Going Back at 40 years old...

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I have been a medical assistant for over 15 years. When I was right out of high school, I attended college with hopes of becoming an RN. Life took me on a different path. Here I am, 40 years old, and enrolled in that very same community college, taking gen ed classes. I am excited, nervous, but mostly I am READY. I'd love to hear from anyone else out there that is on a similar journey.

Just finishing up my second of 4 semesters in an ADN program. I'll be a month away from 49 when I graduate next May. I'm not even the oldest person in my cohort. It's never too late. High five for making dreams come true!!

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Good for you! I started college courses back in 2012 at 36 years old and was paying cash for them as I worked my way out of retail and into healthcare. I got a job as a CNA, and continued plugging away at prereqs until finally, I go that amazing letter telling me I was accepted. It was a dream come true that I had avoided for several years because of a math allergy of all things...now I wish most of the test questions I get are dosage calculations because I love math! It is a great thing to be going to school, even at 41. I am not the oldest in the class, which was a fear of mine, but I see an amazing group of supportive, loving, and caring classmates who genuinely care for each other at LSSC!

Omg that made me crack up. I too, used to suffer from Math Allergies but now I'm like "bring it"

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2nd career for me also.

Started gen ed + prereqs in my 30's part time due to full time work; 9 years later am starting a RN program.

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

You are absolutely correct. I was talking to my mom the other day about this. I am 44 years old. I finally went back to get my RN and am 3/4 of the way done. All of my science classes I got an A in. I told my mom if I would have applied myself with the amount of enthusiasm i have towards school back when I was 18 and out of high school I would probably be an MD by now.

Its the experience that life has given you to realize that nobody is going to give you anything in life. In the end you can truly only rely on yourself and are accountable to only yourself.

Im glad you are fulfilling your dream, even if it is 20 years later, BRAVO!!!!!!!!

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Non-trad is Rad! Yep I just dated myself!!! I think we need a forum for the non-traditional student but then wouldn't that include almost all students??? I too am almost 40 and chose to leave college at an earlier age to pursue raising a family. I graduated last weekend with my Associate Degree in Health Services Management and start Associate Nursing in the fall of 2016 while I also plan to continue on and go for my Bachelor in Healthcare Management AT THE SAME TIME! I also plan on working and continuing to add to my professional certifications. I currently hold a certified professional coder, certified physician practice manager, and as of last week a certified professional biller certificate through AAPC. I know now that I can divide my time as my kids are older and they are able to see that hard work and dedication results in personal and professional satisfaction.

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My wife and I did that very thing together, also at 40. It was a challenge but worth it.

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Started nursing school at 48 and will graduate at 50! It's never too late to change careers or chase your dreams! I am doing better as an older student, than I did as a young one.

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Safety in numbers, indeed! I'm 45 and I'm starting an ADN program in August. Any and all feel free to PM me and lean on each other as we go forward. Don't be surprised if I message some of you! Us older students need to stick together. We can do this!

I'm right behind you at 44 and starting in August as well.

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I'm 32, but I wanted to let you know that where I am going to school, I believe more than half of every nursing class is over 30. They only accept 40 people per nursing class, and I know me and my buddies who got in are all over 30. There are so many perks to being an older student, including we take school more seriously, have a fuller life, have experienced more, or generally more emotionally mature, etc. When it comes to getting a job right after graduating, we'll have participated in the most interviews or work experience, etc. We will be going to bed on time, etc. Anyway I'm excited to start the nursing program, and while age is something that is ironic, I am glad I'm not entering the program at age 20. I have three children, one entering Kindergarten next year, so it won't be easy, but it will be good for all of us because it is a good career. We are in a good place in our lives, you've got this.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU.

The older students in my classes almost always did better than the 18/19 year olds. You're more responsible at this age and know exactly what you want. I bet you'll do great!

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Love hearing all of these posts! I'm 39 and just got accepted into an RN program beginning this fall. I have 4 kids and have put off going back to school until they were older. My youngest will graduate high school as I am graduating the program. I contemplated quitting a few times when things got tough, but decided it is not going to be me who keeps me from becoming a nurse. Up to this point things have been difficult at times and I know the program will be even more rigorous, but that is what makes it worth achieving. As an older student, you have life experience that can't be simulated in a classroom. Hang in there! Here's to a new chapter and good luck to all of you!

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I'm 37 and on this path as well, taking prereqs and applying into programs this January.

One of the things I'm constantly aware of is the age range of people on this path. I'm coming from the startup tech world where the average age is something like 26 and the goal is to retire by 32. You get used to the sea of entitled 20-something white dudes experimenting with facial hair. I was one (minus the facial hair). But sitting in these classes with people in their teens, 20s, 30s & 40s who are here because they want to be makes me appreciate my decision even more. It makes me feel like the people who are doing this are doing it because they're driven to, not because there's an easy paycheck.

I totally agree that it's weird to be taking community college classes with people literally 1/2 my age. Oddly stressful and feels like somehow the bar is higher. But it's also exciting to be learning about something so interesting and so helpful.

The way I figure, If you're learning about something you find fascinating and working to help the people around you, that's awesome.

And there's no age limit on that.

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