didn't start school til age 50

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Hi,

Are there any RNs out there that didn't start school til age 50 or after? I'm hoping to start classes in the fall and am a little nervous since I am older now I don't have the memory I used to have and a few more aches and pain, so I'm wondering if anyone else didn't start school until 50 or after? Also my plan for now is to get my A.S. at our local community college and wanted to see if anyone out there was able to complete their A.S. in nursing in 18 months or if it will definitely take at least 24 months? Thank you all ahead of time for your responses.

My dad was 51 when he got his GED and went to college. He didn't go to nursing school, but he had to take some chemistry classes and stuff and he did very well. I have some older classmates in nursing school that are kicking butt. We are all graduating in two weeks!

My classmate was 63 y/o when we completed the RN program. Passed NCLEX on first try. :yes:

Dude this is awesome and encouraging!!!

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Have you completed your prereqs yet? Usually the prereqs take a year and the nursing program takes 2 for a total of 3 years. Maybe 2 1/2 years is possible, but I don't see it being any less than that when starting from scratch.

There were about 15 or so +40 students in my section of about 60 last semester. Probably a few more in the other section.

I just turned 50 and I am going to be in my 4th semester next month. There are several students in their 30s and 40s, not sure if anyone is older than me. I study a lot, lots of repetition, but I do as well as the rest of them on the tests. In the program I am in, there is no way to complete it in 18 months. You have to do all 4 semesters. Go for it. I'm sure you can do it.

Became a LPN at 40, should be a RN by 45, in a program now

Hoping for BSN, by 50

I am in my second semester. I started at age 49 and will be 51 when I graduate with an Associate Degree. I already have an Associate degree for Medical Assistant, graduating when I was 48. I love being the oldest one in my class.

I am in my second semester. I started at age 49 and will be 51 when I graduate with an Associate Degree. I already have an Associate degree for Medical Assistant, graduating when I was 48. I love being the oldest one in my class.

Mmm hmm, they say repeating oneself is the first sign of dementia:cautious:... Darn you old people, taking up space younger people could be using!:madface:

I kid of course - I'm fifty (birthday last week), so I can joke.

My serious response to the OP is that I worry about memory impairment interfering with learning, too. Maybe since you are starting with the relatively easy AS classes it'll be like exercising, your muscles need to ease gradually into it, and you're easing the brain into it...

Good luck to you.

I start LPN school in September, BTW.

Tom

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

For me, going back to school as an older student was easier than I ever would have imagined. You absorb knowledge over the course of those 20-30- yrs your younger classmates haven't had time to acquire.

Life experience is a wonderful thing.

Going to school is the easy part.

Getting a job at 50-60 yrs old is a little trickier.

I'll not rain on any parade.

Good luck.

Graduated last December at age 51. Passed NCLEX-RN first time at age 52! First job one week after. YOU CAN DO IT TOO. Made many many friends that were my childrens' ages........ADN 24 months....GOOD LUCK

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in Hospice.
Graduated last December at age 51. Passed NCLEX-RN first time at age 52! First job one week after. YOU CAN DO IT TOO. Made many many friends that were my childrens' ages........ADN 24 months....GOOD LUCK

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is great! How did you land a job so quick? Did you find any discrimination about your age? That is a big concern for me.

That is great! How did you land a job so quick? Did you find any discrimination about your age? That is a big concern for me.

Yes, I felt like some. But, this is my second career and I brought a lot of communication skills along with my critical thinking and that doused the fire, usually. Keeping in mind that I was the only one in my class that specifically said I wanted to end up in geriatrics (hope to move to the Veterans Admininstration soon), once my clinical instructor ( a rude one) went around our clinical table and told to each one of us where she could see us working...without knowing what specialties we actually chose. The younger ones all got "I can see you in ICU" ect. When it came to me, she said "poor you, you will end up in a nursing home." I was angry for a while, then got over it. Many older ones in my class felt there was lots of age discrimination and would make comments like "they like the pony-tailed girls." I only worried about myself. In psych rotation, my instructor thanked me for being the "older voice of reason that the other's followed," so there you have it I guess. How did I land a job so quickly....I attribute getting the interview by having a great resume. I had quit a 20 year career at one company to be a nurse. My lead in was, LONGEVITY and COMMITTMENT. I was hired on the spot. I have lots to learn as a new nurse, but I bring lots and lots and lots of life experience......Good Luck and let me know how it works out!

I started pre reqs in fall of 2011 at age 49. I start my ADN in a about a week at 51. It is a full 4 semesters and like the previous responses, all those years of living bring a lot to the table. Also, like much of the other sage advice on AN, if you don't go to school, two years from now you are just two years older! Go for it, i love being around the youngsters, it is refreshing.

Specializes in NICU.

I just finished first semester of an Accelerated BSN program (A+,A ,A- ,A-) today. I will be one month short of 48 when I graduate. I am the oldest of my cohort.

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