Any other pre-nursing students over 45?

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I've been working on mostly non-math courses so far and I will be finishing up most of my pre-req's including Mth120 and A&P 1 at the end of Fall. I'm concerned about the NLN pre-entrance test for RNs. Has anyone on this forum over 40 taken it?:eek: Thank you in advance for any responses!

RE: Kenneth Lee

Congrats on winning your battle with Leukemia, bless your heart! I have been dealing with breast cancer the past 18 months, its really difficult to transition from being a nurse to being a patient and putting your life in the hands of others. I didn't like not being in control. Sure gives you insight to what our patients go through. Its wonderful that you have persevered and have gotten your RN. Keep the faith and keep talking. We all need encouragement!

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I agree that this thread is awesome. Thanks so much for starting it. I'm 46, and have been working on pre req's since January, and I will be starting a nights and weekends program in the fall while I continue to work full time.

When I first visited allnurses.com, I searched for a topic just like this! It can be really intimidating to always be the oldest one in your classes. It helps SO much to know that there are so many wonderful people out there that have gone through the exact same things.

Best of luck to all, and I think the nursing profession will be lucky to include all of us in their number some day. :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Too early.

I'm 53...I spent 30 years in radio and then, poof! job gone, career gone. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse, but back then, men were not supposed to be nurses...(kinda weird hitting a glassing ceiling prejudice as guy - guess it's deserved to get a taste of what women have been fighting forever...)

At any rate, I discovered music and radio, and I did wonderful. So, when I found myself "done"...and too young to retire....I took a career test, and health care/nursing came up number one. It was more intimidating then tough. My wife was seriously against it; then there was the cost; then there was the worry about age discrimination or gender discrimination (during my first clinical - scary enough, mind you for a young student, much less a "mature" (LOL) student, I had a man who did not care for male nurses - I'm assuming he thought I was gay, or just uncomfortable with men touching him, but c'est le vie...LOL!)

Bottom line, you'll do fine. I made it through all of your stuff and I'm in my second year. The only thing I can tell you is that nursing is intense and demanding. This past semester, I had a jerk boss who made me go from 15/20 hours a week to 35 hours per week...and I did terrible...I don't think there's any way you can work 35 to 40 hours and have the intense study time for serious nursing classes. I'm not kidding. I had Med Surge, Saturday clinical s, and Pharmacology...the tough stuff when you first start out...cause it's about forgetting about "book learning" and really "getting" that it's about clinical manifestations and above all - critical thinking - which is very tough to learn until you have your mind trained. I have to take Med Surge over because I didn't have enough time. I didn't do bad...I just didn't do well. I made it through Pharmacology fine and clinical s were wonderful, because:

1. You'll quickly find out if nursing is really right for you - after body fluids, Parkinson, etc.

2. You'll learn to start - slowly, LOL! - to start to "put the pieces together" - in terms of drug, head to toe assessment and other things...and I've realized it's only the very tip of the iceberg.

Bottom line - age has little to do with it - at 45, you're a kid! LOL! Desire and dedication IS important.

Hope that helps.

Also, when you get to that "right point" - spend as much time on N-Clex questions as you can. In Med Surge, I didn't spend enough time with Nclex questions - I learned the lesson the hard way - it makes a difference.

Jeff:D

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I'm 53...I spent 30 years in radio and then, poof! job gone, career gone. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a nurse, but back then, men were not supposed to be nurses...(kinda weird hitting a glassing ceiling prejuidice as guy - guess it's deserved to get a taste of what women have been fighting forever...)

At any rate, I discovered music and radio, and I did wonderful. So, when I found myself "done"...and too young to retire....I took a career test, and health care/nursing came up number one. It was more intimidating then tough. My wife was seriously against it; then there was the cost; then there was the worry about age discrimination or gender discrimination (during my first clinical - scary enough, mind you for a young student, much less a "mature" (LOL) student, I had a man who did not care for male nurses - I'm assuming he thought I was gay, or just uncomfortable with men touching him, but c'est le vie...LOL!)

Bottom line, you'll do fine. I made it through all of your stuff and I'm in my second year. The only thing I can tell you is that nursing is intense and demanding. This past semester, I had a jerk boss who made me go from 15/20 hours a week to 35 hours per week...and I did terrible...I don't think there's any way you can work 35 to 40 hours and have the intense study time for serious nursing classes. I'm not kidding. I had Med Surge, Saturday clinical s, and Pharmacology...the tough stuff when you first start out...cause it's about forgetting about "book learning" and really "getting" that it's about clinical manifestations and above all - critical thinking - which is very tough to learn until you have your mind trained. I have to take Med Surge over because I didn't have enough time. I didn't do bad...I just didn't do well. I made it through Pharmacology fine and clinical s were wonderful, because:

1. You'll quickly find out if nursing is really right for you - after body fluids, Parkinson, etc.

2. You'll learn to start - slowly, LOL! - to start to "put the pieces together" - in terms of drug, head to toe assessment and other things...and I've realized it's only the very tip of the iceberg.

Bottom line - age has little to do with it - at 45, you're a kid! LOL! Desire and dedication IS important.

Hope that helps.

Also, when you get to that "right point" - spend as much time on N-Clex questions as you can.

Jeff:D

So Jeff, how did your wife feel about your going into nursing in the end? Did she come around?

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Specializes in Too early.

I think she accepts it....she sees my dedication...I think it's been tough because I simply don't have the free time to spend like I did in the past...I have to study... I try to keep my Saturdays/Sundays free, which is why clinical was so tough...I think she like it more when all her friends told her how much they like it and the money it...funny, I've never done anything in my life for money....I've done things because I like them.

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I think she accepts it....she sees my dedication...I think it's been tough because I simply don't have the free time to spend like I did in the past...I have to study... I try to keep my Saturdays/Sundays free, which is why clinical was so tough...I think she like it more when all her friends told her how much they like it and the money it...funny, I've never done anything in my life for money....I've done things because I like them.

Maybe she'll be more on board after the studying is over and the paychecks are rolling in! ;-) You, of course, will gain so much by caring for your patients. She might be able to see that by how happy you are with your life. (Don't we all want our spouses to be happy in their careers?) The money isn't the be-all, end-all -- it is just a REALLY nice perk! ;-)

Good luck to you, Jeff!

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I am 51 and actually returned to college last January when I was 50. I don't think you are ever to old to anything that you feel passionate about. I won't actually start my program until the fall of 2011. Until then I'll finish up my A&P I and II, Microbiology and Human Growth and Development. I haven't been in college for close to 30 years and when I took Albebra and BioCHem last semester, I was surprises at how great it felt to actually use my brain again!! have been in accounting for the last 20 years and honestly I am so burned out on it. Now that I have raised my family, it's time for me to finish what I started so many years ago and to do something to give back to society. All of us older students will make wiser nurses!! Good luck to everyone;)

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I am 50, and have 9 months left of nursing school - I will be 51 when I graduate and take the NCLEX.

My RN program didn't involve prereqs (I attend Chamberlain College of Nursing)... but math, english, humanities, etc. are all included as part of the program. I bought an Evolve entrance exam study guide (Amazon.com: Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review (9781416056355): HESI: Books) but I would ask your school which review book they recommend. I, too, needed a little extra help in Algebra, so I bought a "College Algebra for Dummies" type of book, as well. I did just fine, and continue to do well!

I have talked to two RN recruiters, and both shared that they are always excited to talk to "older" nurses, because they feel that the maturity we have is a bonus, when dealing with patients. Besides - I figure I have at least 20 more years in the work force... I might as well love what I do!

Obviously, I say - Go For It!!! You will never regret your decision.

Good Luck,

Judy

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Specializes in Too early.

Wow! Judy - I go to Chamberlain also (Columbus, Ohio.) You've spurred me on. And, I've always done things because I had passion for them. In radio, it wasn't being a dee-jay, or then a manager, it was the love of music that propelled me - all kinds - rock, Top 40, Alternative, Jazz, Opera; and in nursing, it's the passion of caring; it's the joy of taking care of people - and yes, I have no illusions, some are quite "trying" to be honest...LOL! But it's the best feeling in the world, even when it's a pain in the rear or your feel stupid in clinical, etc...LOL!

By the way, if you go to Chamberlain in Columbus - Professor Kristina Caulderhead rocks! She's awesome!

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although i think it is very courageous to go back to school at 50 years+, there are some real considerations here.

i am actually older than all of you at 60, with a ba/ma in art and design, and years later went for my associate rn degree...it has served me well for a while, but now, i was actually thinking about doing a bsn-msn fast track for an np license..and quite frankly the way the job scene is now a days, it is not only a nice thing to do, but it is becoming a must

and here is what i discovered and here is the clincher and here is where honest self introspection must kick in...my concentrative ability is just not what it use to be, easily distracted, (i have a monkey mind, jumping around, like a busy little gerble on a fast track), maybe it could be if there was really a passion for what i am doing; regrettably the passion for nursing is not quite there anymore. the costs of said programs are also very pricey...once i finish said program, which would take about two years full time, most likely i will be $15-20,000 in debt...who needs it?...the headache and the extra debt plus 2-3 years older as well :uhoh3:

and then when you are looking for work, most positions want only experience, a catch 22; and for personal reasons i need to be in the tri state area and jobs for new grads (nps) are scarce without the prior experience.

further, personally, i can't go just anywhere like the midwest or south to get that experience...

also, please consider once you start working, if you should even get a job in your late 50/early 60's, you will most likely have to work nights and on your feet for 12-13hours+ feeling like a rag and frequently demoralized at the end of the shift after getting criticized once too often by some little power starved bimbo half your age or by an arrogrant resident or even management who are often too anal and one dimensional..

what can i say, i guess the creative artist in me is finally coming to surface once again after all these years:yeah:...

so once the romance and the honeymoon phase is over, think about the real logistics, and respect your limitations...

personally i would rather do my art, play flute, play with my grandchildren and pets, long walks on the beach, laying on a hammock reading a good book, and helping others...all of which having an advance degree doesn't make one bit of difference....

but to leave on a positive note, taking all the above into consideration, and if the desire is still there and perserverance is your calling card and it is financially doable and you are healthy in mind, body and spirit as well, then you have my sincere blessing and my hat goes off to all of you:jester:! relieved!

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loving this mag- this site- and especially these threads!

a few questions for those out there still reading-

i see many of us over 45 coming tog

ether, love it!

is anyone from CA?

has anyone done or thinking of doing LVN prior to RN or BSN?

if so, advise on getting all the pre'req's done or programs that include them in would be nice-

I can relate to several posts on having change in career's due to economy- i fall in that category with being laid off 2 years ago from major builder, unemployment, family of 6, and back in school- graduated LVN in September of 09- took NCLEX PN 6 weeks, 6 days ago and still waiting on results-

With that said, I have not been able to begin my next phase of LVN to BSN- and am having to seek employment immediately as unemployment cut off with no notification, don't have license yet, not even the CNA certificate in hand. not sure where to start in regard to a job...but would love any advise because I have a passion that will not go away, and i will complete this!

Thank you in advance for sharing-

(and what is the NLN? I may just be tired, but it isn't sounding familiar to me at the moment)

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I am 50, and have 9 months left of nursing school - I will be 51 when I graduate and take the NCLEX.

My RN program didn't involve prereqs (I attend Chamberlain College of Nursing)... but math, english, humanities, etc. are all included as part of the program. I bought an Evolve entrance exam study guide (Amazon.com: Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam Review (9781416056355): HESI: Books) but I would ask your school which review book they recommend. I, too, needed a little extra help in Algebra, so I bought a "College Algebra for Dummies" type of book, as well. I did just fine, and continue to do well!

I have talked to two RN recruiters, and both shared that they are always excited to talk to "older" nurses, because they feel that the maturity we have is a bonus, when dealing with patients. Besides - I figure I have at least 20 more years in the work force... I might as well love what I do!

Obviously, I say - Go For It!!! You will never regret your decision.

Good Luck,

Judy

Can totally relate!

Good luck to you also!

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