[NurseMentor]

Don't EVER let your age stop you from going for your goals. It's never too late. The average age for an RN today is 50. That's AVERAGE. We have so much to offer.

And, don't get discouraged if you can only take one class at a time, baby steps get you there. Not everyone has rich donors pay for a university education.

YOU CAN DO IT!

[thyme39]

I'm 49 1/2 and working on pre-reqs before I change careers and enter a nursing program. I have 8 or 9 pre-reqs to do and I can't afford not working so I work full time and take 2 classes at night per semester. I will go through the summer and by my calculations will have my pre-reqs completed by May 2007. It will have taken me 1 3/4 years to finish just the pre-reqs. But you would be surprised how the time flys by. And how much easier it is to go to work knowing I have this goal in mind and am working toward it. Did I wish I started 5 years ago? You betcha! Am I going to wait another 5 years? NO WAY!
Do I feel too old? I felt old when I knew what I was doing was not what I wanted to be doing but didn't know what to do about it. I don't feel old any more. I feel invigorated, challenged, interested, giddy (almost like I have the rest of my life in front of me). And you know what - I do!
I say go for it. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you shouldn't. We don't turn off our hopes and dreams just because we get older. And we shouldn't let anyone else do it to us either.

Kudos to all of us going after our dream a little later than normal.

[Kat22]

Okay now I don't feel so alone.........
I am 45 and will start nursing school in the fall. I have been in the accounting field and felt like I have not been getting anything out of it, so I made the decision to go back, after 2 years I completed my prereq's but then didn't make it into the Nursing school with my first application. Made me stop and think, over this past year I applied to a few more programs in the area and got my letter that says I can start in Fall of 2006:hatparty: . So here goes, I am nervous but excited, and it sounds like alot are. Keep you fingers crossed that I will be successful, I have only wanted this all my life.

[nicunurse1208]

I graduated in 1999 at age 35 with 13 years of business experience and a BS in business. The average age in my class was 36. Don't let age stop you because you certainly won't be the oldest one. With a nursing degree the possibilities are endless. Go for it.

[Shreddedshoe]

I'm 35 and have a BFA in visual communications. I just started my first job as a CNA and will start RN clinicals this fall. Who cares how old, young or whatever you are...you can do anything you want! Good Luck to you!

[MimisMomLVN]

I am also 48 and just graduated from LVN program Nov. 18, 2005 and studying for NCLEX (on 2/16/06). I was scared and the oldest in my class but graduated with honors (A) and now I realize I can do anything I want to do. My 21 year old is in the RN Program now and I have four more pre-reqs before I go into the bridge program for LVN to RN. I say we need to pat ourselves and say good job. Most of my friends think I'm nuts. Gave up a job as a paralegal making lots of money, but hated it!!! Always knew in my heart I should be a nurse so before wasting any more time I decided to do it. My mother passed away last year from MS after a 30 year battle and that really made me look at my life and say enough time wasted. She is my hero and has guided me through this journey. Good luck to you. You can do it. Oldernursingstudent in California

[Dianalynn19]

I turned 40 in October and left my HR Admin position to pursue my dream,,,,,nursing. I got my CNA/HHA in Oct and am in my 2nd week of LPN School. I feel as though God has called me to help him with the sick, the old and the dying. I want to share my love and devotion to people and I don't think God puts an age limit on that. All of these posts here are really inspiring. I am getting some great tips. I will finish LPN and get a position that offers a bridge program and move toward RN. As long as I am living I will keep on learning.

Thanks Everyone!

[wanblio]

Hi Todd, I am a male nursing student and I will be graduating this spring. Like you, this is my second carree. I was a, or should I say, still am an automtive technician but have always been interested in the health care field, in particular, nursing. So after an accident at work that left injured I dedided to pursue something that I always wanted to do and that was go to nursing school. It has been a rewarding challenge and it is one of the most challenging things that have ever done. I say go for it bro, if I can do it, than it can be done. I am a single parent of two little girls, I would suggest that you get a strong support system to aid you while in school. and decide if this is really what you want to do.

[Nursing in 09]

I am 34 and expect to be in the nursing program in 1 year, so should be done at 37 and 1/2. Whether or not we follow our dreams we will still age at the same rate so go for it! I have a landscape design degree, fun but not great pay, bad hours for family life and seasonal. The never ending possibilities is part of what draws me to nursing. I lost my job (to Mexico) in 99 and JTPA put me through school but told me no to nursing because I was very pregnant so I went with the hort degree. (They thought the program was too intense with a newborn. If I knew what I know now by the time I was in she would not have been a new born!)I should have fought harder but anyway now I have a 6 yr old and a 3 yr old. My financial aid was rejected "because school should not be a lifelong thing, you have a degree!" I have 100 attempted hours because I enrolled and dropped at a young age. Oh well. My appeal letter is in and one way or another I will get that degree! I will have the opportunity to work 30+ yrs in this field if my health allows and that is a long career! Nursing will allow my curious mind to try different things without starting over. The DON at my school says the average nursing student is 35 and life experience is very helpful to nursing students. GOOD LUCK!

[MimisMomLVN]

you go girl, we are on the same track. if i can do it at 48, so can you. i am now an LVN studying for my boards (2/16) and will work as LVN while going towards my RN (four more prereqs). My 21 year old is in RN school right now and I get better grades than her (ha ha - A's). Good luck to all!!!!!!!!!!!! Oldernursing student in Californaia