How old is too old?!?!?

happybird67 · May 20, 2009

Go for your dream!! I thought I would be the oldest in my class when I went back to school(39 years old at the time), but had a classmate who was 56 years young!! She did great, and in fact had more energy than a lot of the 20 year olds in our class! Our university had a 72 y/o who graduated with a degree in psychology! She told me that it had been a life long dream of hers to become a pychologist! Well I am just putting these examples just to say that you are never too old to go for what you want! I also agree with MassED, you are in a good place! Good luck!

CTPCTstudent · May 20, 2009

Go for it! You aren't alone - there are many of us in our 40's and 50's who are just now getting to go to school!

Krafts1 · May 20, 2009

Hi Amy,

I just turned 52 last week and I am a junior in nursing school. I too have waited my whole life to be a nurse and finally decided to go for it. It is the best thing I have ever done!! I have met lots of great people and although I am the oldest in my class, I fit right in with all the other ages.

Please keep going....don't give up on your dream because of your "age". It is difficult for sure but we have plenty to offer the profession and our fellow students. I know you can do it!!!

Gail

is5512 · May 20, 2009

I am 52 right now, and will be 52 when they let me in officially for the ASN course. That means 55 when I get my little gold cross. And I'm planning on going for my Masters after that (quite possibly in Psych). I would offer these two thoughts:

1) I could do something else for the rest of my life. But that "something else" would be a waste of the life I have left.

2) In a hundred years, the people who think I'm too old will be watching flowers grow...from underneath. And I'll still be showing up for my shift, too dadgum mean, ugly and ornery to die. I wonder what my ex-wife tally will be by then...

jcadriel · May 20, 2009

I am 46, and I was just accepted into the nursing program. I start in July:) I am nervous but this has been a dream and I want to see it through. If I can do it so can you!:wink2:

returntonsg · May 20, 2009

I hope you didn't back out of going to school. I went to LPN school in 1995 and failed my pharmacology exam by 3/10 of a point went back and failed it by 1/10, three months before graduation. I never finished, now it's 2009 and I'm also 36 and I'm trying to get into an RN evening program. Nursing has been something that I have wanted to do for a while, and I hope to accomplish my goal. Much Luck to you.

Eaglelady · May 20, 2009

Hi everyone. I am 46 years old (or young, however you want to look at it) and decided last year that it was time to go back and finish something I started back in 1984. Now, none of my credits are any good so I'm truly starting over. I was all excited last fall and took my Psych 101 - aced it. Then chickened out and decided I was too old for nursing school. I still went ahead and took a full load this semester - aced all four classes. This has been a dream I've buried for a long time. Any thoughts on older students getting accepted to a program and then even being able to find a job after graduation? Or just any encouragement...discouragement?

Hi,

I just wanted to say I was 51 when I started NS I had been a CNA for over 30 yrs but it hit me one day I wanted to go for an RN degree and as of 3 weeks ago I did just that I graduated NS and I am 54 now so I know if this is what you really want it can be done good luck to you :)

elainenichols · May 20, 2009

I graduated from nursing school when I was just short of my 40th birthday. and I graduated 5th in my class. I have never had any difficulty finding a job. I am now 65 and have just changed jobs to a nursing field I have always wanted to try and had no trouble getting the job over younger nurses. I say - go for it - in a couple of years you can either be only a couple of years older or you can be a RN. Good luck!

Eaglelady · May 20, 2009

I am 52 right now, and will be 52 when they let me in officially for the ASN course. That means 55 when I get my little gold cross. And I'm planning on going for my Masters after that (quite possibly in Psych). I would offer these two thoughts:
1) I could do something else for the rest of my life. But that "something else" would be a waste of the life I have left.
2) In a hundred years, the people who think I'm too old will be watching flowers grow...from underneath. And I'll still be showing up for my shift, too dadgum mean, ugly and ornery to die. I wonder what my ex-wife tally will be by then...

My feelings exactly (except for the ex wife thingy LOLOL beings I am female) but when I graduated 3 weeks ago I am 54 and love every minute of it and look forward to my many years as a RN

LPN on the Move · May 20, 2009

I started an LPN program at 42. That was 14 years ago. I was the oldest in my class. Since then I have worked in Med-surg, Peds, & geriatrics, in hospitals, nursing homes, & home care. I am licensed in AL, DE, MS & PA. At 56 I am moving into travel nursing. My goal is to work in every state before I quit. Best move I have ever made. GO FOR IT. :wink2:

silmas RN · May 20, 2009

I say go for it! My knees gave out after 30+ years of hospital nursing. I went back to school at the age of 53 to become a nurse paralegal. Needless to say, I was the oldest in my class. My classmates were all around 21 - 25 years of age and were wonderful to me. I was terrified at first and was also afraid that no one would hire me at my age. I was wrong. Follow your dreams, you may never get this chance again.

justme79 · May 20, 2009

I was 42 yo when I decided to fulfill my life long dream. I felt very insecure and inadequate. I completed my pre-reqs, during which my husband had a double CABG, and then I was accepted into the program. I graduated "Outstanding Student of the Year" (ei, valedictorian). Being older actually helped me succeed, older students tend to want/need success more. My age also helped in getting employment after graduation, I was told it brings "life experience" to the position! BTW, the oldest student in my class was 63 yo! GO FOR IT!!!!!