjoyed Respiratory Care much more than Nursing. There's a reason they say "nurses eat their young". Just working in nursing now. Will not miss it. It's not the patient care - I love taking care of patients. It's all the other BS.
Maybe a building trade? I think being a trim carpenter would be fun and rewarding.

A fellow cop had a premie and she left policing to become a nurse after the whole experience with her child and the NICU. She spent two years at the local community college in their nursing program and did her time in a local hospital. After graduating she found work in a hospital in the neighboring county and loves her work now.
She had a masters in Art. And a BA in Justice studies. This was four or five years ago. She 43 now…

I think it can’t hurt to try it out, they always need new nurses.

But do know the hours are grueling. When I was policing the ER staff worked 12 hours just like us cops did.