Age is just a number

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Are you ever too "old" to go to nursing school. I am 39 nine, is it worth it. Sometimes I just want to quit, but quit and do what this is the reason that I decided to go back to school.

Quick question, my sister is a RN currently NICU nurse, I am trying to get into nursing with no help what so ever from her. Sometimes I think she does not want me to succeed. There is room for both of us . I ask her questions pertaing to my class and she tells me she dosent remember, it been too long ago. She offer no type of input. If the shoe was on the other food I would gladly help her.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.

DO NOT allow your age to limit your dreams. The age in my nursing class ranged from 19-59. Myself (I'm 26), I got along best with the "non-traditional" students. I'm still good friends with them, especially now that a couple are working on the floor with me. We all have something to contribute.

Also - PLEASE! 39?? Since WHEN is that too old?? For real!

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you can still do it.. my classmate started nursing school at 40, but she still continue until became an RN now..

you can do it also...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ER, Mental Health.

Just wanted to give you my support, as well. Age really IS just a number.

There are people in my class ranging from straight out of high school to mid-40s. I will be 33 when I graduate in April, and I can tell you that going back to school is the best thing I ever did for myself.

The way I looked at it when I was contemplating nursing school was this: in 4 years, I'd be 33 years old...regardless of my career or choices. So did I want to be 33 and in my old office job that I hated? Or 33 and embarking on a career in nursing, which I had always wanted?

Stick with it, and you won't regret it. Best of luck! And remember that when your sister isn't being forthcoming with her help as far as different classes and such, you can always come to this wonderful site and many people will have been through those same types of classes and will be able to give you advice.

Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Duplicate post below. Sorry.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Quick question, my sister is a RN currently NICU nurse, I am trying to get into nursing with no help what so ever from her. Sometimes I think she does not want me to succeed. There is room for both of us . I ask her questions pertaing to my class and she tells me she dosent remember, it been too long ago. She offer no type of input. If the shoe was on the other food I would gladly help her.

Your sister might be telling the truth about "not remembering" the answers to your questions about nursing school. NICU nurses do not use much of the factual information they learned in school and she may truly not feel confident answering some of your questions. NICU nurses are famous for that. After a while, we only know NICU and nothing else.

Before you assume the worst of her, why don't you have a heart-to-heart with her and ask her WHY she is not helping you. She may have some valuable things to say and/or she may surprise you with what she has to say. I'd have that conversation with her before I wrote her off.

As for your age ... you are not too old. However, you need to have realistic expectations on how hard it will be on your aging body to work a physically demanding job, rotate shifts, etc.

llg -- an old NICU nurse

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Don't worry about age...just do it!

I started nursing school at age 50, graduated at 53 and am working hard and loving it!

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Take the bull by the horns and do it... Hubster is 51yrs of age and in his first year of the Nursing Program. HE IS LOVING IT... Wishing you all the best of success future nurse :)

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God Bless you, I doing the LPN route first since I want to get my foot in the door, then will continue for my RN. The good news is my other sister who is 45 is also doing nursing, so I will have some help. Thanks a mil !

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I have been receiving alot of comments similiar to yours, at least I have more of a purpose now, thanks !

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I graduated in May of 2007 and 40 is coming up around the bend for me. There are going to be days in school when you truly wonder what you've gotten yourself into, but don't think it's your age.

Maybe you could find support in your classmates if you're not getting support from your sister. And you can certainly find support here!

I wish you the best and hope that you reach your goals.

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Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.

Hey,

In our last graduating class the median age was 40.5 years, our youngest was 20, our oldest was 53. Our class was called "The over-achievers". I myself am 46 yrs. ;)

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