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.
I have to agree, the OP's question was naive. I have a friend who was recently hired at a large nationally known hospital. She was very nervous, esp. since she is 53 & her interview was done by a very young (30-something) woman. When she was given a tour of the unit she'd be working, all the nurses were younger than her. Although she had over 5+ yrs exp. she was sure she'd never get the job. Well, she did- and one of the reasons was BECAUSE of her maturity. It was also a plus that she needed very little orientation. She is now a mentor to those 'youngsters', and they let her know all the time just how lucky they are to have her working w/them. Older nurses can bring a maturity & calmness to their units- younger nurses NEED them- I know I'd never have survived that first yr out of school as a green 22 yr old w/out the older nurses mentoring me along the way. I have a feeling the OP will feel that way too, someday!
I have to defend Pinkynbd..I agree with what she is saying. We need to grow in our profession, and by that I mean go on to get Masters and Doctorate degrees. We need to show the "new face" of nursing in 2008, and that is done by achieving graduate degrees/research. That is not possible if you go to nursing school in your 50's.... you are lucky to get you ADN & a paycheck. Sorry, but that is how I feel. I am a 24 year old RN, I believe and have the will to continue my education to master level and beyond to represent my profession:nurse:
That is not possible if you go to nursing school in your 50's.... you are lucky to get you ADN & a paycheck. Sorry, but that is how I feel. I am a 24 year old RN, I believe and have the will to continue my education to master level and beyond to represent my profession:nurse:
I've seen older nurses in their 50s go on to get their masters. Don't know what you are talking about. And I don't see anything wrong if they want to get their ADN and get a paycheck.
And no matter what degree we have, whether it is an ADN or a DNP, we ALL represent the profession. Don't know how having to get a master's degree in nursing equals representing our profession any more than an ADN.
why would op post this and then end it with bite my head off
i don't believe that one person is taking the class desk away from someone else, their job might have been out sourced and they are not able to retire..they need to support themselves and probably put their children thru college
they
may be limited in the amount of extended education they get but i have a relative who received a PHD at the age of 50 so it really depends on the individual
don't look at people as old, young, black, white, male, female whatever
I have to defend Pinkynbd..I agree with what she is saying. We need to grow in our profession, and by that I mean go on to get Masters and Doctorate degrees. We need to show the "new face" of nursing in 2008, and that is done by achieving graduate degrees/research. That is not possible if you go to nursing school in your 50's.... you are lucky to get you ADN & a paycheck. Sorry, but that is how I feel. I am a 24 year old RN, I believe and have the will to continue my education to master level and beyond to represent my profession:nurse:
Everyone should always be learning and growing, however there is nothing to say that someone in their 50's cannot continue with their schooling ...they may also have degrees from former careers which gives them a different view of the world a single career/educated nurse will never have!
I am only in my mid 40's and have forgotten more than you have learned at 24! I have expertise in many areas of technology, and am working on my masters degree in nursing, I may even pursue an MBA or continue for my PhD! Who knows?
Actually, I'll shake things up a bit and add that I believe the only way nursing will change is by infusing older/other career nurses who have had "other" experience and education and will not put up with the garbage that occurs in hospitals. I don't, and encourage other who don't know any better to ask WHY? if something doesn't make sense, seem right, or goes against common sense. When my director of the ER said "that's the way it's always been done" about an issue that faced us....I told him that type of answer during a business meeting could help him out the door-not a good answer! Business is about new ideas and innovation-if hospitals want to run lean like a business, they need to change their autocratic rules and focus on flexibility and initiative. That's the answer to change and improvement.
Lots of nurses here that start in their thirties and forties continue their education. We have a huge demand for nurse practitioners here and once a BSN grad gets five years experience, some hospitals will pay for them to get their NP. Lots of nurses in their late forties, early fifties are doing it.
I also agree with the poster who said that those older students often come with other non nursing education including degrees and even masters degrees. JMO.
I am 39 and about to start in the fall. Should I give up my precious seat to a youngster? :thnkg:
Me too - 39 and holding, and will be 40 when I start in the fall, and there are three ladies in their 40's and 50's in my class. Glad we weren't booted by age! I have experienced twenty years of watching the younger try to outdo the older in my job...I always found that odd, even when I was the youngest. They are the ones I relied on for guidance.
By the way, I ran four miles before breakfast this morning...without a walker.
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nickola
250 Posts
I have to agree, the OP's question was naive. I have a friend who was recently hired at a large nationally known hospital. She was very nervous, esp. since she is 53 & her interview was done by a very young (30-something) woman. When she was given a tour of the unit she'd be working, all the nurses were younger than her. Although she had over 5+ yrs exp. she was sure she'd never get the job. Well, she did- and one of the reasons was BECAUSE of her maturity. It was also a plus that she needed very little orientation. She is now a mentor to those 'youngsters', and they let her know all the time just how lucky they are to have her working w/them. Older nurses can bring a maturity & calmness to their units- younger nurses NEED them- I know I'd never have survived that first yr out of school as a green 22 yr old w/out the older nurses mentoring me along the way. I have a feeling the OP will feel that way too, someday!