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!!
I only noticed a few posts that actually got jobs over 50 as new grads. Anyway, most nursing schools and employers want a year of medical experience now like emt, cna or the like. They also prefer bilingual. Of course they also want you to be young like most employers. One of the issues that has any merit (?) is the strain an older worker puts on medical benefits. Generally workers over 40 use way more medical benefits and believe me the hospitals care which is why so many have gone over to the dangerous 12 hour shifts (mistakes rise post 8 hours). Don't count on a "shortage" making up for age discrimination as it never happened not only was it a projected shortage the industry standard of a shortage is only ten applicants per opening. Right now there are in my area hundreds of applicants for any new grad openings which are scarce and the same for experienced nurses positions. I hate to discourage you but please do not invest your precious time and money into nursing school unless you understand there is heavy age discrimination in nursing and a flood of unhired new grads for the last 2 years. I welcome contrary opinions from over 50 new grads who have been hired and where, and definitely any nurse recruiters who can put their money where their mouth is so to speak.
I'm 47, graduated June 08 from LPN school. Started taking my prereqs to bridge from LPN to RN immediately. I only have Sociology left, which I will take this Spring. I will be 50 when I finish. I would have never been this disiplined enough to work full-time, and go to school when I was younger. I am happy to see other my age going the same route. Someone asked about schedule time to work-out...I use a planner, and I schedule everything. And as long as I stick to the schedule, I am able to fit it all in. Good luck to everyone!!
Hey I'm 53 and often wondered if I was too old for all this studying. I have 2 more pre-reqs to complete to get into BSN program at Grand Canyon University. It'll be my second bachelor's degree. My first in electrical engineering but because I didn't practice (I had 2 kids I wanted not to be latch-key kids), I couldn't find a job. My first love was always medicine and it was time I did what I really wanted to do. I'm so glad to find I'm not the only "old" one out there. I'm maintaining B's through all those A&P and micro classes. We still have a lot to give and I feel that I'm really ready to do that. I love my studies. It fascinates me although I can't seem to remember terminology as well as I used to. Oh well!! I'm gonna get there if it's the last thing I do. Kudos to you for working so hard. You go girl.:yeah:Enjoy!!
Go for it! I too, am 51 and just graduated nursing school 4 years ago:) I am so glad I did...when you figure you still have to work for another 20 years before SS...why not? My class ranged in ages from 20 to mid sixties! Good luck!
You are not too old to do this! I'm 52 and plan to graduate from the RN program in 2011. I'm also working on some of the prerequisites for my BS in Nursing Science. Pictures on the college walls shows some graduates are senior citizens. Just remember, it's NEVER too late to follow your dream.
I only noticed a few posts that actually got jobs over 50 as new grads. Anyway, most nursing schools and employers want a year of medical experience now like emt, cna or the like. They also prefer bilingual. Of course they also want you to be young like most employers. One of the issues that has any merit (?) is the strain an older worker puts on medical benefits. Generally workers over 40 use way more medical benefits and believe me the hospitals care which is why so many have gone over to the dangerous 12 hour shifts (mistakes rise post 8 hours). Don't count on a "shortage" making up for age discrimination as it never happened not only was it a projected shortage the industry standard of a shortage is only ten applicants per opening. Right now there are in my area hundreds of applicants for any new grad openings which are scarce and the same for experienced nurses positions. I hate to discourage you but please do not invest your precious time and money into nursing school unless you understand there is heavy age discrimination in nursing and a flood of unhired new grads for the last 2 years. I welcome contrary opinions from over 50 new grads who have been hired and where, and definitely any nurse recruiters who can put their money where their mouth is so to speak.
Well I am 54 and I got hired straight out of school with no problem--her reason behind hiring nurses in their 50's she stated they were more dependable and more reliable than the younger nurses who tend to call in more frequently. And I have friends who got jobs right away also so maybe its just in your area. What you said is not necessarily every where so do not be discouraging Elle--and as far as the benefits thing goes at age 54 I have never even used my insurance not one time since I have been with this company.
I am 53 and graduated last year for my RN degree(ad). ALready had an associate from the same school with HIM degree. Yes, it is hard at that age but I think it gives us an edge over the young students because of our maturity. I did as well or better than most. I admire you so much because I know how hard it is. Good luck and God bless!!!!!!!
I agree! There is NO PROBLEM in my area getting a job right our of nursing school no matter what age you are!!!!! Don't quit school and keep going. If it is hard getting a job in your area go somewhere else. There are good nursing jobs available if you look hard enough!
What area do you live? It is so hard to believe someone having a problem getting a nursing job! Our area needs nurses and most of us have a job waiting for us right out of school. The employers even come to the schools and serve lunch etc and talk about their facility and how great it would be if we came to work there.
What area do you live? It is so hard to believe someone having a problem getting a nursing job! Our area needs nurses and most of us have a job waiting for us right out of school. The employers even come to the schools and serve lunch etc and talk about their facility and how great it would be if we came to work there.
I agree I think momology needs to go somewhere else if there is such a problem in her area I graduated May 8th passed state boards July 8th and was working as an RN July 9th--so maybe its just in her area but I did catch a bit of discrimination undertones in her statement---needless to say it is not true every where.
momology
76 Posts
I only noticed a few posts that actually got jobs over 50 as new grads. Anyway, most nursing schools and employers want a year of medical experience now like emt, cna or the like. They also prefer bilingual. Of course they also want you to be young like most employers. One of the issues that has any merit (?) is the strain an older worker puts on medical benefits. Generally workers over 40 use way more medical benefits and believe me the hospitals care which is why so many have gone over to the dangerous 12 hour shifts (mistakes rise post 8 hours). Don't count on a "shortage" making up for age discrimination as it never happened not only was it a projected shortage the industry standard of a shortage is only ten applicants per opening. Right now there are in my area hundreds of applicants for any new grad openings which are scarce and the same for experienced nurses positions. I hate to discourage you but please do not invest your precious time and money into nursing school unless you understand there is heavy age discrimination in nursing and a flood of unhired new grads for the last 2 years. I welcome contrary opinions from over 50 new grads who have been hired and where, and definitely any nurse recruiters who can put their money where their mouth is so to speak.