Am I to old???

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Hi, I would like your thoughts, I am 49, have been a paramedic for the past 25 years, I want to take the ADN program at a local collage, 2 year course. I am really getting burned out with EMS and feel I need a change. Its not the money so much I make more in EMS after 25 years than I would starting out as a nurse. But I really would love to be an RN. Yesterday I was in the OR doing intubations, I hadn't had a field arrest in a while and the Command Doc, wanted me to go. I was very impressed with the nurses. I can't get in to a class until next fall but am looking for advice, I don't think I can continue in EMS much longer but feel I still love taking care of the sick and injuried. Now my wife may try to talk me out of going to nursing school, (she is an RN) but I will still need to work for 15 more years. I think nursing is more secure and my wife and I could go any where and work, what do you think should I try it or apply at Wal-Mary? Thanks Paul

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

paul....do you have a pulse? if you do........you are not too old to try anything your heart desires. :) age should not deter anyone from pursuing a career choice they would like to enter to. "too late" is after your pulse stops beating. go for it!

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absolutely do it....and let your heart be your guide this time around. life is too short to be working at a job that burns you out. so, yes yes yes! we welcome you.

best wishes.

leslie

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Specializes in PICU, Peds Ambulatory, Peds LTC.

Good grief Paul....... We need more male RN's. What are you waiting for? :)

Hope you follow your heart dude! Good Luck!

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the older the violin, the sweeter the music... goodluck Paul

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of course - go for it. you are never too old to follow your dreams. you've got a sound backround in ems, and nursing will be lucky to have you. good luck

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Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!

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In my ADN class the oldest nursing student was 58, so you should definetely follow your bliss, your paramedic experience will be so needed in the nursing field! Especially if you want to work ER! Maybe you and your wife could be travelling nurses before you retire, I have a friend who does that with her husband and they have been all over and looove it....Good luck to you! Ruthie

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Ditto to all the above.

'Twas my dream for a lifetime, and opportunity knocked at my door when I was 50, and I welcomed it.

Note my sig line. Nvr2Late :D

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

no, it is not too late.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Forget about "Wal-Mary" or Wal-Sue! ;)

Send in the app... today! You've got a great background.

Do a search here for all the folks over 40 going into nursing, switching careers, etc.

My best!

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You know what? You're still going to be 49 whether you start

your ADN program now or not. And you'll still be 52 in three

years, whether you decide to do this or not.

The real question is not are you too old, it's this:

Are you going to be 52 and an RN?

or

Are you going to be 52 and not an RN?

***** Either way, you'll still be 52 ! ! ! *****

I know it's scary, but you can do it.

Heck, I'm 46 and still working on the pre-reqs.

If I can do it, you can.

Samantha

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