Any "50-ish" Pre-Nursing Students?

Eaglelady · Nov 11, 2009

Elle,
It is never too late to start a new career or continue your education. I am 52 and will be graduating with my ADN in five weeks. Although it has taken three and a half years to get to this point, in retrospect, it went by fast. Good luck to you!

Yep Steve I was 50 when I started with the pre-req's and 54 when I graduated from the ADN program of May 8th of this year took my state board passed the 1st time around on JUly the 8th and have been working as an RN ever since now I am going back for my BSN--another 2 yrs :) but I am so ready for it--from there I don't know since I will be 56 yrs old--we shall see--but I know it can be done my best friend is 62 and she has one more semester to go to be through the ADN program---age doesn'r matter but I do believe it helps--unfortunately I seen more young ones fail then I did the older ones---thats why us older ones kinda helped the younger ones out and vicesa versa they helped us at times

Punch · Nov 11, 2009

I am a nursing student who is 57 years old! This coming May 2010 I will graduate as an RN! I am excited! I feel you are never too old to go back to school and achieve your dreams! The younger students have accepted me and I am learning this profession right along with the rest of them! Sometimes I feel that it takes me longer to grasp a concept or a method of doing a procedure. But I am learning and feel great about this accomplishment! I plan to join my fellow classmates at graduation, gray hair and all!!

tlapierre · Nov 11, 2009

I'm 45 and have 5 days left of clinicals and will graduate on Dec. 4th from an ADN program. This is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, besides raising my family. I wish you the best of luck. Remember this is a journey and at times it will seem like it's never going to end, but it does trust me. It has taken me 9yrs to reach this spot, with 1 pre-req per 1/4 while working as an MA and then the 2yr actual nursing program. The age factor is to your advantage. :coollook:

enzati · Nov 12, 2009

I just wanted to say that I'm a clinical instructor for a local college and have had numerous over 50 students. (I'm 33). Each student has taught me so much and has blown me away with their commitment to becoming a nurse. They bring so much life experience to our groups. So I say, whatever your age, just go for it!! Good luck! -Jaime

litenbug · Nov 12, 2009

Hi Everyone,
I am new to posting here. I do read posts on occasion although Anatomy keeps me pretty busy! I was hoping to meet others near my age and hear your stories.
I am 51 and have another year of pre-requisites and I will apply to the local JC's ADN program. It's on a lottery system which has its pros and cons. I take one science class per semester and am fairly well challenged, but am holding my own with Bs.
I never finished college and once I finish the ADN program, I'd like to get my BS, hopefully the hospital I work for will pay!
I have 3 kids and a very supportive DH. Sometimes I get feeling like I'm too old for this and then I learn something new and it gives me the resolve to keep going. I love all that I'm learning!!
Looking forward to meeting you!
Elle

Go for it and your babies will be so proud of you.

Elle16 · Nov 12, 2009

I was surprised to see how many of us "fifty-ish" pre-nursing and nursing students along with RNs there are out there!

Your responses have made my day. I am buried under a mountain of anatomy that I need to have penetrate and stick in my brain along with another class I take where there are pages and pages of reading to do. :specs:

Thanks so much for all of your responses; I can't wait to hear more.

I question myself about whether my choice is a good one, especially with all classes/adn programs being so impacted in my area, more than is useful so when I begin to do that I am going to read all of your responses that I printed out, hole punched and put into my binder.

Back to my studies ....

Elle

harleyridingirl · Nov 12, 2009

I am almost 52 and graduating in Dec 2009 with an ASN and plan on going after my BSN right away. Our life history helps make us better than some of the younger students just because "it's not our first rodeo"!

Hang in there,

T

rngingerpear · Nov 12, 2009

I was 44 when I finished my ASN. I was one of the "older" students in my nursing class, but I was not the oldest. It took me 5 years to complete my pre req's plus the 2 year program. At the time I was in college, my older of two daughters was in college as well. I worked full time and went to school part time the first three years, then worked part time and went to school full time the last two years. Was it tough? Oh yes. But I tripled my income and now have job security for as long as I want to work. I'm now 58 years old. Get this. My older sister is studying for her master's degree in nursing. And one of the nurses who I work with is retired but continues to work PRN. She's over 80. It's never too late.

trw07 · Nov 12, 2009

I too have returned to finish what I started 34 years ago, at age 55. This semester has been spent at a community college program but I just received notification that I have been accepted in a BSN program at a nearby university so I will be starting again in Jan 2010. I will be 57 at graduation. Sometimes it seems like too much but I am learning how to handle the stress. I hope to use my nursing degree in combination with my background in natural therapies to help bring patients to health. Hopefully there will be a holistic physician out there somewhere! Good luck to all of you "seasoned students".....we can do it!!

harleyridingirl · Nov 12, 2009

You'll never get all the reading done. Find a book that puts it in outline form, skim the chapter and go over the power points.

T

Coriander, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2009

I turn 35 this month and will probably be about 38 when I graduate (hopefully lol)... you can do it!

scrubcircrn · Nov 12, 2009

Im 51 and graduated from an Associate degree program in nursing this past May. I was in retail management for years and was totally burnt out. Going back to school was the best thing I ever did. It was hard I wont lie to you but well worth it.