[MimisMomLVN]

you go girl! I am 48 just graduated from LVN school (top of my class) and took NCLEX on 2/16 (scared about that one!!!) I plan to go on for my RN and only have four more pre reqs to finish. no more time to waste. I spent 25 year of my life in the legal field and hated it. Always wanted to be a nurse and now I will be. I have a 21 year old daughter in the RN program also. We can do anything we want to do, we just have to go do it. Good luck to you. Oldernursingstudent in California

[Aquamarine]

Todd......Many people start new careers later in life. I was a nutritionist for 18yrs. I left my job that I loved and moved to a nearby city....the situation was very different and I decided I needed to go back to the hospital that I loved so much near my home. The only way I could figure out how to do it...was to go back as a nurse as they are in demand. I had so much senority at my nutrition job there wasn't a possibility of getting it back, and I had outgrown it anyhow. I had reached any peaks, done it all. I went to nursing school at a college halfway in between the two cities. They accepted all my 15 yr old credits as my grades were good and I had been teaching, inservicing, and had many continued education credits since. I was able to complete the two yr. RN program at the age of 57. I just passed my boards before the 58th yr. mark. It wasn't easy but it wasn't hard academically. There were a lot of politics in the curriculum, students getting kicked out with passing grades, that caused a lot of stress....but I guess the luck was on my side. I am happy working in a telemetry unit 2 twelve hour shifts, and also for an alternative doctor 3 days a week. The hospital offers the experience I need and the money, the doctor is a pleasure to work for and is alternative and I am totally into that so I am content. I have always liked dialysis and am looking in that direction for the future....but who knows. If you don't like your job anywhere as a nurse you don't have to worry...there are jobs everywhere, every shift, every situation, travelling, etc. It was difficult meeting new friends at work. In the end I took a job in a community hospital near my home...didn't go back to where I used to work. It is nice, 10 min from my door and the patients are from my neighborhood. I never knew if I could make it but I did.....a step at a time. I was petrified to take the boards...but it wasn't that bad and I passed the first time.I waited 9 months, I was calmer, I had learned a lot more on my jobs to prepare me even more. I reviewed the strategy of the tests more than the material. I had to memorize the respiratory parameters, everything else I knew from my years of experience. There were a few nutrition questions, a few renal and those I could recite in my sleep so I think that got me through. You can do anything you put your mind to. YOu have politics in school, and at work, you just have to learn to deal with it and still accomplish what you set out to do. The hardest thing about school was not having time to do all the homework and sleep too. Otherwise it is a goal you can reach with a little hard work. Good luck. Nancy

Originally Posted by toddster

I would be happy to hear from anyone here that started their career late in life, perhaps Nursing is a second career. For a number of reasons, I am seriously considering changing careers, and for a number of reasons am looking at a career as a Nurse as a possibility. I am a 44/yo Male with a BA and a Masters degree, though not in life sciences, BA in business and Masters in Information Systems. I would be most appreciative to anyone with similar circomstances to share their experiences. I will be reposting this every few days so If I offend, I extend my humble appology in advance.

Thanks,

Todd

[busykim]

I think half of my class was 30+. I went back to school in a panic after a divorce to become a Surgical Tech. (afraid I wouldn't get back into nursing school fast enough). I worked for 4 years at a outpatient setting, which gave me the confidence and the encouragement to go back to nursing school. The particular M.D. that I assisted really encouraged me. She said I was way too smart to not go further with my education. I was hung up on my age, "was I too old to go to nursing school?" She said "there were people in med school with me your age" - and truly you will be 40 something in 4 years whether or not you go to school. I started my pre-req's @ 41, graduated from nursing school at 45, and have been working in the ER for almost 2 years...oh and I work for the original M.D. one day a week for fun (and the perks, we do cosmetic derm) I have to agree with several other posters that it will be the most difficult and stressful thing you can go thru, but so worth it!!! Go 4 it!!!! -Kim

[WDWpixieRN]

Everyone continues to be so inspirational! I love it!

Thanks for sharing your stories for those of still debating, or waiting to get in, and in that 'older' range.

You continue to bolster spirits!

[allthingsbright]

Well, I guess I am still kinda in that "middle" group...

I started school and was going for a BA in psyche when I met my husband, had kids, and did the stay at home mom thing. I started pre-reqs at 29 part time, and will have my RN shortly aftter turning 35. I love that I have been able to have my kids, be home with them and now while they are at school, I will have a career to enjoy. I think nursing is so flexible it is a great career for women like me who want to have a family life, yet also want to care for others while working outside the home.

Anyway...good luck to all!

[ut_utRN]

I am 33 years old now, a BSN-RN. I am a graduate from a foreign school..I have not practice my profession for long because nurses in my country was not being compensated that much and work in US and other part of the world is not also that boom when the time I graduated. Instead, I worked in a restaurant business. Just this year that I decided to pursue my nursing career, I already took IELTS, and I am going to take NCLEX this year. I believed that it is never too late....I do not want to regret someday and ask myself this question (WHAT IF.....?)

[Selke]

Every single one of you is a beautiful person and will bring your wisdom and life experience to nursing in wonderful ways. None of you are too old. None. Don't even think of apologizing for yourself. I was 31 when I graduated with my BSN. In the late 1980s I was among the oldest in my BSN classes, and one of a handful with degrees in other fields; times sure have changed! I'm now 48 in an MSN program. Last week one of the faculty looked around the room at the young faces (young 20 something to mid 30s) and said, you are the future of midwifery, we are all going to retire, and we need someone to replace us. She didn't even look at me.

I'm going to have a longer, better career than the rest of them, and so will you.

Blessings on each and every one of you.

[2bnurseguy_2005]

If you start a career later in life, doesnt that mean you have to work longer? I am only 24 but thinking of changing my career and going back to school....so i got about a yr or less of pre reqs then down time to wait to get accepted plus 2 yrs of nursing school



I am an IT guy and it amazes me how many IT ppl are in this forum

[wincha]

Originally Posted by nurseguy_2005

If you start a career later in life, doesnt that mean you have to work longer? I am only 24 but thinking of changing my career and going back to school....so i got about a yr or less of pre reqs then down time to wait to get accepted plus 2 yrs of nursing school



I am an IT guy and it amazes me how many IT ppl are in this forum

I'm confused why do you think this? Because of a pension or retirement package. Most businesses these days all you get is what you put and what little they put into your 401k plan which can move with you or you can continue to hold after you move jobs. Many people change careers it doesn't make them work any more years though.

[MimisMomLVN]

Just because we're older doesn't mean we have to work longer or harder. We still have our brains for goodness sake. I am 48, just graduated (with honors (A) from LVN School, took NCLEX on 2/16 and am waiting for my results. I am also finishing my pre-reqs for RN program and will go on. I have a 21 year old daughter in RN school and I am able to help her with studying. I am inspired by all of you. You are all awsome!! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I pass my NCLEX. I'm in California and the wait is long.