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!

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!

wow - i guess it just shows how we all come from such different places! i totally respect where you are coming from, and i hope you find the happiness you are looking for. a 60yo friend of mine is an rn, and she has been working in the insurance industry, because she, too, was tired of the long days on her feet. funny enough - she just enrolled in school to become a np!

personally, i just recently left the corporate world, where, as vp of sales, i was expected to be available from 6am until 9pm (different time zones, and ceo's whim) via cell and email, and worked 6 days a week, even though my salary was based on a 40 hour week. add to the mix a teenager at home, 1 in college and 1 just out, and the fact that i am a single mom, and you can imagine - my life was insane.

i look forward to the consistency nursing offers, as well as the possibility of actually getting paid for hours worked, doing something that is meaningful! i also would love the relaxing life you suggest... however, if i live to be 85 (which these days is a realistic number), that would mean i would be in a retired mode for 35 years... and i can't imagine anything less mentally stimulating!

on the other hand... currently i do do my art (i have a side-line of jewelry i make in a local art gallery), i don't play flute anymore, but i do go to the symphony and to the occasional concert, i don't have grandchildren yet, but i do play with my neighbor's kids... i just came from a weekend in savannah to squeeze in that long walk on the beach, and i do try to do 1 day of volunteering a month to help others. as for the hammock - i don't have a place to put one, or i would have it! lol!

i think, honestly, it is all about balance... doing our job but still making time for ourselves. right now, my job is nursing school, and even though i consistently put in very long days between classes and studying, i try to spend every saturday with friends and family, and do not do any school-work. i find i need that day to refuel.

i am also thankful that i have picked my next career to be one with options... if, after 5 or 10 years, i decide i am tired of the hospital environment, i can always move into the corporate segment. i am also planning on continuing my education and getting my msn so that i can teach - there is always a shortage of nursing instructors, and they are happy to take whomever they can get - even if you don't have experience! and - it is something i will be able to do part time, so when those grandbabies do come, i will have time for them, as well.

i guess this is a reminder to me that not everything is for everyone... and to be thankful that i did the soul-searching required to make sure i am doing the best i can to be as physically productive and emotionally fulfilled as possible!

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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!

Jeff, It is ME... Judy you go to school with... that was in NR120/122/lab validations with you... that you run into, at the library... the one who does the concept mapping for each disease process... the one who teases you about the Popeye Chicken! And yes... Kris rocks... but wait til you get Dr. Doan - you will love her!! (She is now teaching NR252.)

- J.

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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)

I'm from CA!

I had considered doing the LVN, and then LVN to RN, but was told by nursing program admins that LVN's were essentially being phased out and there would be very few spots available for an LVN.

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Specializes in Too early.

To chanarivka770

I get it...coming from radio/marketing and on-air talent as a talent and management....creative is a different bag....our brains are generally set up different in terms of the right-left configuration...we often suck at budgets but are great at concepts and new things. We don't like authority, we tend to operate at our own pace, and our minds need creativity and to "break boundaries" - and we generally hate bean counters...LOL!

However...I had no illusions tempered with reality in terms of career change. All that you thought of, I know...plus age prejudiced, gender prejudice etc. And they ARE real. It's a different type of "glass ceiling." But I still think it's worth it..and I think you have to have a passion....just like when I had to do 12 hour air shifts...put up with general managers who thought they were creative....consultants and everyone else. Everything has a plus/minus ratio. The bottom line is - are you happy through it all - a tough, nebulous question, but true none the less.

Believe me, I miss radio...I miss the groups, the competition for ratings, and even the stupid, large ego-ed morning shows - most of whom are not funny, but all think they should go to New York or L.A....LOL!

I think whatever you do for a second career - you have to have as must passion for it as possible. Without passion, you've eventually have problems! Maybe it IS a honeymoon stage, but I don't think so....you have to have pasion to deal with the things you mentioned, plus the ordeal of going back to school, incompetent teachers, dicy clincial instructors...I still think it's worth it - even when I'm angry or upset or I want to punch a teacher's lights out because I don't think she knows how to teach....too me, it's still worth it...to be a nurse.

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Glad chanarivka770 figured out what she wanted to do. Nursing isn't for everyone. The thing that keeps me motivated is that I will actually have a marketable skill when I finish and a brain that has been pushed to it's limits at times. The economy is my constant reminder that I need to push forward. I am a massage therapist and yoga teacher. People don't get as many massages when they are pinched financially. I am not worried about the job scene when I get out of school, everyone was new at one time. I plan on working only 7 years unless I am loving it too much. My husband can collect his retirement at that point.

I think this is one field where age will be less of an issue. There are so many job options. Maybe the pay won't be quite as delicious as a 12 hour shift in a hospital but all this sure beats being a 70 year old waitress or McDonalds cashier. I think it will be much more stylish to be a part-time nurse as I age. I'll be 50 at graduation in 2012.

As far as being in debt from Nursing school.... Only 2 years of full time school and then I should be able to hold a job and pay as I go for my Bachelors (online program) from UNR. Wouldn't it be awesome to reach 60 and be a FNP/have a Masters and be able to teach. There is no end in sight for this "nursing hobby" which I have heard a few of us older ones call it.:redbeathe

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Hi Channarivka,

It's good to hear from someone who has "lost that lovin' feeling" about nursing has re-directed her life to be in line with her values. At age 55, believe me I have thought about alot of the points you raise in your letter. I guess I'll just enjoy the 'honeymoon' period while it lasts and hope for the best.

I did have to smile, though, when you warned of the 12-13 hour shifts, and working weekends. For my entire career in retail, ending at age 53, I was opening new stores, working around the clock, overnights, 10-day stretches, with mini breaks for food and water. I was on my feet, climbing ladders, installing shelves while supervising staffs of 20-30. And I was traveling all over the USA, staying in budget motels, while doing this work. Nursing seems like a vacation in comparison! One of the reasons I chose nursing was because I like hard work, long hours, and being active; I attribute having worked in this style into my 50's with keeping me feeling young and fit.

Also, I never experienced 'monkey mind' while studying; on the contrary, I am so hungry for new knowledge that I absorb the material with gusto, making straight A's. When I was in college in my younger years I never applied myself like this, and never thought I could survive these demanding science courses. This surprised me, as I thought for sure I would be far behind all the younger people in my class.

I guess time will tell if I burn out or become exhausted, but right I am loving being so busy and using my mind and body to the extreme. I hope nursing proves to be what I think, but I would also do something else if it proved to not be for me in the long run.

Thanks for your perspective!

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Hi, I started taking my pre nursing courses art age 47, graduated from nursing school at age 50 ( in December 2010). I am working as an RN at a psych hospital and doing 8 hours shifts.

I hired a high school senior fora few hours to tutor me in math for the nursing entrance exam (TEAS Test).

I am very happy to have a nursing career, it was very hard work and sometimes I wondered if Ii was making the right decision.

Do not let your age be a dissuading factor. I made some wonderful new friends in nursing school. I really enjoy my new career and never thought of my age while in school. After you graduate, no one cares believe me!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I can see us now, with our change purses and our walkers, shambling the floors of some lucky hospital (until beano and geritol time anyhow).

Then it's peaches and toast time!

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today, update for quick reference- ca resident/nclexpn exam date 4/2/10=

still no results- 7 weeks, 2 days

51 days

i am living in the twilight zone and having out of body days- 2nd major career change 1st 5 years in executive administration

5 years as senior loan processor/underwriter for major builder in so california and in final company layoff- and on unemployment until a month ago

enrolled in lpn to bsn program 4 months prior to graduating-

now........................today i want to share the 'motivational' inspiration quote's for today-

and with this.......the smile is back on my face, my fire is egnited on high- and we will be nurses!!!!:nurse:

enjoy!!!

"you're never a loser until you quit trying." ~mike ditka

:cool::yeah::idea:

"success is not measured by what a person accomplishes, but by the opposition they have encountered, and the courage with which they have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds."

~orison swett marden

:yeah::yeah::up::clown::clown::idea::p:):rolleyes: :bugeyes::nurse::saint::bow::beer:

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to #68 mr. orsin swett marden, probably doesn't have to interface with visa or face creditors, or possible foreclosures, it sounds romantic...

one has to have a little smarts too; alas, there are some real obstacles here that need to be reckon with and respected. yes there was a time when i felt that i would deal with obstacles as they came along and most likely be victorious in the fight. further i pretended that said obstacles really didn't exist anyway, but just little irritating annoyances to be reckon with and such was the case....the vigor and invincibility of youth, i suppose.....

anyway, so i decided to really check into this possibility of returning to school you know base your decision on facts not emotions, etc. etc....

so, i speak with a info person from one of these private universities with a fast track bsn-msn program for rn's with ba/ma's in other fields (she kind of sounded like an used car salesman btw):smokin:...we kind of figured what it would cost me, you know bottom line, which they just love to circumvent, until they just can't anymore, because after all $ is the bottom line...can you believe getting that bsn (not even the msn) would cost me about $30,000 dollars, and with the msn almost $50,000 i kid you not....and then getting the np would be extra... i told her that its crazy!!!! then she has the utter gall, to ask me how i would be paying for this, out of pocket, or with financial aid?...i told her in a nice way to chill and to take a walk...:uhoh3:

now, i ask you why would i want to get into so much debt at this stage of the game, when it is very iffy, if one is even going to get hired in the first place once your done and i might say a bit older...let's get real....

passion is nice, but at $30,000+????? maybe at a much younger age i would have aimed for the passion. but you know what?, passion, as far as i am concerned is a bit overrated. sorry; personally, it is time to make peace with one's choices that one has made in life and embrace them and yes by all means re-invent and think out of a doable and affordable box; change, opportunity is good but not at the sacrifice of one's emotional and financial wherewithal, not to mention signifcant others as well who are also effected. oh, and btw, this two year program for this illustrious bsn, was assumed that one is not working.. now for those of us who are, plus going to school, and paying this kind of money, even it if one can pay back later as far as i am concern, is cruel and unusual punishment and a complete rip off...........i am sorry to be so blunt; there are many other rewarding options, without having to go into such debt, especially now, when there is such a plethora of jobs available (kidding of course) this is nyc speaking, although i doubt it is no different in other areas as well. anyway, the message is clear and enough said for now!

now its off to bed with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate and a fluffy kitten sleeping at my side!!!!:rolleyes:

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re: chanarivka770 posting. i'm older than dirt, just turned 59 and am thinking of going back for my rn. i just wanted to say that if your heart isn't in nursing, don't waste your time and money. if your passion is in the arts, do that. we need people who are passionate about their talents and nursing is definately a talent. i knew when i started as a nurse aid at age 23 that this was my calling. i worked so hard for $1.65 an hour but loved every minute of it. i moved to an acute care hospital in palm springs and was in heaven, honestly. i couldn't wait to get to work every day. i love nursing and think that if you're on the fence even a little bit about being a nurse, don't do it. or at least volunteer at a hospital and see if your feelings change a little. i've worked with nurses who were there only for the money and you can tell from their work ethics what its all about. the money is wonderful. i've never complained about my wages as an lvn, but i want to go on and do better, give more of myself to the patients i come in contact with. this past 2 years of dealing with breast cancer and all the treatments has opened my eyes a great deal more to what our patients endure, how brave they are. please think long and hard about becoming a nurse if your heart isn't in it. shower us with your other talents, let us love what you have to offer in the arts. don't take up a space in a class room that could be given to a student who truly wants to be there.

i agree, this thread is very good, and i'm enjoying reading all the stories and encouragement.

marilyn

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first of all ms. marilyn, you are not older than dirt...what an analogy, even if it is a joke...how about you are as wise and experience as a beautiful dove flying in the wind, or something poetic like that.....women in general have such a hard time accepting compliments from other people, why???

if you have been following my earlier correspondence, i am already a nurse, been there done that, now it is about moving on to higher education, advance practice........and my research and bank account has told me specifically it is not happening anymore; too much input and not enough output...like a pair of old worn jeans, ready to be finally thrown out making room for a new pair with new variations.

as far as an np, maybe in another life time...but then in that life time, i want to be a neuro -surgeon, go figure....and guess what, if i am a neuro -surgeon, i will probably want to be a nurse....such is the craziness of human nature:jester:

and thank you for giving me the courage to really without any reservation whatsoever, to get out of the seat and move over for someone else whose heart is really really into nursing......because after all is said in done the passion must be there 24/7 and mine at this point is only sporadic at best.......now on to another calling..whatever that may be (that's where letting go and letting g-d comes into play!)

good luck to you all:redpinkhe

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