[Dublin37]

Originally Posted by jodyangel

I hate to sound stupid......but WHAT is ASN in nursing?

You do not sound stupid at all! Different states label degree's differently. In CA, ASN means an Associate in Science, Nursing. You know, like an AA, a community college level. It includes all your general ed. classes so you can transfer to Univ. to work towards your BSN. Heather

[FossilRN]

I was 32 when I got my R.N. (2nd career). It took me another 8 years while working full time to get my B.S.N. It was one of the smartest things I ever did. School was lots of work and hospital nursing is both physically and emotionally challenging but I don't regret doing it for a minute. Your previous education and experience can only be an asset. Don't let your age hold you back. You will be surprised when you find out how many people are in your age group.

[FroggysMom]

Originally Posted by FossilRN

I was 32 when I got my R.N. (2nd career). It took me another 8 years while working full time to get my B.S.N. It was one of the smartest things I ever did. School was lots of work and hospital nursing is both physically and emotionally challenging but I don't regret doing it for a minute. Your previous education and experience can only be an asset. Don't let your age hold you back. You will be surprised when you find out how many people are in your age group.

I love your name! If I'm older than you, can I claim it?

Oh, and congratulations on facing the challenge!

[shellielynn]

i am just starting my nursing career at 40 , i have been a cosmetologist for
22 years. i am enjoying this journey. i went to a phlebotomy class whem i
was 36, had a baby at 38, so i guess i am just a late bloomer.i am happy
to say life is a journey and i love seeing people that gave gone back to
school later in life.
:hatparty: lifes a gift , enjoy the present

[Nancydobo]

I am a third year nursing student (returning college student on my second career) and going for my BSN. I have to say, now that I have had the opportunity to get a little bit of cliinical experience and really care for someone in the hospital setting, my decision has be reaffirmed over and over again. I have only had the opportunity to care for a handful of people and quite frankly, the things nurses have to do can be really gross, but the funny thing is, the tremendous feeling of wanting to care for these individuals so outweighed any of the "grossness" and I am happier everyday that I chose to start over in such an amazing and rewarding field.

[MagicalThinking]

HI. i'm 27 and am a second year nursing student....i'm going for my bsn and then msn as a CNS and one day i hope to get my PhD as well..so when i'm done i'll be in my 30's, but i really don't think it matters at all. there are lots of students in my classes in their 40's and 50's. i would never ever trade the experiences i've had over the last 10 years for being a newbie fresh out of high school...if i hadn't of had them i wouldn't be who i am today.

[kungaviva]

I'm 54, and most people tell me that I shouldn't become an RN because:

1. You'll have to lift 200-pound patients regularly during student clinicals

2. You'll have to lift 200-pound patients frequently (up to 10-20 times daily) as a new, 'just-out-of-school' RN

3. You'll have to spend most of your day cleaning feces, vomit, and other bodily fluids--from bodies, floors, sinks, beds, and everything else in the room

4. Nurses are frequently disrespected by doctors, and are often cut off mid-sentence when attempting a 'consult' on a mutual patient with 'I have no time for this' from the doctor

5. Nursing students are considered a pain in the butt during clinicals, and often treated badly by their trainers, or handicapped from really learning

6. RNs are locked into horrid schedules, frequently asked to work extended shifts, overtime, weekends & holidays, and almost never allowed to take vacations or time off for continuing ed conferences

7. Only RNs with 2+ years' experience get hired in hospital departments (e.g., oncology) not requiring all-day-long heavy lifting and massive feces-vomit-blood cleanup

8. It's very hard to get non-hospital nursing jobs unless you have 2-3+ years' experience doing med-surg in a hospital

Are any of these 'myths' and 'legends' true? If not, what IS true?

I'm obviously concerned about starting school at 55-56, being a new RN at 57-58, and not having the physical stamina to do such unending hard labor!

Want to be RN but afraid I won't be physically able (at 56-58)!

[MagicalThinking]

WOW ...i would so love to hear the answer to that last post...i think all nursing students would

[ahef]

I was 44 when I entered nursing school. I already had a BM and had owned my own business for 20+ yrs. Life circumstances drew me to nursing for all of the 'right' reasons. School was difficult, yet probably easier for me and my age peers because of maturity and life experience. Three of us in the 40+ group became close through creating a study group. we now work together at the same facility.

I was fortunate to start my career in a regional teaching hospital. It made a huge differrence in what I was able to do; it showed me the preferred way of doing things. I am now in a small, local facility. The training from the larger one prepared me well for this less-than-cutting-edge facility.

I encourage you to look at the time investment of school, related to family, etc. You must dedicate 2-3 hrs of study for every hour of class. You cannot have distractions and perform well in nursing school; it is difficult. Once you are working, the hours can be long, but the time off can be pretty good, too. You must determine if you have a heart of servitude. If you do, you may be a good candidate to become a nurse.

[berniemcr]

I am a 57 year old female who has spent many years as an insurance agent, bartender, waitress, newspaper delivery person and loads of other jobs while I raised my children who are now 27-35 yo. I am a grandmother for the first time (sweet!!!!) and will finish my associates degree RN program next month. Hopefully I will have the NCLEX out of the way late Jan/Feb and start working as an RN. I will start the interview process within the next few weeks.

Go for it !!!!! It's been a trip, but one I am glad I took. My family is proud of me and I am proud of myself. It is certainly the hardest task I ever took on and going nights while working full time and part time has been exhausting. I'm looking foward to the 12 hour days--should be cake.

Good luck to all of you just starting. One person (who died suddenly a few months ago) told me something that stuck with me. "Just put your head down-ignore everything else and get through it" Thanks for listening