A few questions for the "older" new nurses...

Nurses General Nursing

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dcs

12 Posts

Sheesh - these "younger Kids" - 43years old - make it sound ancient - thanks a lot :rolleyes:

Seriously, just graduated May 2005, passed nclex in August, start in SICU in two weeks - I am 43.

Specializes in Critical Care, ER.

Sounds like the real issue isn't so much your age or experience, but your wife's unwillingness to be supportive.

I was 20 credits short of graduating with 2 other bachelor's degrees when I started nursing school as well. I graduated with honors in 2004 and passed the NCLEX the first time shortly thereafter.

I hope that she will become more supportive as time proceeds and she sees you progressing. It sounds like she has issues of her own. You can always get support from us, we understand. :wink2:

nananurse2

57 Posts

Specializes in general practice clinic.

I believe I've got you all beat. I'm 52 and started the LPN school pre-reqs this fall. I'll be 53 when I graduate and am contemplating going on for my RN.

I started 20 yrs ago and had to quit to help make a living and keep those kids in Nikes. My husband is thrilled that I am finally getting to fulfill my dream and is willing to do whatever it takes for me to get through.

You can do it! Yes, it will be tough, but nothing really worthwhile is easy. Besides, you ARE young!

Best wishes,

Rhonda

AuntieRN

678 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I was 39 3/4 when I actually started my nursing classes. I will be 41 when I graduate next year. It is harder for us because we have so much "stuff" in our little filing cabinets upstairs already...but...I sure am glad I made the decision to do it. I LOVE IT!!! (sorry I get excited). Just think of all the personal experiences you already have with people...I say go for it...and good luck.

slhsrn

6 Posts

One question for all of you: How old will you be in 5 years if you DON'T? Answer: 5 years older - and you'll still be thinking, "I wish I'd done it!"

My husband and I have an agreement - I support him, he supports me, and it's a PARTNERSHIP. Sometimes I do 90%, sometimes he does 90% - but if you don't believe in each other, you're sunk.

Go for it.

Balder_LPN, LPN

458 Posts

Specializes in Urgent Care.
I believe I've got you all beat. I'm 52 and started the LPN school pre-reqs this fall. I'll be 53 when I graduate and am contemplating going on for my RN.

The oldest one in my class has you beat too...she's 54 and a special ed teacher making about 35 an hour, but has always wanted to be a nurse, so she is doing it.

I am in the first quarter of LPN school and just turned 39 this week, my wife graduated LPN last year at 35 and will be starting an RN bridge program later this academic year. I will be taking the same route then MY BSN.

by the time I am 45 my own 2 kids and 2 step kids will all be graduated from high school and my wife and I will be doing travel nursing! :rotfl: :coollook: :chuckle :balloons: :p

nananurse2

57 Posts

Specializes in general practice clinic.
The oldest one in my class has you beat too...she's 54 and a special ed teacher making about 35 an hour, but has always wanted to be a nurse, so she is doing it.

Give that woman a high 5 for me!

Mandylpn

543 Posts

Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

Hey, don't worry about your age, that can be an asset, people will think you are more experienced and not a new grad! :chuckle I was 47 when I finished LPN. Never too late! :w00t:

Nicky032605

39 Posts

You will always Always ALWAYS, look back in regret if you don't. I started out a few years ago and dwindled around thinking I had all the time in the world. I didn't have anyone to answer to but myself. Now a few years down the road I am gung-ho all the way. I regret the time I wasted, but then again I suppose I wasn't really ready then like I am now. Is NOW your time? I say go for it. Like another poster said which is very true... You have to do what's right for you. People in your life may not always be there (God forbid)..... but what will you think 5 years down the road. The clocks' a tickin'. Even though I am still "young" compared to the age group you are seeking advice from, I believe life experience gives you an advantage that the younger crowd may lack. Are you passionate about Nursing?.... Don't let anything stand in your way. Doing something like this that you can be proud of IMO is something that can change your entire life for the better. Do it for Yourself first and your family second. You can live everyday of your life afterward being proud of what you accomplished. And if you do..... why not aim high. Set reasonable, attainable goals... you have nowhere to go but up/forward! Best wishes.. good luck!

DR2004RN

219 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, oncology.

I agree with the others, GO FOR IT!!! Otherwise where will you be in five years?........Wishing you had done it. And where does wishing get you? Nowhere. It sounds like you have a lot of support and a lot of people who were in the same position as you. I also agree that your wife will come around. Good luck to you.

AttagirlRN

13 Posts

I was 39 and looking at a 2 year waiting list, too. The list was comprised of reserved seats for those high school sterling scholars with a perfect SAT and thousands of hours of community service. The handful of remaining openings were reserved for us non-traditional students. By the time I got in, I was 41. In retrospect it was a blessing...I was able to complete all the pre-reqs, general university education requirements, plus tackle a good 50% of my bachelor's degree requirements, too. Trust me, you do NOT want to be taking anatomy and physiology while you're in nursing school. Your nursing core homework load and clinical load will be overwhelming enough.

I graduated with my RN at 43, my BSN at 44. I've just turned 49 and have not regreted my decision one bit. Being the oldest in my nursing class, I found I had an advantage. While I hadn't figured an algebraic equation in decades, I did have 20 years of work experience in the legal field. Learning to work within caustic and political environments prepares you for the unknown. And there is nothing more unknown than nursing school!!!

As other posters have written, the one disadvantage that is age-related is not the nursing school, it's that first nursing job. The younger nurses want friends their own age, the older ones have long standing friendships and don't want a newbee hanging around. Nurses, as a whole, are incredibly territorial and very passive/aggressive. Just prepare yourself and know (in some cases) they won't be so welcoming.

And the best part about becoming a nurse? It's a career that is wide open. With some experience under your belt you can choose to do floor nursing, case management, insurance, corporate nursing, clinical research, pharmaceutical sales, and on and on. The choice is yours to make and yours to follow.

Good Luck to you - you'll do great!!

Lisa

Daytonite, BSN, RN

1 Article; 14,603 Posts

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
How old were you when you decided to go to nursing school? The reason I ask is that I am 39 right now and have decided to go back to school for nursing. . .I could be a 43 year old recent graduate. Is this going to be a problem? . .Any thoughts on this from the "older" crowd?

Well, you old codger you! Here's a story that should boost you up today. My mother wanted to be a nurse most of her life, but just couldn't do it with 5 kids and all (we're talking about the 50s and 60s here when women were housewives). She started an LPN program once and my dad had a catastophic event and she had to quit. Fast forward to 1970 when she was 48 years old. She sold the house in two days. Packed up and moved those of us who were still living at home and off we went to sunny Cal-i-for-ni-a! She got into the LPN school at the local junior college and the rest is history. She worked in ICU and CCU (her love) until she was 68 years old and regretfully kind of forced to retire. She gave a soaps suds enema to the wrong patient one morning and she was devastated. I always thought it was kind of strange that the patient just rolled onto her side and let the enema begin without so much as one word of protest! Anyway, she's 85 now and I was just talking with her the other day about one of the professors in her nursing program that had been made an emeritus and I was surprised at how much about school she still remembered. You can do it, old timer! You ain't the first. :rotfl:

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