I am 34 and I want to be a Nurse when I grow up!

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hello everyone!

i am new to posting on the boards but i have been a lurker for a while now.

at 34 years old i have decided to go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. is it too late? should i join an lpn program or go directly to an rn program?

what is your experience?

thanks!

Specializes in Mother/Baby and LDR.

Well, I have been the oldest most of time in my classes at school. I am 38, I have worked in corrections for 16 years. I was a medical assitant in 1988, but left because of $ and divorce. Went for more money at the time and got stuck there. Married and another child, To scared to go back to school.. Well I only have 1 child left in the house and she is 14 now...

Never to late to teach an old dog new tricks I HOPE!!:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Acute care, Community Med, SANE, ASC.

Heck no you're not too old. I graduated from nursing school at 37. One of my classmates was a 61-year-old male when we graduated--he was on his third career.

Agree with the other person who said we're going to be 2 or 3 years older anyway, might as well be that much older with a degree and a new career.

I personally would recommend going for an RN program. My program was only 7 quarters long.

Good luck--I think you'll find many classmates your age.

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Specializes in none.

i love it, i am now super excited about finally pursuing my new career. i will let you all know what happens when i visit the college the first of the year!!

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No, you are not too old. I'm 33 and in my 3rd out of 5 semesters of a BSN program. This is a second career for me. The oldest person in my class is 52.

In fact, there are several students in their 30's, and 40's.

I hope all goes well and good luck to you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

Welcome! I am >40 and in the process of applying to a direct entry MSN program. I didn't start on my BS until I was 35.

My .02:

Be methodical and keep focused on your goal

You will have ups and downs. Don't loose sight of the end.

Thank your family and friends ALL THE TIME for being there for you. Things may get a little crazy when you get stuck into this. Make time for the people you love.

Good luck for a great 2008 and a great new career!

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Age has nothing to do with it. Its what you bring to nursing and what nursing gives you. Nursing is communication. Different life experiences, no matter what age you are, or what background you come from, help you develop relationships which help in providing care.

Best of luck, enjoy your programme. And don't forget to eat properly and have a life outside of study! Listen to nursey here, do what I say, not what I do...;):lol2::lol2:

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hello everyone!

i am new to posting on the boards but i have been a lurker for a while now.

at 34 years old i have decided to go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. is it too late? should i join an lpn program or go directly to an rn program?

what is your experience?

thanks!

if you can pull it off go the rn route...but with waiting lists at many schools lpn can also be a viable option. i didn't start nursing school until i was 45. i have no regrets about being more mature. i graduated last week at 47 from an Accelerated BSN program. best of luck!

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
hello everyone!

i am new to posting on the boards but i have been a lurker for a while now.

at 34 years old i have decided to go back to school and pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. is it too late? should i join an lpn program or go directly to an rn program?

what is your experience?

thanks!

firstly congrats on doing this i admire you. go straight to the rn program because it will cut out the lpn bridge to rn. as i am sure that once you have done the lpn you mostly likely would want to go on to become an rn anyway.

hubby is doing his np and he is 52yrs young ;) and loving it.

i wish you all the best in pursuing your dreams :)

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Good luck when you visit the school! Please do keep us posted. We'll cheer you on the whole way! :D

Tiffany

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Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.

Never to late:

I graduated with the BSN at 45, graduated with the Masters Degree recently at 48. I was a late bloomer....

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No way are you too old! I just turned 50 (aarrgggg) and have been getting my pre reqs and general ed stuff out of the way, hoping to be accepted to an ADN (RN) program next fall. I admit that I feel ancient, but even in my pre req courses, at least half the students were in their 30s. I think that is even more likely to be the case in actual nursing school. You would fit right in.

My daughter (17) gets mad at me when I tell her that I feel old, and she points out that in a couple of years I'll be 52 anyway, so why not be a 52-year-old nurse, if that's what will make me happy. I'd say that goes double for you, young thing that you are. ;)

I have to laugh only, because I am even older than you,( by about 1 year ) and I also just finished my pre req's. I am hoping to be admitted into the Nursing Program this fall.(2008). Sometimes I shake my head and wonder~~ what in the heck am I doing. But the fact is, I am proud of myself, and I wonder why didn't I do this earlier. Awwh.:uhoh21: theres a whole story. But you are right,we are only getting older, so we might as well get on with doing what we have always wanted to do because life is only moving past us at lightening speed. Crazy....but good !

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Hey Sandybarit,

Good to see another "old fogey" putting herself through this madness! :lol2: Perhaps we can keep each other going through it all. Good luck with your application.

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