Age/Physical endurance - kind of a dumb question sorry

[work4choc]

I am considering going back to school and trying to complete the BSN I started when I was 22 or pursuing an ADN (it would most likely depend on which program I got into first as we move every few years).

One of my concerns is, now that I am 35 and might be 40 before I am finished, will I be able to do the job without feeling dead at the end of the day.

I spent a quarter plus 2 wks in an LPN program when I was 27, and I did the skills course (basically CNA) and while it went OK, I knew that if I did a CNA's job 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, I would be exhausted from all of the turning and bathing, getting the pt out of bed and into a wheelchair or to the central bath, etc....Quite honestly, I don't want to work in med/surg. I am more interested in working in a setting where I either work with pts and families semi-long term, like hospice, oncology or maybe LTC, or a setting like a medical office or school or something where I can develop relationships with our patient population and their families.

I am in pretty good shape and active, but small (5'2" 115lbs) and not getting any younger.

I hear about lots of second career students older than me going into nursing. I had a few women older than me in my LPN program, but I did not stick around long enough to find out how they felt about the workload.

So, am I worrying over nothing? I think the areas I want to work in might not be as physically demanding as say the ICU or medsurg.

Right now I have a sedentary job - I do medical transcription 35-40 hours per week and boy, sitting that long makes me a bit crazy. I like a little variety and physical activity in my work.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this!

[stpauligirl]

I am considering going back to school and trying to complete the BSN I started when I was 22 or pursuing an ADN (it would most likely depend on which program I got into first as we move every few years).

One of my concerns is, now that I am 35 and might be 40 before I am finished, will I be able to do the job without feeling dead at the end of the day.

I spent a quarter plus 2 wks in an LPN program when I was 27, and I did the skills course (basically CNA) and while it went OK, I knew that if I did a CNA's job 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, I would be exhausted from all of the turning and bathing, getting the pt out of bed and into a wheelchair or to the central bath, etc....Quite honestly, I don't want to work in med/surg. I am more interested in working in a setting where I either work with pts and families semi-long term, like hospice, oncology or maybe LTC, or a setting like a medical office or school or something where I can develop relationships with our patient population and their families.

I am in pretty good shape and active, but small (5'2" 115lbs) and not getting any younger.

I hear about lots of second career students older than me going into nursing. I had a few women older than me in my LPN program, but I did not stick around long enough to find out how they felt about the workload.

So, am I worrying over nothing? I think the areas I want to work in might not be as physically demanding as say the ICU or medsurg.

Right now I have a sedentary job - I do medical transcription 35-40 hours per week and boy, sitting that long makes me a bit crazy. I like a little variety and physical activity in my work.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this!

I'm 46 and recently started back in college. I will be close to 50 if things go according to plan.

I have a membership at a gym and pump some iron, it really helps with strength, stamina and stress.:)

[Kathyz]

I'm almost 38 and starting in an accelerated BSN program. I'll be 39 by the time it's done. I have no concerns. If you do what you love that's what's important. Just keep in shape. At your height and weight you are in good shape. So keep it up and don't let age stop you. :)

[RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree with the above posters.

Take care of yourself and good luck.