Honestly, Am I too old to become a nurse?

[Natbail]

Hi

I am 51 years old and have a full time 8 - 5 job Monday through Friday. But I have always wanted to become a CNA and eventually nurse. Can I train to become a CNA/nurse evenings and weekends, or even on the internet (while still on my day job?). My eventual plan is to continue my day job while doing weekend and/or evening nursing.

Friends are telling me that if I take an online course, no hospital will hire me. Is that correct? (I would like some responses from nurses... would you guys feel like I can be properly trained?) How long does will it take me if I do evening and weekend classes?

What are your thoughts and opinions. Be Honest, I can take it.

[aelse]

Thank you for responding. And good luck to you and the Mrs.

[Diaper, RN]

WHat??? Listen to this: My dad is 57 yrs old and has 3 kids but it didn't stop him from pursuing his dream to become a RN. Eventually, he graduated with the top 5% of the class and his NCLEX stopped at 65 (not even 75) questions and passed with the first attempt !

[aelse]

Now that is awesome! Wow, if you don't mind ask him what did he study to pass the NCLEX.. and the HESI A2. That is what I'm afraid of. That is a blessing...

[Cyn2school]

why not save your money, take a year off to complete an lvn program and bridge it into an rn? I'm 52 yo former teacher, teaching cna's, (and seeing selected private duty patients on weekends usually 2- 12 hr days...as a cna ...weekends when the right offer comes along.) Physically, its hard work to care for 6-8 patients @ our age...Theres no rule that days that we "mature" gals cant work smarter, not harder...

[aelse]

Well I'm a single parent and I'm unable to just save my money, besides what's in my 401k. I'm hoping that by me making a career change that this will help me to over come all the obstacles I have endured. Plus I get a big joy by helping people and my heart goes out to children and the elderly.

[Annetta]

I trained as an enrolled nurse (nurse's aid) in the 1980s and worked on and off as one up until 2000 when I had my children. At 51 I've decided to return to nursing school distance education to do the RN course. My aim is to work in psych. which is not as hard on the body physically. I recall women in their late 50s working on orthopaedic wards which are heavy and doing okay.

[learningriss]

i'm thinking of taking the lvn route when i'm 30 i'm sure i be in the program then hopefully get out by 31 or when i'm almsot 32, then i'll end up taking those classes before the rn route by the time i'm 40 and probably enroll when 42 at this mobility i'm sure i will have kids by then i lke to start as a lvn get some nursing experience. I wonder how long can i stay as a nurse i don't want to retire until my full retirement age i'm hoping by 45 i be working in a small clinic as a RN where it will be less stressful on the body. Where do people at that age work that is an RN that might be least stressful on the body i feel like i'm starting this career late but i don't care i want t enjoy helping others i like to work with the elders then hoping to work with the young later on

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

in answer to your question, is never to old to claim your path and make your goal a reality...wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors.....aloha~

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

welcome to the cite.......aloha~

[nurselabrat]

I was 59 when I graduated from LPN school. One of my classmates was 70. Was it hard? Yes it was. Will I bridge to RN? No I don't think so because of the expense and my age now (61). Are some of the jobs I take now hard and stressful? Yes they are. Is is rewarding personally? Yes it is. Financially I have a much better life now, and I have to work until I can't anymore. Being a LPN gives me a lot more choices. Was it worth it? Yes, yes, yes.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

i was 59 when i graduated from lpn school. one of my classmates was 70. was it hard? yes it was. will i bridge to rn? no i don't think so because of the expense and my age now (61). are some of the jobs i take now hard and stressful? yes they are. is is rewarding personally? yes it is. financially i have a much better life now, and i have to work until i can't anymore. being a lpn gives me a lot more choices. was it worth it? yes, yes, yes.

congratulations!!! as i wish you the very best in all of your future endeavors...aloha~

[lamazeteacher]

This thread was started in 2006, at the height of insurance companies' control over employers' hiring policies. Now that control has been minimized by the affordable healthcare act (AHA), because preexisting conditions (such as being over 55 years of age) cannot raise premiums.So as a 51 year old, and now being 57 years of age, if she did become a healthcare provider, she doesn't have to fear being fired due to her age costing a potential employer more than a younger nurse.