Am I too old?

oramar · Mar 17, 2010

Many people have asked that question and most of them were older than you. The vast majority of people who responded to the question said your age is not a problem. Just go up to search and type in "am I to old", you will see.

Bijou-Spice · Mar 17, 2010

Absolutely not! I went back older than that and the oldest person in my class was 60.

Do a search of this site and you will find many who have asked the same question. Good luck and start getting your paperwork ready!

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Mar 17, 2010

Go for it if you are willing to do some hard work. Pre requisite class may will take 1 -2 semesters, then entrance exam. It's competative so you need to do well, lots of study! I am ready to apply and am 58 years old. No stopping me, I am determined and healthy so here I go.

Good luck

anurseatlast · Mar 17, 2010

You are not too old! With your kids almost grown, now is a great time to start working towards becoming a nurse. Do research on nursing programs near you so you know what your options are. Often you need to take some pre-reqs before being accepted. See if there is a community college near you where you can start taking a class or two at a time -it will save you money and help you ease into college. Some classes are offered online. If you are disciplined enough to do it, it can be a great way to fit school around your kids. Be sure to always check that the credits you get transfer to other schools. (There are some in my area that do not either because the school is not well thought of or because their classes are not structured the same as most colleges' so they do not match classes of other schools)

I got an Associates in Pre-Nursing from a community college and then transferred to an accelerated BSN program - 14 months! I was 52 when I finished. Becoming a nurse was one of the best decisions I have made. I love my job and know that being a nurse was my calling.

In 10 years, you will be 10 years older regardless of what you do in the meantime. In 10 years, what do you want to be doing with your life? Go for your dream - you can do it!

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2010

Nope - I went back at 38 and became an RN at 40. Go for it. :up:

steph

A New Start · Mar 17, 2010

To me, its the wrong question. Are you called? Not are you too old! Tell me. Am I too old?

I'm 53. I'm in the 7th month of an LVN program. I have 4 grown kids and 7 grandkids. I'm barely hanging on to a 4.0 grade average. I'm not making much money. Occasional PRN as a CNA. My mother in law had a serious CVA (stroke) in my first week of school. I've had to play a strong advocate role for her all the way through months of hospitalization and rehab. I have to keep her meds straight (they change all the time) and I've gotten pretty good at assessing CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) signs and symptoms.

Oh, and did I tell you I'm in my 7th month of an LVN program?

The first 3 weeks of my second term nearly did me in. We took 8 hours lecture every day. We had 100 to 250 pages to read every night. Then we had a quiz every morning to prove we read it. And the whole cycle began again. I felt like I would fall. I suffered terrible informational overload. My comprehension went down. I had to start reading my assignments 2 or 3 times. I told my wife I wasn't going to make it. She told me to put my big girl panties on, and stay in there. That's when I made a couple of B's on major tests. That's what endangering my 4.0. I was a B student 35 years ago. Tell me. Am I too old?

Every time I think I'm going to have to quit, one of the younger students tell me I inspire them. Or a patient reaches out to take my hand and thanks me. Last week I looked around me and noticed the young people are tired too. Are they too young?

I think I might have mentioned I'm 53 and in the 7th month of an LVN program. Pardon me. Old men repeat themselves.

If you decide to step up, expect to be hammered. Expect to have doubts. Expect some of your friends and family to think you're crazy. But DON'T DO IT if your partner isn't ALL IN! Because, bless their heart, they will learn more about bodily functions than they want. And they won't see you as much as they need.

The school will call you an alternative student. The teaching staff will support you but not give you any slack. You don't want it. Because you don't want to kill anyone when you get out!

I'm not trying to scare you off. I just want you to pay attention to the real threats. Your age will actually help you. You've had a lot more of these procedures than the kids have. You've taken many of the meds. Or a family member has. Your life experience will amaze you. You'll feel like you're cheating when you test through some chapters because "you just know".

You might take a CNA class to help your decision. The experience will show you if you can live with nakedness, and regular death reminders. And it will help you cruise through basic skills, if you step in.

Ask yourself. "If I don't find out if I'm a nurse, what then will I do with the time I have left?"

Good luck to you! You push, and I'll pull!

I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question. But please! If you would be so kind. I'm 53 and in the 7th month of an LVN program.