Any "50-ish" Pre-Nursing Students?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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

There is a lot of wisdom to what you have said. I did not have a lot of trouble getting interviews and even job offers, but the physical fitness tests that you have to pass to actually get the job are unreal. Before you even begin, they tell you that you will never have to lift at work like you do for the fitness test. So why is it so "above and beyond?" Only answer I can come up with is that it weeds out the over 40 applicants to keep insurance costs down. Age discrimination is still against the law, but they have found their way around it.

My advice: If you are over 40, be sure to take time to stay physically fit and strong. Some physical fitness tests also measure O2 sats and heart rate periodically throughout the exercises. So along with muscle strength, make sure to include some cardio workouts on a regular basis.

Cindy

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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.

I totally agree!!! My experience is that 50+ RN's are more dependable because their kids are grown and out of house and are more settled and matured. Thanks for the input eaglelady!

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
There is a lot of wisdom to what you have said. I did not have a lot of trouble getting interviews and even job offers, but the physical fitness tests that you have to pass to actually get the job are unreal. Before you even begin, they tell you that you will never have to lift at work like you do for the fitness test. So why is it so "above and beyond?" Only answer I can come up with is that it weeds out the over 40 applicants to keep insurance costs down. Age discrimination is still against the law, but they have found their way around it.

My advice: If you are over 40, be sure to take time to stay physically fit and strong. Some physical fitness tests also measure O2 sats and heart rate periodically throughout the exercises. So along with muscle strength, make sure to include some cardio workouts on a regular basis.

Cindy

I didn't have to take a physical fitness test so I have no idea what you are talking about it must be a requirement where ur b/c obviously it does not apply everywhere--but it always pays to be physically fit no matter what age a person is

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
I totally agree!!! My experience is that 50+ RN's are more dependable because their kids are grown and out of house and are more settled and matured. Thanks for the input eaglelady!

You are very welcome :)

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I get a chuckle from people who make statements about what is true from their point of view and serve it up as THE truth. While I do appreciate "both sides of the coin," I also appreciate when the person who makes the statements backs them up with reliable sources as to where they have gotten their information.

For all of us who are following a dream, I think it is wisest to learn what we are up against from reliable sources and make our decisions from there. It is up to us to decide how to spend our precious time, it is not for a stranger to advise. ;)

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I get a chuckle from people who make statements about what is true from their point of view and serve it up as THE truth. While I do appreciate "both sides of the coin," I also appreciate when the person who makes the statements backs them up with reliable sources as to where they have gotten their information.

For all of us who are following a dream, I think it is wisest to learn what we are up against from reliable sources and make our decisions from there. It is up to us to decide how to spend our precious time, it is not for a stranger to advise. ;)

This is very true! Everyone has to decide for themselves where and how to follow their dream. Everyone else's opinion doesn't count. Everyone has to be true to themselves.

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Yep, physical fitness tests are required here in central Iowa. Sit-ups included.

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
I get a chuckle from people who make statements about what is true from their point of view and serve it up as THE truth. While I do appreciate "both sides of the coin," I also appreciate when the person who makes the statements backs them up with reliable sources as to where they have gotten their information.

For all of us who are following a dream, I think it is wisest to learn what we are up against from reliable sources and make our decisions from there. It is up to us to decide how to spend our precious time, it is not for a stranger to advise. ;)

You are so right Elle you just keep on keeping on, if I had listened to people who thought my age was an issue I would have gave up a long time ago but being an RN was my ultimate goal in my life and I was bound and determined to get my degree and I did--- no one knows your capabilities like you do and GOD has a reason and a purpose for us all and He will see you through this no matter what others think---and we are all here for you :)

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
Yep, physical fitness tests are required here in central Iowa. Sit-ups included.

Sounds like the military to me :) but they are not required here in Florida or Georgia but if they were yes at the age of 54 I would still pass the test but my bestest friend would not she has a bad knee and shoulder and she is 29 yrs old---so go figure

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Brand new to this forum and all I can say is WOW! How did I think I was really the only one ever to feel that at 43 I was to old to begin nursing school? Shame on me and kudos to all those ladies in there 50's and even 60's fulfilling their dream. These boards have enlightened me and have set my fears at ease. I can't quite remember who said it in this post, but the one who said she "feared regret more than she feared college" was right on the mark. I have had nursing school in the back of my mind for the last 25 years and there was always something that prevented me (or that I made up) from ever pursuing it. Now with three teenagers, 14, 15 and 19 nearly raised, there really is nothing left for me to think about and I'm going to go forth and begin my prerequesites in the Spring at the local JC. Thank you so much for all the replies. This message board will be my lifeline while I tackle the challenges of becoming an RN over the course of the next 4 years.

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
Brand new to this forum and all I can say is WOW! How did I think I was really the only one ever to feel that at 43 I was to old to begin nursing school? Shame on me and kudos to all those ladies in there 50's and even 60's fulfilling their dream. These boards have enlightened me and have set my fears at ease. I can't quite remember who said it in this post, but the one who said she "feared regret more than she feared college" was right on the mark. I have had nursing school in the back of my mind for the last 25 years and there was always something that prevented me (or that I made up) from ever pursuing it. Now with three teenagers, 14, 15 and 19 nearly raised, there really is nothing left for me to think about and I'm going to go forth and begin my prerequesites in the Spring at the local JC. Thank you so much for all the replies. This message board will be my lifeline while I tackle the challenges of becoming an RN over the course of the next 4 years.

Good for you chele66 it is never to late and I wish you all the best in achieving your goal

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I'm am 47. When I started the pre-reqs, I was 45 and a single mom of 5! I married a year ago so now I have a spouse.....and 9 kids! :eek: Not too bad since 6 of the 9 are on their own.

I am in 2nd term of NS now. Graduate in August (I will be 48). NEVER too late to start!!!!

Good luck all!:yeah:

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