Anxieties r/t upcoming RN program

bamamamacat · Feb 7, 2011

Hi Everyone ... These are some things about which I haven't yet felt comfortable talking to anyone; maybe, someone out there can give me some honest feedback. I'm a 57 yr old female who has been an LPN for 17 years, mostly as a Hospice continuous care nurse (I am no longer doing hospice work -- my choice -- and am uncertain if I want to pick back up in that field once I have my RN; right now I am doing visits for a home agency). I have been accepted into the upcoming May 2011 LPN-RN transition program at a local college. I first had to take all the nursing-related pre-requisites: A&P I and II, Microbiology, Ethics, and two Math classes -- Intermediate Algebra and Statistics. I have a 3.75 GPA in these classes. I am looking forward to getting started with the transition program. HOWEVER, here are my concerns: :eek:

1. Over the past few years I've put on more than a little weight, and I know everybody says this, but I really have developed an underactive thyroid, which hasn't been receptive to thyroid replacement therapy due to multiple adverse side effects. I am no more overweight than many nurses I've worked with over the years, but I need to lose at least 40-50 lbs. My concern is that I may already be consciously or unconsciously prejudged because of my age, and I'm wondering if my weight is going to affect my nursing instructors' overall impressions of me, as well.

2. Once I have my RN, is my age -- which will be 59 by then -- going to impact my chances of getting hired? More to the point, are the combined factors of age and weight going to impact those chances?

3. How much weight (no pun intended) will my 17 years of LPN experience carry in the overall process of being hired as a new RN?

4. Finally, I know several RNs with years of experience, some with advanced degrees, who have resorted to little nips and tucks, as well as full facelifts, during the past 5 yrs or so; it makes me wonder if they are concerned about being viewed as too old for the job, and if so, perhaps they are receiving those signals from their superiors. How much chance then does an aging, brand new RN have in a world where people say stupid things such as, "60 is the new 40"? (It's not). :confused:

I'm sorry if this is kind of a downer, but I also suspect these same questions have crossed the minds of many older nurses, especially LPNs who are bridging to RN. Thank you all so much for any input. I will read and consider all advice. :)