Am I too old?

[vikkivik]

I have always wanted to be an RN. I am 37 a mother of 5 almost grown children and have always wanted to be an RN but due to my growing family I out it off more and more. Now I am wondering if I am too old to get started? Do you know of anyone who has started @ this age or older? I have never been to college but I am willing to work hard to do this. Please ..some advice is necessary

[ItsTheDude]

there's some people near senior citizen age in nursing schools, it's not only good for a job, but it's also a good thing to do for your health and the health of your family.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

You are never too old to go for your dream!

otessa

[Preeps]

37 is absoulutely not too old. But get going on it NOW! When I read your post I was assuming you were going to say you were late 40's or 50s. In my opinon starting nursing school at 50 is pretty old and I don't know if it would be worth it in the long run. Also depends on where you want to work. Hospitals like em young! But at 37 you ARE still young. But don't wait because IMO there is a prejudice in the hospital setting. On my floor it is very rare for a nurse over 40 to make it thru the perceptorship. It is very fast paced. But if you start now you should be god to go.

[FLmomof5]

Fellow mom of 5 here....and as you can see, I am 48. I am 1/2 way through term 3 of NS. I will graduate in Aug. NEVER too old!

[asfreeasabird]

You are not too old. My mom is 52 and graduating with her bachelors in elemetry education (she takes a little more glucosamine/chondriton than the younger grad but she definately keeps up). At my LPN graduation we had an woman in her 80's graduating from the community college, she was given a standing ovation.

[SWS RN, ASN, RN]

Oh my gosh-NO! You are so not too old!

I started school at 39 my youngest daughter was 8. I was recently divorced and working 3 days a week as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

I took 19 credit hours that first semester and it was hectic but now when I look back on it, 18 years later, I have to smile. Some great memories.

Look at it this way, the time is going to pass anyway. You might as well go ahead and go to school. It will be over before you know it and you have many future years to work.

Nursing does not mean you have to be on the floor running your feet off and breaking your back...I did do that in ICU for many years, but I have also worked as DON, school nurse, Hospice and now Case Management. My job now is 5 days a week, no call, no overtime and no weekends. Strictly desk and computer stuff. It is nice to get out of the scrubs and much kinder to my body. I do miss the excitement of "running a code" and that shot of adrenalin you get when you hear a trauma call in ER.

Go for it and Good Luck!:redbeathe