Alright, I am very new to this so please bare with me. I have gone back and forth for years now about going into nursing. Finally, after driving my family and boyfriend crazy about what I want to do with my life, I decided to finish my pre-reqs for the program this year and apply next fall. I have worked in the corporate world, real estate, a restaurant early on, and have always felt very unfulfilled with my jobs. I have always been drawn to nursing because I am a true mush ball and love helping, caring, :heartbeat being sensitive, and working hard. I am 26 now and will be 27 in June. After doing a lot of research about acceptance into programs, experiences, etc, I realize it is something I REALLY would love to get into. My question to anyone is do you think I am too old to JUST be starting pre-reqs? Seriously, I can't apply until Feb 15th, 2010 only to begin the program the next session. I'll be 30 by the time I'm done . And that is assuming I am not put on an insanely long waiting list. Anyone else starting at my age or older? If so how did it go? Pros/Cons?
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
Wow, that's really judgemental. It's not our JOB to be worried about the nursing shortage from this point on. If people can work now, and do a good job, why shouldn't they? There are many options. Perhaps some of us "older" students (I'm 39) can teach - there is also a need for faculty to bring new nurses into the field, as well as clinical instructors, preceptors . . . Yep, you will receive some flack for what you said, and deservedly so. Just because it might not be your choice to start a new career later in life doesn't give you the right to say someone else shouldn't. At least we are all working on bettering ourselves, working and helping others. You'd rather people retire and collect Social Security & Medicare?
And on a personal note, I would've been a horrible nurse when I was 20. I didn't have the maturity. I'd rather be a good nurse now than put people in danger due to my youth & immaturity back then. Not saying all young people are immature . . . but I know plenty who I wouldn't put my life in their hands.
Specializes in Acute Ortho/Neuro, Hospice, Skilled/LTC.
I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
I've noticed that many of the 20 and 30 year olds are not staying in the field for 30-40 years either. Many are having babies or simply wearing out and "retiring" from nursing. The other thing I have noticed is, the 40 and 50 somethings are not the ones failing out of nursing school.
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
You have at least one thing right in your post; your gonna catch flack!
I certainly respect your right to your opinion even if your wrong. I even respect you as a person, although you are only 26 and haven't had a great deal of life experiences yet. It really is OK that your just a pup and haven't weathered the storms that age or the times may bring. Have you always gotten your popcorn out of a bag in the microwave?
I am so sorry for poking fun at you; I just can't help myself!!! Sometimes I just crack me up!!!
When I was your age I am sure I felt the same way you do now; believe me you will grow out of it.
Seriously, I will be 54 when I graduate in June and I can work circles around many folks your age. My people live to be in their hundreds and I am thinking that I will be around until I am 120 or so. That being the case, I don't want to retire and be board for 60 years. As long as I am capable of performing the duties of the job, I would like to keep working and should be allowed to do so.
I do kinda get what your saying; personally, I don't trust anyone over 80!!!
you are exactly right you are going to get flack for saying such an insensitive, and stupid remark. so i guess in your opinion if you're in your 40's or 50's you might as well start picking out a nursing home. let me tell you a few things:
1. you just showed at 26 you are very immature AND very disrespectful
2. who gives you the right to be so judgemental?
3. with your lack of respect for OLD people you have no business working with the public, especially being a nurse
4. do you honestly think there aren't enough positions to go around - afraid the OLD people might just get the job and you won't? well on this one you might be right - we are older, smarter, and have a lot more experience to offer
5. i can honestly say i hope i never work with you and i certainly hope you are not a nurse who takes care of anyone i know. i doubt you have the brains and you have proven you don't have the compassion for people under the age of 40
6. do you think we don't need a job too for the next 20 years? don't you realize we have bills to pay too?
i would go on and on but i don't even think it is worth my time, neither are you. :angryfire
Wow!! Calm down everybody! First of all, nothing I said in my original post was judgmental. It was an opinion, and frankly an opinion that I know a lot of people share, and not just people in their 20's. If I had said that starting a nursing career in your late 40's and 50's would make you a BAD nurse, then that would have been judgmental. But I don't believe that for a bit. I agree with you guys that the "older" students, (you're word not mine) generally are better students then some of the younger students and I agree that they are all just as capable of being a great nurse. My point, in the original post, which I think a a lot of you missed, is that starting a nursing career in your 50's and later shortens the length of your career. I don't for a second think that you won't be good nurses or that right now, you might be able to "work circles around me" like groovy jeff said, but will you be able to do that in 15 years when you're pushing 70 and I"m still in my early 40's? In the next 15 years, the nursing shortage will be even worse then it is now and adding more nurses that match or even exceed the average age of nurses right now, is just going to make it worse. That is my point. And as insensitive and judgmental and immature as you all might think it is, it's true, and none of you can argue with that.
Well - so what if it shortens my career? Who needs to be a nurse for 40-freakin' years? IMO 20 years is long enough for anything! I chose to stay home and raise my kids, which is why I'm starting this career now. And as for the nursing shortage, who knows what's going to happen with that in 15 or 20 years anyway? No one can really predict it, as there are many factors which contribute - as a matter of fact one of the factors is nurses who don't stay in the field, maybe nurses who became nurses in their 20s and decided to stay home with their kids, or burned out, or whatever.
Specializes in Acute Ortho/Neuro, Hospice, Skilled/LTC.
...and frankly an opinion that I know a lot of people share, and not just people in their 20's. My point....that starting a nursing career in your 50's and later shortens the length of your career.
....In the next 15 years, the nursing shortage will be even worse then it is now and adding more nurses that match or even exceed the average age of nurses right now, is just going to make it worse. That is my point. And as insensitive and judgmental and immature as you all might think it is, it's true, and none of you can argue with that.
Actually, nursing is my second career. That means I didn't work at my first career (telecommunications management) for 30 or 40 years. Since you are v-e-r-y young, nursing may be your first career. I doubt it will be your only career. Hardly anyone works at the same thing for a lifetime anymore. Furthermore, I don't see how adding older nurses to the workforce is going to make the nursing shortage worse. Next year and the year after, slightly younger "older" students will be starting school. Face it, you and your like-minded companions will have to learn to get along with older workers. It's called "diversity" and if we weren't blazing a path now (like we did in the 60's and 70's), you and your fellow Gen Yers won't have the opportunities you feel you are entitled to when you get to our age.
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
No darlin', you will work a few years out of nursing school and then decide it is not for you or you will work till you are 40-50 and decide you want to try something else (if you are the type of person that always wants to learn,) or the worst case scenario is that you might be one of those ole' gals who just do it because it is all they know, the money is too good to leave and who hate coming in to work everyday! With luck and a little humility and "stick to it" ability you just might be one of the few like Mrs. Betty who I have the honor of working with who can hold her own with just about anyone and is absolutely delightful at age 77 !
Besides us old gals and guys don't spend all our time texting!!!!
Actually I am very fond of the younger nurses I work with and no they don't all spend time texting, but some do and I have never seen any of our floor crew over 40 texting on the job! We also have an advantage in that we usually don't have the demands of young children getting sick and having to take off to care for them. We seldom call in and are rarely if ever late. The younger ones are physically stronger than I am and they help me pull etc. and I am able to deal with irrate family members or death and dying issues and support them in dealing with those issues.
Good luck to you, and your 40's will get here quicker than you think! Enjoy the journey!
There are plenty of jobs at the moment for most of us. However, as our retirement funds dwindle to nothing, it is important to realize that many of us in the 40-60 range will never be ever to truly retire.
Wow! Tyler's Mom - I certainly respect your right to voice whatever opinion you have, but I do draw the line when ageism, racism, sexism or homophobia are a driving factor. Do you feel the same way about patients being "too old" in their 40's or 50's? They're just closer to death, so why give quality care if they're just going to kick the bucket within a few years anyway? How do you know I'm going to retire in 15 - 20 years? I plan on working full time for those 15 or 20 years, and then work as many hours as possible as long as I'm able to work. People guess my age at 10 - 15 years younger than 53. Pursuing my dream of becoming an RN was something I wanted to do as a second/third/fourth career. I blew off a 4 year scholarship to college and nursing school after I graduated from HS in 1973. Every day since then, I regretted my not starting the wheels turning to get through nursing school. It took me almost 6 years of taking a few classes at a time to get a 2 year degree. Time goes by so quickly that before you know it, you're going to be the one in your 40's, then 50's, and remember the above letter you wrote with a totally different perspective. For you to say that ANY human is a "waste of space" in ANY context is hurtful, offensive, mean, narrow minded, and ignorant. Whether or not you believe it, your judgemental attitude subconsciously affects your nursing skills and day to day life. Your comments proved in a few short paragraphs that your social skills, professionalism, work ethic and personality lag far behind your chronological age. You have many many wounds to heal and roads to travel before you can truly contribute something to the work force. Until you obliterate your demons, you're an ongoing liability as an accident waiting to happen. Get with the program and take your blinders off. There's alot to appreciate out there, but your preconceived notions are squelching your full potential.
tylersmom
4 Posts
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.