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 work as a nurse in a college Nursing Lab. I had a student who finished the program when she was sixty. She got a job right after graduation in an ambulatory PACU. She loves it! I say go for it with all you've got!
Do you buy still buy dog food in the 40 lb sacks? Have you lived through and understand the draw and power of addiction and weakness therein?..my thoughts are if u desire it, pursue it. You only live once. Who wants to go to their grave saying , "I wish I had...but it's too late now.."
I'm 47 this year and only two semesters in to my prereqs with two more to go before I can apply to the nursing program. I have had similar doubts. Two things:
First, for a lot of people, our 47 is not our parent's 47. I obviously have no idea what your situation is, but I still play softball twice a week, and though there is nothing like sports to showcase the humbling effects of ageing, I can still play the outfield, I just don't play center field anymore. Those that keep themselves somewhat fit are years "younger" than people were at the same age a generation ago. Again, your mileage may vary. I have no personal familiarity with the physical demands of nursing, but as a carpenter, I know a guy at 65 who still works like a banshee and guys at 35 who are broken down and out of shape. The 65 year-old works at it, in the gym 5 days a week w/pilates. With a little luck and a lot of work you can control the physical side of things.
Second: A former college dropout, I have realized in this last little stretch of college just what my folks were trying to tell me all those years ago: You can't go wrong going to school! Even if I never set foot in a nursing class, the process of learning something I didn't have to learn for work has already been transformative. I see myself differently. I see the world differently. I agree with a poster above that the older folks have done better, in general, than the young kids in the classes I have taken. I think part of it is that young people can take the process of learning for granted, having been forced to do it for so long. As an older person decades removed from that, it is a real gas.
Best of luck to you and my apologies for the long post.
I started my prerequisites in 2012 at age 48 ... I am 2 1/2 years from completing my BSN @ WSSU ... It is a little scary thinking that at age 52 almost 53 I will be graduating with my peers who are in their early 20's ... It is tough but with each step it becomes easier. I love people and cannot wait to help them.
Hi Greenlee! I'm new here too and new to nursing school. I started my pre reqs at age 55 and have just gotten accepted into my schools nursing program at age 58 here in Georgia. I am proof it can be done, at least getting this far. I missed the deadline to apply for nursing school last year after having to take a semester off to help my mom after my father passed away. I went right back and started again because I believe it is never too late to follow your dreams. My favorite quote is "Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone" and that is where I am now, ready to take the next step on this incredible journey I am on to my second career as an RN. All the Best to you!
AMEN to all you said Heathermaizey!! Older is wiser and at 58 I try four times as hard as my younger counterparts. I want this and Greenlee it sounds like you do too! I was 55 when I started my prereqs and just got my acceptance letter into nursing school this fall. You CAN do this if you want it bad enough!! As far as the physical aspect go, are you active? I am, I play on not one but two tennis leagues, ALTA Spring and Fall and USTA winter and summer. I practice and/or have lessons two to three times a week and play matches on the weekends. Our ALTA tennis team is going into the third round of playoffs this weekend, this is the semi final, one away from the finals and our pewter ALTA champion plate. Yes I have more aches and pains than I did when I was younger, I'm nursing a quad strain now. But, If you stay active in sports and life, age does not have to be a problem!
Follow your heart. I am 58 years of age, I am starting nursing school this August (ADN) program. There are obstacles everywhere in life, just decide if you're ready to negotiate the foreseen and unseen obstacles ahead. I have already met my classmates, one lady is 53, the other 28 students are under 25. Bottom line if this is something you want to do just do it. Question...do you want to be 64 and look back and wish you had pursued this dream?
I am 52 and about 1/3 of the way through my nursing program. Nursing school is very challenging!! I have endured 22 years in the military, long absences from my son, two master's degrees, and I can tell you none of that prepared me for the challenges of nursing school.
Yet I love it!! As long as you have the stamina, perseverance and desire for it, go for it!
I once read that you'll still get older in the coming years whether you're pursuing your dream or not, I recommend you go for it!
I went to LVN school at the age of 50. If u arr in good health u should be fine. My problem was memory I couldnt retain things I read I would have to keep reading over and over didnt have to do that when I was younger. But I made it
But wouldnt try for RN. I wish u the best. If u want it bad enough u will succeed.Also if you have faith in god dont forget to pray u will make it.
I do NOT have a College Degree,..so.. I am starting from 'ground zero',..THOUGH my Coun seling School and Certification was exactly how you describe your Nursing School..except it was an 8-5 PM 5 days a week accelerated school program.. 5 mo of classroom with a Module test weekly!! Studying every day an fitting in my husband and kids (1 pre teen 1 teen).. all 3 of us studied together, and bed time for me was 8 PM..LOL.. up at 4 to study some more and be there for the family, drop off the kids and get to school myself!!! .. My Practicum turned into me getting a full time job through a new staff member..(his previous employer) hired me to replace him!!)
Over the past 22 years, my field has evolved and NEEDS Medical Staff, ergo..why I have decided to go into Nursing, after having taken off some years to help my daughter raise my #1 grand daughter.
My #1 grand daughter will be 12 next week, my daughter will be 32 Saturday AND she also is a Substance Abuse Counselor..and has a 10 month old daughter, whom I have been bb sitting.
She will be not to happy when I tell her I am going back to school, and she will actually have to pay someone to bb sit some day..haha..
I have some health issues, BUT..activity is GOOD MEDICINE!!
Thank you. Your post brought tears to my eyes, yet..you have also encouraged me too!!
sunsetbeach
4 Posts
I work as a nurse in a college Nursing Lab. I had a student who finished the program when she was sixty. She got a job right after graduation in an ambulatory PACU. She loves it! I say go for it with all you've got!