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?

I had chemistry background when I started at 38. Nursing school was hell, but I finished and am now working on a rehab unit. Started out in med/onc in Colorado, came here to WI and worked vascular surgery, started on rehab in April and I love it. You have to do what you want to in this life, whether you succeed or fail.

Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

I am 49 & will graduate in May '06. I have had job offer at every single clinical site I have been to.......so it seems age is not an issue. My husband is very supportive & I hope what ever you decide.....you & your spouse are both on the same side because it is not easy! & there are a lot of sacrifices.:)

Well, I was 42 when I entered nursing school. I graduated 2 years later, top in my class. I will tell you that I found it very hard and time consuming. Have you heard the saying "get a life", well, as long as you are willing to "not have a life", and be 100% dedicated to achieving your goal, you can do this...BUT...without a doubt, you will need the support 24/7 from those who are closest to you. Without their complete support, you will find yourself pulled in too many directions, and well....you become set up for failure. For two years, my husband was the sole financial support, cooked most of the meals, spent his time off watching tv, doing yard work solo...why? because I was locked up in a spare room with my books and computer studying for that next exam. Once nursing school gets rolling, you can count on having 1-2 major exams per week (each one requires that you pass to maintain your GPA at 2.5 to 2.7) Sounds easy, huh? Well, these exams are meant to challenge you, and you must be prepared...your reading will take 1-2 hours per day, research papers a little time each day, and others...once you get behind, you are lost...there is no catching up. I do not say this to scare you. Honestly, you CAN do this. You just need the tools to succeed...and the biggest tool required of a more "matured adult" is support to give you the time to focus the next two years on school. Is it worth it? YES! I worked med/surg for 3 years...my starting salary was more than I ever made at other job in my life. I was able to get years of debt off our back in less than 2 years...FREEDOM! Today, I am burned out from the hospital life (although, many NURSES thrive and love the hospital), just too old to run those halls 12 hour shifts. Starting next week, I begin my new nursing career in an outpatient surgical center, doing pre-op, sometimes circulating, and some days post op...but now, with 8 hour days. Where else can a man or woman have so many opportunities to change jobs under the same credentials? Nursing does not care what color you are, how old or how young you are...the only thing that matters is that you get your credentials, and then provide safe and honest care. Good luck to you...I hope you receive all the support you'll need. Oh, and one more thing. When you think you just can't do it anymore, (school) just remember, YOU CAN....keep coming back no matter what and before you know it, school will be behind you, and the world will be ahead of you.:roll

I am 38 yrs old I have spent the past 2 yrs taking my prereq's and now in nursing school, LPN hoping to brigde this year. I like being around the patients but I can't stand my instructor. She makes me want to quit! Why do nursing instructor have to be so evil? I thought this was going to be a good experience and they have made it unbearable. They terrify us about every little thing and when you get out in your clinicals you find out things are different. I know i can do this I just wonder about what i'm being taught and how fast I'm being taught it. They also like the younger ones in the class 2 girls that are in my rotation are 21 yrs old I think sometimes they think because we are older we should know or have more common sense but this is new for me also I am learning. I want to stay in but at my age now I don't know if it is worth the hassel.

a lot of you guys went back after being an lpn...im starting from nothing here. i am a photographer by trade right now. still think i should go for it? im gonna! :)

add another (former) lpn to the group! i was 23 when i got that license. at the ripe old age of 37, went back for my rn. i was the oldest of my group, too.

you may be starting from scratch, but......how old will you be if you don't?

your heart is in the right place. follow it, and good luck!

keep us posted on your journey.

I started at 38, graduated at 41... you can do it... good luck...

I'm not considered one of the "older" nurses. But, some of my colleagues have left other jobs to pursue a nursing career. I ask them a lot of questions about thier previous jobs and experiences and I've heard a lot of interesting stories. One nurse I work with used to be a kindergarden teacher. Her handwriting is so neat and she's so patient. Another one used to be a Chartered Accountant. I've gotten some pretty good tips on paying taxes. She's real good at calculating flow rates and fluid balance. And another used to be a school teacher and foster parent on an Indian Reservation. It's really cool how they bring their skills from their previous experiences.

Oh yes, and another friend went back to school for nursing and graduated when she was 49. I just think that previous experience (regardless where) can only enhance the skills you will learn to be a nurse.

Go For It!!! :)

I'm 46 & started my pre-req's for nursing last semister. I have wanted to be a nurse for years but life happened & was unable to go to school. I now have the opportunity to fulfill my dream & I'm going for it. I won't be able to qualify for the nursing program til 2007, a little bummed but I'm not going to let that stop me.

I worked in a hospital years ago & I'm going to use the extra time to do volunteer work and/or work part-time to regain experience as I've lost a lot of my skills.

You are NEVER to old to fulfill a dream. I do feel for you that your wife isn't being supportive. I hope she changes her mind. My hubby is behind me 110% & feel blessed for that.

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

i wanted to pull this thread out of the mothballs because i ran across an article that pertains to what the op was asking. for those of you "oldies" out there that worry about your age and going to nursing school, please read on:

http://community.nursingspectrum.com/magazinearticles/article.cfm?aid=19940

Specializes in general practice clinic.
i wanted to pull this thread out of the mothballs because i ran across an article that pertains to what the op was asking. for those of you "oldies" out there that worry about your age and going to nursing school, please read on:

http://community.nursingspectrum.com/magazinearticles/article.cfm?aid=19940

i think that article is interesting. i'm over 50 and do not intend to change careers again. this is something i've wanted to do for 20 years. most of the "olders" in my class intend to be a nurse until we can't work anymore, and then we'll volunteer!

personally, i've found the classes and clinical easier than when i was younger and a cna. probably because i don't have 2 boys to fix lunches for and wash laundry for and run to practice every afternoon.

so, hang in there, it will be over someday and you won't regret it!

Hmmm. I am 41 with two boys (2 and 5) and it is really hard. I do not recommend that you go back to school until your wife is completely on board with this. My partner is incredibly supportive and has had to pick up so much slack since I've been in school. My oldest is in school and the youngest is in daycare, and my partner still has to watch the kids all weekend and some weeknights so that I can study and go to evening clinical.

Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.
A lot of you guys went back AFTER being an LPN...Im starting from nothing here. I am a photographer by trade right now. Still think I should go for it? Im gonna! :)

I am 38 and just finished 1st quarter LPN school. I'm going to Bridge to RN as soon as I pass the NCLEX.

I am the oldest of the "youngsters" in my class. I think the average age is 45.

Go for it!

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