Am I to old?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi All;

I've been in the IT field (network administration, help desk, database) for over 25 years and have a masters degree in Info Systems Mgt. When our son was young, and inspiration from TV shows like Rescue 911, I earned my EMT basic certification. I never worked as one, but really enjoyed the training. I let my cert. expire years ago.

I was laid off, and had been out of work for 4 months. My family is encouraging me to go back to school and at least get my LVN. I would like to use my education and go into informatics.

My inspiration: My wife is recovering from DCIS and recently had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction implants to follow. Thank God her lymph nodes came out negative. The nurses I've spoken to have encouraged me to do this, and I've always enjoyed helping people.

My questions are:

am I to old (I'm 50)?

am I crazy?

is there "really" a nursing shortage?

any and all comments and advise is appreciated.

Thanks!

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Hi All;

I've been in the IT field (network administration, help desk, database) for over 25 years and have a masters degree in Info Systems Mgt. When our son was young, and inspiration from TV shows like Rescue 911, I earned my EMT basic certification. I never worked as one, but really enjoyed the training. I let my cert. expire years ago.

I was laid off, and had been out of work for 4 months. My family is encouraging me to go back to school and at least get my LVN. I would like to use my education and go into informatics.

My inspiration: My wife is recovering from DCIS and recently had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction implants to follow. Thank God her lymph nodes came out negative. The nurses I've spoken to have encouraged me to do this, and I've always enjoyed helping people.

My questions are:

am I to old (I'm 50)?

am I crazy?

is there "really" a nursing shortage?

any and all comments and advise is appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Patrick.

The answer to all three of your questions is, NO.

Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
I would suggest if you liked the EMT you would want to do some sort of acute nursing care in which case I would get my RN not LPN.

I agree.

And search at University web sites to look into getting an accelerated second degree BSN or MSN. This might be the quickest route for you since you are already degreed. :)

Specializes in Stepdown/IMU, full-time Night shift charge.

Too old at 50. Hmmmm. Started ADN school two years ago at 47. Graduated in May at 49. Passed NCLEX a few days ago and I am working in ICU. No I'd say you're not too old.

Oh, yeah. I'm also a former IT guy, Novell and Cisco certified. I took a pay cut to become a nurse because it was where I wanted to be at this point in my life.

Specializes in School Nursing.

You are not too old. I am just starting an RN program at 39. At my orientation there were a lot of older students in their 50's and even 60's. Life is a journey with many experiences. Age is just a number. Do it!

Specializes in Tele, Acute.

I wonder the age of the oldest person to become an RN?

If I have to be rolled on the stage in my wheelchair with my foley in a fancy white pillow case, I will become an RN! Oh, and somebody please put my teeth in.:chuckle

one is never to old for learning. i would have to agree with the above comment, if you want to go into informatics i would strongly suggest you get your rn-bsn and masters if you want to do research. lpn's cann't conduct research. why? i don't know. the rn bon doesn't think to highly of lowly lpns. so sad on their part.:p

Hi All;

I've been in the IT field (network administration, help desk, database) for over 25 years and have a masters degree in Info Systems Mgt. When our son was young, and inspiration from TV shows like Rescue 911, I earned my EMT basic certification. I never worked as one, but really enjoyed the training. I let my cert. expire years ago.

I was laid off, and had been out of work for 4 months. My family is encouraging me to go back to school and at least get my LVN. I would like to use my education and go into informatics.

My inspiration: My wife is recovering from DCIS and recently had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction implants to follow. Thank God her lymph nodes came out negative. The nurses I've spoken to have encouraged me to do this, and I've always enjoyed helping people.

My questions are:

am I to old (I'm 50)?

am I crazy?

is there "really" a nursing shortage?

any and all comments and advise is appreciated.

Thanks!

Young wipper snapper,

I went back at age 58 and graduated at age 61,

best move I ever did.

Specializes in School Nursing.

why not go for it......you are never too old.

Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

I was 48 when i graduated. I started when I was 45. it is the best thing I have ever done. !!!! I was the oldest in my section but I didn't care. I was there for one thing and one thing only to get my degree.

Specializes in Just getting started!.

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I'm looking into nursing schools and see what will work for me. I'm really getting excited about this. Of course, I need to work, so will be looking for an evening/part time curriculum.

I've pretty much decided to pursue my LVN/LPN diploma first and go from there. I had started a doctorate program, but dropped out due to my wife's winning fight with breast cancer (DCIS stage 0). She's already had bilateral mastectomies, and had expanders "installed". Of course, during surgery, they checked the sentinal nodes on each side and came out negative.

I found I'm no longer interested or motivated to pursue my doctorate. Looking back, I should have gone into nursing years ago.

My wife is a real trooper and is healing very well. It's because of her, and what we went through caring for my mom (diabetes, carotid artery blockage, breast cancer survivor, COPD (4L O2), heart disease, and dementia).

Anyway, thanks again, this is a wonderful forum, very educational, with real people here ready and willing to help. I'm certainly looking forward to getting to know many of you!

Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Patrick, I'll be 51 at graduation, and nursing is a second career for me, too. All I can advise you is that if this is what you want to do... if this is your passion... then just do it. The profession needs you.

Much good luck to you and to your wife; I'm a cancer survivor also, and I'm praying for all good outcomes for you both.

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I'm looking into nursing schools and see what will work for me. I'm really getting excited about this. Of course, I need to work, so will be looking for an evening/part time curriculum.

I've pretty much decided to pursue my LVN/LPN diploma first and go from there. I had started a doctorate program, but dropped out due to my wife's winning fight with breast cancer (DCIS stage 0). She's already had bilateral mastectomies, and had expanders "installed". Of course, during surgery, they checked the sentinal nodes on each side and came out negative.

I found I'm no longer interested or motivated to pursue my doctorate. Looking back, I should have gone into nursing years ago.

My wife is a real trooper and is healing very well. It's because of her, and what we went through caring for my mom (diabetes, carotid artery blockage, breast cancer survivor, COPD (4L O2), heart disease, and dementia).

Anyway, thanks again, this is a wonderful forum, very educational, with real people here ready and willing to help. I'm certainly looking forward to getting to know many of you!

Awesome...Enjoy the ride:yeah:. And we ,here at allnurses, will be with you for the duration.

Many blessings to you and your wife:redpinkhe

shelly

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