Older Student/Over 60 years old

debpro66 · Jul 15, 2011

I am so very happy to hear you are with me. I am exactly in the same boat, but I am going to night school (if I get in) for my LPN, this way I can transition into a RN program without the pre requisites. I was a radiographer for 40 years and have passed my MRI, and Interventional RT boards at ages 52 and 55 so I am hoping I can get through this. I worry even if I get my certificates I will have a problem getting hired. I really want to work in geriatrics, when I was young I loved the action (ER, OR etc) now....I would rather be in areas that are more geared to my peers.............good luck to you and I know what it means to just have a passion for nursing I have always wanted to go back and now that my last son has graduated from college I can attempt to do this..................and how wonderful that the nursing community welcomes the age diversity................

debpro66 · Jul 15, 2011

now that makes me rethink my future, I thought with the nursing shortage, passionate, intelligent and newly trained people, at any age would be welcomed..........

forestlover · Jul 15, 2011

Hello my fellow senior students-

My last post was April 2010, when I was struggling with Physio. I made it through everything, now I am going to apply in April 2011. Had a few life glitches along the way, and found with the sciences it was easier to take one class at a time, including micro lecture, and micro lab. But I maintain a 3.1 GPA, and am hoping to get into the program at my school. I sure hope my age does not work against me, but as the baby boomers age, doesn't it seem that they would prefer to see someone their own age come into their room to care for them, than a 20 something that hasn't been there, done that? I am keeping a positive attitude that I WILL get in, and start nursing school in October 2011.

Let's keep it up, it seems there are a lot of us out there, not wanting to retire to a live of gardening and quilting!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2011

I sure hope my age does not work against me, but as the baby boomers age, doesn't it seem that they would prefer to see someone their own age come into their room to care for them, than a 20 something that hasn't been there, done that?

I would have thought they would WANT someone around their age to take care of them - they can relate more to you. Additionally, older nurses appear to have experience even if they just graduated from school yesterday They don't have to know how long you have been doing this!

NurseJessRN · Jul 17, 2011

Age is only what you make it. If nursing is calling to you, that I suggest you follow it! Good for you for following it! I wish you the best of luck!

manoagirl · Aug 18, 2011

Hello everyone-
This is my first post, but I am curious....When I finish nursing school (if I even get in) I will be 62 years old. Is there anyone out there in the same situation? I am currently struggling through Physiology, and am not sure I can get the required B, but I don't have a lot of time to waste taking it again. Do you find learning is harder because you are older?
This is my final dream, to become a nurse. Done everything else I have ever wanted to achieve, but this just might be not possible.
Thanks

Hello,

Kudos to you for keeping your dream alive by DOING it. I just graduated 2 weeks ago from the MEPN program at University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing. I'm 61 years old. I started doing my prerequisites at age 59. It is never too late, if you are committed to staying through this program. It is hard, and it is nothing but work, work, work, and you feel like you are stupid and never going to catch on. Just stay with it. Keep studying. Don't waste time. Personally, I feel that a 2 year program would have made more sense for me, but I got accepted, so I just jumped in. There is a difference between learning at this age, and younger. It is harder. But, it is also not impossible. I'm not sure a community college will accept older students over younger students for nursing, but go ahead and try. Make sure you have all the necessary classes and great grades. Write a compelling and truthful letter of admission. My advice is to take a basic chemistry class, and A & P, and Microbiology classes before you get into nursing school. You will look better and go faster. You will also have a MUCH easier time in school. If you can get a Pharmocology as well, you will REALLY charge ahead. These were the toughest classes to handle. I think you have to have one Math (Statistics) as well. Chip away at it and just do it. I'm studying for my NCLEX-RN at the moment, and I'm still floored that I've made it this far. It's a fabulous life, go for it!

KareBear0609 · Aug 19, 2011

I work as a CNA in a LTC facility. And I can tell you that 60 is not old. At all. 95 and above is old. Good luck to you :heartbeat "You will be more disppointed by the things you didn't do than the ones you did do" :redbeathe GO FOR IT!!

FloridaRN3 · Sep 29, 2011

Forestlover,

Hope you're still moving forward with your RN goal. I am also an older RN student...54 years and in my first semester, and yes, my brain is a little foggier than when I was in school at 23 years. Out of 120 students, myself and one other are 54. This is my last opportunity to get myself out of the hole the economy has placed me in. There are plenty of jobs out there that the younger graduates won't take or if they do they don't last long. I've been in the medical field as a unit clerk, unit secretary, and health unit coordinator. Also have had my CMA for many years. This was the first opportunity that I've had to pursue this type of school. As all of us nursing students know...this is unlike any other type of school you've attended. It's very regimented as is the military and you have to go along to get along. I've always loved the medical field and have spent my life helping others with their goals. I finally realized that it was my turn. Please everyone that reads this...pray for me to success. If I do not I fear I will become just another one of those statistics we read about...alone and homeless.

momofsix6 · Oct 5, 2011

Forestlover, You WILL make it. you WILL make it. You WILL make it.

I am 50 years old and started taking my nursing prerequisites at the age of 48. I was accepted to nursing school and had to defer my start date because I have a daughter who is mentally ill and I've now become a foster parent to my grandchild. I don't know if I'll be able to start nursing school in January 2012 - which is when I postponed to start. I don't know if the school will allow it. If they don't, they I'll have to reapply and I WILL reapply. This is just a small bump in the road and for you, Physiology is JUST A SMALL bump in the road. You CAN AND WILL do this!!!! Like one of the other posters said, put signs up around your house, lay bones out, you do whatever it takes!!! You will succeed if you push, push, push. Keep in touch. I'd like to request you as a friend if you don't mind so we can encourage one another.

SCMail · Oct 5, 2011

I am 49 and am just finishing my pre-reqs for ADN in S. Carolina. Kept a 3.8 gpa so I am pleased that my brain still works! Remember, our maturity is an advantage in time management, lack of panic, focus, etc. Hang tough! RICH

student forever · Oct 16, 2011

I am 59 and am beginning in Nov to take the cna challenge test in Florida. I am about decided to go for lpn after that, but i might change my mind and go for rn. This thread has really helped me a lot!!!!! Bless you all and I have clicked on the little green icon to befriend some here.

Retirement (for 6 years now) has been sweet but I am OVER it and ready for a new challenge!

In 1972 I graduated with a 2.6 and I went back to college at 40 and had a 4.0 and here's hoping I can repeat that performance. Pray for me and I will pray for all of you!

ERICA57 · Feb 24, 2012

I just graduated with a BSN in December, and passed the NCLEX last week. I'm 61, and I have a vastly different take on this topic. The optimism and encouragement that virtually every poster expressed is well-meaning, but ill-founded.

It's simply not true that "age really isn't an issue anymore". Age is most definitely an issue in who gets hired in the job market, most especially in a weak economy and in a job with the physical demands of nursing. The employment situation is further compounded by the reality that many younger nurses are uncomfortable in a supervisory/teaching relationship with an older student/new grad. I have found that simply by being an older student I evoke discomfort and suspicion.

People are subconsciously wired to (generally) expect "newbies" and learners to be young/younger; In a way, this perspective makes sense: there are *limited* resources to teach new nurses, and if one has to choose, it makes long term sense to invest in a student who will be a nurse for 35 years, not 10.

The admonition to "follow your dreams" is both a strength and a trap that is inherent in American culture. You may have a wonderful dream, but pursuing it at the wrong time may do more harm than good. Middle age is a time for serious and sober financial planning, which usually does include the extensive investment in education that ramping up for a new career requires, unless of course, one is independently wealthy.

I would warn the OP against getting "swept away" by the wave of optimism and good feeling this thread reflects. I certainly wish I had seen through the fog of encouragement that was directed at me when I was embarking on this path.