Concerns and fears

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Hello all, this is my first time posting here, though I have been reading through the archives and such for about a week. Love what you do!

With that said, I have some concerns and fears. I am 37 years old and will be going through the nursing program at my local community college. I am scheduled to take the NET one month from tomorrow (Oct. 4th). How difficult is it? Is it something I should really sweat over? (yea, I am that new!)

Also, another fear is that with me NOT being a spring chicken, when all is said and done, is it going to be extremely competetive with the younger nursing program grads? Do most hospitals prefer the younger generation? I am terrified to hear "sorry, you are just too old".

When I first started going to college (last year) I was really hoping to become a medical examiner. I am not a morbid person, however, I am fascinated with the sciences of the human body. I spoke with our local ME and he just sort of blew me off when I was questioning him and he said that I would be lucky to find a medical school to accept me at my age. OUCH...big blow! So after much thought and consideration (and nudging from my hubby) I decided to go with nursing. I love babies, though I do NOT want anymore of my own! NICU really seems to be my primary interest in nursing, as I am a very nurturing person.

Sorry, I know, I am all over the place here! lol! What are your thoughts? Will I be put to the back of the line because I am an energenic 37+ yo rather than an energenic 20 year old?

Thanks,

Miss Lo

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

No, you will not be ignored because of your age. There are a lot of new grads over 35 who are being quite successful.

However, be aware that there probably will be some troublesome issues you will have to deal with. Just about everybody (regardless of their age) has a few issues they have to deal with -- and it's unlikely that you will be the exception. Each person just has a different, unique set of issues to deal with.

For example, your maturity will be an asset in some situations where your life experience will help your judgment. However, you may find it more difficult to work night shifts or holidays (or whatever) than a young single person because of family obligations or physical problems. You may also find it difficult to accept instruction or correction from someone much younger than you are who you don't "look up to" because they act less mature than you are (even though they have more nursing experience and may, indeed, have something to teach you.)

etc. etc. etc. We all have our issues. Your 18-year-old classmates will have their isses, too. They just may be a little different from yours.

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wow, thanks. That is great advice and hadn't really thought about taking orders from those younger. I think I will be okay in that department! I personally have never regarded age as an issue, but I know for some others, it very well could be.

Miss Lo

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Specializes in NICU.

In our orientation group we had new nurses of all ages. 37 is not old, sweetie :). In my community college, the students had an average age in their 30's. Some of us just come to nursing a bit later ;).

I thought the NET was really easy, personally.

llg is right; everyone has their own issues, but I wouldn't sweat the age one.

I love the NICU and would definitely recommend it. Enjoy school; it's a rough and tumble ride, but worth it in the end.

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Thank you very much for the encouragement. In my psych class today, I was the oldest student there....gulp...and about fifty percent of the gals were going into nursing!

I don't really have a complex about my age, honest I don't, but the question did pop into my head a few times.

Thanks again!

Miss Lo

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

I think it will be ok. I think its great that you are doing what you want to do. You are soooooooooo young to me LOL (I'm 30) and I think we both are making good decisions and doing what we want. I never thought NICU would be my place, not that I was against it but just hadn't really thought of it. Then along the lines I fell in love with it.

:):)

My graduating class had 9 students, all of us over 21, the youngest being 21 or 22 exactly. The oldest being 58 I believe. I think its awesome to be a nurse no matter what age you start and I think its honorable for anyone to pursue their dreams!

((HUGS));)

PS - I start my new job as a NICU RN in a few days! :balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons:

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

I think it will be ok. I think its great that you are doing what you want to do. You are soooooooooo young to me LOL (I'm 30) and I think we both are making good decisions and doing what we want. I never thought NICU would be my place, not that I was against it but just hadn't really thought of it. Then along the lines I fell in love with it.

:):)

My graduating class had 9 students, all of us over 21, the youngest being 21 or 22 exactly. The oldest being 58 I believe. I think its awesome to be a nurse no matter what age you start and I think its honorable for anyone to pursue their dreams!

((HUGS));)

PS - I start my new job as a NICU RN in a few days! :balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons:

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I understand your fears, believe me. But you know what? When you're 40, you'll still be 40, and you'll be wondering why you didn't go back to school when you were at the tender age of 37! :)

I'm 37 now, and have been a NICU RN for 18 months. It's the best career decision I ever made. Good luck to you!!

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Well, I don't "think" like I'm 37...lol I relate well with my teenage daughter, she is 17. In my mind, I am not old, but I was just wondering if "numbers" would affect anything.

I am less than a month away from taking the NET, the reading comprehension part doesn't scare me, however the algebra does. I absolutley hated my algebra class and after looking over the practice tests, it shows what I learned in there however, I don't remember how to do it..lol I sooo hate algebra!

Miss Lo

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Specializes in ER, NICU.

Oh WOW! I must have seemed like and ancient nursing student when I got my BSN at the ripe young age of 50, two years ago.

I wanted to SO go to medical school and was even in premed until my 4th child was born when I was 39. That sort of ended medical school (at THAT time - but I always hold eternal hope....)

I have been told 37 and EVEN 50 is not too old for medical school anymore. The world is a-changing!

The mean age for RNs will be 47 by 2012, ladies.

Am an NICU nurse, age 52 in about oh, 10 days....

I thought night schedules would hurt, nope, not a bit, in fact I'd never done them before and I have no problem whatsoever. In fact it is the youngsters who have night issues...my kids are all older and leave me ALONE when I need am sleep time, it is great.

Twelve hour shifts are no issue either.

I did work ER for a bit and shoving big old hospital beds from room to room and carting LARGE patients to MRIs, etc got old, though. But I think that gets old for even younger women.

Fifty is the new 30 - baby boomers are tough.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Rehab, NICU, Peds.

Hey Misslo,

Thanks for posting and for your thoughts. No, I don't think you're "old", well, I'm 33 and have just graduated with a BScN. I think, as another poster mentioned, that your life experience and the skills that come with it will be an asset to you.

I am not really sure how I feel anymore, though, about new grads in critical care. I guess I'm having an extremely rough time as a new grad in the NICU, with very little nursing experience. The general feeling that I get from other nurses is that I am an annoyance to have around. I have been ignored, demoralized, pushed around, told "you should know this by now", "why can't you get this", and have been called "stupid". It breaks my heart because I really enjoy the work and I work very, very hard. You may be great for the job because you are nurturing, but IMHO that is only a fraction of what it takes to work in the NICU. You gotta be tough and I mean TOUGH. If you are tough as nails, have a thick skin and a lot of support, as well as a decent preceptor and clinical nurse educator, you will probably succeed. I would highly recommend working perhaps on a general peds floor or a mom/baby unit first, I think that I might have had more respect as a new employee coming in with more experience.

I guess the feeling that I'm getting in general is "who the hell do you think you are, fresh out of school and in the NICU when I've been here since the dinosaurs walked the earth", "I've paid my dues and you haven't" sort of thing.

Sorry to be negative, I guess I'm sharing my story and how rough it is out there. I thought that because I was a bit more mature with more life skills that it might serve me well, but I was wrong.

Good luck to you - sounds like you have passion and perserverance. Always remember to do your research before you work somewhere - "interview the unit" sort of thing. Observe the other nurses - I think you can learn a lot just by doing a walkthrough and getting a sense of what the atmosphere is like, what management is like, do the employees feel supported, talking to other new grads can help too.

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Thank you for that information. I am wondering, if I start out in the peds ward, is it going to be more difficult to get into the NICU? I thought I had read somewhere that it is much easier to get into the NICU if you start there versus transfer.

I am so excited and ready for a nursing career. I haven't even went through the program yet, but really truley do believe that this is my calling.

I read through the posts hoping to gain knowledge that will help me when I do start my program! I have ALWAYS tried to find a way to stay ahead of the game! LOL

Miss Lo

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