Hi all, my name is Maggie and I am new to this forum with today being my first day.
I will be 54 years old in July, and I am seriously considering entering a Pre Nursing Degree Education Program in the Fall of 2014 here in San Diego, CA.
My most recent experience in Health Care is that of a Certified Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor, AKA CADC II. (Though, our licensure/certification is changing soon to reflect Licensed Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors - LAADAC/LADC) I have worked in the field from 1992 - 2005.
In my early/mid 20's I was a Certified Nurses Aid, working in the County Nursing Homes (Yellowstone County-Billings, MT), and as a Home Health Care Aid to young adults with spinal cord injuries, primarily Quadriplegics, and in Respit Care with older teens with MS and their parents here in San Diego.
I am now interested in returning to work, though my "work" dream now is to work with Hospice, Cancer Patients, and in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Treatment as a Nurse!!
My age could be a drawback in a hospital setting, or even a Doctor's Office, though I feel it would fit right in in Hospice, Cancer Treatment, etc..
I decided to pursue nursing as a second career - something to work at part-time in my pre-retirement yrs. I already had a BS degree in my previous profession as a biologist. Going back to school at 56 - wow! I did so much better, straight A's, perfect attendance, I had total focus, and also worked about 20 hrs/wk as I phased out of my previous career.
Went through an accelerated LPN program (3 clinical and 2 class room days/wk) in 11 mos.
What it took was organization and structure, with little, if any, deviation from scheduled:
* meal preparation for my husband and I (lunches, dinners)
* dedicated time for doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping
* dedicated time for the massive amt of studying for school. We were tested daily and could not get behind
* limited family/friends time. There were numerous events that I simply could not attend because of the above...
* time for exercise
* a super-supportive husband
* and the money to do it
Well, that was 4 yrs ago and I've been working in urgent care for close to 3 yrs. I was very fortunate to land a great first job. Last year I got accepted into an 9-mo bridge program. They wanted me to take the TEAS, even though I had great HESI scores from LPN school. Didn't want to do it, but I figured I could study for the TEAS the same way I prepared for the HESI. The deal breaker for me though, all things considered, was when somebody told me that if/when I got my RN, I would have to essentially start at the bottom, as a new grad RN. Probably in med-surg. Probably doing nights.
Two of my very good friends retired at about the same time that I got accepted to the bridge program. That was a real wake-up call for me. What was I thinking? For the first time in my life, I decided that age really wasn't on my side. Coincidentally, the day after I got accepted to the bridge program, my nurse mgr offered me a FT job with cadillac benefits.
In the matter of a couple days, I changed my life plan. I accepted the job. So my PT job went to FT (for nurses where I work, 72 hrs is FT). My retirement date is when I turn 65 (4 yr and 4 mo)!
Am I glad I did it? You bet! There is never a dull moment where I work. We never know what's going to come in the door next.
Good luck and I wish you all the best in your career choices.
I am 55 and haven't been in nursing for 22 years. Starting a nurse residency in ER in July 2014. That was a question that came up during the interview. How do you feel working with 20 somethings and they have to tell you something? I told them i have no problem with anyone at any age to tell me if i am doing it right or doing it wrong. I will be one of the oldest to start a nurse residency! But I am confident, in good shape and it is about having an open mind and heart. You can achieve anything you want if you have passion and desire. I am in this for 16 weeks and will be taking tests and learning a whole new way to chart! I can't wait!!
I got my ADN at 55..I am now 60. Finding a job was not an issue. In fact a I had an easier time then the young kids in my class. I worked as a telemetry nurse my first year and then switched to psych which is my passion. I have been a nursing supervisor for a 100 bed facility and also do floor work..I worked part time in Case Management at a SNF. Nursing has many opportunities at any age..A friend of mine is 63 and now going for her NP....If this is your dream..go for it!!
I became an RN at age 54. Physical energy is an issue. Hospice is great for older, and particularly MATURE nurses. Nursing school is not easy, and you have to love biology in general. Some people don't make it through organic chemistry. You might consider an LPN license first and if it goes well, continue for the RN. But you should at least try. Best of luck.
Absolutely go for it! I was the oldest graduating BSN student in my class at age 51. Some of my prerequisite nursing courses were taken over 26 years before my decision to try for nursing school. In fact, I had to take the second half of anatomy and physiology with that gap in years but did well studying hard and getting an A in the course. My GPA in prerequisite courses were not the best as I did not apply myself in my younger years. I ended up being rejected and was placed first on the waiting list. As luck wold have it I was admitted after a few students turned down their acceptance.
I did well in nursing school with a 4.0 in my first semester and great grades throughout the rest of the my studies. All this was completed while being a part-time psychiatric therapist at a local hospital and a full time single mother.
Nursing school was financed by the WIA program, a nursing scholarship from the hospital (two year work commitment following graduation), and a couple of other scholarships awarded after my first year. Following graduation I was offered positions in ICU, ED, and psychiatry. Since then I have worked in every imaginable setting; hospital, home health, travel, clinic, and registry. Nursing is a wonderful career.
Good luck to you and don't listen to those who say you're too old.
Let's be honest. It is NOT all about following your dreams. College is no joke and the nursing program is far from it. I had folks in my nursing vlass in tbeir 40s that were 25 years removed from the classroom setting. They struggled and some did not make it. Now, I know this stands true for all ages but the younger onesostly failed out because they were more focused on partying and could not buckle down to study 24/7. The older adults were not able yo keep up and grasp. It is a fact that after the age of 30 the brain becomes about 50% less likely to be able to learn new math. That is significant. I am not trying to put a damper on your dreams. Just don't set yourself up for failure. Sure you can do it and we really do need more compassionate nurses in that field. Just consider all of your options before diving in with "I won't be told that I can't do it attitude".
Let's be honest. It is NOT all about following your dreams. College is no joke and the nursing program is far from it. I had folks in my nursing vlass in tbeir 40s that were 25 years removed from the classroom setting. They struggled and some did not make it. Now, I know this stands true for all ages but the younger onesostly failed out because they were more focused on partying and could not buckle down to study 24/7. The older adults were not able yo keep up and grasp. It is a fact that after the age of 30 the brain becomes about 50% less likely to be able to learn new math. That is significant. I am not trying to put a damper on your dreams. Just don't set yourself up for failure. Sure you can do it and we really do need more compassionate nurses in that field. Just consider all of your options before diving in with "I won't be told that I can't do it attitude".
Let's be honest. It is NOT all about following your dreams. College is no joke and the nursing program is far from it. I had folks in my nursing vlass in tbeir 40s that were 25 years removed from the classroom setting. They struggled and some did not make it. Now, I know this stands true for all ages but the younger onesostly failed out because they were more focused on partying and could not buckle down to study 24/7. The older adults were not able yo keep up and grasp. It is a fact that after the age of 30 the brain becomes about 50% less likely to be able to learn new math. That is significant. I am not trying to put a damper on your dreams. Just don't set yourself up for failure. Sure you can do it and we really do need more compassionate nurses in that field. Just consider all of your options before diving in with "I won't be told that I can't do it attitude".
I disagree with all of this. I am 38. In high school I was absolutely horrible at math. Terrible. I took Algebra I twice and pretty much flunked Algebra III and Trig. I have over a 100% in my algebra class right now. I am way more comfortable with math and school for that matter. While I suggest the OP make sure she is up to the physical task of nursing, mentally she will be much better than the younger ones. I have straight A's again this semester with a 4.0 GPA. People who are my age and older in school do much better I feel for several reasons. First, we take school more seriously. Kids who have just graduated high school are kind of over it and blow off college. Second, we pay attention better and are not on our phones and internet all class. Also I know myself much better now after having some life experience under my belt and am more motivated to do better for my family. Younger people are still usually having mommy and daddy paying for everything so they are not as motivated in life to do well. With age comes wisdom.
Physically, there is a huge difference between 38 and 54. I am 57. When I was 38, I still jogged, etc., stuff I simply can't do now because of my knees and back. Your body really does start slowing down after 40, and after 50, well, you can imagine. Mentally, however, I can still learn and have no problems in that area.
notmanydaysoff
199 Posts
I decided to pursue nursing as a second career - something to work at part-time in my pre-retirement yrs. I already had a BS degree in my previous profession as a biologist. Going back to school at 56 - wow! I did so much better, straight A's, perfect attendance, I had total focus, and also worked about 20 hrs/wk as I phased out of my previous career.
Went through an accelerated LPN program (3 clinical and 2 class room days/wk) in 11 mos.
What it took was organization and structure, with little, if any, deviation from scheduled:
* meal preparation for my husband and I (lunches, dinners)
* dedicated time for doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping
* dedicated time for the massive amt of studying for school. We were tested daily and could not get behind
* limited family/friends time. There were numerous events that I simply could not attend because of the above...
* time for exercise
* a super-supportive husband
* and the money to do it
Well, that was 4 yrs ago and I've been working in urgent care for close to 3 yrs. I was very fortunate to land a great first job. Last year I got accepted into an 9-mo bridge program. They wanted me to take the TEAS, even though I had great HESI scores from LPN school. Didn't want to do it, but I figured I could study for the TEAS the same way I prepared for the HESI. The deal breaker for me though, all things considered, was when somebody told me that if/when I got my RN, I would have to essentially start at the bottom, as a new grad RN. Probably in med-surg. Probably doing nights.
Two of my very good friends retired at about the same time that I got accepted to the bridge program. That was a real wake-up call for me. What was I thinking? For the first time in my life, I decided that age really wasn't on my side. Coincidentally, the day after I got accepted to the bridge program, my nurse mgr offered me a FT job with cadillac benefits.
In the matter of a couple days, I changed my life plan. I accepted the job. So my PT job went to FT (for nurses where I work, 72 hrs is FT). My retirement date is when I turn 65 (4 yr and 4 mo)!
Am I glad I did it? You bet! There is never a dull moment where I work. We never know what's going to come in the door next.
Good luck and I wish you all the best in your career choices.