Older Student/Over 60 years old

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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

It all started because I was the first ever SN to have a grade appeal granted by the college president. It was retaliation.

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Has there ever been anyone allowed to challenge NCLEX with six weeks left?

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Does it matter that I hold BA, MA, MS degrees?

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I want to do medical missions, travel nurse part time. I will sign a waiver promising NEVER to apply for hospital staff position lol!

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thats not very encouraging. and i have never been treated differently....i am on the deans list and just got invited to be in the phi theta kappa honor society....how cool it that...well,i think so..:yes:

i am 50 and in my 2nd semester of an ADN program...its it hard...YUP....does my lil body get sore...YUP...i have been a LPN for 7 yrs now and work circles around my younger counterparts...

i would say if you really want this,then go for it!:yes:

that stamina remark is so true....i can start to feel it after my 8 hr shifts:sleep:...but ya know what....it keeps me young,fit and active...:nurse:

I appreciate your post, and you're fortunate that you haven't been treated differently, but I know many other older students who have, and that's where my advise comes from. You may be one of the lucky ones that don't experience some form of age discrimination, and it comes in many forms. I don't think it serves anyone well to pretend it doesn't exist or ignore the realities of entering the nursing profession at an advanced age.

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Sorry that I can't speak from experience, but wanted to post anyway. I'm just starting prerequesites and I'm 57. I'm scared to death about how I will do both in school and on the floor, but I'm goin' for it. Good luck!

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Myra- 57 years old is exactly when I started with my pre-reqs also. I am now 62 years old and just completed my first semester of nursing school. Took me 5 years, but I did it, and I am on my way now. It was tough when I was going through it, but now that I am actually IN nursing school, it seems easy. Stick with it, there will be a lot of tears, angst, joy and feelings of accomplishment. The only thing I would change is I wish I had really studied physio better. I kind of breezed through it, and forgot a lot, but boy, do I need it now. Have fun Myra

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You all inspire me!!! :-)

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

I already posted in this thread way back, but here is an update. I am 61 and graduated in December. I was hired on a telemetry floor before I graduated. I have been working there as a newbie for 4 months now. I have stayed in good shape and these old bones keep up with the youngsters during the 12 hour shifts. I believe I was given a chance because I volunteered as a transporter while in school in this hospital and 'proved' myself to the nurse managers. Being older may indeed be an impediment in getting hired in today's youthful society, so my advice is stay in shape and somehow prove yourself to the powers to be or you might be discriminated against.

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Thank you for your encouragement Stcroix. Reading some of the posts were rather discouraging, and caused me to doubt myself, but hearing from someone who is actually doing the job and succeeding helps tremendously. You are awesome!

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HI all

I am now 61 but in my MSN program, people asked me my age. Can you believe that? The first time I was asked that by office staff and and then answered, the reply was, "well, you will be done before you are 60." That was then. Telling my age allows whatever prejudices there might be to take precedence from then on which will affect what I might could get from the experience. That is against the law but you cannot in a student situation tell them that. I was asked it again, I said I was over 50 and did not address it further. There are many people in their 50s going back to school to study nursing. The prejudice is there and in hiring, those in HR are usually so much younger that they do not realize nor appreciate the experience we bring. I am concerned about getting hired! I better I have huge loans. I will tell you though that I am in my last semester of my MSN program and am at a different school. This is great, and I feel appreciated!! It is like night and day from my first attempt!! The difference is the school, their philosophy, and professors. No doubt!! It is another part of the country too. I just finished walking across the stage, and it will be conferred later when the semester is done. I will be 62 then. I am scared about getting hired! I am a very young 61 though.

Oh forestlover, GO FOR IT!!

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Erica57

I would like to talk to you. What happens when we "become friendws?". I made a friend request with you. Can we talk directly?

I see from your profile that you are in Massachusetts so I'm not sure how your experience will translate to my experience in Maryland. I am 57 1/2 and starting prerquesites. That puts me at 60 1/2 when I graduate with a BSN. Life circumstances dictate that I must find work at that point-- that's the whole idea. I am very nervous about whether I will find work at the end. I'd like a reality check, not more well-meaning encouragement. What has been your experience?

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