Any other pre-nursing students over 45?

bashabab · May 19, 2010

I have you all beat! I took it at 56, got accaepted into the program and will graduate in December! Rock on, If I can do it ,,,,you can to! We are all overachievers anyhow.

jetfuel · May 19, 2010

I just finished my last pre-req course LAST NIGHT. [looks like another 'A'!]

I'll turn 47 this July.

Don't let your age be a distraction or stumbling block. In A&P, I had a classmate who was 71!

To success! :yeah:

moma8gma1 · May 19, 2010

I began pre-reqs for becoming an RN at age 42, completed them at age 48 and began applying to ADN programs. Fortunately, I was invited to participate in an accelerated program here in Sacramento. I am now 52 years old and my words to anyone thinking about becoming an RN after age 45, believe in yourself and if it is your dream to become an RN, then follow your dream and go for it! You can do it!

It sounds like I'm mirroring your experience. Was your accelerated program the one at CSUS? I heard they'd discontinued it. If so, YEAY for you getting in/through before it ended!

You're an inspiration -- thanks for posting!

heartbeep · May 19, 2010

Good to read these inspiring words; I'm 43. Slow and steady I go at square one......good luck to all of you!

WanderingSagehen · May 19, 2010

I am 48 and awaiting my acceptance letter for the local 2 year RN program in Nevada. We take a "TEAS" test to get in, along with using our science GPA and overall GPA. (Test of essential academic skills). My math skills have been rusting since 10th grade, 28 years. Fortunately I was able to take a 1 week review math class before I took a placement test and passed with no troubles. I will say that I spent 4 eight hour days doing the homework for the math review class. I had to go above and beyond in effort to pull off passing. But... I didn't want to sit in a bunch a math classes that would be too easy. For the TEAS test I spent a weekend and passed but should have spent a month or two. (Bad advice from a counselor on spending a weekend to study for it.)

It took me 4 semesters to do the pre-req's and 4 more for nursing school now. Either way I am going to reach 50 but now I will probably be wearing a cap and gown at 50 and have an awesome career ahead of me. The younger students are not as motivated as some of the older ones. Some of the older ones aren't motivated either. I all just depends on why you want this goal and how bad you want it. Age has the advantage of experience.

PS- don't do your sciences in the summer- you will short change your chance to absorb these enormous subjects. Also, I recommend one science course at a time. It will take awhile to get through but you won't have to repeat a course- which is a total waste of time. (well maybe not a total waste but not the way I want to spend my school time)

robinrene1212 · May 20, 2010

Just wanted to share with you. I am 46 and in my next to last semester of nursing school. Here are my suggestions. I had to take a math placement test. My whole life I had math phobia.........I went online I think it was "purple math.com" and studied, when I took my placement test I tested out of Algebra 1 and right into Algebra 2!! I passed all of my Science prereq's with an A or A-. For every Science I bought the "For Dummies" books (NOT the idiot guide). Also starting with my Nursing classes I used a digital recorder, which I wish I had used in my Sciences. I listen to it with IPod headphones while walking or doing laundry. I HIGHLY recommend the McDonald guide. I did it cover to cover but did not write in the book-did it on paper so I could redo........Also time it so you are used to being timed. When you get one wrong don't just go "oh I got that wrong........." Google it and get any information pertaining to it. Many of the questions on my actual test were not questions from the book but knowledge I gained while googling my wrong answer!! Also glance through a physics book-know about newtons, charges, stuff like that. I got a 97!! And If I recall there is an online calulator for the math. Good Luck!! :nurse:

kippyped · May 20, 2010

I am 55 and just started nursing school after two years of pre-reqs. The best thing I ever did. Studying math and science "woke up" my brain; its all about doing the work and your brain thanks you for the stimulus by being smart for you.

I expect to work well into my 70's and possibly teach after that....there are no boundaries to where nursing and you own determination can take you!

merrywhiterose · May 20, 2010

I will be 53 when I graduate! Sometimes there are senior citizens in these classes. You are NEVER too old to get your nursing career!

camlvn · May 20, 2010

Just want to encourage you to follow your dream of nursing. I was 45 when I enrolled in LVN school and was scared to death. I wound up being class president, head of the mentoring program and won an award for the highest GPA ever attained in the school's history. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks? I am about to graduate from Excelsior College's LPN to RN program as an honor grad. Age means absolutely nothing and can, actually, be an advantage when you are a nurse. Best of luck! :nurse:

LUNALU · May 20, 2010

Everyone posted such wonderful answers, the encouragement is well... encouraging! I'm just 59 yesterday, ugh, where did the time go? But I've been an LVN for more than 30 years and am now considering going to the transition program for RN. Why not when I've functioned as an RN for years! When I worked in California as an LVN I couldn't hang a piggyback of any kind but could administer blood and blood products. Now in Texas I can hang piggybacks but can't administer blood or blood products. I've had experience in so many areas, primarily ICU, which is my passion. But LVN's are not allowed to work ICU so much anymore, regardless of experience, which is prompting me to head back to college. I've wondered at my 'great' age if I'd ever get back the investment, but I think I'm going to try. I am a little scared of age descrimination tho, the hospitals don't have to hire you and they don't have to give a reason why they chose not to, but they can't fire you for age once you're through the door. Hang in there all of you who are studying so hard. Nursing is one of the most fullfilling fields of work, if it isn't, get out. Do something else. Best of luck everyone! marilyn

Kenneth Lee RN · May 20, 2010

Earned my LPN in 2005:up:. Battled Luekemia in 2006:up: :up: :up:. Earned my RN in 2009:up:. Turn 56 this July:down:. So :clown:you can do anything you want along it is in your your heart :redbeatheto do so. Age is not a factor - prepare, study, practice, study , study and study and you should be able to to this. :yeah: :up: Go for the gold. Nursing is the best decision I have made outside of my wife and we just had our 35th. :up:

Anoetos, BSN, RN · May 20, 2010

This thread is awesome.

It's so encouraging. As I said, I'll be 45 this fall. In my class there are some near my age but I think I may be the oldest or at least very close to it.

I can say this for sure, without comparison to anyone else and speaking for myself only, I am FAR more engaged than I ever could have been in my twenties.

And it's showing in my grades.