How old is too old?

I am thinking of getting back into nursing, I worked for a Dr. who retired recently and worked for him for over 12 years, he asked me to go to work for him while I was in school for nursing, between life and family I always regretted not getting at least my LPN. I'm in good health late 40's but worry about my age and information retention, any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Fulfill your dreams!! You onli liveonce!!!!

I am thinking of getting back into nursing, I worked for a Dr. who retired recently and worked for him for over 12 years, he asked me to go to work for him while I was in school for nursing, between life and family I always regretted not getting at least my LPN. I'm in good health late 40's but worry about my age and information retention, any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I have lots of classmates of your age and they are doing good. So there is a hope, if they can do it you can too.

:grpwlcm:

You all ROCK! Thank you for the encouragement:redpinkhe and thank you for the new generation of Nurses coming up for all you do.

I think someone else on these boards said it best. People all the time come here and say things like "But I'll be 40-something or 50-something when I'm done with nursing school..."

Well, how old do you expect to be at that time if you didn't go?

If you have the will to do it, go for it!

You are NEVER too old!! Go for it! you will be great, with life experience under your belt to boot! We have class members also your age and older!

All the best!

And just to add a bit about my class, we had one woman in her 50s and a good handful in their 40s. It's never too late.

You and me both on the age thing. I am 52, I can hardly believe that, but deep down I have always wanted to be an RN. My husband has been for over 20 yrs and I typed his papers for him on an old fashione electric typewriter. Top stuff in those days! I wonder if I can even think anymore but still plan on applying. I already have an AS degree in Health Information Technology and work in a tech sort of field. I used to be a phlebotomist and loved it but the pay was awful. Here's to us odler ladies rediscovering what we want in life!

I say go for it! There was a guy in his late 50's wh started nursing school with my class. Unfortunately he left due to personal reasons but I definitely respected his determination!

Hi there,

I turned 61 in January. I work ER, and have been an RN since 1995 and a Paramedic since 1988, have worked in university hospitals and small hospitals, have ten years of flight nursing, rotor and fixed-wing. As far as the age thing goes, if you are in good health and can take the physical pounding of the job, you will be fine. I'm fortunate to have always been pretty healthy, so i get through it just fine, although I'm very happy to go home at the end of the sift and put my feet up, haha.

The issue with me is that the ER is always so hectic, and some days you really get beat up bad. I have really started to think that I don't need all the stress anymore. There are tons of rewarding things about the ER and nursing in general, but as time goes on, hospitals expect us to do more and more, with pt's getting sicker and sicker. I'm on a travel assignment now in vegas, and although i like the place pretty well, this might be my last job when i leave here next month. I'm 10-30 years older than anyone I work with, and i think I might leave it all to them. It's been fun though.

Go for what you want though, get some experience, try some travel nursing, and see how you like it, find your niche. Nobody says you have to do it forever.

RJ:nuke:

I just had ANOTHER birthday a few days ago and if I'm being truthful, will now have to say I'm "late 50's." I can't believe it, but most of my similar age friends feel the same way. I've always been told I look quite a bit younger than my age and I feel that way as well so I have that going for me. That being said, I'm seriously thinking of starting the journey to an RN - a big career change for me. I don't know if it's going to happen, but I want to find out and not say some day, "I wish I had pursued it . . . " I was a good student back in the day but like Hopefull1840, am concerned about my ability to retain all the new info I'd have to learn. Part of me feels silly and foolish for considering this at this point in my life, but the other part of me says - GO FOR IT!

I think too old is when you have dementia, a broken hip, and spend most of your time watching The Price is Right.

Go for it!

Just another little side light about your indecision. I went back to school when i was 38. I was studying to be a Paramedic and get my Associate Degree up in Illinois. I too had concerns about getting back into school, but I did it. I also decided to try out for the college baseball team, even though I hadn't played since high school. The coach told me I would be the oldest guy he ever coached, but I was welcome to try out alongside the 18-19 year olds. It wasn't easy., but to make a long story short, I not only made the team, I started in the outfield in every one of 54 straight games over the next two years, and made first team all-conference my freshman year, and 2nd team all conference my sophomore year. Don't ever sell yourself short. Sometimes you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. I also started RN school at 47. get started, or you will always regret it. and GOOD LUCK.

RJ