Starting Nursing At 40...am I Too Late???

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello All,

Im just starting nursing at 40 years old and Im wondering is this going to backfire on me in the long run???

I only have about 20-25 yrs--if God spares life :)--to put in the field and most of the nurses that I am meeting that are my age have already been in the field for at least 20 yrs!!!! Is this a good thing or a bad thing :confused:

Now, I should mention that I am a really "YOUNG" looking 40 y/o...People often mistake me for 25-27-- which I love by the way--who wouldnt :D...but Im still worried about agism :uhoh21:.

Im just starting a new floor and my co-workers are dying to know my age, of course Im not going to say....overall, I guess Im wondering is starting nursing this late in the game a good idea?????

I welcome any thoughts on this :wink2:.

Specializes in Med/surg.

Better late than never! Don't be skeptical though and stick to your guns. If nursing is your calling, then stick to it and don't look back. I should know, I'll be graduating 05/08.:yeah:and I'm 45. So don't feel so down about it.

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:yeahthat: Shabbychic23!

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Specializes in Med/surg.

All the best to you! I salute you.

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Right back atcha Shabbychic23!!!!:yeah:

Hey you know--I just turned 40 on April 10th, so, it hasnt even been a week yet, and I swear my confidence level has shot through the roof :D!!!

I am finding that certain things just really dont bother me anymore !!!! I dont know what it is, but certain issues that really use to irritate me, just rool off of my back alot more these days :roll !!!!!!! Im wondering if this has to do with increased age or increased wisdom or both, I think both :D!

Like i mentioned in the begining of the post, I am a very "young" looking 40 y/o! And please believe--I am not trying to toot my own horn here :no: !!! I just get alot of people often mistaking me for my 20's--I contribute it to my good Carribean genes :D!!!! But b/c of this issue of people thinking that I am younger, this 40 thing is not really bothering me afterall!!!!

I am thanking my Lord Jesus Christ #1 for being ALIVE #2 good genes :D and #3 bringing me to a place in life where what people think, say or do does not matter much anymore :loveya:!!! LIFE IS TOO SHORT!!!

Like so many people have written me back (which by the way I say thank you) and said things like--just enjoy life and do what it is, you set your heart out to do--thats what I am doing and plan on continuing to do :redbeathe!!!

Heres to the quote: ]"Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt--and most importantly--dance like no one's watching" !!!!!!!

]Sidenote:

]To anyone that is reading this right now please go to the link provided and read the poem DANCE LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING, it is soooo beautiful and it plays music too :nuke:..... ]http://www.paradiseawaits.com/Dance.html

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Uh, hmmm, thank you for allowing me to get on and off my soapbox :mad:....

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Hi Sunny Beach! I don't think age really matter that much as long as you are willing to learn and able to be trained. I know some who are already 60 years old and still studying to be a .CNA.. So, keep your head up high...:yeah:

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Well, as one who graduated having just turned 44, I have to make a few comments.

I don't feel it's the age that matters -- it's your place in life. I'm having a hard time, not because of my age, but because of my home responsibilities. I've still got 2 boys at home and a hubby gone overseas, so there is a lot on my plate and man, am I TIRED. :stone

Still, my age has it benefits. I feel I tend to get a bit more respect from the younger nurses and techs at times. It's just something you've "got" as an older woman with experience in life vs. a young woman who has not had that chance to commandeer a home, children, marriage, etc.

Now, there's a lot I'd give to have that 20 something body back and the youthful looks, although I think I'm looking pretty good for my age.

We have a nurse on our unit who is in her mid 50's, looks fantastic, is a top notch nurse and mentor to ME at 45, and I just hope I can be like her in ten years! And she's only been in nursing for a year!

Age is just a number. I was a far better student in my 40's than I ever was in my 20's.

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Well, as one who graduated having just turned 44, I have to make a few comments.

I don't feel it's the age that matters -- it's your place in life. I'm having a hard time, not because of my age, but because of my home responsibilities. I've still got 2 boys at home and a hubby gone overseas, so there is a lot on my plate and man, am I TIRED. :stone

Still, my age has it benefits. I feel I tend to get a bit more respect from the younger nurses and techs at times. It's just something you've "got" as an older woman with experience in life vs. a young woman who has not had that chance to commandeer a home, children, marriage, etc.

Now, there's a lot I'd give to have that 20 something body back and the youthful looks, although I think I'm looking pretty good for my age.

We have a nurse on our unit who is in her mid 50's, looks fantastic, is a top notch nurse and mentor to ME at 45, and I just hope I can be like her in ten years! And she's only been in nursing for a year!

Age is just a number. I was a far better student in my 40's than I ever was in my 20's.

SoundofMusic,

:typingYour post gave me goosebumps when I read it!!!!!!!!!:bow:

It so resignated with me!!!! Just to hear about your struggles (kids, single parent w/a mate overseas) and to see how you made it and did not let those issues in your life keep you from striving to an even higher goal of becoming a Nurse regardless of age or circumstances....to that I say you-go-girl!!!:up:

Boy and then you mentioned a Nurse in her mid 50's whos been nursing for only a year and she is at the TOP of her game WOW!!!!!:bowingpur......thats exactly where I want to be 10 yrs from now too--provided that God spares life :D!!!!

I pray that you continue to recieve strength through your new career and blessings to your family--by the way Im ex-military (Navy)--I want to personally thank you and your husband for the sacrafices you made for our country :redbeathe.

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Well, I'm glad it resonated with you, SunnyBeach!!

But don't let me make it seem easy. It's definitely not with the family responsibilities. Some of the older folks who started with me (and I was really one of the younger "older" ones in the class -- with many 45, 50, even in their 60's in our class) did NOT have young children to care for anymore, so for them it really was even easier.

They always seemed to be the most prepared, the most cognizant, and generally the ones with all the answers. They had done prior careers, some as EMT's, etc, and were just smart. I really think with age comes wisdom -- so definitely don't ever let the Big 40 number hold you back. Being older sort of naturally translated to leadership positions in the class for some of them also.

Plus, if you don't do it, you'll still be 40 plus anyway as time goes by. Best to fill the time with something meaningful.

The thing is, you go through a year or two program, go through your six month or so fellowship, and boom, you're a nurse in 2.5 years. After about 5 years, you're a veteran, or so it seems with nurses I see. So, it's a tough upstart, but you can attain a great career in a relatively short time in nursing.

Not that it won't be hard. . . :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Med/surg.

Shabby you rock!:ancong!:

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Well, I'm glad it resonated with you, SunnyBeach!!

But don't let me make it seem easy. It's definitely not with the family responsibilities. Some of the older folks who started with me (and I was really one of the younger "older" ones in the class -- with many 45, 50, even in their 60's in our class) did NOT have young children to care for anymore, so for them it really was even easier.

They always seemed to be the most prepared, the most cognizant, and generally the ones with all the answers. They had done prior careers, some as EMT's, etc, and were just smart. I really think with age comes wisdom -- so definitely don't ever let the Big 40 number hold you back. Being older sort of naturally translated to leadership positions in the class for some of them also.

Plus, if you don't do it, you'll still be 40 plus anyway as time goes by. Best to fill the time with something meaningful.

The thing is, you go through a year or two program, go through your six month or so fellowship, and boom, you're a nurse in 2.5 years. After about 5 years, you're a veteran, or so it seems with nurses I see. So, it's a tough upstart, but you can attain a great career in a relatively short time in nursing.

Not that it won't be hard. . . :uhoh3:

SoundofMusic,

I started crackin up off of my spelling of r-e-s-o-n-a-t-e-d! (oops thats embarrassing :chuckle)--anyhoo, by no means did I think that it was an easy feat for you going for your RN and having a family in all--in fact I saw others in my class who were under your same circumstances--and I truly had alot of respect for them as I do for you!

Its just that your story kind of reminded me that the AGE issue is such a SMALL issue in the grand scheme of things...when you consider the circustances of others and how short life is.... noone should really allow their AGE or CIRCUMSTANCES to be a determinant for NOT going after what they really want in life (did that make sense?)....In other words AGE/TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES should not be a focal point in life, people should just go for what they want no matter what...Ive heard someone say one time "I dont want to die and go to my grave with alot unfulfilled goals or dreams" and I second that motion!!!

I also have had a HUGE issue of wanting to measure up to societal standards ie., college graduate by 22, married by 25, house w/2.5 kids and a dog by 30....and I have to realize that LIFE DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY FOR EVERYBODY!....Now that I have turned 40 and have read the post of other 40 somethings, its helping me to stop worrying about what other people are thinking about me starting a new career at 40!

I am seeing that I need to break the so called "societal mold" and focus on being happy....Sure its tough starting a new career at 40 but I know I have alot of rich experience that I am bringing to my practice as an R.N and I hope I could be a blessing to those I come in contact with :redbeathe.....

I hope you could understand where I was coming from in this "rant"--if not maybe somebody did :D!

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Well, if ever there is a career that's disproving that your too old for something, it's nursing. I graduate next month at the ripe old age of 44. Sure, I wish I had started earlier. I am sure I won't reach the heights or breadths that I could have reached had I started earlier, but I will still have lots and lots of choices. The way I look at it is this -- I will be more concerned with making smart/wise career choices than I may have years ago.

The field is just too immense to scratch the surface of possibilies for people of all ages. I am sure the other posts will even touch on the advantages more mature people bring to the field.

My past point is this -- I have already encountered excellent nurses in their 50s who, with time on their hands now that families are raised, are actually putting in overtime an making very good money. And these folks are still in the field because they love it. If you start at 40, by 50 you will be quite experienced and perhaps better able to continue than a coworker at the same age who is ready to retire or move on to something totally different. GOOD LUCK!!!:yeah:

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