Am I too old

nurseangel78 · May 10, 2005

Hi! I am not over 40, but I would like to reply to your post. In my nursing class, there were a lot of different ages, from 20 to 52. I do not think that you are too old to achieve your goals of becoming a nurse if that is what you desire to do. I became really good friends with the 52 year old woman in my class, she had children my age. She thought she was too old to become a nurse, but she succeeded, and you can too. Go for it!

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 10, 2005

No.

CHATSDALE · May 10, 2005

a lot of 40+ people have entered and successfully completed a nursing program rn or lpn

get your name on waiting list now...it is not easy for anyone . but doable ..absolutely

as a word of advise concentrate on the rn programs...if you can do one you can do the other

FEELYRN · May 10, 2005

I was 37 when I started in my LPN program, I have now been a very successful LPN for 2 years and going back for my RN in the fall. I am 40 and definitely don't think I am too old to be there. It is very hard work though, and you need to be commited to it or you will give up - it is just as hard for the younger students. The person who gave advice in an earlier post was dead on, get started finding out what you need to do to get in because it sometimes takes a while, and go straight to the RN program. LPN is great but in one more year I would have been an RN and made a better living doing what I basically already do. Good luck to you!

Fiona59 · May 10, 2005

Not everybody wants to be an RN!

In my part of the world, LPN is over in a hard 13 months, and RN takes 48 months of education.

Many LPN programmes will accept you no matter how long ago you finished high school. The universities are requiring science courses completed in the last five years. Ergo, if you are over 40 you have a lot of upgrading to do. Which could add another two or three years onto the four years at university.

So, go to LPN, discover if it what you hope it will be and then if you desire further time in school go for RN if thats what you really want. It's hard the first month getting back into a school routine and making the family realize that its Mums time now.

I'm an LPN because that's what I want to be. My income is fine (benefit of unions), and I enjoy it.

Katnip, RN · May 10, 2005

I was 46 when I graduated from nursing school. Average age in my class was 37.

E/MNurse · May 10, 2005

"are you dead yet"! NO. well then your not to old. In fact i work with a lovely lady who's also an ex-brit moved to canada and then to the US. Got married and had a child in her forties and then went to nursing school! Your never to old to learn and if it's in your heart then you'll love care and sharing that love of helping! Good luck.

letina · May 10, 2005

Hi,

I'm also from the UK and will be moving to Florida soon as an RN. To answer your question, NO you are not too old! I saw 40 a loooooong time ago and I'm starting a whole new life and career.

Go for it!! and good luck :)

Tina

Nurseismade RN · May 11, 2005

I am a 40 yr old housewife living in Tampa Bay who has recently relocated from the UK.I have always dreamed of becoming a nurse ,am I too old ,would all the other students in my class just graduated from high school ?I would love to hear from any sucessful over forties who have got there !

Hi there,

You are at a perfect age. I was told recently, that new "older" Nurses make good nurses. Why? Because they have more empathy, they have seen alot, they obviously have made an important decision to change careers and work really hard in college. As a new "older" nursing student myself who will start this fall. All I can say is "you go girl " :balloons: :cheers: :yeahthat:

eagnd · May 12, 2005

When I Went Back To School I Was 37 I Was Pinned At 43 And Felt So Very Proud Of Fulfilling A Life Time Dream Now If I Hadn't Gone Back To School I Would Still Be Wondering, Instead..i Have A Wonderful Job Have Met Many Wonderful People. Go For It And All Of My Best Remember Life Experience Itself Means So Very Much..so You Are A Step Ahead..

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 12, 2005

No you are never too old. I trained when I was 26 and that was considered old in those days lol I felt a real geriatric- I had the time of my life. Now I find when students come through the average age is definatly much older and when I mentor the younger ones in their 20's their communication skills are not as good as the maturer students who have life experience to offer as well. Remember a large % of our job is our observational skills and communications skills.

I myself am in my 40's and in process of emigrating to US, and I feel time is against me I have dithered around for 7 yrs making my mind up! So go for it because we are young.