I just turned 41 and I'm about 90% sure that I am going back to school for nursing. The other 10% keeps telling me that I'm too old to do this :-(
I've thought about going back to school for nursing a lot for the last 10 years. But, being in another field completely, I thought it was just a crazy idea. Finally, I asked myself "What do you want to do for the next 20 years?" Ultimately, I want to get my BSN. I think that the fastest way for me to do this is LPN, LPN to RN, RN to BSN.
I do have 60 college credits of general education that would probably help out at least a little. I don't really want to go through the whole lottery/highly competitive process of an ADN program, that is why I am opting for the LPN to get me started right away. Does this sound crazy?
I'm in the Sacramento, CA area by the way. Any feedback/advice is greatly appreciated!
I would rethink your path as well. If you are committed to this, one of the best routes is a good ADN program. You can have your license in 2 years and work on your BSN while working. I quit a well paying job of 12 years to go back at 43 and will graduate in 10 months. Many schools now offer RN to MSN bridge programs so you can work on that while making money. My wife is supportive and handles the bills while finishing. As far as securing a job, I recommend getting some kind of externship at a hospital where you would like to work. I have a good relationship with my supervisor and have gotten great performance reviews and will have a job waiting when I graduate. Most people cannot afford to take the extern positions because the pay is low, but the experience and your foot in the door is invaluable. I have learned so much over the last year working there and have built my reputation as a hard worker and do whatever I can to help the nurses. They appreciate that and will teach you and let you do more when they trust you. Good luck on your decision. I also am president of the nursingstudent association at my school, voted forby my peers. I am not theoldest in my class. Don'tever thinkou are tooold to dosomething you have a passion for. One of my instructors is in her 60's and taking her APRN exam soon. Because she wants to. If you can afford it tha go for it. We need passionate nurses who careand also want to precept younger nurses. I have heard nurses say "I am not precepting for a dollar more an hour." I will doit for free. People have passed their knowledge to me and I shoould give it to someone else.
Thanks for all of your advice and support!! I should have mentioned that the Adn programs around here have AT LEAST a year wait. That's why I think it will be quicker to start the 11 month Lpn program and then go directly into the 8 month Lpn to rn program. Most importantly I feel really great about my age now :-) lol!
You are not too old! I just completed nursing school, passed my NCLEX and landed a job at 53y/o. Just be prepared to sync your whole being into your studies. It can be done.
I'm 45, doing Straighterline for either 9 or 14 prerequisites (thinking I can knock out stats and bio quicker on my own). Just plugging along- got my CNA and will apply to WGU BSN prelicensure. Check it out- I think it's the fastest, most legitimate route if you're in CA. Just see if you're within geographic location of clinicals (OC is Mission, LA is Cedars). Good luck!
I'm 50 and I am on my way from LPN-BSN. I really don't care what others think or do. I just know what I feel. I feel it's right for me to do this. I have extensive experience and know that I will NOT be going back to floor nursing. I have the luxury of being able to just keep looking for the right position as I do not actually "need" a job right away. I placed feelers out there with my resume and many wanted to hire me, but with just my LPN they could not offer me the positions (ex. Case management, SANE nurse, nurse manager, Forensic nurse). The state restricts them from doing so because of the lack of RN degree. I just keep on, keeping on. At 52, I still have at least 20 years left in me. After 27 years spent as an LPN, I just don't feel like slowing down just yet. Go for it.
Thank you for your post, LilstrideRN. I will be finishing up my BSN in May at age 49 with the same CNM career goal and have been feeling a little concerned about whether this will all work out as I start to navigate the job search. It's great to hear stories of people who are successfully reaching their goals! Best wishes to you as you start your residency and finish you BSN!
cgambino70
163 Posts
I would rethink your path as well. If you are committed to this, one of the best routes is a good ADN program. You can have your license in 2 years and work on your BSN while working. I quit a well paying job of 12 years to go back at 43 and will graduate in 10 months. Many schools now offer RN to MSN bridge programs so you can work on that while making money. My wife is supportive and handles the bills while finishing. As far as securing a job, I recommend getting some kind of externship at a hospital where you would like to work. I have a good relationship with my supervisor and have gotten great performance reviews and will have a job waiting when I graduate. Most people cannot afford to take the extern positions because the pay is low, but the experience and your foot in the door is invaluable. I have learned so much over the last year working there and have built my reputation as a hard worker and do whatever I can to help the nurses. They appreciate that and will teach you and let you do more when they trust you. Good luck on your decision. I also am president of the nursingstudent association at my school, voted forby my peers. I am not theoldest in my class. Don'tever thinkou are tooold to dosomething you have a passion for. One of my instructors is in her 60's and taking her APRN exam soon. Because she wants to. If you can afford it tha go for it. We need passionate nurses who careand also want to precept younger nurses. I have heard nurses say "I am not precepting for a dollar more an hour." I will doit for free. People have passed their knowledge to me and I shoould give it to someone else.