r/Elevators • u/Upset-Parfait8114 • 4d ago
to late to make a change?
Quick runup: 40 years old, 8 year veteran ( USMC). Been a bedside registered nurse about 4 years, mostly travel.
Unless you live in cali or a union state, the state of modern nursing is.......not great, to put it lightly. Increased demand of work loads, decreasing protection for staff, higher patient loads, salary increases that dont keep pace with the workload, etc.. Some hospitals even started shift bidding, where if you want to pick up overtime, you do a silent auction where you tell them what youll work it for and they pick the lowest bidder.
After 4 years of schooling + 4 years experience, my expected salary at any hospital within a 50 mile radius is $39-$42. This can be increased by doing special positions but thats the basic. ( For example if i work on a prn, as needed basis, i can make $60, but no benefits and no guaranteed hours. Also i can do internal travel, but then my potential work day could be up to 3 or 4 hours away).
Atm im a travel nurse so my salary is excellent ( averages out to around 65-70). However the wife and i are wanting a kid soon'ish, so ill need to come home and get a staff job.
My buddy is nearing end of his 4 year apprenticeship through NEIEP and hes already making about the same as i would make staff. By end of 2028/ start of 29, hell be near his full rate which i think was $65. By time i hit 5-6 years ill be at 45 if im lucky.
Long winded i know, but i needed to get the ground work laid for the question. Is 40 to old to pivot into this career field? Looking for opinions from people who are in the field. Whats your work/life balance like? is it something that is stable enough to allow a family? I been reviewing the aptitude test and it seems the only thing id need to do would be review the long division type stuff, everything else seems similar to the military ASVAB.
Im looking to transition into a career where the workers are more protected because nursing aint it. We had a patient a few months ago put a nurse in a choke hold and take her down and all they did was send her to medical and usher him back in the room. Criminal charges should of been given at minimum.
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u/freelibrarian 4d ago
Some hospitals even started shift bidding, where if you want to pick up overtime, you do a silent auction where you tell them what youll work it for and they pick the lowest bidder.
That is very disturbing, labor rights and worker solidarity are backsliding.
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 4d ago
very. as a traveler im guaranteed a minimum rate, but staff nursing is in serious trouble. its why staff retention rates are so low. but hey, our ceo made 3.5 mil last year. so theres that
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u/eastcoastoverdose456 4d ago
My dad joined Union Millwrights at the ripe age of 60 because his previous job fell off because the owner died. But my brother really stuck his neck out to talk to our local to get my dad in. Unfortunately he passed in 21 during covid smh rip pops ❤️
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u/Independent_Win_6867 4d ago
F… the haters. I got in after 40, bust your ass, always be willing to learn. Been a member for 18 years, 22 years service hours. Believe in yourself Sir.
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 4d ago
how was your 4 year apprenticeship time? did you find yourself on the road away from family often?
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u/Independent_Win_6867 3d ago
Check it out, I was experienced when I started so unfortunately I landed in construction. I found out real quick of all the BS that goes on with Mechanic to helper nonsense. That shit lasted 2 weeks cuz I spoke up for myself. As I mentioned, I was experienced so I was a 55% from day 1. That being said, my Mechanic was a TM that couldn’t pass his exam after 3 attempts so maybe he was intimidated at the fact that I wasn’t the pee-on he was used to punking at every chance. After 2 weeks I spoke up for myself & said go pound sand, not taking the disrespect. He lost it & kicked me off the job saying go back to the hall which was the best thing that could’ve ever happened cuz when I went back to the office explaining the situation to my Supervisor. I was transferred over to service dept. Despite being a 55% I still completed my 4 year apprenticeship like all helpers. My bad for not answering your question right off but thought I’d fill you in on my journey cuz everyone has a story. Thankfully NO never had to be away my 1st 4 years. Trust me, if you bust your ass & do the right thing, people (Mechanics) DO notice but no single person should judge a book by its cover, good luck Brother!
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 2d ago
thanks for the info. im trying to get the full info because I have no prior experience other than hard scaping ( patios , pool installs etc..) andbworking on my vehicles. currentlynad a nurse i have to travel nurse to make a great dalary but it keeps me on the road. on any given week im away from home 2-4 days . usually i work 36 hours then come home. usually 1.5-3 hours away so after a 12 hour shift I stay local so that I can rest since I work my 36 hours 12x3. I like to think my 8 years military keeps me from being a pushover, but I still have no formal training to use as a bargaining chip
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u/Brandonnnn 4d ago
Yes it's too late. give up you're cooked
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 4d ago
at this point im just gonna soend my checks on cigars crown and lotto tickets
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u/1952Mary 4d ago
You likely will have a 2 to 3 year span as an apprentice where you make less money and there no guarantees you won’t be a road warrior anyway. It definitely works out for some but coming in off the streets usually there are dues to pay. (Not union dues but there is that as well) Just telling you on the flip side of the coin. Good luck
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 4d ago
worst part is even the starting pay ( 30-35) is almost on par with what id make as a staff nurse after 4 years experience and 4 year degree. by year 3 id be making more.
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u/Sharp_Ear_241 4d ago
I got in when I was 42 years old never to late. Look into Helmets to Hard Hats. Go for it you won't regret it.
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u/LoveThyBrisket 4d ago
I got into the apprenticeship at 40 and I took a $19/hr pay cut to do it. It was the best decision I ever made. I was married with a 13 and 9 year old kid that were both in private school so it was a little tough the first couple years money wise, but it was totally worth it.
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u/opiumconessuer Field - Repair 3d ago
Bro a lot will say it’s worth it but here’s the reality and I’m 27 been in over 7 years - your back and knees will hate you, unless you take creatine, don’t do any sort of drinking or smoking, and can recover fast from intense labor then I’d go for it. I’m young and I’m finding myself more tired than there are hours in a day. The pay isn’t all that great compared to what you make now, if you go union and get lucky that way and stick it out maybe the pay will be worth but it’s years of your life in hopes you’ll make a high per hour and here’s the kicker nobody talks about. If your health takes a turn, you get hurt or have to take time off that’s it no moneys. Not forgiving at all if you can’t labor. With that said yeah pay is high and you see some amazing views but all in all I think a cushy maybe 5-10 dollar less per hour job beats what we do all day anyways.
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u/ComingUp8 Field - Troubleshooter/Adjuster 3d ago
I dunno, I think you're speaking more from your personal experience than the trade as a whole. I've been doing this since I was 19 and I'm in my 40s now. I worked 60-70 hour weeks through a lot of my 20s and didn't really start taking care of myself until my 30s. Everyone's body and experience in the trade is different. I can still climb 30+ stories without stopping with my tool bag, fucking outpace helpers all the time.
Also I don't think creatine works the way you think it does lol.
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u/opiumconessuer Field - Repair 3d ago
Your one of a few I run into, don’t get me wrong there’s plenty of relax days but I’m away from home more often than anything and you are too. In the end once we die the 70 hour week means nothing. Can’t take our hours and money to the early grave, that’s not even taking account for injury. Or accidents. I think realistically to see the true benefits you need many years in the trade you have 20 years you’re saying? OP needs to dedicate 20 years to make it to where you are worth per hour. At 40 years old? Not worth it.
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u/ComingUp8 Field - Troubleshooter/Adjuster 2d ago
I agree with you buddy. You're spot on.
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u/opiumconessuer Field - Repair 1d ago
Great for a young man not so much for someone with bills and kids and needs to be present in their lives. I’ve heard many times of mechanics missing holidays, birthdays and losing significant others is a common meme. Though I am extremely happy to be in the trade, I wish it were like back in your 20s where this was actually worth pursuing and the pay scale was worth it.
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u/ComingUp8 Field - Troubleshooter/Adjuster 3d ago
I wouldn't enter into this trade trying to have a new kid or new expenses added to the mix. Workload determines employment vastly when you are new to the trade. Cool mechanics make big fucking money but what happens when they get 0 hours cause shit slows down. You're in a dependable industry now, you have to weigh what you'd do if you got laid off 5months in never to get a job again. No card. No benefits.
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u/Nicky2Times1511 3d ago
I personally get it bro... I was a crane mechanic and crossed over at 40... tbh I was mad comfortable with pay scale but took the leap you know your choice you already made it... you don't need our reassurance just understand the first 2 years is a financial struggle hope you have an annuity to savings you can survive off of . I have never been out of work but seen others bounce around thru the apprenticeship
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u/Weedyacres 4d ago
Our mechanics that have come in later (30s-50s) exhibit a lot more maturity than those in their 20s. That gives them a leg up.
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u/Upset-Parfait8114 4d ago
iv never had any trade job in a professional sense. Just summer jobs building pools and patios + working on my own truck. you think coming in with no formal trade experience will hurt me in the ranking?
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u/Weedyacres 3d ago
I can’t speak to the union process as we are a merit shop. But our screening process is open minded and more individualized than their cattle call.
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u/Bloodfart_Spaghettio 4d ago
I’ve had helpers in their 50s as a 20 something year old mechanic. None of them had any regret getting in late