OK, so I need some advice. I'm very seriously considering my second career as nursing. I'm 45, and am very successful in a marketing position. I'm burned out and have always wanted to be a nurse. My background is business. I have some college level science, but I pulled my transcripts and need to take about 8 courses to get my prelims in. I'm enrolled in classes this spring, will still be working full time and am nervous about balancing work and school. My husband is very supportive, and wants me to do what makes me happy. My goal is to enroll in a masters for non-nursing in Summer of 2012. I'll graduate with a masters and can take the RN test. Am I too old to do this? I would graduate in late 2013 ( six semester program) at age 48.
Would really appreciate any advice and if I can realistically have a second career at nursing at this age.
I haved loved nursing for 22 years and I say go for it. When I started nursing I was 27yrs old and I was considered to be very old in those days I love how times have changed.
I went through nursing school thinking everybody was looking at me and saying look at that old student nurse LOL.
I am 52 yrs old and will be finishing my nursing training this summer. t will be hard at times but you will enjoy the challenges and rewards. Such as when you know you have done your best and the patients thanks you there is a glow from within you. If you feel you want to go for it. You are never too old to learn. we are always learning every day.I wish you all the success in your career choice.
mrsjones...i am guessing that question is directed at me,since i am the only one who said somethng about my stomach..hehe:lol2:
i currently work for the state of NY in a residential house for 12 very medically frail individuals...physically and mentally challenged as well......we have g-j tubes,trachs, indwelling caths,straight caths,etc...
its very demanding and physical work ..i do love it and have more than enough experience with the skills mentioned...but i want to work in a hospital on med-surge and/or ACU....i want to learn and do more....
been with the state for 3 yrs,ever since graduating LPN school....
I graduated with an ADN and passed my boards at 54. Been at the bedside for the last five years, Got my OCN and I am back at school to get my BSN. No, your not too old!:)
mrsjones...i am guessing that question is directed at me,since i am the only one who said somethng about my stomach..hehe:lol2:
I currently work for the state of ny in a residential house for 12 very medically frail individuals...physically and mentally challenged as well......we have g-j tubes,trachs, indwelling caths,straight caths,etc...
Its very demanding and physical work ..i do love it and have more than enough experience with the skills mentioned...but i want to work in a hospital on med-surge and/or acu....i want to learn and do more....
Been with the state for 3 yrs,ever since graduating lpn school....
lol yes i was directing my ? To you...lol...i dont wanna work in a nursing home i want to work in a hospital....do hospitals hire lpn's?...or are nursing homes the only jobs lpn's get?
I'm 46. It is NEVER too late to go back to school. I am so motivated and disciplined, and I love school right now. I'm waiting to get into the nursing program in the Fall (hopefully). I am not concerned about my age. I know so much more than I did when I was 19, and I think I will handle the emotional aspect of school better. Go for it.
I am 57 yr old male... also re-inventing myself. I decided to become a nurse after I found I was unable to land a full time gig as a science teacher (which I had become only 3 years ago). I did corporate sales (with the likes of AT&T, SW Bell, Quest, Sprint and MCI) for 18 years and became a real estate and mortgage broker (owner) of my own company all while raising three children with my second wife. I am a nurturer... and love science. Nursing seemed realistic as far as employment.
I am finding that the school work, although very challenging, is not the real challenge. It's continuing pursuit when I have no guarantee I will be able to land gainful employment with a BSN. It's expensive and exhausitng - at times but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have accomplished earing almost straight A's while dealing with foreclosure and helping my oldest (27) get over his challenges to get into the US Coast Guard.
As painful as it has been.... I wouldn't have it any other way. I am simply paying my dues.
Many have said it is about the ride and not the desitination. I agree wholeheartedly.
My goal is to be in Afghanastan or Iraq helping our injured military. I may be in my 60's but I will feel totally fulfilled. I pursued money most of my adult life... and found it to be empty. My youngest son (in the US Air Force) is going to Kabul this March. I am against the war.. but will support our troops with all I have. After all.... I am a father and it is my duty.
Although accepted in a local university (UMSL) I find I can not afford the $32K for nursing school. I have been supplementing my income with part time teaching... and I won't be able to work while attending nursing school. I decided to move to Florida where the tuition will be half. It will delay my entry (and I am assuming I will be accepted) but I plan on taking additional chemistry courses until I enter Nursing school.
So... my advice is to keep plodding forward... and don't give up.. no matter what... keep your face to the wind and your hands on the rudder. Always have a back up plan. Did I mention... always?
You basically have two groups in nursing school--the kids and the Moms. I'm the latter. I had a 23 year EMS career and retired on disability before I was ready to leave. I was up for promotion to Captain, but I got hurt and ended-up with hip replacements. Several years went by and I tried being a personal trainer, but that's for young pups. I had complications and more surgery, but now I'm handi-capable and missing patient care. I'm getting my Paramedic back, so that I can teach EMS once again, and my RN will take me to the ER, where I'll be like a duck back in a pond. Meanwhile, my oldest is in Grad school as an Engineer, my daughter is studying Physics, and my youngest is going to be a Meteorologist. I meant to stay with the FD until they were all done with college. They said I could have maybe even made Battalion Chief, but I'm just happy poppin' on a pair of gloves again!
I say you are never too old to change careers...case in point my mother is 54 years old and worked from her 30's until 53 as an admin assistant or a collections specialist Aug of last year she went through training to become a prison guard for the state of Tx...yup bootcamp...she talked about it forever finally said that it was time and did it!
You can too! I am 29 and just starting on my path to nursing after following the same business route I was a year away from my Bachelors in Business Management and decided the passion wasn't there. So I wish ya the best of luck.
I am about to be 43! It's neverrrr too late to start a new path in life. I sold my art/framing business last spring (due to economic struggle). With no financial resources, raising two teenagers, struggling to pay my bills, I took a part-time job, moved foward taking prereqs for LVN program at local community college. So here I am! I've been accepted into the program and begin my summer semester in a week! woohoo! Fortunately I qualify for fiancial aid, so my education is paid for. However, the extra expense of uniforms, immuzinations, titers, etc. is quite stressful. Now that I've managed to cover that, I am moving foward!
The only regret in life is the risk we never took. age is simply a number, don't let that get to you. Life is all about learning and making mistakes....I get look down all the time about going back to school at old age, but that's because people are too fixated on the fact that life should follow it's natural course.....go to school before 25, getting married at 30, having kids before 35..etc etc.....life is not a blue print, it will never ever plan out the way we want. Just go with the flow and have a happy life. good luck!
madwife2002, BSN, RN
26 Articles; 4,777 Posts
I haved loved nursing for 22 years and I say go for it. When I started nursing I was 27yrs old and I was considered to be very old in those days I love how times have changed.
I went through nursing school thinking everybody was looking at me and saying look at that old student nurse LOL.
Good luck