A few questions for the "older" new nurses...

Nurses General Nursing

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Jeeze, I hated to put that "older" word in there, but I have a few questions...

How old were you when you decided to go to nursing school? The reason I ask is that I am 39 right now and have decided to go back to school for nursing. There is a supposed two year wait for the school (which is more like a year once they weed out the ones that arent coming). The school will take me two years to finish. That means I could be a 43 year old recent graduate. Is this going to be a problem? My wife says it will.

She actually doesnt want me to go back to school because she says I went back once and quit and she "knows" I will just quit again. It is true that I went and didnt finish, but dammit, this is something I want to do. I WILL finish this.

Any thoughts on this from the "older" crowd?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I went to LPn school when i was 33 and had a 3yr old/4yr old and 8 yr old,, went to RN when i was 41. Wont ever regret it.

GO FOR IT

Once your wife sees that you are serious and working hard, she should come around and give you the support that you'll need. A person who is happy in their work has a happier home life.

Oh My God, can I relate!!!

When I told my husband, "I am going back to school for nursing" I swear, I could see the "here we go again" look on his face. I KNOW he thought, she will start(again) and quit (again) and we will be out several hundred dollars.

We spoke about it the other night, and I am proud to say I will graduate this year and could not have a prouder(is that a word) husband. It is not always the right time to go back to school, Maybe this time is "right".

I say GO FOR IT!!! By the way, I am an "old" student too!

Jen

This is really something!!! I thought I was in the same boat but I see I have lots of company!!

I have started a few things too and I think I have seen the same "here we go again" face from my husband. But I told him that I really I was meant to be doing this along time ago! I get so jazzed about what I am studying and can't see doing anything else.

I am starting my pre reqs at 42. I am not sure when I will get into nursing school yet as my school is on the lottery system but I will not give up trying either!

So glad to hear that I got some awesome people in the same boat with me!!

Melody

This is really something!!! I thought I was in the same boat but I see I have lots of company!!

I have started a few things too and I think I have seen the same "here we go again" face from my husband. But I told him that I really I was meant to be doing this along time ago! I get so jazzed about what I am studying and can't see doing anything else.

I am starting my pre reqs at 42. I am not sure when I will get into nursing school yet as my school is on the lottery system but I will not give up trying either!

So glad to hear that I got some awesome people in the same boat with me!!

Melody

Jeeze...I felt the same way, Melody. I honestly thought I was the only one too. Funny huh?

I say definately go for it! I was 40 when I graduated, and though the nursing program is tough!! it wasn't any easier for the students in their 20's. You'll no doubt find many 'older' students in your class. Keep us updated on how you're doing..........and best of luck!

Specializes in Staff nurse.

...I went back to school at age 46, got my RN at 49. My sons and husband were all thru with college and it was my turn :) You will have to stay focused and study study study. God bless.

Specializes in ICU.

I am 37 and will be entering an LPN program in January. The closer it gets to that date, the more excited I am and the more certain I am that I'm making the right choice to switch careers. A friend of mine once gave me the best career advice: ask yourself, if I don't take this path, how will my future self feel about this missed chance?

I'm planning on working as an LPN while taking prereqs and the 2nd year of an RN program. So... I'm looking at obtaining my RN about 3 or so years from now. That's a long road! :)

I began my prerequisites in 2001 at the ripe old age of 43. I had a previous degree, so all I had to do was take the science courses before starting our BSN program in 2003 full time. I was not the oldest one in our class - the oldest one was 50. I graduated summa cum laude this year, and won the nursing award for the year for our department.

Incidentally, the student who won the nursing award last year also was older, she was 50 when she got it.

I am on orientation in the ICU; it is tough, as the others my age in the dept. have been there forever, have all their relationships established, and do not necessarily welcome you with open arms. They don't care if you did well in nursing school.....the playing ground is leveled once you get out there.

The bottom line is this: I think age is an advantage in school, as we are able to synthesize thought a little better at this age and relate pieces of the whole in a more comprehensive way than the younger ones, but it seems to be a disadvantage once you start work, as you wind up being out of step with your contemporaries.

Regarding your wife, I remember some quotes from my instructors in nursing school.

On a particularly bad day, when my own normally supportive spouse was not very supportive, and I was almost in tears, I came to class and she said, "You are the only one who can do this for yourself!" The same lady also said, "Find something in life which is your passion and DO IT!!" It is apparently common to have a lack of support at times....also, remember that a lack of support comes with older ages. I found that the younger people in our class tended to have people be proud of them, iron their uniforms for them, buy them things pertaining to nursing, and generally dote on them....at our age, people look askance at things we do, and simply seek at times to criticize.

As much as we may love our spouses, they may be dead in a car wreck next month!! We will then have ourselves and our abilities and the things we have built up through our lives left. Investing in yourself is always a good idea, as you are the one person who will definitely be there in your old age, remembering what you did and didn't do. No one else will be there to commend you for missing an opportunity; at our age, we have to get on with things, as we don't have time 20 years from now to go back for a second degree.

All in all, I found going back to school in midlife a very rewarding experience; if I can survive orientation, I think I will have many happy memories in my old age of the people I helped.

I hope things go well for you; this board can be a great source of encouragement, so check in frequently!!

ICU Newbie

Graduated May 2005

Survived NCLEX July 2005

This June I will be graduating the day after my 45th birthday. This is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself (other than marrying my DH, that is!). Yeah, it's hard. Mentally I can run circles around the younger ones, but physically, well, let's just say I appreciate the days I can sneak in a quick nap. I also think being an older student brings a maturity and determination that the 20-somethings just don't have yet, and it is a real advantage. Our class has a good mix of ages, from 19 up to the mid-40s. Sometimes when I'm talking to the younger ones, I forget that I have kids their ages, and that I graduated high school before some of them were born!

Little side note--last week we had to go to a boring all-day conference. Before it started I was talking with a 32-year-old student, and mentioned "I'm just too old to be sitting in those uncomfortable chairs for 8 hours, it's gonna suck." He asked how old I was and when I told him 44, he said "Hell, at your age, you're gonna get bedsores!" I just about died from LOL.

I was 42 when I started nursing school and 45 when I passed the NCLEX (June '05). I had multiple job offers.

Specializes in Med/Surg, School and Camp Nursing.

I was 37 when I started in an RN program and I graduated and passed the NCLEX at 39. I was considered to be one of the younger students!!! I found the older students to be more serious and much more committed to their studies. I say "go for it" and you will look back some day and be so proud of your accomplishments. Best of luck to you. :)

Specializes in M/S, Foot Care, Rehab.

I'll be done with RN school in May and I'll be 42. I too am not the oldest in my class, I'd say at least 1/3 are my age or older. Hang tough! You have to live your dreams otherwise you'll be unhappy and get bitter and that will affect your life. I bet you'd support your wife if she wanted to make a change and she should do the same for you. If you can show her you can balance the school and taking care of your family, hopefully she'll be more supportive.

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