Should I Study Nursing? A 26 Year Old Man Asking for Kind Help

LRushkaRauschenberg on 05/11/2017 - 01:06
Last edited 05/11/2017 - 01:44

Hi,

I am a 26 year old man, who is trying to study an occupation that would make me happy and provide financially stable content lifestyle. Well for this i thought nursing is a good idea. Since i am interested in human anatomy, sciences, pathology, biology, biochemistry etc. You might ask then i should study something in biological sciences, but i have done some research and found out the job opportunities in those fields are very limited and apparently competition is really tough. And becoming a doctor would require me probably many years of studying, which i have neither money nor enough motivation for. Although i wish i did that when i was 17.

I have a bachelor degree in public administration and master degree in something totally different. None of those degrees gave me what i expected from them. However, having those degrees done, gives me an ability to finish nursing degree in just 2 years and get a full registration. and I also want to study something that is in demand in australia, and in the world, that can provide me a job in most of the western countries.

HOWEVER my issue is that i am not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, which requires me to pay full tuition fee, that sucks :(.. a lot.. . And the cheapest degree in this field is in University of Sunshine Coast QLD, and even that one is $52k for 2 years! I am just writing this post, hoping that there are some people in here that can tell me if paying this whopping sum, that i earned thanks to working so incredibly hard and saving like a crazy jewish man that truly i am, is worth it.

My concerns are:

  • Will i be able to pay my debts (for living and other costs) after graduation and earn enough to make it up to that enormous tuition fee?
  • am i too old to do this degree?

  • would i be able to study and work at the same time to provide for myself?

    i also wonder:

  • if there is a stigma against men to do nursing in australia? would people think i am a bizarre creepy guy? im saying this as in my part of the world, male nurses are not weird, but it is kind of uncommon.

If you guys help me to find answers to even one of these questions, or even have some knowledge that i should definitely know, please, please, please let me know. You wouldn't imagine how desperately i need any type of reliable information!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
and sorry for long post.

Education & Work

Comments

  • PissLUR on 05/11/2017 - 01:23
    +4

    What is the chance of you getting a permanent residency with your current degrees?

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 05/11/2017 - 01:38

      thank you for quick response,

      well, almost zero i think. I can somehow get state sponsorships from NT or TAS, with my masters in tourism, hospitality and event management degree with some extra effort, work and education.

      probably you are referring to the same thing as my friends telling me, the only reason why i am not getting good jobs, is because i dont have a PR or citizenship. and im on 485 (post-study work visa) currently.

      • PissLUR on 05/11/2017 - 01:55
        +1

        I think it depends on your end goal, I know most international students only want to get PR. They will chase it all the way

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:52

          yeah very true. i guess in my case, my main priority is having a good occupation, but also dont wanna miss my chance on PR. what do u suggest?

  • PJC on 05/11/2017 - 01:24
    +2

    … master degree in something totally different. None of those degrees gave me what i expected from them.

    Might a job in that field have met your expectations? Could better performance at interviews be what you need instead of another degree?

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 05/11/2017 - 01:35
      +1

      thanks for quick response,

      i have done tourism, hospitality and event management in australia with full scholarship (which was almost $100k) and i mentioned it in my CV (alongside the fact that i speak 5 languages fluently) that i won it, and applied to jobs with it - to the ones that i thought was interesting and well-paid (for junior levels) but they were not interested in me, and some others (with an average pay cheque) did not want to hire me either, even though i met the entry level requirements. i talked to some job consultants and they all actually said that i dont really need this degree (especially Masters) to do a job in this field (Tour, Hosp & Events) in Australia which is fair. Thats why i feel like i have done two useless degrees. And thats why i want to do something that is in demand, also requires some serious training in order to be hired.

      • HighAndDry on 06/11/2017 - 12:51

        Not going to help you now, but why the hell did you do those degrees then without checking the job market first?

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:55
          +1

          true, doesnt even do a bit for my advantage.

          i guess it was because i just won scholarships for both of my degrees. it was a lot of money, and i thought yeah why not. a bit aimless, purposeless, but now learnt my lesson. but cant decide whether i am too late on my 26, or i still left a little bit more time. whats your opinion on doing something new in this age?

        • HighAndDry on 08/11/2017 - 19:21
          +2

          @RushkaRauschenberg: Fair enough, and 26 is still fairly young for a career change. Just don't get bogged down in too-long a degree and make sure you're working, even if casual or part-time, in some kind of stable/serious job in the meantime (so not checkout at Woolies, for example - it's not a bad job, just won't do anything for your resume) - so that you're not left coming out with no real world job experience later.

          Good luck!

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 09/11/2017 - 23:14

          @0blivion: thank you very much!

  • lizzle on 05/11/2017 - 01:51
    +2

    My nursing friend told me that it is almost impossible for international nursing students to get jobs in Australia once they graduate here. I'm not sure if she was exaggerating or if that's close to the truth though.

    • PissLUR on 05/11/2017 - 01:56
      +4

      They can always work in an aged care facility.

      • HighAndDry on 06/11/2017 - 12:52
        +1

        Pretty sure they can work there without the cost and time of getting a Nursing Degree though.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:57

      is that even after getting her permanent residency, accreditation and good score on language test?

      • lizzle on 08/11/2017 - 00:45

        I wouldn't know; she's an Australian citizen and just mentioned that international students are the least favoured applicants in all states of Aus.

  • spackbace on 05/11/2017 - 02:52
    +8

    You're asking 'should you' but not in the right context I believe. There's more to the job decision than job demand etc

    • How are your people skills? - bedside manner, how you will deal with every crazy muppet you encounter.
    • How are your diplomacy skills? - head nurses will rule with an iron fist. They've put up with years of shit, mainly from doctors. Can you take orders from an older female?

    Having an interest in biological stuff doesn't mean nursing would be a good 'fit' for you.

    Last thing you want is to do 2yrs more education, lose $57k and hate what the job entails.

    Side note - Masters degree in event management? Seriously? Surprised no one said at some point that it was a waste of time! Short tade course + on the job training would give a similar or better result.

    • ihbh on 05/11/2017 - 07:44
      +3

      Masters degree in event management? Seriously? Surprised no one said at some point that it was a waste of time! Short trade course + on the job training would give a similar or better result.

      Totally agree with.

      • airzone on 05/11/2017 - 09:47
        +1

        It'll sit proudly on the wall next to an art degree

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:41

          thats the thing kills me every day honestly :-D

    • HardQuiz on 05/11/2017 - 07:46
      +1

      Having an interest in biological stuff doesn't mean nursing would be a good 'fit' for you.

      +1

    • Kangal on 05/11/2017 - 08:07
      +2

      Short Take course + Job experience wouldn't give a similar result…. it would give much much better.
      Universities are a business, and they're succeeding in the current boom to "sell" as many degrees to people as possible. Especially to gullible rich International Students, no offence. This means people shouldn't focus as much on the degree, but rather what that degree gets you.

      Personally, I don't think Nursing is the right way for you Rausch.
      It really is a job where there are a thousand things to remember in a thousand different ways and you have a change of patients and staff every week/day. And for the amount of stuff you put up with, most people say the pay is not well-compensated.
      Although it is a steady pay, and job availability/prospects are good.

      However, if you're asking about the job from an investment perspective… well that says volumes that you aren't cut out for that career.
      You will regret it. You will think you waster 2 years of your life and near $60k, for a stressful job that doesn't pay as much you want. And the stress of financial burden will decrease your Happiness and Quality of Life. And I don't disagree from your perspective on the matter. I mean if you studied for it early on (<21), had some light experience and a passion for it, sure enough, but as it stands no.

      You would be better doing something more competitive and attaining a career from that, like MBBA or an Engineering degree (Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Computer). Or using that ~$60k to start your own small business. All of those options require you to double-down, pull your sleeves, dig-deep, and find the motivation and drive. Those successful aren't lazy, they get well compensated because they are hard working and bring in a value to a market. So that's what you really need, to transform yourself from a "dispensable worker" to an "asset provider" and no-one can do that but you.

      I hope that helps.

      • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:40

        1) first paragraph - spot on, absolutely, i had not know this til i lived in australia. fortunately, i did not pay single penny for my tuition fee or living costs, as i won full scholarship and very good bursary to study.

        2) second paragraph - good point. havent thought about it before. but i am used to work as something like a social worker. so u guess i can do it.

        3) thanks for this perspective. it is good to know what i may end up with i go for studying this degree.

        4) i have researched all of these degrees, especially biomedical and biochemistry ones, since i am enthusiastic about these fields. but the tuition fees are really high for my affordability, unfortunately :(

        thank you very much, of course it helped a lot to create an idea in my mind. you lightened a lot of darkness, thanks a lot :)

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:51

      thanks a lot for your response. it was good to see these perspectives.

      i used to work as a community worker, and believe my results were not too bad, and i enjoyed being in contact with people, who have issues (although probably communal issues are nothing like medical) but still i thought i like to work for people in need.

      the second point. sounds correct. but i think this aspect of social environment exists in every job, it is not exclusive to just nurses. there is a subordination and hierarchy in every job, family, society, community etc.

      biological stuff. anything alive is a part of biology. so are humans. i even thought about being a nursing vet too. however, the salaries are very low. so not really keen on this.

      last couple of points - CANNOT AGREE MORE! definitely true.

  • onetwothreefour on 05/11/2017 - 07:51
    +1

    Out of interest what type of visa are you on?

    Also would it be easier and cheaper to go back to your home country to do more studies?

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:35

      im on 485.

      it definitely would. but there are certain hindrances that do not let me do it, for example, the degree back home wouldnt meet accreditation requirements in australia unfortunately. and have an australian partner too, who is employed full time here.

  • PJC on 05/11/2017 - 08:13
    +1

    OP instead of being a perpetual student perhaps something here may be relevant … http://www.whitenow.com.au/v3/positions.php

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:33
      +1

      thank you very much for your response, great offer here. but already doing something similar in particular field :)

  • iSamurai on 05/11/2017 - 09:00
    +1

    There’s no stigma for male nurses. It’s 2017, if people have a problem they should get over it.

    I was in the hospital earlier this year and was taken care of by a few male nurses. They are really nice people. As long as you like the job, have the right skills and dedication then you’re fine. I also met a couple of nurses who are from overseas so I would think there are opportunities available for non-residents.

    And no you’re not too old for that.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:32

      thank you very much for your response, i very much appreciate it!

  • Beven2008 on 05/11/2017 - 22:47
    +1

    Hi there, I will try to answer your questions.

    Will i be able to pay my debts (for living and other costs) after graduation and earn enough to make it up to that enormous tuition fee?
    Nurses are paid quite well. You can earn more money by doing evening and night shifts and working on weekends. If you are frugal enough, then yes you can make it up to the tuition fees.

    am i too old to do this degree?

    No. You are never too old to study. You still have forty years of work life ahead of you after finishing the course

    would i be able to study and work at the same time to provide for myself?

    If you are doing bachelors in nursing I heard it is difficult to work full time while studying. You can always work part time. But I doubt you can earn enough money for fees and your expenses. Is it possible to get a loan from your home country to cover the fees?

    if there is a stigma against men to do nursing in australia? would people think i am a bizarre creepy guy? im saying this as in my part of the world, male nurses are not weird, but it is kind of uncommon.

    No there is no such thing .

    I wish you all the best OP. Go for it.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 07/11/2017 - 00:31

      You are awesome :) thank you so much for such detailed responses to each of my concern! i cannot appreciate it enough honestly! godbless! Thanks a million times!

      • Beven2008 on 07/11/2017 - 20:27
        +1

        I am on the same boat as you OP. I am a migrant male in my 30s, looking to study nursing fulltime , so I pretty much understand your concerns.

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 09/11/2017 - 23:28

          there you go :)
          thanks for sharing your knowledge!

  • HighAndDry on 06/11/2017 - 12:53
    +2

    Go find a job that doesn't need a degree. There are plenty of those around, including ones that can help you with PR/citizenship if that's what you're after.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 09/11/2017 - 23:29

      To be honest, i dont really know about those jobs. Do you mean trade jobs like - plumber, bricklayer, etc? if you know of any of those jobs, please let me know, i would love to learn more about those jobs too :)

      thank you very much!

  • hal9000 on 10/11/2017 - 10:37
    +2

    go for EN diploma, do it in tasmania, upon completion (in 2 years) you would be able to apply for PR with state sponsorship + points from AU study requirement and study in regional. it'll cost you 20K, you'd go for practical placements which would increase your presence and chance to get hired by the employers after the placements. the only drawback is, you might not be able to work part time/casually during the study because job opportunities are pretty limited in the state. but seeing that you're jewish you'd probably good with saving up money anyway.

    • hal9000 on 10/11/2017 - 10:38
      +2

      also elderly ladies in the aged care love attention from young male nurses :)

      • RushkaRauschenberg on 11/11/2017 - 17:55
        +1

        thank you very much for your response.
        very good suggestion here. i have done only a little bit of research on that one. but definitely going to learn more about this pathway. thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge. very much appreciated!

        haha :-D nice one. i used to love my grandma's company so much, and her novel-like WWII war experiences until she passed away a couple of years ago. thats why i always think it would be nice to talk to seniors and hear their life experiences too. thanks a lot again for very useful knowledge!

  • whiterice on 11/11/2017 - 00:35
    +2

    I have heard that graduate positions for nurses are a little competitive at the moment.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 11/11/2017 - 17:56

      thanks for your response,

      oh really? do you know if this statistics is specific to any particular state, or overall the whole country?

      • whiterice on 11/11/2017 - 19:21
        +1

        Take this with a grain of salt, this is purely anecdotal, hearing from colleagues and online forums. I'm in NSW. I know someone who has been searching for their first job for years now. On the other hand, I know a couple people who've had steady work since graduating.

        I suspect that aged care and rural work might be easier to break into, and I don't think that having a graduate position is a prerequisite to work as a nurse.

        • RushkaRauschenberg on 11/11/2017 - 20:01

          thanks a lot for your response, you actually helped me a lot to clear up the fog in my mind! cheers!

  • icejester on 15/11/2017 - 01:16
    +1

    No,

    With your degrees you can find a better job. You're just looking in the wrong places, writing the wrong cv or interviewing poorly.

  • Quantumcat on 15/11/2017 - 11:50
    +2

    Maybe you'd be better off investing some of your savings in a career coach or similar, someone who can help you find a job you enjoy with the education you have, and can help you with applications. CVs, how to interview well, etc. Nursing is a bit like teaching, underpaid considering how hard you have to work, you'd only want to do it if you had an overwhelming passion for it and it gave your life meaning. But that doesn't sound like you.

  • niagraBozO on 19/11/2017 - 07:10
    +1

    For those that say Nursing doesn’t pay well… it pays about 65k out of uni plus you get 6 weeks annual leave. Then you earn about 20% on top for penalties relating to shift work. As you climb the ladder your pay naturally gets higher. The average nurse on the floor earns $110000 per year.

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 19/11/2017 - 12:10

      I was confused as well to be honest. I have talked to a few nurses and they all say the salaries are quite high. And remunerations, benefits all are above market standards. But those comments did not correlate with the comments posted here. So it is relieving to see your comment :) thanks a lot 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • shap08 on 17/12/2017 - 08:52

    Sorry for the bump but I've got some input.

    Im a 24 yr Male Australian, ive been nursing (RN) for almost two years now. Ive done a graduate certificate which was paid for my by work and they also gave me extra study days. I just got a promotion to a new role ANUM, which pays around $87k plus you have loading on that. Nursing has a great pathway for promotions and better pay. I think nursing is an awesome career choice, its emotional, mental and physically challenging. I get rewarded by some patients and abused by others but that is life. Co-workers can be awful but thats in any job. You can salary package in the public system so that is another positive. Also I enjoy shift work i work 64 hours a fortnight. THe days off i spent with my wife either doing renos or camping. University was the worst thought, it was just telling the teachers what they want to year, the work is completely different to what you are taught.

    I also work in one of the regions where nurses earn the least amount.

  • Goldcoater on 20/12/2017 - 06:14

    Hi Rushka, I am a female AIN and work with numerous male nurses and they are loved by the residents in the Aged Care Home were I work. I think males would be about 20% of the workforce at our home, so not uncommon where I work. We also have broad cultural mix with Males being Malasian, Phillipino, Indian, etc. I completed my Enrolled Nurse qualification last year but was working in Administration in Health field. I recently started as AIN to get some experience and so far I am loving it. I work 7-11, 7-13 and 7-15 shifts and rostered on every weekend when I earn between 35-40 per hour. Good luck in your endeavours.

  • Rayve on 25/12/2017 - 17:31

    I started my nursing degree when I was 26 and then travelled overseas, working at various places. It certainly was not too late in life to start although I did end up shifting careers again later.

    If you do get a nursing qualification and are indeed fluent in 5 languages then maybe you should consider working as a training consultant or company rep selling aged care / hospital supplies or even offer translation assistance under contract to other nursing services assisting with things like doctor's rounds, home visits and so on where lack of English skills can often make interviews and treatment more difficult. Google Translate is wonderful but its accuracy and nuance leaves a lot to be desired at times.

  • Beven2008 on 20/05/2018 - 19:42

    Do you have an update, Op? Did you join University?

    • RushkaRauschenberg on 02/11/2022 - 21:07

      hi… many years passed on this… maybe you will never see this… i feel soo grateful for all the comments posted here. thank you!
      life presented me with other options and i ended up in data analytics. i love my job, and i feel like this is exactly what i wanted

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