Anyone 40 Or Older Starting A Lvn Program??

WhoNeedsaShot? · Jul 7, 2008

43 here, starting in Aug. 12 month program. Not so much worried about the classes, more worried about getting hired afterwards. How do places feel about hiring us dinos, as new grads? Any ideas?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2008

43 here, starting in Aug. 12 month program. Not so much worried about the classes, more worried about getting hired afterwards. How do places feel about hiring us dinos, as new grads? Any ideas?

I was hired as a GPN within one week of graduating (didn't even have my diploma in hand at the time).

The Director of Nurses told me that being an "older" new grad I had a leg up on the younger grads. She said that, being older (I don't look my age but I sure don't look 25 anymore) that patients would tend to think that because I look more mature I'd probably have been a nurse a while and have more experience but it could turn on me too because other nurses who might not know I am a recent grad would also think of me as a seasoned nurse due to my age and might get a bit upset when what they perceive as a seasoned nurse is asking new grad questions.

She went on to say that she prefers more "mature" new grads because we usually have more work experience in the real world and that we develop a certain work ethic, and we tend to be less flighty as younger ones. She did say that she wasn't saying ALL young new grads are airheads who lack responsibility or that all older new grads are very mature and responsible

Don't you worry, you as an older grad, can and will find work just as quickly as the dino eggs just hatched :chuckle

Bobylon · Jul 7, 2008

shalamar - yup - started LPN school this spring at 50, will graduate next spring @51..... am excited and having a great time - I thought "going back to school" after all these years would be difficult, but it's been quite smooth - a lot of work/studying, but we do manage to have fun, too :cool: I've lucked out big-time, in that our local hospital is paying for our schooling and guaranteeing us LPN positions upon passing the NCLEX....plus, we can start working at the hospital after 10 weeks of school (which I might have to do as I was laid off and my unemployment just ran out ). Just hit the ground with both feet running, stay up on your reading/homework/studying and you'll be just fine !!! Let's hear it for us "mature" students :yeah:

mjm1979 · Jul 7, 2008

Hey there! Good luck to you! I'm 47, almost 48 and getting ready to graduate in 7 weeks from a two year part-time program. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, and I am SO looking forward to graduating!! There are advantages and disadvantages to being older as a student I think... Being more mature and knowledgeable is a BIG plus. Being tired all the time and not being able to memorize things as easily is a big negative. It has been a long time since I was in school and I was shocked at how much longer it takes me to memorize things. More so for the ladies I think. A doc told me that when women are in the peri-menopause years that the hormonal changes cause memory problems. The guys don't seem to have that problem with memory. It has been a long, hard two years and I am SO glad it's almost over. BUT, that being said. I did put a lot more into it than most of the students in my class. While most of the students don't bother to read the chapters (only read the powerpoints) and sleep in class and miss all the days allowed, etc., I read the whole chapters, sometimes type up med sheets or study sheets for myself, have perfect attendence, etc. I was named nursing student of the year for 2008 in my state and I'm at the top of my class as far as GPA goes. So, yes, it has been tough, but I have put a lot into it. If I weren't a perfectionist bent on being the best nurse in the whole world.... I would lighten up a bit and not study as much and it would be easier. When I'm not in school I'm pretty much in a chair studying. This has been my life for two years. I'm SO ready to get my life back! I found that in A&P notecards helped me a lot. I could take them with me every where also. If I had to pick a child up from school I could look at notecards, even if it was just sitting in the car for 5 minutes.... If I was standing in line at the grocery store... etc. I also got a small tape recorder and started taping lectures.... this was a tremendous help. I think the maturity will help you in being a better student and better nurse...good luck!:loveya:

HeyHeyitsMaay · Jul 7, 2008

I know this particular thread isn't for me, but I just had to say..that I'm happy that there are 'older' (please. 40 and over is NOT old in my book!) people that are going to be in class with me. I'll be 29 when I graduate, and I feel so 'old' because it took me so long to do this. But I never could've done it just a couple of years ago.

In any case, I just wanted to say that I'M GLAD for all of you that are going to school with me. I appreciate the wisdom that comes from folks that have already been where I am now.

JoanieDee, LPN · Jul 7, 2008

i am 44 and graduating Friday.........you will do great!!

WhoNeedsaShot? · Jul 8, 2008

I am soooooooo worried about the "memory" but then I think of all the stuff that I read on here and I have no problem remembering what I read, which forum, etc. So then I think, I'll be alright, and I have always been able to remember my notes in previous classes..... So, I think its just nerves trying to get the best of me.... I'm certain we are all gonna be Okay!!

floridafwb1 · Jul 9, 2008

I Finished At 41 And Am Now In The Rn Bridge, I Did Great, But It Was Very Stressful Keep Below The Radar Of The Instructors, Do Your Work And You'll Be Fine.

JoanieDee, LPN · Jul 9, 2008

Thank you for that post......funny you should say "keep below the radar of the instructors"......I wish I had over the past 11 months!! If and when I decide to go for RN, I will do just that!! At any rate, graduation is just 3 days away, and I made it through.....just need to get ready for NCLEX (have started studying already, but giving myself a little time to enjoy the graduation on Friday before I go into total panic mode).......Best of Luck to you in the RN program, and for proving that life in nursing school after 40 can work out just fine!!

p2o8 · Jul 10, 2008

:heartbeat i am 39 and about to graduate lpn school. i have not been the oldest in my classes. i have great new friends who are 10 years younger than me. some of my professors and clinical instructors are younger than me. i am proud to say that i have earned great respect from all of them and when i graduate my mentors will be my friends! there is no age limit on giving yourself a better life and the sky is the limit at making your dreams come true. congratulations. you will be great.

BeverlynBama · Jul 12, 2008

Wow, ya'll are babies. I am now 52 and started classes last summer. I am about to finish with all the prerequisites and was just accepted into the LPN program at Calhoun Community College in Alabama. I will graduate next summer at age 53.

I was so scared to go back to school but found that although I am tired a lot I take class more seriously than a lot of the younger ones. I just hope I can hang in there once nursing classes start.

Yesterday I started taking vitamins. :chuckle

JoanieDee, LPN · Jul 13, 2008

congratuations, and best of luck to you in school!!