Age question

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I am 44 yrs old and planning on going to nursing school. I am an ex-paramedic so I have a real good idea of what I getting into.

I just wondering is this a little too late in life to start over in a demanding carreer field?

Thanks for the imput

Sandy

Specializes in PCT - ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med-Surg.

I'll be 39 next month and am starting nursing school in September - it will take me seven semesters to finish the extended program - fewer classes per semester so I can work full-time and take care of my daughter - so I'll be at least 42 by the time I graduate.

Thanks for this thread, Sandy!

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I'll be 39 next month and am starting nursing school in September - it will take me seven semesters to finish the extended program - fewer classes per semester so I can work full-time and take care of my daughter - so I'll be at least 42 by the time I graduate.

Thanks for this thread, Sandy!

What school are you going to that has an extended program? All the schools I've looked at make you go full-time once you get into clinicals, and I would like to still be able to work full-time and take care of my son, too.

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I'm giving nursing school a very serious think. Oh to be only 42 - or 52 - again :lol2:

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Specializes in PCT - ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med-Surg.
What school are you going to that has an extended program? All the schools I've looked at make you go full-time once you get into clinicals, and I would like to still be able to work full-time and take care of my son, too.

I had no idea how rare this kind of "delayed" ADN program was until recently and feel really blessed to have one here and to have made it in on my first try. I also didn't know how few openings there were prior to applying (I'm glad I didn't know or I would have been a nervous wreck). One class accepted per year, this year they had only 16 slots.

I hope you can find something similar close to you - it sounds like you're in the same boat as me in terms of having to work full-time and having a child to care for. Because I already have a college degree (in an unrelated field) and I've spent the last year taking prerequisite classes (A&P I and II and Microbiology), I'll only have nursing classes left when I officially start in the Fall - nine classes/clinicals over seven semesters.

More info on the program I'm in here:

http://www.suscc.edu/PDFFiles/ADN_Delayed_Info_Feb_08.pdf

I hope this helps. The vast majority of nursing students I work with at the hospital work part-time, 16-32 hours per month. I don't begrudge them their schedules, it just isn't something I can afford to do.

Good luck!

:)

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I'll be 39 next month and am starting nursing school in September - it will take me seven semesters to finish the extended program - fewer classes per semester so I can work full-time and take care of my daughter - so I'll be at least 42 by the time I graduate.

Thanks for this thread, Sandy!

I had no idea how rare this kind of "delayed" ADN program was until recently and feel really blessed to have one here and to have made it in on my first try. I also didn't know how few openings there were prior to applying (I'm glad I didn't know or I would have been a nervous wreck). One class accepted per year, this year they had only 16 slots.

I hope you can find something similar close to you - it sounds like you're in the same boat as me in terms of having to work full-time and having a child to care for. Because I already have a college degree (in an unrelated field) and I've spent the last year taking prerequisite classes (A&P I and II and Microbiology), I'll only have nursing classes left when I officially start in the Fall - nine classes/clinicals over seven semesters.

More info on the program I'm in here:

http://www.suscc.edu/PDFFiles/ADN_Delayed_Info_Feb_08.pdf

I hope this helps. The vast majority of nursing students I work with at the hospital work part-time, 16-32 hours per month. I don't begrudge them their schedules, it just isn't something I can afford to do.

Good luck!

:)

Wow, yes you are very fortunate. I have not found anything like this where I live. We have an evening/weekend program which would allow me to keep working, but my husband is military and I would have no childcare after hours during times when he deploys or goes on missions.

But I'm just starting my pre-reqs, so I have a ways to go. I also have a BA in another field which I took no science courses for, but at least I've got the Eng comp, soc and college math out of the way. I have 5 science course pre-reqs to take before I'll be ready to start clinicals, so who knows where we will live by then. Maybe I'll luck out and there will be more programs like yours available by then.

Anyway, thank you for the information, and good luck to you!!

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Sandy,

I just turned 51 and have been accepted into El Centro's ADN Fall 08 program. It doesn't matter how old you are. If you want it, go get it!

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I will turn 50 on July 4th and start clinicals in late August. I'm psyched!

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I just turned 50 and I start NS in September. You go, kitten! :lol2:

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Our whole class is comprised of 2nd-degree students of various ages. I don't know the median age but it's probably about 34 or so and we've got a couple of 40+ students in our group. We've been getting very positive feedback from the staff at the hospital about our work ethic, maturity, and quick learning.

Truly, I believe that age is an asset not a liability.

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I'm 39 years young, and just getting ready to start my pre-req's this summer. I agree with you that I feel like I'm in the majority now, instead of the other way around!!! It makes me feel even more excited about starting. I also agree with everyone that said our life experience and maturity will serve us well. I know without a doubt that I am much more capable of handling not only college, but the actual career of nursing as well, than I was at age 18. MUCH more capable!! I feel calmer, wiser, and more able to handle emergency and stressful situations. Maybe having 3 kids that are almost grown now has something to do with that, lol.

Anyway, good luck to you and ALL of us who are starting on this wonderful journey in our 30's, 40's and beyond!!!! :heartbeat

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