considering nursing school at 45 yo

mompfef · Nov 27, 2008

I just turned 56 this month and will graduate this summer! It is never too late! Good Luck and enjoy!

MisMatch, LPN · Nov 27, 2008

I started prereqs at the age of 50, will graduate from the LPN program in 2 weeks. My middle daughter graduates from college 4 days later - my "baby" graduated HS in June. In January, I start working on my RN (took most of my RN prereqs waiting to get into LPN clinicals.

I agree with jack_rachels_mom 1:D:mad:%

Go for it! You're never too old to learn!!!

Wsmith16, ADN, BSN · Nov 28, 2008

Just do it! We have a 65 yr old in our class who had a stroke & is back again. We have plenty of folks over 40 in the program. Go for it.

Sk8ermomRN · Nov 28, 2008

I am 40 and starting a second career. I am far from the oldest person in my class. Just go for it if it is what you really want!

Flagellum Dei · Nov 28, 2008

If I can devil's advocate here for a moment, is it healthy for the profession to fill it with a large number of second-career folks who will spend a thrid to half the time at the bedside as a conventional-college-age graduate?

Is it fair to that young person to be denied a first chance when the fifty year old is on the second or third? (particularly if the younger person is going to be of use at the bedside for so much longer)

I don't have horse in this race, and am not sure what the right tack is. A thread like this one tends toward circular reinforcement while skiping the hard questions that should be asked.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Pete Fitzpatrick

RN, CFRN, EMT-P

rjsalimi · Nov 28, 2008

I'm 48 and will be starting the ADN program in Jan 08

Smartferret · Nov 28, 2008

I can see, in a way, where your coming from. After all there is a nursing shortage! However, not every job in nursing is at the bedside. I feel that many of us entering the nursing profession at a more mature time of our lives are bringing skills with us that can only serve to enhance the profession. My own mother came to nursing with a Masters in education, she has brought a wealth of experience to the school where she now teaches after over two decades of bedside nursing. Just one example of many I'm sure are out there.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

If I can devil's advocate here for a moment, is it healthy for the profession to fill it with a large number of second-career folks who will spend a thrid to half the time at the bedside as a conventional-college-age graduate?
Is it fair to that young person to be denied a first chance when the fifty year old is on the second or third? (particularly if the younger person is going to be of use at the bedside for so much longer)
I don't have horse in this race, and am not sure what the right tack is. A thread like this one tends toward circular reinforcement while skiping the hard questions that should be asked.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Pete Fitzpatrick
RN, CFRN, EMT-P

So I should go on welfare because my systems job went to India, or go work at Walmart for minimum wage?

Nah.

Besides, this isn't a thread addressing the "hard questions." It's a thread asking if someone can do it.

determined10 · Nov 28, 2008

I am 49 and will be finishing Fundamentals in the ADN program in December. They said it would be difficult and unrelenting and it is, but if you are committed, you can do it. I must say that the older students do much better, because of the commitment factor. Of course, I don't "party" and don't have to worry about a boyfriend, etc.

Melinurse · Nov 28, 2008

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.

Had 2 in my class who were in their mid forties. Both were respiratory therapists who decided to continue on for their RN. I'm in my early forties and am so glad to have gone back to school to pursue my dreams. Follow your heart. :heartbeat

Lucky0220 · Nov 28, 2008

This is for all you babies....I will finished my ADN on December 19th. Started this new career two years ago and on December 8th, I will turn 59! Will be applying for the NCLEX as soon as my school sends the board my affadavit of completion. Was lucky enough to get a scholarship with a hospital in return for a one year committment, so I already have a job where I am now doing my preceptorship in the ICU. Good luck to all of you. :yeah:

lauries sister · Nov 28, 2008

Hi this is Flo,age 51, living in Temple Texas,attending temple college,doing prereg's for nursing,YOU GO GIRL,YOU CAN DO IT!!! It's worth the effort,Its hard work, get a tape recorder and abundant supply of tapes and head phones,record what you need to learn and listen to it while doing activities of daily living,ie, grocery shopping, driving your car, make flash cards, learn 10 at a time until you know them very well and move on, sometime it even helps to singsong parts of anatomy and medical terminology,cos we use a different part of the brain to do this, just keep your eye on the prize, GRADUATION ELATION!!!! I wish you happiness and success!