How do veteran nurses react to...

Nurses General Nursing

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...second career nurses?

I am working on my pre-reqs to get into nursing school next fall, and if everything works out, I would graduate in Spring '09, at the age of 40. I was wondering how nurses generally feel about this. How will my co-workers take to me, a 40 yr old man, starting over in a field they may have been working in since their mid 20s? I've heard good and bad from a few friends who work in hospitals and was hoping you all might let me know what you think, how you would react, or any good stories you can share about working with older grads just starting out in nursing.

At 37, I know much more about myself than I did at 27, and know I have a great deal of compassion, I'm customer service oriented, and I work well under pressure. I think these will be assets in nursing.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
...second career nurses?

i am working on my pre-reqs to get into nursing school next fall, and if everything works out, i would graduate in spring '09, at the age of 40. i was wondering how nurses generally feel about this. how will my co-workers take to me, a 40 yr old man, starting over in a field they may have been working in since their mid 20s? i've heard good and bad from a few friends who work in hospitals and was hoping you all might let me know what you think, how you would react, or any good stories you can share about working with older grads just starting out in nursing.

at 37, i know much more about myself than i did at 27, and know i have a great deal of compassion, i'm customer service oriented, and i work well under pressure. i think these will be assets in nursing.

stories? i always have stories! i've worked with lots of second career nurses, and even married a couple of them! (first one was a big mistake -- both the nursing part and the marriage, but the second is a keeper!) i think you'll find that your co-workers are just so happy to have another nurse on board that they won't care what you did in your first life -- except in so far as it gives you stories to share. good luck with school, and i hope you enjoy nursing!

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Thanks for all the great replies and for the well wishes!!!

I really hope I can make it. I know that if I get accepted once I complete pre-reqs and can make ends meet while going to school, it's going to be the best thing for me in many ways. And now I'm even more confident because you all seem to have the same feelings about 2nd career nursing students. :nuke: Just the excitement of having a dream to pursue has made such a difference in my outlook.

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Along with many others, from what I've seen in this thread, I too am a second career nurse. I went back to school at 35 to become a nurse. It was one of the best moves I've ever made. I only wish I had done it sooner.

Some of us put together a study group while taking classes. My group had ppl ranging in age from fresh out of high school to mid 50's. It was a great mix of perspectives and we all helped each other greatly throughout the program. I still keep in touch with many of them. I'm sure you'll find that you won't be the only older student in the class.

As others have stated, I too found that other nurses and pts did seem to put more faith in my nursing abilities because I was older. I was very well received by co-workers and pts. You'll find that other nurses, for the most part, will be very glad to have you aboard.

Good luck in nursing school!

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

i graduated from an LPN program at 20, and my AS RN program at 9..and am still going for my BSN...what i found is that the nurses and patients had more confidence in my ablility because i was older and more mature than some of the younger students. They were good for me because of thier enthusiasm and energy!! good luck you will do fine! Mary

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Doubt you'll have any problems - will be welcomed with open arms. I went into nursing in my 30's also and now at 47, have experience, both from life and nursing. Don't stop now!

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Specializes in Maternity & Well Baby Nursery.

This was such a good thread for me to read! I am 41 this year and there have been many times when I have wondered "am I too old to do this?" (I am beginning the clinical portion 8/30/2006). But after reading this thread, the only way I would be too old is if I were dead! :chuckle

Thanks everyone for sharing.

Good luck, Asklepios!

Aradien

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a good nurse is a good nurse,thats the only descriptive that means anything to me. welcome aboard!

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Specializes in MR Peds, geris, psych, DON,ADON,SSD.

I think GOOD FOR YOU!!!! I'm 41 have been a nurse since I was 19 (an LPN) RN at age 28. Our Class president in 1993 was 57 and was a man!! and there were 4 other men (not young) in my class also. I think that you will be very well respected. Good Luck!!:balloons:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

50 is the new 30. and I can prove it. Just rode a Harley for the first time yesterday.

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BTW, Isn't 40 supposed to be the new 30? :pumpiron:

Good Luck!!

-lelu

[Ahem...] 50 is the new 30. LOL.

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I'm starting nursing I next month at the age of 35. I expect to have my ADN in May '08 at the age of 37. This is a second career for me as well as I earned my BS sociology degree in '95. I have been through marriage, childbirth, sugery,sickness and death of close relatives & loved ones, job issues etc. It has made me a much more compassionate person and I think I'll be a better nurse b/c of my life experiences.

I don't think anyone will treat you worse b/c you are a "non- traditional" student (maybe better). I would say at least 50% or more of the students in my pre-req's were over 25. Nursing is attracting quite a few second career students b/c of the abundance of jobs available you are not the first 40-something to enter as a new nurse.

A funny thing I heard this morning on the Today show was that the new freshmen entering college (directly from highschool) were born in 1988 :eek: which happens to be the same year I graduated highschool!!! Boy, that made my day...

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Specializes in ICU, ER, M/S, ORTHOPEDICS, UROLOGY.

I have been a nurse for many years and was 35 when I went back to school. I found my life experience as an asset to keeping focus and surviving the program. I thought I had plenty of my life left to practice what I had to learn. Hopefully, you will be welcomed into our profession with open arms. There is a saying in most facilities, "We eat our young." That applies to nurses of all ages. I think many of us forget what it is like to be a new grad with so much knowledge and how hard it is initially to see the whole picture when assessing our patients. After 16 years of practice, I still learn something new every day. I think when I stop learning it will be time to leave the field. Maybe you will be one of those that I will encounter that will teach me one day. Always remember that no matter how inadequate you may feel, you have something to give. If a "veteran" forgets their manners and makes you feel unwelcome or inadequate just kindly remind them that they have something you are seeking or you wouldn't be asking the questions. Try to get into a preceptor/internship program for whatever specialty you choose and that will help with you transistion from school to the working enviroment. Best of luck to you. :pumpiron:

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