I am 51 y/o, is it too late? (need honesty)

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

I know it's not too late to go to LPN school but I am very concerned about my age and it being a factor in getting a job when thru with school. I've given most of my life to kids, home, marriage and now that my responsibilities are minimal, I think it's time for me. Please be honest with your opinions. We will not qualify for any financial aid and I don't want to start something that will not produce a job when thru. Not counting a year of studying.

Yes, hindsight is most definitely 20/20. :crying2: If I had the last 20 years to relive I would have thought of myself some, but can't go back and undo mistakes.

Opinions please, even brutal ones are welcome. :)

I started at 52, graduated LPN school and passed the boards just shy of 53, and am continuing for the rN online.

No, it isn't too late. Be prepared, though, to be far more exhausted than your younger classmates.

Go for it. It's well worth it.

:)

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

One word of advice, Going to school when your older makes you want to do take more classes. Just make sure your school for PN has the type of accreditation so that your Gen Ed courses transfer.

Would really like to know what on line school your taking RN with. Online really helps older students, you can sit and ponder things a while...

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Specializes in medsurg, clinic, nursing home.

I'm in LPN school now, 23 yrs old so I'm probably not the best for advice in your situation. I just think it's never too late. it seems like in our program, the older students do much better. I'm doing well cause I have a family counting on me passing but if I need help I always look towards my older classmates. I hate to generlize people but the older students seem to be more focused. I don't have a lot of tolerance for the students my age because they are just there to slide by while goofing off as much as possible. Not all, but most. I wish you all the luck in the world!

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Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

Hey, at least you did an excellent job (from the way it sounds in your post) on the homefront and in all you did achieve while caring for those you loved. That kind of job description is done with NO pay and yet, you chose to do it anyway and with much love, it seems.

I attempted a variation of that scenario to include getting my ADN and practicing while being a single parent. Now, twenty years later, I feel burned out, disgusted with myself(for having developed multiple disease processes due to not taking time to care for ME!).

I think you can do whatever it is that you want to do while fulfilling the empty part of your life and finally getting something for yourself while reaping rewards of still being the caregiver in nursing after graduation.

I think you can do it. You give the impression that you are more than willing and an emotionally strong person. So GO FOR IT, Lady!

Good luck and let us know how it progresses. You have all the support you could want on here at allnurses. It's why I keep coming back day after day to get recharged for life as a previous practicing nurse and a possible re-entry into nursing some day soon.

LPN would be the approximate one year time frame which you are aware of, of course. And you could definitely obtain an LTC position, if you don't mind that type of work. Oh, and most definitely in a doc's office. They'd rather hire on LPNs rather than RNs. Figuring that a typical RN will not go for lower than acceptable salary. So, after graduation, at least LTCs and doc's offices would welcome you with open arms. If not more, depending on their preferences.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I would do it if I were 51, although I dont see myself working the floor at that age, I would take advantage of the clinic and home care.

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Well, since I just turned 51 and am still in school, I would weigh in that working a floor or a clinic or home care is strictly a matter of preference and physical capabilities. The saying seems to be going that "50 is the new 30"; we've just finished raising kids and are looking for challenges both emotionally and physically!!

I know that I could run circles around some of those young RNs I have seen in clinicals, and I have read other posts where folks have worked with 70 and 80 year olds still working on floors. I don't think one can generalize what's best for anyone.

However, I do find it interesting that the original post made here is almost TWO years old and I have to wonder if the OP is still even monitoring, lol!!

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

That's too funny about the original post being so old! I have been following this thread and never even noticed!

I will say that I admire all of you that are going back to school no matter what your ages. It's very inspirational!

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Specializes in LTC, hospice, home health.

I'm 50 and in my second semester at LVN school. When I was starting school and went to the clinic for vaccinations, the public health nurse really inspired me. She's a much older RN who didn't become an RN until she was 55. She told me that it was the best thing she's ever done and that age (in her opinion), shouldn't be a factor. I've been back to the clinic a few times since then (Hepatitis B series) and she encouraged me each time I visited. My hope/plan is to obtain my LVN license and then pursue RN.

Why did I start at age 50? My 6 children are raised and although the youngest 2 are still in school, I'm finally in a position where I've got the opportunity as well as lots of support on the homefront. I couldn't do this without my family, that's for sure!

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Go for it it's never late in life. Well done to you fr taking the step.

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Congratulations on being there for your children!!! And now it's your turn. As the other posters said "It's never too late." I would suggest that you go for your RN. Associates degree, take your harder sciences first to get them out of the way. As an RN you will have more job opportunities than LPN's seem to have and you'll make a highter salary. I would also suggest to work in a hospital setting for the first year and then move into home health where the stress is less...there are so many different types of nursing you can choose as an RN vs LPN. And any LPNs out there reading this...I love LPN's I think they make great nurses...it's just that employers seem to value RN's more. I have several friends that are LPN's and there a little frustrated now that they're stuck in the hospital setting because of the higher salaries there, but the stress is literally killing them.

Best of luck, Cisco

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I do agree with most of our friends,it's never to late to start .

Great girl:heartbeat

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