am i too old??

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 23, 2008

I have absolutely no health care background. After surviving 2 layoffs in 3 years at my old "desk job" in IT, I decided I wanted something more secure, more physically demanding, and with more security. I started taking prereqs (I had a previous bachelor's) around 2004.

I started an ADN program in August 2006; I will graduate in May and will be taking the NCLEX RN hopefully shortly thereafter.

I turned 52 in December. Do I, as a "newbie" in the medical field, think you are too old? Heck no. You will have a tremendous advantage over me and others near my age who have done this cold turkey.

If you are out there in the battlefields, you know that you're nowhere near the oldest person working as a nurse and won't be once you graduate. One thing I have been very grateful for is the blind eye I found in this field toward age.

Best wishes and good luck!!

GizmosMom · Feb 23, 2008

Geesh - if you people only knew how old I am and am considering going to school for an LPN.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 23, 2008

Geesh - if you people only knew how old I am and am considering going to school for an LPN.

I've seen ages in to the 60's on this forum....my husband told me he met a gal who's dad went back to school in his 60's after retirement from a career in the engineering field.

He graduated, they moved somewhere in AZ and apparently nursing is like his "hobby" in his retirement.

She told my hubby he loved it and was very successful in this, his second career.

Age really is pretty irrelevant in this field from what I've seen....it's more a matter of how your body holds up, lol....

conniesues · Feb 24, 2008

Don't think so!

I am 52! :eek: and just wrapping up my second year in nursing school. Started in The Dalles, OR CGCC in 2005, failed clinicals last term and waited a year to reapply.

Didn't make the cut, so am now at Concorde in Portland, OR. Started in May, 2007. Pulling good grades, intend to take my NCLEX-PN in June and continue online from there. :yeah:

Never to old to live your dream, dear!:wink2:

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2008

I'll be turning 51 in a few short weeks and I'm finishing up my pre-reqs for an ADRN program. After that, I plan to get my BSN. :yeah:Just remember that age is only a number! :yeah:

Bigmama · Feb 24, 2008

Your not too old!! 2005 i graudated LVN school with a husband and wife in their 50's. The both just got their ADN in Dec 2007! Go For It!!

momtojosh · Feb 24, 2008

:bow:thank you to everyone....................i feel so inspired now!! :yeah:

i wrote to the college and asked them about transfering credits from 20 plus yrs ago.....hopefully some will transfer.......i am on campus anyway m-f for LPN school so i will set up an appointment to talk to someone.....

a bit nervous,cause i wasnt the greatest student......i did what i had to and THATS it.....just made the GPA to get my degree.....and i mean just made..... :nono:

i am all excited now.......

thanks again

PAULA

lvnandmomx3 · Feb 29, 2008

I don't think you are to old, I don't think anyone is ever to old to continue thier education. This may be skipping to far ahead but if you love nursing you could finish with the LVN/LPN program pass boards and look into continuing to RN,if you do not want to spend another few yrs in school for nursing maybe Excelsior College, Indiana State University or another online/distant program.

Esther2007 · Mar 1, 2008

I dont think you are tool old. In my nursing class, there are a few students and their 50s. It is better to do it now, than regret it later when you in your 70s. It is never too late to do something that you like. Last year this woman, was like in her 90s getting her college degree. I believe one of her grand children graduated with her. Good luck to you.

Asia53 · Mar 1, 2008

also.....i am not doing this for money...doing it becasue i have always wanted to be a nurse.....

Gooooooooooooooooooooo! Pass Go, don't even stop to collect the $200.

I started Nursing School at 46, and finished at 51. I was always the oldest in the class. I had to work full/time, no leave of absence option. Work would interfere sometimes. I'd drop that semester, reapply, and start again the next semester. My 2nd year, I did part/time, theory in the fall, clinicals in the spring. I had so many starts and stops, I didn't know if I was coming or going at times.

Concetrate on your words above. What you always wanted is a very good reason.

Do it!

The very best to you,

Asia

oldschoolmom · May 3, 2008

:yeah:Hi, I am in the same boat as you, but my lvn program is 13 mo and I will grad in July. I am one of the older gals still left in my class. I have wanted to be a nurse for 30+ years. I will be 50 in 5 years so why not be 50 with my RN? I have 4 pre-reqs to complete and then on to the long waiting list to see when I can get into RN program. Do not quit and do not give up. If you need a boost email me and I will remind you of how much you want this. OLDSCHOOLMOM