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by mammaoftwo

I am trying to make a major decision and what is best for my age. I am 54 years of age, I am taking some pre-nursing courses this semester. I am torn between the LPN Program and the ADN Program. If I get accepted into the LPN Program this fall, I will graduate 12/08. If I try to get into the ADN Program, I possibly can be admitted 12/08 and graduate 1/2010. I have two small boys, ages 5 & 8 to take care of. LPN graduation I will be 56 years of age, ADN graduation I will be 57 (going on 58). Who would you hire? I don't won't to waste more time going to school for an RN if no one wants to hire an older "new" nurse. I plan to only work until I am 67 years of age (good Lord willing). What a decision to make!! I am really struggling with this as you can tell from my previous posts. Blessings to all

[kidznurse]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

Im 45 and been nursing 28 years am also a mum of 2 .I'm considering moving out of nursing soon because I'm just not handling it physically. Maybe my body is old for its age and maybe its because 28years of shift work and stress has taken its toll. How do you think your body will handle the physical nature of the job. Maybe you still have the body of a 30year old because you haven't been nursing all this time I don't know. If you can handle the heat stay in the kitchen . Good Luck with your decision

[mammaoftwo]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

Well, as far as my body goes, that's a whole nother story. My dr has advised me against going into nursing due to my health problems. She has stated she does not believe I can stand for long periods of time. I have fibromyalgia, diabetes, high blood pressure, am over 100#'s overweight (I am having weight loss surgery in May after this semester is over) and am going to be working on a lot these health issues to improve them. Am I just chasing an impossible dream of wanting to be a nurse?? It is just something I have wanted so bad for so many years, yet I do have to think, if physically I am not able to do the job, then what is the use of going to school for it? For those of you that have did it for years, what kind of toll has it taken on your body? I realize now that I am going to have to think about age as a factor and that is something I have not wanted to do.

[TazziRN]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

If you go for your LPN you may be limited to LTC work. Many acute care hospitals are not hiring LPNs. Not a thing wrong with that, some people love LTC. Some abhor the idea. If that's not your thing, then I would invest the extra years and go for your ADN.

[oeue2007]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

A classmate of mine (LPN) just took a position doing in-home initial assessments of at-risk elderly and disabled. Involves almost no physical labor, in fact she is required to wear business casual clothes. Follow your dream and you will find a place that suits you. Having said that, after just completing LPN school at 42, I would have gone straight for the ADN or accelerated BSN (I have another degree) if I had it to do again. Clinicals in LPN school (in GA anyway) are pretty physically demanding in themselves. Three eight-hour days a week on the floor doing LOTS of CNA-type work followed by late nights working on the dreaded CAREPLANS! Good luck and hope it works out for you!

[cotjockey]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

As much as I like being an LPN, if I had to do it over again, I would go straight for the RN. There are a lot more options, more money, and usually more job openings.

Best of luck to you!

[purplemania]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

What would you do if you were 34? Do that. You might as well be doing what you want. Anyway, you will probably work at least ten years. What is the pay difference in your area between LVN/RN? If you work ten years and there is a $20,000 annual difference (yep, that is right) then in 10 years you would lose an enormous sum. Do the math then listen to your heart.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you fall, you land among stars.

[Faeriewand]

Re: Who Would You Hire?

Originally Posted by mammaoftwo

It is just something I have wanted so bad for so many years.

This is the most important thing you said. You want to be a nurse so go for it.
LIVE YOUR LIFE AND FORGET YOUR AGE
Was once quoted to me. Go for the RN and you'll never regret it. When you have RN behind your name the hospital won't care how old you are, they just need you.