O.k. I don't want to offend ANYONE out there, I just want to know what are the opinions of different people and maybe not feel so bad for thinking this way. I'm currently attending an ADN program and I'm so happy that I was accepted to nursing school. HOWEVER, I have to say, It really gets me thinking when I see the OLDER crowd, and what I mean with that is people who are OVER 50, who get into nursing school. Now, I have NOTHING against ACCOMPLISHING a life-long dream! I'm all for that, but... REALLY if you're over 50 years old, it takes 2 years to become an RN. How much longer can you work and before you retire?
And so my question is, do you think that person's spot would have been better off to a younger person who could aleast work MORE than 15 years in nursing before it's like, "oh, I can't no longer catch up with all the action?" I mean, we are in a nursing shortage, and we have enough nurses retiring as it is...to now have new nurses that won't really last that long in the field.
O.k. I don't want to offend ANYONE out there......
You can start biting my head off now!
You got your wish, I think you were hoping for a reaction. Did you honestly think that people would not be offended by a post like that. A very immature post. Why don't you share with us, from your extensive experience, why you have become so critical of the mature age students, and then we may understand why you feel this way.
You got your wish, I think you were hoping for a reaction. Did you honestly think that people would not be offended by a post like that. A very immature post. Why don't you share with us, from your extensive experience, why you have become so critical of the mature age students, and then we may understand why you feel this way.
I'm not offended at all. It's just a ridiculous viewpoint. It's much to absurd to be offended by.
Thank you your comment makes sense and goes back to what I was asking.
You have done well pinkynbd, throughout this whole thread, even though I gave you a bit of stick, and a lot of other people (some a little out of line), you have held your head high, and kept going with your posts, I admire you. And good luck with your career where ever it may take you, because you have definitely shown a lot of composure on this thread.
I just want to chime in on the age issue. You need to respect your elders has anyone ever told you that. I am 47 the avg age for nursing students by the way, and we have in our class a 61 year old who can works two jobs to put herself thru school. She has been a surgical tech for 30 years and tell some nurses a thing or two. I myself have raised 10 children thats right my last one is graduating from highschool when I graduate from nursing school 2010. I have also have 4 grandchildren that I am currently raising but nursing school is something I want for myself not only is it a benefit for me but I will be a benefit for the public. I going for my master to be a public health nurse. I also like to teach. Someday you might want to look at yourself and find out what your fear is to older people. When you get my age if you make it let us know how you feel when someone your age excuse ma'am are you qualified to be here? What you think about that mommom?
I am one of those 'old nurses. Just turned 55 and just passed my boards about 30 days ago. This is one of the big differences: work ethics! My previous job I never missed a scheduled day of work and was never late to a job (30 years)....EVER. In nursing, I started as tech, then student nurse, graduate nurse, and now RN. I have worked every single scheduled shift, extra when they needed me, and I have never been late! Yes, I had a child--raised him by myself, but knew I needed that job to get him raised. I arranged good dependable child care. The best of luck working with those oldies, but newbies, like me!
Oh yeah, I could bite your head off. However, you're a comrade nurse...I could never do that. I'm one of those you speak of--past 50 and pursuing a nursing degree. I decided that I'll get a job that suits me-when I accomplish the MSN, and probably work into my early 70's part time. Who says just because a person turns 65-68, they retire? God forbid if we hang that on someone. Let 'em work as long as they're able and have the desire to do so. Maybe I won't be doing 8-12 hour shifts with patients coding. But I'll be able to do consultant work well into my 70's. I plan to give nursing at least 12-15 years when I'm done schooling in a few years.
And oh yeah, I'm one of the top of my class-grade wise, not just age-wise. LOL
I'll be 41 next month and am pursuing a RN degree. I already have a 4 year degree and a 15 year old career that I am looking forward to leaving. I can't collect social security until I'm 70! I guarantee I have a lot of real life experience that most 18-25 year olds don't. Also I don't have young children and I've got the late nights out of my system. Will I be an asset to the program and ultimately my employer? You betcha! We are only as old as we feel.
OMG.. can you please get back on this site when you are pushing 50?
lets see how you feel then... I am 43... in nursing school after a wonderful first career as a flight attendant... I am not even close to being the oldest person in my class...I at this point am thinner and have more energy than the 19-25 yo in my class whom cant find the time to work and go to school...
With 128 posts from dozens of people who have kindly taken the time to answer the question that has 'been bugging' you...what impact, if any, have the responses you solicited had upon your thoughts?
Age does matter, we are defined by how others perceive us. You are learning a lot with this post and teaching others. Some how I'm not offended, 52, male no prior medical experience and going for LPN. I feel RN would not be an option because I may not get enough career mileage for the work involved.
If you get down to this post you may pick up on the huge range of opinions on this subject.
I have an opportunity and I was successful in getting a slot in my class. I'm not the top, but I'm passing everything and on time and always present for the classes.
Some of us should thank you for asking the hard question, someone needs to ask things like this.
I have surprised my self and many others by doing well in LPN classes. Those who may want to detract from that, well, just be unhappy. I am happy that a number of factors are considered before one can get into a nursing program.
I haven't read all the responses, so I might be reiterating someone else's response. But...
Isn't the OP's complaint kind of like saying, "Wouldn't a nursing student spot be better off used for a non-handicapped person than someone with a handicap since that person's handicap might limit them to specific areas of nursing only?" or "Wouldn't a nursing student spot be better off for a woman than a man since most nurses are female, or since a lot of patients prefer a female nurse, or since a male nurse sometimes has to have a female staff member with them to perform certain procedures?" or "Wouldn't a nursing student spot be better off used for a Catholic student than a Muslim student since the school is a Catholic school?" Basically, a borderline ignorant, discriminating question. I don't think I'll even bother to answer it.
I agree with all of the wonderful replies to this post that defend the older student nurse (I'm getting ready to start NS in less than two weeks at the age of 42), but I'm so glad the question was posed because Pinkynbd_99 asked a question that many youngsters think, but are too cautious to actually ask -- Oh, heck -- in the days where I have doubts of whether or not I'm doing the right thing, I've asked myself this very thing.
So had she not posed the question, I may not have seen all of the wonderful replies that help put my own doubts to rest.
Thank you, thank you to all of those who stepped up to the plate and stated very valid reasons, and real stories, of why older student nurses have great potential to become awesome in their new career choice.
I can't collect social security until I'm 70! I guarantee I have a lot of real life experience that most 18-25 year olds don't. Also I don't have young children and I've got the late nights out of my system. Will I be an asset to the program and ultimately my employer? You betcha! We are only as old as we feel.
Music in My Heart
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I'm not offended at all. It's just a ridiculous viewpoint. It's much to absurd to be offended by.