[linzz]

It is very much of a shock when you get out of school and find that the schools often make it sound like you will have so many options when you graduate and this is sadly dependent on where you live in most cases. I think you may also find that your first job is going to be awful and you will run your but off until you can start deciding what you will deal with and what you won't. It sounds cold but do the most urgent things first, like dealing with any emergencies, get the meds passed and go from there. I would love to help the aides but that isn't always possible. Eventually you will gain experience and will have more options.

I think that returning to school is a great option too, it will open doors for you to work that you may like better. I found it very difficult when I graduated but this will pass in time once the reality shock settles in. Hang in there and best of luck.

[jml444]

I am 42 yrs old and getting ready to graduate next week with my RN. The BEST part of all of this was attending class with my 23 yr old daughter who will be walking across the stage with me with her RN as well!!

[mom and nurse]

Originally Posted by jml444

I am 42 yrs old and getting ready to graduate next week with my RN. The BEST part of all of this was attending class with my 23 yr old daughter who will be walking across the stage with me with her RN as well!!

Congratulations to you and your daughter!

By the way... I graduated from Nursing school at the age of 45 and recently graduated at the age of 48 with my Masters degree as an Adult Nurse Practitioner.

[feisty]

I recently graduated with an associates degree and with honors. I had 3 job offers and landed the one that I had prayed for throughout my clinical stent. I will sit for the NCLEX in a few week and believe it or not....I am in the process of enrolling in an RN to MSN program. AGE 41!!!!! My daughter will graduate from a nursing program next spring.

There were quite a few older students in our graduating class. There were about 150 students that graduated from our program when I did. It was strange being older at first, but that soon faded. I certainly was not the oldest either. I love learning, I love people, and I love the fact that I live in a time when someone my age is encouraged to follow their new dreams and goals.

My husband is supportive, but I will admit that he did look shocked when I told him that I was going back to school immediately. He thought I would wait a year. Our life has changed about 180 degrees since I decided to go to nursing school. I am currently working full time and will take online classes part time. Exciting!!!!!! My son also looked shocked when I told him that I was going back to school. He is 17 and supportive, but he misses all the food I use to cook.

I will say that it is difficult managing the home, aging parents, family, work, health issues ( I had 2 surgeries during this) and school. It is possible though.....just look at all of us who are doing it.

[rnmomtobe2010]

More motivation for me...Thanks for sharing!!!

[suespets]

I'm 57,lpn for 33 yrs.just got an a in a&p 1,cleppped out of english,am taking pharmacology on line this summer,(just to bone up ,isn't a requirement for me)I start a&p 2 in august, then start the last yr of bridge lpn to rn after. I'm still scared almost to death to continue,& wonder If anyone will hire a 59 y.o. rn,if I leave the ltc job I have now. I will have to continue working while I'm in school, as I have been. Just started agency(pool) nursing 2 wks ago as well,cuz I need the $. Please pray for me!!!!

[feisty]

I will certainly pray for you. Your LPN experience will definitely help with the job hunt. You can do this and it will be well worth it in the end.

[Absolutely13]

For a host of reasons, I am ten times the student I was at twenty. My brain needed something "new" after a couple of decades of understimulation.

As far as giving kudos to people in their 40's or 50's for who become nurses, I don't agree. I think the personal accomplishment is wonderful and deserves a pat on the back, but being middle aged is not the handicap it's purported to be. I am not through with my journey yet, but I know I will get there and will continue to kick youthful butt scholastically until they pin me.

And I'm going to the library as soon as I can find my keys.

[paticake]

Kudos to her! But....43 is NOT old!!! I am 42, and will complete my AD-RN program next spring, Lord willing. If I'm still sane afterwards, I plan to work for a year or so, go back for my BSN, and see what happens, and if I'm still ready to go after it, I'll get my Masters and see what I can do with it.
I worked for a college in Arkansas, and we had a 59 yr. old lady complete her BSN while I was there. She was from England and had some difficulty with our english, but she did graduate, and she, too, was an inspiration to all she came into contact with. College is alot different than high school was....from what I can remember....lol!
Thank you for being a great inspiration! Onward and upward!

[AtomicWoman]

Originally Posted by Absolutely13

And I'm going to the library as soon as I can find my keys.

LOL! I know just what you mean! I'm starting NS at age 50 in September. I'm always having "older student moments" -- like asking everyone why it's so hot in the classroom and then realizing I'm having hot flashes! But boy, it sure feels good to kick butt, academically speaking...