Any "50-ish" Pre-Nursing Students?

Hello all & Elle,

I am 48 and just got into an LPN program which will start in January 2010. I am somewhat nervous about needing to get along and relate to other students potentially 30 years older than me. I have accomplished two other dreams in my life, namely being a chef, and being a homeschooling stay at home mom. The idea of nursing is a resurrected dream of being a Dr. - really a healer - from when I was in college and thought I didn't have what it took to be pre-med at a top college. I didn't even try as I wasn't very confident and not that motivated. But now, because of the economy and scarce jobs and having gotten fired from a job where I made decent money I have a chance to pursue a new dream. I am truly overwhelmed at times but have been learning many things about myself and what really matters in this time "off". I want to learn to be a nurse to help others in a direct way and I am fascinated by the human body. I am in favor of a wholistic, less medicinal way to care for folks but I figure that I can contribute love to all I meet in this profession in a way that I could not doing accounting work.

Thank you for starting this topic. I enjoyed reading the responses and feel less alone in my third dream pursuit!

Yes, I agree with you about people needing nursing care - which seems to me to be part nursing/medical and part care. I think that although prevention and taking good care of oneself definitely will make the populace need far fewer healthcare interventions, even if everone started taking really good care of themselves today there would still be a population who needs the intense medical model of care because it was too late for them not to need care. So, we can fit in doing the caring part and contributing regardless. Can you tell I am still trying to work this out for myself?

I am 48 and going to finish RN-AD in May, rcvd LPN in July. Have son in JH, son in college, very supportive spouse. Don't ever doubt what you are doing. we rock! difficult task? they ask us. difficult patient in clinical? they give them to us. always complimented on how positive we are. There are several 50ish students in my class. Our motto, "What's the worst that can happen? they can't eat us!" This we say before skills labs, tests, and clinical. We ask the questions the young ones are afraid to ask. We are better at negotiating with the instructors and everything else. We get more respect when we do clinicals because we are closer in age to a lot who work there and a lot of people in the hospital. Don't ever give up!

Can anyone tell me about the times listed on these posts? I know I didn't write my last post at 1 am. What time zone are the times listed in? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi!

I am starting nursing school soon. I am currently a PCA - Patient Care Aide working with Alzheimer's patients in their home. I lost my job last January and this is a career change for me. I turned 50 this year! I love helping people I feel it's God's work and it feeds my soul.
I already have 4 degree's so not sure how much college I will need. Going to an "information" session next Monday. Then I can apply. The people at the community college are not so helpful, maybe they are overwhelmed?

I am looking forward to getting an advanced certification and making more money to support my daughter through college. Am a single Mom...

God Bless,

Elizabeth

I'm 47 and have been working on pre-reqs for a few years. I graduated LPN in August and got my license in Oct. I"m now working at the health department on the H1N1 vaccination team.

I applied for the RN transition program to start in May 2010. If all goes well I'll have my RN the following year and it'll take me another 5 semesters to get my BSN. I hope to have my BSN by the time I hit 50.

I'm single and my youngest is 18. I'm enjoying my freedom to finally do what I want to do with my life.

Once I sell my house I'll be free to go wherever I can find a great job as a new grad RN.

Woohoo! Life is great

kind2all, you have to edit options from your account menu to change the time zone to your own time zone......

Hi,
I was 49 when I graduated, and my brother also did it when he was 50, I say it's never too late!!
I worked the floor for a year and then was asked to go to ER and love it!! You will do fine, just study hard
and be true to yourself!!