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 started at age 53, and now, at 55 I'm in my 3rd semester of nursing school. I asked my first instructor the same thing, and she said that no one is too old if the motivation is there. You'll have a lot of years to practice your chosen profession and it sounds like you'll be a good nurse.
Hello Everyone! I wanted to ask a question, does anyone know what it the best way to go about getting experience in the medical field? i am thinking about getting my RN but all the programs/colleges want to see experience. Can anymore give me advice, thanks
Obviously, you've had a ton of replies. DUH! You're not too old! I can't say I'm older or this or that. I will say this. I'm 23. I went to college to be a veterinarian, then changed my major to pre-med for people, then changed it again to nursing (bachelor's)! THEN figured out the nursing program I was in wasn't worth a crap for me! So I left and I'm now on the waiting list for a community college. I should start in the fall. All in all, it will have taken me SEVEN years to wind up with an associate's degree! We all take different paths to get to the same places! You do what's right for you and if it took you til your late 20s to be ready, so be it! If there was a time where it became too late to do what makes you happy, what a sad world this would be!
Also, I will definitely say that the older ladies in my classes had it together WAY more than us youngins! They had sacrificed what they already had to do this. Us kids on the other hand were still too busy growing up to be as committed to our education as the others! Good luck, and I hope you get what you want whether it is nursing or not!
Oh and I'd suggest maybe shadowing a nurse for a bit to make sure it's for you! I think it would be a good way to ease some of those insecurities that have kept you hesitating for this long!
Are you kidding!??? I am 50! Actually I'll be 51 at the end of this month and 52 (OMG) by the time I graduate and take the NCLEX. I am realizing that my age is a huge BENEFIT so far in class. I have so much life experience to offer and excellent study habits. There is no age limit in fact I think the older, the better in some ways. Maturity is a great thing. There's a guy in our class who's older than me and his mother! went to nursing school at age 62 and she's 83 now and still practicing! So....NO you are not too old! Go for it!
What she said! I am 51 and will be graduating in June! Age is a benefit...it is the life experience that comes with it:coollook: Go for it!
I remember the fist day of my nursing school, it was 8/25/06, I am 36 years old and I am sitting in my car petrified with fear thinking to myself, "what am I doing here? I am going to walk into this building and be surrounded by 18- 20 year olds who are going to wonder what the old lady is here for!" but then I thought to myself, NO, you have to go, or you will regret this fear for the rest of your life. So I got my self together and went in there. I was in a class of 82 students. Their were 5 of us who were over 30. I got thru that first day and continued on. When it came right down to it, the age factor really didn't play a part, we were all dumb as could be when it came to the whole program. We ALL had to learn, and we had that bond, regardless of the age factor. Out of the 82 original students I started out with on that day, 43 of them walked out to get their diploma on 5/3/2008, with the 5 of us over 30 being part of that graduating class. Don't EVER let age stop you. My clinical instructor was 4 years younger than me, had been a nurse for 11-12 years and even though she was younger than me, I really looked to her for guidance. Its not the age, it's the knowledge and experiences. Go for it and good luck. :)
Thanks. How is the program so far? Have you decided what you want to specialize in? Arey ou in class with a lot of younger students? I initially wanted to do the ASN program at a community college but the program is so small that people with 4.0s and all pre-reqs are being put on the waiting lists. That is why I thought the BSN at a university might be easier. It will take me a solid 3 to 4 years. My daughter wil be 8 by the time I am done! Hopefully I will get into the ASN program :wink2:.
Hmmm, what is "old" anyway? 35, 45, 65, 95.... Guess it all depends on what you consider old... for me, as long as the body & brain can keep up with the rigors of nursing school & beyond, age isn't worth considering. Jump right in and enjoy the ride, my friend!
I will be 51 when I finish my BSN. I previously questioned whether I was too old to go into nursing -- I thought about how I was taking a spot from someone much younger, who will have many more years to devote to nursing. Then I realized, no matter how old you are, there are no guarantees as to how long you will pursue a career in nursing. I am a mature, well educated, experienced person; and I bring with me many assets a young person cannot. You are half my age -- YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT TOO OLD ! ! ! !
Isn't it inspiring, all of these strong people here doing what their passion insists on. I am 36 and have been going to college for a year for the first time. I have submitted my application to our ADN RN program and awaiting results in April. The responses prove that age is not a factor when you are determined to achieve your goal. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!
I started my first semester of nursing school this past Monday. I am 55. There is one girl in our class who is 19, and several more in their 20s. I would say that the majority of the people are in their 30s and 40s. And there are a couple of people who are close to my age, although I am pretty sure I am the oldest one in the class. I love that there is a wide range of ages represented, that means that we all bring different experiences and perspectives to the table.
ChrisLady
19 Posts
ITS NEVER TOO LATE! :wink2: You are still very young!