considering nursing school at 45 yo

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Has anyone else starting nursing school at the age of 45 or so? My youngest will be a senior in high school next year and my other two in college. I have waited a long time to go back to school. I wanted to know if others have gone back in mid life.

Specializes in ED.

U Can Do It

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Specializes in ED.

Hey you are never too old to pursue a dream. I think that pursuing a career is better than always wondering if you should have done it. Ive always wanted to be a nurse and I will be 41 soon. I quit a stable, good paying job that I hated to pursue nursing. I am now working as an ED TECH and will graduate in 6 months. I love the fact that I was brave enough to take the first step, so far, no regrets. I dont antcipate having any regrets either. THE PAYOFF IS too big. So discount the fact that you are older, SO WHAT. YOU CAN DO IT, I PROMISE, AND IT IS WORTH EVERY MOMENT. Nursing School is not easy, but the you get out of it what you put into it. Life experience helps alot and age only helps you to focus. SO DO IT, HAVE NO DOUBTS, JUST DO IT:redbeathe:redpinkhe:heartbeat:wink2:

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Specializes in Long Term Care, School Nurse.

I am 55 yo and just got my LPN license in July. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done but at the same time I loved it. It was like my brain woke up and was happy to be studying and learning again. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get a job right away and I want to get my RN while I am still in the mode of learning. My husband, who is very analytical, tells me that if I do a cost/benefit analysis I will see that the cost to get the RN degree versus the pay increase for the few years that I have left to work will not show positive $$. He is considering that I would cut my hours back to get through school thereby losing income. Has anyone actually done this type of analysis? Thanks for your help!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Med Surg.

Good for you. I was 51 when I graduated and love nursing. Never too late to go for what you want. Son was married and daughter graduates HS this year...grandbaby on the way!

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I am 46 and will graduate in 6 days & 23 hrs. (but who's counting!). I was sure I'd be the oldest fossil in nursing school but was surprised to see others older than me. I believe us older students have it easier than the younger ones as they actually have a social life that interferes with study time. I say -- GO FOR IT!!! :paw:

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Specializes in IMCU.
Hey there, You absolutely rock!

I turn 55 in March, 2009 and will sit for RN-NCLEX in June, 2009

Plan to pursue a BSN and on to a masters degree.

I'd like to specialize in geri-psych

The standing joke in my household is that by the time I get all this done (age 59, we think) I'll be about ready to utilize my own services! :jester::yeah:

I am starting my FNP in Jan. I will be 57. I should graduate either just as I turn 60 or just a few months earlier, depending on how quickly I get my thesis and my clinicals done. This is actually my third career as I have worked as a Social Worker since '77 and had a brief (5 year hiatus) in the resale business. I have a little over a years experience on IMCU in level one trauma center. I still do a little Social Work for my last employer where I was Social Work supervisor. I am keeping up my license and just figure I have a lot of options! I have joked and said that I will just go to the nurses station, write the orders I want, make some arrangements to assist my friends and go back to bed when I am tired! Given my love of cooking and food, I just might make a trip to the kitchen and stir things up, LOL!

Seriously, I can't imagine looking forward to retirement. The only way would be if I were very well off so I could afford to travel and maybe go on mission trips. With my bills for school loans I won't have to worry about whether or not I work, but my physical condition could impact the area in which I work. Right now I am in great health, but who knows what the future brings. So far as a nurse, my Social Work history has been very helpful.

So glad to hook up with all you kindred spirits on this thread!:yeah:

Mahage

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Specializes in IMCU.
Answer to your question, if this something you desire, then I say go for it. I started nursing school at age 45 and I have 3 children, my youngest is 6, yes I had a child at age 42. I took boards in July 08 and passed. It was challenging but the rewards are far greater. I hope you decide to do it. I send you my blessings. One last thing, please find a good support team, bond with a few other students, because you will be spending a lot of time with them, get a good study group, and study. Good Luck , Auntie Em RN

Now you are brave, a child at 42! So did my mom, she had me at 42. My Dad was 47. Unfortunately that was in the day when women gave up their careers for marriage and children. She had been one of the first licensed nurses in her area and left nursing at 29 when she married my Dad. She always loved nursing and wanted my sister or me (especially me) to become a nurse, but I wouldn't hear of it. I became a Social Worker. Wow, I wonder what she is saying about it all now??? She is probably smiling cause she knew me so well! I can't believe how much I like nursing, when I resisted it till I was in my 50's. Guess I had it in my blood. She would be thrilled about my going to FNP school, because she said she had really wanted to go to medical school but didn't know how to make it happen, being a country girl born in 1909. Her family was not even particularly supportive of her going to nursing school. She was an exceptional person, :loveya:and I have only lately come to appreciate her!

Mahage

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I am 44 and I have one year of school left. Its never to late to have a good job. Don't let anyone tell you that you are to old. anniebella

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Specializes in ICU/OB.
Has anyone else starting nursing school at the age of 45 or so? My youngest will be a senior in high school next year and my other two in college. I have waited a long time to go back to school. I wanted to know if others have gone back in mid life.

I have a student in my class that is 45 and she is my best studnet, making a A in both of my classes. If this is what you want then go for it.:typing

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I am 45 too! I am about to finish my first year in Nursing school!

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my motto in life is, BEFORE YOU ACHIEVE,,YOU MUST BELIEVE!!

It doesn't matter your age. what matters is that you believe you can do it!:yeah:

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I am 55 yo and just got my LPN license in July. It was the hardest thing that I have ever done but at the same time I loved it. It was like my brain woke up and was happy to be studying and learning again. Anyway, I was lucky enough to get a job right away and I want to get my RN while I am still in the mode of learning. My husband, who is very analytical, tells me that if I do a cost/benefit analysis I will see that the cost to get the RN degree versus the pay increase for the few years that I have left to work will not show positive $$. He is considering that I would cut my hours back to get through school thereby losing income. Has anyone actually done this type of analysis? Thanks for your help!

In my opinion there are aquite a few ways to evaluate a decision and financial is only one. No, I have not evaluated this decision that way, but I would think about how you want to work. How do you want to spend your life? Your energy? We only get one chance at life, and in the end there is no price tag. Good luck!

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