[JudithLane]

I am so happy to find this site. When I became 60, I left my 28+ year in psychiatric social work (everything from hospital administration to private psychotherapy practice) to take my pre-requisites for nursing school next fall. I am truly excited, and the support for a late-life career change is very much appreciated. So, Carol, you are no longer "the oldest by far"---I may now hold this record!! I wish everyone courage, strength and luck!!!!

[JudithLane]

I am so happy to find this site. When I became 60, I left my 28+ year in psychiatric social work (everything from hospital administration to private psychotherapy practice) to take my pre-requisites for nursing school next fall. I am truly excited, and the support for a late-life career change is very much appreciated. So, Carol, you are no longer "the oldest by far"---I may now hold this record!! I wish everyone courage, strength and luck!!!![/quote]

[frpeho]

Informations system and nursing would be a wonderful pairing! You could become and informatics nurse. Check out the forum on nursing informatics. Good listservers are www.amia.org or www.ania.org or www.himss.org
Good luck DMG

[Human nurse]

Yep, 32 when I dropped out of IT will be 36 when I finally finish. But nursing represented more than just a career change it was a complete paradigm shift in my life. It is hard working and going to school but worth it.

[janhetherington]

I graduated from nursing school at the age of 39 after a degree in sociology and a first career as a radiologic technologist. It was absolutely the right thing to do. I started out in acute care, and I'm still there prn, on the same floor I joined when I got out of school. But I've had a chance to help with research, and I have taught at the LPN, ADN, and now the BSN level. I LOVE being a university faculty member (after getting my MSN). There is something for everyone in nursing. It has many challenges but many rewards. Nursing made me a different person, and it has enriched my life in so many different ways. Don't let age stop you from following a dream.

[danu3]

Originally Posted by oldiebutgoodie

First year of nursing is HARD. I have already switched jobs, after being in a unit where I had 15 different preceptors, absent management, nurses quitting, and a few nursezillas.

I am sorry... I am still cracking up at the word "nursezillas". I never heard that before. I just have this silly image in my head where godzilla in an early 1900 white nurse uniform with cap coming into a patient room...

[Aquamarine]

I am happy to think someone 60 is thinking of a career change....I finished at 58 and thought I was the oldest. I can say it has been a challenge....I was anutritionist and loved tgoing to work everyday in an exciting place for over 15 yrs. I felt so good about going to work and what I did. I don't feel that way anymore. Nursing is good, I love to care for the patients...but you don't have that feeling. It is stressful and the place I work...I just don't think the overall feeling is one of respect for nurses. I did more decision making and got more respect as a nutritionist. Maybe it is the differences in the facilities?? Who knows? I do as I am told more now, doctors in the community hospital I work in make the decisions, I made them in the major medical center I worked in...the doctors respected what I had to offer in decision making process for the patients...now it is so different. Maybe in time I will get used to it.
Nurszilla's... now that is funny..that is another discouraging thing. I think bulldozer when I see some of them coming!! You can imagine what the poor patients think. That nurszilla thing would make a funny comic strip!
Life is interesting, I could not work a boring job, or one just to put in my hours but I would like respect.....you get it from the patients...not the administration and not the docs sometimes....or your fellow nurses. I am not sure my decision was the right one...I am creative I will find my nitch in nursing.

[lcbradley]

Originally Posted by Michael076

Hello,

I am in a similar position. I am a 29 years old male with a B.S. in Business/Economics. I have been a Financial Advisor and Pharmaceutical Sales representative. It took me years to realize, or I was blinded by $$$$ that I never accepted my complete and utter dissatisfaction for sales. I am not sure why I ever chose the career in the first place.

I have completed all of my science prereq's, while awaiting acceptance into a nursing school. There is a Hospital program in collaboration with a local community college which starts in january of 06. I am crossing my fingers and praying to be accepted.

One thing I stopped doing is thinking about the "what if, I did this or that" factor. I understand my business degree will assist me in various nursing pursuits. I feel every experience builds on the next and I know nursing is suitable to my personality profile. Call me an idealist, but I have to do what makes me happy. In all honesty this career change has been really tough thus far. I guess we are all in the same boat.

Michael I agree. However, my husband thinks differently. You know you are right. If there is something deep down inside telling you to do something I believe you should listen. For a long time I ignored the voices telling me to become a nurse. Then it became so strong I could not go any further until I at least tried. I am 30 years old and I taught school for four years. Some say I'm crazy because I went back to school after earning a BA and a M.Ed., but that is okay because I am extremely happy.

[JackerooRN]

At the age of 60 my career as a polymer chemist and manager came abruptly to an end as my last employer went belly up four years into my second marriage. My wife's daughter lived in the same town and my wife didn't want us to move several states away where my next job was lined up. She said, "Grab the Sunday want ads and see what's available around here." You guessed it, the paper was full of healthcare jobs. Many many years ago I was a premed student majoring in Physiological Chemistry, but med school didn't work out. Nursing sounded like a natural to me so I completed an ADN course in 2 years, took the licensing tests and finally became a RN. So many opportunites abound for nurses! It's incredibe. It great to feel needed. The only problem will be choosing the fileld right for you. Nursing school was tough for me. It took me longer to learn the material than it for my younger classmates. But I did very well on the exams. All the best to you in your new pursuit!

[doi]

I am 44 years old and algebra is very difficult for me to grasp. When I attend school years ago, algebra wasn't on the math agenda. It was basic math, easy math, understanding math. Now since I attend college years later agebra is one of the courses neccessary to know or master in order to become a nurse. Not proud to say but this is my third time taking the course. I keep receiving an "making progress" grade. To me this is just a pleasant way of saying I failed. I try so hard but I guess not hard enough. I will not surrender. Of course I will take algebra again but this time I am certain I am going to pass. I desperately want to become a nurse not only for the money and benefits but because I love to help people and want to assist the ill. I was told not to continue, to take another course because this one is not for me. I will not listen to that. I am determined, ambitious, focused and a fighter for what I want and I want and will become a nurse.