Going to Nursing School at an Older Age

[AmaurosisFugax]

I have been planning to go to nursing school (direct entry MSN) & have been progressing in that direction. The other day I was having a conversation with a coworker (a non-practicing nurse!) and she said, now at your age (I am in my 40s) you have 10, maybe 20 years of nursing, but if a younger candidate gets your seat they can practice nursing for like 40 years, so why should you get a seat? It's more beneficial to train a younger nurse. I was rather tacken aback by the question & said something to the effect the more nurses the better and it is illegal to discriminate based on age, and she said the nursing shortage is a myth and age discrimination happens, no matter what! While I always believe education is throughout one's life and one should pursue one's aspirations, it got me thinking. (In some countries where their are no age discrimination laws this does happen). Is it really socially more desirable to prefer younger candidates? And does this factor into admissions decisions?

[gregd50]

Thank you. Next step is to select a school and take the TEAS test.

[mnmcbm]

Good luck! We did not have to take TEAS. But we were admitted based on our score. I think for my school, my semester the minimum score was 94.5 points. Some schools admit by lottery. I do not think that is fair. I am all for rewarding hard work and perseverance.

[gregd50]

Does anyone have a recommendation for an LPN program in the Tampa Bay area? The money is not the object but rather a school with a humanistic approach to teaching. Any part time nights or online would be fine.

[moma8gma1]

Thank you, I needed to hear that! I'm looking for a school for LPN in the Tampa Bay area that doesn't teach through attrition. Many of the posts on this site make it appear that the programs are for academic supermen. What is your advice in terms of successful studying techniques?

thanks again

That's great about "going for it" no matter how old you are. I don't mean to rain on your parade or anything, but on another thread here on allnurses.com there was talk that Licensed Practical Nurses are being phased out. (Is that what you wanted to pursue?) Because if so, maybe that is not the case with LVN's -- a friend of mine (@ 50 like me) was just accepted to an LVN program here in CA.

Good luck to you!

[gregd50]

Thanks for replying, I'm really not sure of the difference between the LPN and LVN other than their titles. Which one is more marketable? Right now I'm trying to find a school that is a fit for me and finding out about the entrance examinations. Ultimately I would like to work in the mental health area.

Thanks,

Gregg

[momudm]

gregd50,

I'm 52 and in my first year of an RN. And you can never be too old. If you want to do something then do it!!!!

[AtomicWoman]

I graduated from an accelerated BSN at age 52. Top of my class, I might add. :) On the plus side, you are mature and motivated and you have other degrees. That bodes well for your academic future. Your patients will love you, because you have life experience that they can relate to and that you can relate to them. My patients definitely love the fact that I have "been there, done that" on so many issues that they have also struggled with. You probably know how to let little stuff slide off your back, while your co-workers will get their knickers in a knot over dumb stuff that doesn't matter. On the minus side, our bodies are not what they used to be. I hate 12-hour shifts (not easy to find 8 hour shifts as an RN). I'm just coming off 2-12s this weekend and my body is saying, "Hey! What were you thinking?". I get so busy I don't have time to eat, drink or pee. (Eventually, one of those 3 makes me take a short break. LOL) My back does not like to stand up for 12-13 hours at a stretch and I never get enough sleep on the 1st night between the 2 shifts. My advice would be to find a good massage therapist and a chiropractor and see them regularly. Learn how to do some stretches so you can loosen up your muscles when you come home. The other negative is that you may run into age discrimination. I've seen it and it was painful. You don't want to work for that company, anyway. Just keep looking until some bright manager says, "You have the maturity we are looking for". That company understands!

Good luck!

P.S. I did not find study groups very helpful. However, I found one other older student that I trusted and we literally helped each other make it through nursing school. She is still my best friend. :)

[determined_30]

I am 31 with four kids. I kinda think that I am too old to go back to school to become a nurse. But at the same time I have always wanted to become a nurse. I feel like this would be a good career because this was my dream even as a child. Its been hard taking the prerequisites, but I will do whatever it takes. I also look at it like this would be a great chance of giving my kids a better life as well as a chance to help individuals who are in need. I feel if this is what you want no matter what age you are , go out there and get it. I t will all pay off in the end.

[mnmcbm]

You are definitely not too old. In fact, you are probably about the average age of students at my school.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I was 32 when I entered a 4 year BSN program. I've now been graduated and working for 5 months. I really enjoy my work, and I make around 80 thousand a year as a new grad. Well worth the time and money spent, in many respects. You're never too old :)

[determined_30]

Thank you so much I am just so nervous especially about the entrance exam and the science courses. But I wont give up.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

It took me 5 years in total. Some crying and screaming. I had to spend 7 months taking math and chem. Not easy 14 years later. So it is hard, but it can be done. I also had to work, too.