[Senior Student]

I am 59 and starting into an accelerated BSN program. My friends think I am crazy. I had just finished in 2005 certification to teach science. The kids were terrible, administration terrible, etc. Does anyone think I will get a job after I am done going on 61.

[krisssy]

I congratulate you on what you are doing. I was a nurse with a BS in at 22, a teacher of elementary age children at 24, retired from teaching at 55, took a refresher nursing course at 56, and I was offered a job at the hospital where I did my practicals in the refresher course. Actually, I was offered a job at three different hospitals. Two of the hospitals went out of their way to tell me how desirable I was. It is never too late to follow your dream and help people. The best of luck to you! I too have a Masters in another area-education. Krisssy RN MA

[Faeriewand]

I replied to this thread a few years ago when I was first interested in nursing. Now I am ready to take my NCLEX at 46.

(The original poster of this thread no longer posts here) but it's a great thread that has developed a life of its own.

[sediaz]

Greetings! I'm 54 and just passed NCLEX with 75 questions. I'm working as a med/surg nurse.

I had attended college --the first time---back in the 70's. When I returned to school in 2003, I discovered that my slide rule had been replaced by the %#&%# graphing calculator (which nurses don't use) and my type writer had been replaced by the internet and web ct.

I found allnurses while a nursing student and so hoped that I'd one day I could post that I'd made it.

There was a poster in our school that said "find yourself in nursing" and that is what I will do.

Thank you for this site.

[WDWpixieRN]

Originally Posted by sediaz

Greetings! I'm 54 and just passed NCLEX with 75 questions. I'm working as a med/surg nurse.

Congratulations to you and to Senior Student....I'll be 52 when I take the NCLEX in June and you guys are quite the inspiration!!

[hassled]

What ever you do and no matter your age. try to get into a post grad program. I couldn't as there seem to be so many applicants for so few positions. I am a school nurse and whilst I love my job I hanker for surgical and the chance of gaining more experience. I am 59 and graduated in 2005 at 56. Enjoy this experience and may your nursing be every bit as good as you expected and even more challenging than you imagined.

[sherrytzu]

I graduated last May at the ripe old age of 48, but I was not the oldest in my class. I don't feel old though. I have a 16 year old daughter and she keeps me young. Did it wear me out? YOu betcha. But I did it and graduated Cum Laude. I had a 3.59 GPA also. Yeah for me. It was hard but soo worth it.

[Mohikanz]

I started at 42+, I now have ten years of nursing behind me. Some good some not so good. One thing you can always get a job and always work. I think that too many employers are stuck in the "nursing is only for women" mindset and they refuse to pay a decent wage. Many of them still think nursing is only a secondary occupation, the Doctor's assistant!

[lebays]

i am 30, resigned at my work, i will be away to my family to study and just by merely thinking about it, i feel like "can i do this?" but then, it seems that many are happy with this career, i know its worth it...

[longjourneydream]

Originally Posted by lebays

i am 30, resigned at my work, i will be away to my family to study and just by merely thinking about it, i feel like "can i do this?" but then, it seems that many are happy with this career, i know its worth it...

I am 47 years old, graduated last year in May, and I am near the one year mark.

It was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life, and for that I am proud.

After I became a full fledged RN the challenges began.

I started thinking to myself ;was it worth all the effort?

there are some very good days as well as days from _ _ _ _...

In reality it is a career, not just a job.

You are a very important player in the medical community.

And I find, that I can make a big difference, in a human beings life.

I am proud to be a nurse.