[longjourneydream]

RN degree at 46.
I do not feel old in mind, but sometimes my body feels it...

Nursing will keep me young.
I love using my mind,as well as my life experience.

My childern are grown now, and I have one Grandson and a Grand-daughter on the way.

I work in a SW Florida Suburban ER.

I am learning lots....

I will probably work well into my 70's ; if God allows it...

Originally Posted by wdwpixie

This will be a great place to come to for encouragement and sympathy!! Best wishes!!

As for your hubby, my husband graduated from chiropractic college @ the ripe old age of 45!! He was a career changer. When he was forced out of his former career due to an injury, he considered many options. He said often that he was too old for this, too old for that. He sort of defaulted in to chiropractic college and is doing well in this career, but I think he wishes he had actually gone for one of his other dreams such as coaching/teaching or physical therapy. Please tell him that at his age, he is SO not too old for any endeavor!!!

At 51, I'm am going to be starting my 3rd semester of an ADN program. I haven't felt the least bit uncomfortable or old during this endeavor!! And I was NOT the oldest in my class!!

[vemiliob]

Hi everybody!
Since I became 51 years old on last August 7, I guess I fit in exactly.
This is a strange time. Provably the phenomenon is more seen in Europe than in the American continent. Couples with few children, or none child at all.
People getting older and the need of continuity for tasks into the occupational area, demanding old people to stay.

That is exactly what I experience every day, and not only on the official but on the private health as well.

“I’m getting older and I’m surrounded for old people”. (MD’s, Technicians, Nurses, and so on…)

This Era is changing and we all must follow. I’ve the conviction that humanity always had plenty of misconceptions, and to have an age for a profession is one of them.

Greetings and love for everyone.
Your Southern-co

[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by Brazilian

Fran, how was your experience when looking for the first job as a nurse? Did someone "close the doors" for you just because you were over 50?

Brazilian

Although age discrimination definitely exists, I never got the opportunity to find out, because I became disabled right after I got my license. But I might add A homecare agency did accept my resume and did call me while I was in the hospital, I had to turn the job down. I didn't let it get me down though. I decided to write a book instead, and I did just that.
Plus the year I spent in nursing school was a wonderful experience. As far as I know, I still hold the school record for witnessing the most babies born in one day. It was 6 with 3 of them being a set of triplets.

[WDWpixieRN]

Originally Posted by Brazilian

Fran, how was your experience when looking for the first job as a nurse? Did someone "close the doors" for you just because you were over 50?

I'm not yet graduated, but am 51 and decided to pursue a "student nurse internship" for this past summer. I applied to one local hospital that has a pretty decent-sized program, but gets a lot of applicants. I was a bit worried.

In addition, I was highly interested in ER work, and was deathly afraid that the competition would be stiff. I was offered the position about 3 minutes in to the interview. I have been asked to stay on in a tech position.

And even when I begged off so as to have some time off to get some things accomplished around my home, my son's dorm room, and to spend time with my 2 grandkids, I was told they would keep me on the books and to let them know once classes started where I could fit them in if I was still interested. She wanted me to be able to "keep my foot in the door". They mentioned several times they were training me to replace them when they were ready to retire -- lol!!

I haven't had so much as a second glance when I mention I'm a student. In fact, some people have seemed to have more respect for me than the charge nurse who looks 15 years younger. One guy actually asked me the same question the charge nurse told him "no" about. I figured because I LOOK like I should be the "old gal" in charge, lol.

I doubt too many folks are finding problems getting work due to their age in this profession.

Best wishes!!

[1studentnurse]

wdwpixie:

I'm only 38, but it was a little weird when I was on clinical and nurses and hospital staff asked me if I was the nursing instructor.

I must just look old enough to be one! Or my air of responsibility makes me seem older. I was always one of those kids who could buy booze in the grocery store and no one ever questioned me. I just must have an authoritative (or scary) look about me! ;-P

I have not noticed any age bias, except in nursing school. The twentysomethings in my class thought anyone over 25 couldn't know anything. I worked in technology for several years and so I was able to scare the c(*& out of most of them (or at least made them think twice about messing around with me.) I know it does not exist in my hospital because we have a 75 year old FT nurse and several 60+ people. They just like to work. Some are FT and some PT or PRN.

Serves anyone right for being judgmental. Never, ever, ever judge a book by it's cover. I've met way too many PhDs, and millionaires who look like they just rolled out of bed. You'd have thought they were penniless or homeless. Many were quite wealthy.

Be kind to others because you never know where you'll meet up with them again!

[Aquamarine]

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

todd, why are you canging careers? Nursing is a good profession, but it is very tough. I worked in the health care setting for 18 yrs as a nutritionist and I am actually working in the same place as a RN now. It is just not a bowl full of cherries but you can make a huge difference in someones life...I just think maybe you should think very hard about the change...
Nurses are not nice to new people or to each other, Every nurse I have met think their way is the only way and each one has a personal take on the proceedure, and the policy including the boss...
I am finally at the point that I will give it right back as I know I have a good base of knowledge...but the days that I was thrilled to go to work are over...long over...it is very good as I can do good, but everyday you have to be on the defense. I just don't know what to say unless you have other plans for your future and can't fulfill them in the position you are in, or planning to take it somewhere else eventually....it is a tough profession.
I did it because I wanted to travel eventually, and work while I did it and find a new retirement place...I wanted a profession I could go anywhere in the USA and get a job, this is also possible.
Good luck...

[Aquamarine]

Originally Posted by 1studentnurse

wdwpixie:

I'm only 38, but it was a little weird when I was on clinical and nurses and hospital staff asked me if I was the nursing instructor.

I must just look old enough to be one! Or my air of responsibility makes me seem older. I was always one of those kids who could buy booze in the grocery store and no one ever questioned me. I just must have an authoritative (or scary) look about me! ;-P

I have not noticed any age bias, except in nursing school. The twentysomethings in my class thought anyone over 25 couldn't know anything. I worked in technology for several years and so I was able to scare the c(*& out of most of them (or at least made them think twice about messing around with me.) I know it does not exist in my hospital because we have a 75 year old FT nurse and several 60+ people. They just like to work. Some are FT and some PT or PRN.

Serves anyone right for being judgmental. Never, ever, ever judge a book by it's cover. I've met way too many PhDs, and millionaires who look like they just rolled out of bed. You'd have thought they were penniless or homeless. Many were quite wealthy.

Be kind to others because you never know where you'll meet up with them again!

You are getting the same comments I got when I went to school...I was the oldest student.
And you are right...be careful about how you treat people....it may come back to bite you someday....
I am finally not taking nasty RN behavior...I know my job and I don't need anyone.
Good luck...we all find out soon enough the game of nursing.

[Franemtnurse]

Originally Posted by 1studentnurse

wdwpixie:

I'm only 38, but it was a little weird when I was on clinical and nurses and hospital staff asked me if I was the nursing instructor. Funny you mention this. Some of the staff thought I was one of them.

I must just look old enough to be one! Or my air of responsibility makes me seem older. I was always one of those kids who could buy booze in the grocery store and no one ever questioned me. I just must have an authoritative (or scary) look about me! ;-P

I have not noticed any age bias, except in nursing school. The twentysomethings in my class thought anyone over 25 couldn't know anything. I worked in technology for several years and so I was able to scare the c(*& out of most of them (or at least made them think twice about messing around with me.) I know it does not exist in my hospital because we have a 75 year old FT nurse and several 60+ people. They just like to work. Some are FT and some PT or PRN.

Serves anyone right for being judgmental. Never, ever, ever judge a book by it's cover. Have you ever got that right!!!I've met way too many PhDs, and millionaires who look like they just rolled out of bed. You'd have thought they were penniless or homeless. Many were quite wealthy.

Be kind to others because you never know where you'll meet up with them again!

How very true. Those spoiled teenie boppers, etc. did a lot to me too, but I showed them I knew what I was talking about. In fact, about a year ago, one of the former students, a 40 something nurse, told a nurse in the agency that now takes care of me that I taught her about the circulation of the heart better than any one of the instructors. (Heh, I had a model heart, and pointed out where everything was, and how they all fit in our circulatory systems.) That certainlly was a feather in my cap.

[SMILEY411]

I am 39 and attempted to attend nursing school about three years ago, but because of personal isuues,such as my mother having surgery and having to move back home to help I did not do so well, so I pushed aside my desire to become a nurse...after reading all of these wonderful inspirational stories about returning to school at all different ages I am ready to go and no longer ashamed!!!!! Thank you all for your words of wisdom you have given me the strength and courqage to try again!!! I am excited and look forward to this challenge....good luck toyou all and I will be back with some stories of my own!!!!!

[Franemtnurse]

You go girl, and God be with you hon. I wish you all the success you have ever needed or wanted.