Am I too old?

suzy253, RN · Jun 5, 2005

Hiya--I started school 2 years ago at age 49--now 52 and a senior; due to graduate at 53 next year.

I'm not in the best of shape but I can still do all that's required of me. It's never too late. You'll find this very rewarding. As far as the other nurses--no problem. Other nurses and even the faculty at my school say that they are in awe of me doing this 'at this age' and always say 'i've got to hand it to you!'

Good luck!!!

Mystery5 · Jun 5, 2005

Yep, I doubt if too many people will bat an eye at seeing an old mare like you entering the workforce as a nurse! For one thing, they're probably used to it. Also, nurses are trained not to discriminate; it really is drilled into you in nrsg school.

Us old hens have a lot of wisdom that we bring to work that those young whippersnappers lack.

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

Yep, I doubt if too many people will bat an eye at seeing an old mare like you entering the workforce as a nurse! For one thing, they're probably used to it. Also, nurses are trained not to discriminate; it really is drilled into you in nrsg school.
Us old hens have a lot of wisdom that we bring to work that those young whippersnappers lack.

:chuckle We have learned a thing or two haven't we? Try telling that to my 14 year old!! :rolleyes:

Mystery5 · Jun 5, 2005

:chuckle We have learned a thing or two haven't we? Try telling that to my 14 year old!!

LOL:rotfl:

Gee, that sounds like fun, dealing with the hysterical ravings of a 14 year girl with PMS while having a hotflash, and studying for a test on the endrocrine system!!!

:balloons: :Melody:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2005

Rock on!

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

LOL:rotfl:
Gee, that sounds like fun, dealing with the hysterical ravings of a 14 year girl with PMS while having a hotflash, and studying for a test on the endrocrine system!!!
:balloons: :Melody:

:chuckle

Now you're starting to get the picture!

Also, she has Type 1 Diabetes. Just increases the challenge little.

Mystery5 · Jun 5, 2005

:chuckle
Now you're starting to get the picture!
Also, she has Type 1 Diabetes. Just increases the challenge little.

How long has she had that? Does she manage it well? That must be an extra challenge at an already challenging time of life...

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

How long has she had that? Does she manage it well? That must be an extra challenge at an already challenging time of life...

She was dx'd at age 7. She does pretty well managing it considering she IS a teenager. She's on an insulin pump. One reason I decided to go back to school is that I needed to get my own life so that I could allow her to have hers. I had been micromanaging her for too long, but I know that eventually she has to take responsibility for her own care.

GrnHonu99, RN · Jun 5, 2005

I say go for it! you are never too old!!!:):) education is valuable no matter what age you are! good luck with your daughter, 14 is such a hard age!

rach_nc_03 · Jun 10, 2005

when i was laid off in my last career in sept. of 2001, I was 29. The idea of going back to school at that age was VERY intimidating to me. When I made the decision to go for it, and finished up my prereqs, I was 31. I thought I'd be the oldest person in my class. Well, one of the guys I graduated with is 56!

Actually, nursing school was one of the first environments I'd been in with such diversity in age among the students. interacting with the 18 year olds, and the parents in their 40s...while we're all learning...was a really new experience, as much of my past training (both formal and on the job) has been given by people significantly older than me...in the business world, you're definitely typed by your age (or appeared age- I apparently look like I'm 22 or 23, which was a liability working in corporate management!), and there's a lot of predetermined opinions about you, based on your chronological age, since people assume it correlates with your business experience.

nursing is so different! someone 25 years younger than you might be your preceptor or charge nurse, and someone older than you might come in later on and be the 'new kid'. I like that aspect of the field, actually....it makes me think out of the box a bit more when I look at people.

Hospital work is going to be difficult to do part-time or float/prn, though....I've heard that from many people. They're more likely to hire you for the standard newbie schedule- 12 hour shifts, rotating days and nights. Have you thought about working in a clinic associated with a hospital? Several of the neurologists on the neuro ICU where I worked during school had a clinic in the hospital, and they had a few RNs working with them, and they ran most of their research out of that office. The RNs occasionally come in to the ICU to get data and interview some patients and nurses...sounds like a job you might enjoy.

Don't know if there's anything like that where you are, but it's something to think about! If you're cool with doing the day/night rotation for a while (on my new unit, the option to take days only doesn't kick in til your fifth year!!), it would probably be a good base. however, being a former sufferer of chronic pain, there are limits I will NOT push about my physical ability. my health comes first. I've seen people do stupid things because they didn't want to find someone to help them, they were in a hurry....then they end up with pain, which gets worse, and often ends up being chronic.

I'd just encourage you to remember that your age won't stop you from being hired in a hospital setting- they're looking for someone who can do the job and do it well. And it sounds like you can be that person when you're out there looking for a job, so yeah...go for it!