Am I too old to fulfill my original dream?

justiceforjoy · Feb 21, 2009

There is a neat little "Multi-Quote" bottom at the bottom of each thread post. Click on it for each post you'd like to quote, then hit "Post Reply" at the bottom of the page.

Saves you a bit of time :)

suzanne4, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I am very aware of that feature, but do not use it all of the time.

But thanks for the suggestion.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I wasnt aware of it. Would have used it before too. Now I can get a whole bunch of people po'ed at the same time. Nice.

liveyourlife747 · Feb 21, 2009

I don't think you are too old to fulfill your dream! I personally don't think I will ever stop wanting to attend classes and further my education. I think you would benefit from taking the courses over again because of the many many changes that have happened over the years.

Have you considered home care? It's very laid back and less stressful than a hospital floor nursing job. I do private duty through an agency and love it. You could also possibly work as a home health aide while attending school. I did that, and it allowed me to get my homework done when my patient was sleeping or watching tv. It was very nice, and I have stuck with it after graduating and becoming an LPN in July.

I wish you well on your path to become a "renewed" RN.

krisssy · Feb 21, 2009

i would like to fill in some details that i didin't mention in my original post.

approx. 5 years ago i had surgery for a rectal prolapse. complications following the surgery caused me great pain and two more surgeries. in that time, i became addicted to percoset and went to a rehab. i have been drug free and pain free for two years. my goal is to work in the rehab that i was in.

i had taken the refresher course before the surgery. i did very well in it and was offered a night job in the hospital where i did the practical experience part of the job. although i did well, and they wanted me, i personally did not feel competent enough.

now that i am well, i feel with doing over a nursing program, i would do very well in this role.

i disagree with people who say i am too old to do the strenuous work of nursing. i saw a tv program the other day about a 73 year old man who never fulfilled his dream of being a college basketball player. so he went back to college and is now not only a student but he is on the basketball team ,and his peers feel he is a great asset to the team. it is not a matter of my age or my strength to be a nurse. it is a matter of my competence. i believe i need to redo nursing school before taking a job.

my question is, "will a two year school accept a person who is already currently registered and has a bs and master's degree??? do you think it may be a good idea to take an lpn course to review my skills and learn the new skills needed today or to take an rn two year course? it doesn't seem relevant to redo science classes. it is the nursing skills that i need. but will they accept me when i am already registered and have a degree? maybe some of you nurse educaters would have an answer for me and lead me in the right direction. thanks. krisssy

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

Krissy, why not apply to a hospital with a good new grad orientation?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I never meant to imply that you personally couldn't handle the strenuous-ness of nursing, just that it's too strenuous for some (young and older).

I've worked in drug rehab and have been a nursing instructor, for psych and drug rehab. Your added information helps me understand your personal situation more. It's really common to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of any new type of nursing. Don't let that hold you back. It tends to work out with time and experience. If you want to work drug rehab, how about talking to the director there and seeing if you could be a tech for awhile, or job shadow the nurse?

Personally, if I was the instructor where you want to go to school. I would let you audit (no credit but you attend) my classes, but that's just me. I don't know what others might permit.

brad_57 · Feb 21, 2009

I don't think anyone is too old to do anything. You're only as old as you feel.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

Yes you could do LPN but why not just take the nurse refresher course again? You say they already offered you your dream job? So your lack of confidence is holding you back? I like the poster's idea about becoming a tech first and shadowing. But If I'm not mistaken a tech's job is different than a nurses job so just shadowing the nurse might be better. I think you would do well in that job because your heart would be in it and it is not floor nursing, it's something you are familiar with. Your experience in that area would be a real plus to all those people who need your help. That's why they want to hire you. Why not just go with your instinct and stop being afraid to move forward? :)

After looking back over your post you also said you are a teacher? No wonder why they want you! If they hired you wouldn't you get precepted by another nurse for a while to learn the job? Perhaps life has thrown you into this situation because this is where you are meant to be. :heartbeat

Good luck and let us know your decision. :)

krisssy · Feb 21, 2009

I never meant to imply that you personally couldn't handle the strenuous-ness of nursing, just that it's too strenuous for some (young and older).
I've worked in drug rehab and have been a nursing instructor, for psych and drug rehab. Your added information helps me understand your personal situation more. It's really common to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of any new type of nursing. Don't let that hold you back. It tends to work out with time and experience. If you want to work drug rehab, how about talking to the director there and seeing if you could be a tech for awhile, or job shadow the nurse?
Personally, if I was the instructor where you want to go to school. I would let you audit (no credit but you attend) my classes, but that's just me. I don't know what others might permit.[/quote

krisssy · Feb 21, 2009

I never meant to imply that you personally couldn't handle the strenuous-ness of nursing, just that it's too strenuous for some (young and older).
I've worked in drug rehab and have been a nursing instructor, for psych and drug rehab. Your added information helps me understand your personal situation more. It's really common to feel overwhelmed at the beginning of any new type of nursing. Don't let that hold you back. It tends to work out with time and experience. If you want to work drug rehab, how about talking to the director there and seeing if you could be a tech for awhile, or job shadow the nurse?
Personally, if I was the instructor where you want to go to school. I would let you audit (no credit but you attend) my classes, but that's just me. I don't know what others might permit.[/quote
You are sooo right. There could be a 30 year old who couldn't handle a strenuous job due to a physical disability or illness. I think your ideas are great. Auditing some nursing courses and then working as a tech or job shadowing a nurse sounds like good ideas. Thank you all for your positive support. I think I lack confidence being out of the field for so long. I was a perfectionist as a teacher, and I would be the same way as a nurse. Sometimes that is good, and sometimes it holds me back from attempting something that I really want. Krisssy