[Avera05]

Originally Posted by Dixielee

You may get more replies if you post this as a separate question. You sound like you really need some sound advice. As long as your background does not involve criminal activity, I don't see why you could not find something that will fulfill your current needs. Home health has a great need for good home health aids. I don't know what is involved in becoming a "psych tech", but we have them in our ER who help monitor suicidal patients, or ones who are not competant to be left alone. I am sure there are group home settings, especially in the elderly population who need good folks to help out.

I think you may be onto something. I will offer one word of warning though. Do not going into something like this if you are expecting it to fill all of your own needs. Caring for other people can be emotionally draining. You have to learn to take care of yourself first, before you can be beneficial to anyone else. Don't expect anyone to even be appreciative of what you are doing for them. They may not be able to express that themselves. There are plenty of opportunities to be helpful out there, just be sure to protect yourself first.

thank you for this!

[HardHead]

Originally Posted by Julie029

I will be graduating from the ADN program in the spring of 2006. I will be 42 at that time. Will it be difficult to find a nursing job at that age?? Are hospitals reluctant to hire someone at this age?

You betcha. One of the beautiful things about nursing, and I have watched it for awhile, is that you are NEEDED! I am a cop in Texas, been one for 26 years, my wife is a nurse and if she wants a part time job, second job or new job all together, its just a cell phone call away. In my line of work at the ripe old age of 47 if I lose my job, I am done. Its a great career choice and it, like my job is not all about the money, its taking care of people and while I have done it with a badge for this long, I am about to turn it in and start an ADN school myself. Not looking forward to being the oldest student since Methuslah but got to deal with it.

[LPNer]

Originally Posted by HardHead

You betcha. One of the beautiful things about nursing, and I have watched it for awhile, is that you are NEEDED! I am a cop in Texas, been one for 26 years, my wife is a nurse and if she wants a part time job, second job or new job all together, its just a cell phone call away. In my line of work at the ripe old age of 47 if I lose my job, I am done. Its a great career choice and it, like my job is not all about the money, its taking care of people and while I have done it with a badge for this long, I am about to turn it in and start an ADN school myself. Not looking forward to being the oldest student since Methuslah but got to deal with it.

There is a VERY good chance you won't be the oldest student. So many long time LPNs are going for their ADNs and even if you are the oldest "kid" in your class, so what! You'll have that advantage of NT being a wet nosed bratt!

[LPN1974]

Originally Posted by truesn

I sure hope so...I'll be 51 the month I graduate

Guess I need to work on the bladder control, though

Not a problem......they make "leg bags".

[Melody1968]

Originally Posted by ERNurse752

Most places will just care that you have a license and a pulse, hehe. Good luck with your last year of school!

And the pulse is debatable....with some nurses you wouldn't know if they had a pulse or not. They never move! Mel

[RebaAdams]

Originally Posted by truesn

I sure hope so...I'll be 51 the month I graduate

Guess I need to work on the bladder control, though

I feel fantastic at this age...I'll be 52 when I graduate. But Nursing school is aging me! I have one more year to go till I get my ADN. I figure I can work into my 70's..just as long as I'm a little bit healthier than my patients! We have 7 kids between us and not much savings...so I'm hoping to make some money. I've been part-time doing other things the past 25 yrs...mostly raising kids...I need to start working more!

[latebloomer2]

Did you say you need to start working more??? Working part-time, raising kids--(I'm assuming alone, for part of the time--since you said between the two of us), you've been working hard, girl! I don't know about you, but for me I've never truly regretted not getting into my career earlier, because then I wouldn't have had that time with my kids. When I'm dead and gone the people most important to me aren't going to say, "Boy, she worked alot!", or "Man, she made alot of money, we got whatever we wanted!". They're going to remember me being there--reading books to them and their friends in kindergarten, planting things in the garden together, taking walks with the dogs and Mom at sunrise/set, eating popcorn and watching a movie together in the middle of the day--you get the point. They'll also grow up to treat their kids the same, hopefully, and make the world a better place...by raising kind, caring kids (if they choose to). Well, off my soapbox, it's too early for this. Maybe I ought to change my user name to 'no regrets'....

Originally Posted by RebaAdams

I feel fantastic at this age...I'll be 52 when I graduate. But Nursing school is aging me! I have one more year to go till I get my ADN. I figure I can work into my 70's..just as long as I'm a little bit healthier than my patients! We have 7 kids between us and not much savings...so I'm hoping to make some money. I've been part-time doing other things the past 25 yrs...mostly raising kids...I need to start working more!

[Mijourney]

When I went to nursing school way back when, there were two students in my class in their late 50's. They had no problems to my knowledge with being discriminated against because of their age. They brought alot of dignity, poise, and grace to their bedside practice. It was great to see them working with diverse staff and families. I really learned from them. From what I've read under other topics, the trend seems to be to hire chronologically mature nurses and immigrants to the bedside. I don't know if this is only in certain localities or not. If it's tight in your location, just have an open mind about what you're willing to do. Remember nursing is flexible. You don't even have to stay at the bedside if that is your desire. Finally, I don't consider any experience wasted in nursing as long as learning is taking place. I wish you the best.

[TINAMARIE28]

So glad to hear that I'm not too old to be hired! :hatparty: I will be 46 next December when I graduate. I can't believe I'm no longer 30 something! oh well......

[KimberlyT]

Originally Posted by Julie029

I will be graduating from the ADN program in the spring of 2006. I will be 42 at that time. Will it be difficult to find a nursing job at that age?? Are hospitals reluctant to hire someone at this age?

Hello,

I am 38 and graduated from nursing school in December. I would say the average age in my class was mid-30's or early 40's. In my area, it is tough for new grads to find jobs because there are so many of us. I was lucky as a mid-winter grad to get hired in my interview at the only place that called me back. However, I'm happy with how things turned out: I'm on a med-surg unit at one of my top two hospital choices. My supervisor knew from my resume that I had no healthcare background (that worried me more than the age thing). However, she appreciated that I worked full time during nursing school, and also my 17 years as a legal secretary and paralegal showed I have real world experience and can handle lots of responsibility. I also had excellent college and nursing school grades, which probably helped too. If I were you, I would do my very best in school grades-wise, get at least 2 letters of reference from nursing instructors, as well as a few from other people in responsible positions (such as your current/former employers) and do an internship if you have the time (I didn't). Good luck.