I feel like I'm too old for this

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Hi, I'm a 23 year old who has just decided to become an LPN after a long period of uncertainty. I struggled with depression for years and even through I love working with people, you just don't want to bring your personal problems to work or school. So I took a little break from school to fully work on myself. Five years later, I'm back at and now I'm feel like I'm too old to be a LPN-RN student even through I have some prerequisites completed from my previous major. I just wanted to know if there are other ladies or males who started late like me and how has it been for you? And how did you get a entry level position in the healthcare field? Thanks!

I became a LPN at 40, will be a RN at 45

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You go girls! And guys!! I have always dreamed of being a nurse. But, like many people, life took a different turn. Got married, stayed home to raise my boys. Gave up my dream but was happy to be home with my family. Then my husband passed away with my boys being young. Got a job as a CNA to pay the bills. Now I'm 46 and my boys are older, sooo, it's time for me. Took the TEAS, passed and got accepted to LPN school. Starting in four weeks. You're never too old to follow ur dreams! Good luck to all of us!!!

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You're never too old. I'm 35 and starting a new career after 10 years of human services work and some time in the military.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

I feel that way too. I'll be 23 next month. I think being a mother is aging me. I feel like the clock is ticking. I guess my experience as a CNA put a major fear in me. Fear of having very little to show for at age 55+. Don't wanna be old AND broke. Trying to get it together now

Finally a nurse...All for my three♡♡♡

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Hi I'm a 23 year old who has just decided to become an LPN after a long period of uncertainty. I struggled with depression for years and even through I love working with people, you just don't want to bring your personal problems to work or school. So I took a little break from school to fully work on myself. Five years later, I'm back at and now I'm feel like I'm too old to be a LPN-RN student even through I have some prerequisites completed from my previous major. I just wanted to know if there are other ladies or males who started late like me and how has it been for you? And how did you get a entry level position in the healthcare field? Thanks![/quote']

I just turned 23 last month and only 2 months into my LPN. I felt the same way you did because I feel like I wasted so much time and if I would've started earlier I would have better outlook on my life I feel. Now that I'm here I'm glad I did. Can't wait to get out there and get to work. Keep your head you'll do fine...

PS: I doubt you will be oldest person in the class.. Not even close.

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I'm laughing so hard. I wanted to be a nurse since my early 20's. I graduated on July 25th as an LPN at the age of 50! First time I had the opportunity to pay for food and a roof over my head and no children to look after. I already have a job lined up from my huge life-time network in my city.

Go for it...you only have 40 or 45 years left to work!

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23! I had my first baby at 23 and my 2nd at 24! All my years in healthcare (since age 25) I finally decided to get some type of formal training at the age of 41...I graduated May 2013 as a medical assistant. Turned 43 July 25th and will begin school for LPN October 2nd and in 2 yrs I will be a nurse. The funny thing is I thought I was too old until I realized that I still have 20+ years fo work before I can even thimk about retiring O_o! Good luck little girl :-D :-D

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I WISH I could be 23 again! I understand your feelings about feeling like you "wasted" time, but I assure you, you are NOT OLD at all! When I turned 25 I entered a program for medical assisting (biggest waste/mistake EVER, especially living in LI, N.Y) but I did take experience and I did learn alot of things from it (I was at the top of my class, for what it's worth.) However, after not being able to find a job at all for medical assisting for over a year (even after becoming a certified ma) I decided to enroll in a program for lpn (eventually down the road I would like to be an RN.) I am now 27, (and will be turning 28 only 3 months into my school yr.)

I'm starting to have alot of anxiety because I know I'll be one of the "older" ones in class (I went to the orientation lol) I am also not married, nor will I be until I get my life in order (I am living w/ my fiance though) and I don't have any children (that wont be for a long time) so unfortunately I won't really have anything in common with the few "older" people I'll be attending school with either. I wish I had started lpn school yrs ago, instead of now.

However, I keep reminding myself that heading towards your dreams and goals in life is SO MUCH better then heading further away from them. "You're either moving forwards or backwards." In life, we all have our own personal route that we must follow so that we accomplish the things that we want to. Some of us need to take detours and some of us had to change our destination completely in order to figure out that this is what we are supposed to be doing with our life. All I know is that when I'm 70 (god willing) and I look back at my life, I would like to be able to say (for the most part) that "I'm glad, I did x,y,x and I didn't let anything hold me back..." instead of "I wish, I should have, could have, would have done that etc..."

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Im 48 and half way through my LVN/LPN program. I am in school with my 24 year old daughter. Im a retired peace officer that has always wanted to be a RN, but wanted to wait till my kids were grown and didnt need me as much. My last child is a senior in high school this year and im half way through my program. When i graduate next year i will be looking for a LVN/RN bridge program! You are just a youngster, go after your dreams!

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I'm 30 and doing my LPN right now. I thought I was old too, but there are ppl way older than me in my program. If its really what you wanna do, age means nothing.

23?! I wish I could be 23 again. Lol

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I'm 30 and doing my LPN right now. I thought I was old too, but there are ppl way older than me in my program. If its really what you wanna do, age means nothing.

23?! I wish I could be 23 again. Lol

This! I thought I would be the oldest in my program and I am one of the younger ones and I'm 29! One of my very best friends, my 2nd mother if you will, just graduated an ADN program at 44. You're never to old to learn something new!

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I am 49 years old and I am just now starting the program.

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