Advice On Becoming A Nurse in my Forties!

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Hi, I am 48 years old. I have four children all grown and out of the house. I am looking to become an LPN and later an RN. I am really uncomfortable about my age, since I would imagine I would be with much younger students. I was a SAHM and haven't been out in the work force or at school in a long time. I am really feeling funny about going to school with such young student like I said. I don't want to stick out and , well I guess I'm not self assured.... Anyway, could anyone help me with advice, or let me know if maybe there are "ANY" alittle bit older students you've ever seen? I have wanted to be a nurse all my life and I want to make that dream come true. My uncle became an RN at 67 ... but I haven't really discussed my question with him since he lives far away and all.... Any advice would really help.... And thanks also ...

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am 33 when I back to nursing school and 34 when I graduated. The youngest in my class was 18 and the oldest was 56. The majority of the students were in our mid 30 to late 30's. I went to the part time evening class so I figured it would be more mature students. (not saying young students aren't mature). I would say most of the students in the evening program were over 30 and most of the students that were in the day class were the younger crowd in their late teens, early twenties.

When I went to take the entrance exam there was a woman there who was 79 years old!!! I never saw her in school so i don't know if she ever made it in, but i gave her credit for trying!! You are never to old!!!! Good Luck to you!!!!

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Specializes in nursing home,psych,chemical dependency.

I am still working on my prereqs, and I'm 49,,,a fellow student of mine is 55,,, the ages vary, definitly more younger students, but it doesn't matter, you should be there for you, not for them. I too was a stay at home mom for 16 years, went and got my LPN after my baby started kindergarten,,now I'm back to go a step farther - RN,,,We can do it !!:yeah:

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Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

I'm 37, and will be probably 41 by the time I'm finished with everything.

Yup, it's scary, but 20/20 featured a story many years ago of MEDICAL STUDENTS who were starting in their 40's.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

At 20, I had a BA in English. At 32, I went back for a MS in Computer Science. At 43, I'm in my pre-reqs for the RN program, while hoping to start in the LPN program in January (get to LPN, get a job, do a bridge so I have the degree plus the hands on...). Who knows, when I'm 54, I may decide to take astronaut training.

The thing is, when I was in my bachelor's program, there was a woman there who didn't start back until she was 67 (she used to joke and say she waited until the kids were all dead of old age, first...). She graduated with her BS in biology when she was 71. She went on to get a Master's in Education!

When I was in the master's program, I thought, "oh, rats, I'm going to be at least 10 years older than everybody else in the program." Not so. The oldest person, again, was in their sixties.

When I thought about going back to school again, I thought, "man, I'm gonna be the oldest person in the program" and for all I know, I may be. But you know what? I don't care. I always wanted to be a nurse, I've done the corporate thing for 20 years (and it sooo mightily stinks), and I've finally got the resources to go back and do what I want to.

See ya out there in class!

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I am 39 and ready to fininsh my LPN. I plan on going on to RN, BSN, and MSN. There is a 40 year old female, a 62 year old female, a 41 year old man and two 48 year old men in my class. I say go for it and do not worry about age. You are never too old to follow your dreams.

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Most LPN programs or a year give or take so I say GO FOR IT! Think about your goals and how much your life can be better in year=)

With a Mom who is in her 40's I would tell her to go for it...you have raised your kids and it is time to be a little selfess!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I'm in my 1st year of a 2 year RN program and just turned 55. There are a bunch of people who I'd guess are 45+, maybe about 5-10% of our class. As near as I can tell we're all doing OK academically and get along well with our younger classmates.

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

I will be 48 when I graduate from the RN Program, I started this 3years ago in May, I have not regretted it for one moment!!!

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I am proud to say that I am 47 years and I have just graduated valedictorian of my LPN school !! And yes, I am going for the RN while I work as an LPN. At the age of 44 and after 25 years in the corporate world, I found myself a victim of corporate downsizing. After the tears dried up, I finally got the courage to follow my dream. Go for it! I appreciate school so much more at this stage in my life than when I did it 30 years ago. I too live in s.fla. I am here to give any advise or encouragement . Feel free to drop me a note.

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Specializes in ER/Geriatrics.

From what I have seen most mature students are the most successful....life experience brings alot to the table.

Liz

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when i went to nursing school, most of my classmates were in their late 30's and up and, the oldest member of our class was 57 and she graduated #1 in the class. i graduated when i was 21 and was one of the youngest members of my class.

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