Can a Mid-30's Guy become a nurse? How?

Hello,

Since I was young I wanted to be many things. Firefighter, Navy Seal, Paramedic, just to name a few. But some of those careers didn't happen for one reason or another.
I've have/had one major obstacle, epilepsy. For over 20+ years I suffered from Complex Partial Seizures. I have been dealing with this throughout high school and some college.

A few months back I had Temporal Lobe Surgery for my epilepsy. So far so good, everything looks good. A future without seizures looks very possible. That made me think of possible career paths I could choose. What would be a good choice? Nursing seemed to be a good fit. Not just any type of nurse, but a neurology nurse. Being a person with (controlled) epilepsy being able to help others with epilepsy sounds good.

I would like to know about the nursing schools in and around Albany, NY. Which ones
offer the best training for the money? What schools offer financial aid? What area hospitals offer any work/study type programs?

I would appreciate any help from nurses and nursing students in the area.

Thx,

JD
Has your neurologist cleared you for nursing as a career?
Quote from caliotter3Has your neurologist cleared you for nursing as a career?
Can a mid 30s guy become nurse? Yes why not! Nursing does not discriminate against age or men and in fact some units such as Emergency , medsurg, psychiatry, rehab medicine, and long term care look for men nurses as they need some nurses with physical strength for patients with mobility issues and aggression etc. However u mention u have a medical condition...and so u would need clearance from your doctor saying it's safe for u to work as nurse.
Looking past the "clearance issue".I would like to know about the nursing schools in and around Albany, NY. Which ones offer the best training for the money? What schools offer financial aid? What area hospitals offer any work/study type programs? I would appreciate any help from nurses and nursing students in the area.This would help me find out more about the area programs. I would hate to invest time and moneyin one program, while another would have been a better fit for me.Thx,
Most 'civilians' don't realize that there are multiple levels of basic (pre-licensure) nursing education - any of which will qualify you to take the NCLEX and become licensed as a nurse. In today's much more complex healthcare world, hospitals are rapidly moving toward an 80% BSN workforce based upon large scale research on patient outcomes. Hospitals in most larger metro areas are only hiring BSN grads. However, ADN grads are still going strong in non-hospital settings. There really isn't any such thing as "work/study" in nursing education unless you can find a diploma program somewhere... there may be some of those in your neck of the woods. Nursing education can be pricey, especially since many for-profit companies have decided to cash in on the (currently non-existent) "nursing shortage". In general, the ease of nursing program admission is in inverse proportion to the cost of the program... "easy" = uber expensive (e.g., WCU's > $100,000 cost). Best of luck to you on your educational pathway.
Quote from HouTxThere really isn't any such thing as "work/study" in nursing education unless you can find a diploma program somewhere... there may be some of those in your neck of the woods.
Quote from NYguy2BnurseI've heard of programs where you get your training at a hospital and in lieu tuition payment, yousign a contract to work there for x amount of years. After that time period your free to find other employment. This method of training is/was available in nursing facilities.__So what would be the better pathway? LPN to RN to BSNBSNAccelerated BSN
It was a way to go, if possible. But that isn't to important. What does matter to me more the best pathway to follow.Should I go the long way LPN to RN to BSN? Go straight for a BSN? Or perhaps try for an Accelerated BSN? I tend to dobetter with a hands on approach. So online learning is out, I need a physical campus to go to. The nursing programs in the areaall offer LPN degrees. While a couple offer LPN-RN and RN. It would be great if I could narrow down my choices. Any help in this area would be appreciated.
I would say go straight to a BSN if you can swing it. LPN is not a degree it's a diploma. LPN-RN are bridging programs requiring you to b an LPN first.
Live in buffalo New York , (about 4 1/2 hours away) there are many great schools this way such as niagara county community college there nursing program is highly ranked there is also trocaire these are 2 year schools but there are also many great four year schools also, as for Albany I'm not too sure but honestly any 2 or four year school will do you good! Just do some research online! By the way that's great for you, hope everything works out well 😀
Also of you get an associates as an RN and work for catholic health system you can sign a 3 year contract and they will pay for your books, laptop, and RN to BSN degree through Niagara University (Lewiston-Niagara Falls area)
My choices seem to be limited to LPN programs. That's if I want to go to a physical campus for training. The only places that of BSN programs around me are only online. Does anyone have experience with these programs? Was the training well enough for you to pass? How was the clinicals? What are the good and bad points of each?*Albany County VotecSt. Peter's Hospital / Samaritan HospitalMaria CollegeMildred-ElleyExcelsior College*Hudson Valley Community CollegeSchenectady County Community College*I have attended both of these places before. But for courses that have nothing to do with nursing. Any help would be appreciated.