considering nursing school at 45 yo

Published

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 OB.

Congrats to all of you going to nursing when you are older! I applaud you. It is not easy going to school later in life. Welcome to all of you.:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
THANK YOU! I completely agree with your statements. It has been my experience as a 50 yr old student that younger students generally had positive feelings and opinions about me and my presence.

LOL.. now I wouldn't go THAT far as to say my younger counterparts have had 'positive feelings' about me. Being older is an advantage in the 'critical thinking' areas and one of the things that has saved me for testing. Because I do not get to study as much as I'd like (because I work), some of my younger counterparts think I'm lazy and are irritated when I make close to the grade they made (sometimes more) and studied only a fraction of the time. They can't possibly understand the amount of responsibility, commitment and stress that I'm under and I don't believe it realistic to expect it. I just know that when they are older, they'll probably wonder and hopefully think "I don't know how she did that" and possibly have a little more respect of what I'm doing and how difficult and challenging it really is. (The end of my pity party.:) :bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Turtles,

Went back to school at age 37, went for LPN, I have been working now for over two yrs. I have a BS in another degree and changed careers, I will eventually go back to school for RN. It is never too late, we will probably have to work until we are 72 yrs old for retirement so there is plenty of time. Todays 40 is yesterday 30, I think that is how it goes, lol. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely go for it! I was 50 when I started for my LPN and 56 when I got my RN with a few years working all along. You will find that your life experience is quite valuable and will help your understanding and help with caring for patients. I will admit that there are a few jobs I wish I could do but cannot because of age - I would love to be an OR nurse, but age related issues prevent me from standing for hours at a time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

GO FOR IT!! I went to nursing school @ age 51 and am SO GLAD that I did :specs:. I worked very hard but the process was "shaping" to my life. Because of this, my husband and I are currently preparing to go to Africa to do development and healthcare:loveya:.

Late entry: Age is relative. I have more energy (ran my first marathon this year @ age 54) than any of the 25 to 30+ year-olds that I work with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, MICA.

Started at 47, graduated at 50, began BS-to-MS program at 50. I hit Level I in a week and I'm having the time of my life. And that life experience really does count in dealing with people.

D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well.... what if I said nobody hates me...

HA!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That is FANTASTIC!!:yeah:

And I'm 37, not 45 like you asked, but if you want it - GO FOR IT!! I was suprised at registration at the amount of NOT young students there were. GL!:nurse:

When I was in nursing school a few years back, they gave the average age of the class as 47 which was my age at the time. If anyone had told me in my 20's or 30's that I'd want to be a nurse when I grew up I'd have laughed my ass off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are never too old to learn and certainley it cannot hurt you, my hubby

will take the N-Clex this month, he is 54.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I just started my pre-reqs this last semester and I turned 40 this year. Better late than never!

Good Luck! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room, Ortho, Neuro, Trauma.

I turned 40 in NS and graduate in May 2009!!! I tried to go when my children were 2 and 3 but it was too hard and now they are grown and it is moms turn. I never gave up on my dream to be a nurse!:loveya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go for it. I spent my fiftieth birthday in first semester clinicals. I graduated last year, at 52 and have really been happy that I went back and got my RN. It is never too late to learn something new.

I am now working on my BSN and anticipate working on my Master's....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion