Does age really matter???

[Toots71506]

Hi everyone - For those of you who didn't pursue nursing as your first career choice and waited to go back to school, how old were you when you went back to school and then started your nursing career? Were there any of you in your 40's? Was it more difficult because you were older or did you find that to be to your advantage? Will an older student feel out of place? - even though early 40's isn't that old? And lastly, do any nurses work into their 60's or even 70's?

Thanks in advance for all your feedback! :)

[ec2703]

I hope it matters in that I'm seen as a nurse with intellect, physical stamina and a heart/mind/wisdom that I've EARNED in these 51 years on earth (I'll be 52 when I finish my BS/RN).

Nursing was something I've always wanted to do; and even though I graduated with honors at 40, with a BA in English, I didn't have the guts, then, to pursue my BSN.

Finally, I woke up, as in, "What do you REALLY want to do with the rest of your life; the answer was obvious!"

I know I have to earn my respect, just as anyone else does; we'll see how much my age matters when I get on the job.

I'll keep you posted!

Great thread by the way, and power to those of us with the guts to go for what we want, in spite of what others might think.

:redbeathe

[raytwinb]

I just finished an RN program and I am a male and 49yrs old, I can tell you that the older students in my class definitly performed better than the younger students. I think as an older student, I was more prepared and more disiplined and I also knew what I was getting into. The only drawback I can think of is that my back is not as strong as it used to be.

With age comes wisdom!

The answer to "Does age really matter?" No!