Going back to school for LPN at age 47

RXconnecticut · Jul 9, 2004

i just recently was layed off my job working as an insurance rep. i have decided to change my career and have chosen to do the lpn course throught distant learning with norquest college. i have just applied and am awaiting to see if i am accepted into the program. i will do all the courses using the internet and home study with my final practicum and workshops in the city.
i live in whitecourt, alberta. i thought at first that i might be too old to go back to school. i did attend mount royal college in calgary for my rn diploma back in 1988 but with life stuff....did not complete my first year.
after having talked to a few people, i have learned that i am not too old to go back to school. i am sure i will do fine. i have done about 6 distance learning courses in the past through athabasca university so i am aware of the dedication and discipline that it will entail.
i am pretty excited about this new venture and wanted to know if anyone else out there started at my age. how do you find the career of lpn and what can i expect if i get my lpn diploma in alberta and then move to british columbia later?
in other words, do you think i am crazy?
thanking you in advance for all suggestions and comments
lady_nic2003:)

too old?? listen to this...i was 18 ..graduating highschool in 1988...had partial scholarship to lpn school...had to opt out because my mother thought that (through a relative) a free phlebotomy training school was the way to go...mind you if i did the lpn route i would have needed transportation etc.( did i mention how poor we were?).well i was a phleb for 10 years(time flies)...now nursing school would be a huge hassle..husband..kids..husband w/ great $$ job..who needed it...well here i am 16 years later & still thats what i want & the time couldn't be better.i was accepted into nursing school & the kids are both full-time in school(i don't work)so this is probably the best time to really focus & be a nursing student.my point ??? everything must really happen for a good reason because 16 years ago i thought nursing was a good $$$$ job & a breeze to learn..in reality i really wanted to be a nurse but i probably would not have excelled as i would now..now i really want it bad!! so your never too old...just wiser..i'm only 34 but i know i sound like an old fart...but this is reallly true....i'm so excited to go to school, i'm going to be the oldest in the class prob.too....who cares!!!! i wish you the best!!

[color=#f4a460]love heidi

SSTnurse2b · Jul 9, 2004

Sure thing Barb!! I have not been accepted..still waiting like you..but you can e mail me at [email protected]

Dixiedi · Jul 9, 2004

I'm 45 and just graduated from nursing school. You are not too old. In fact your life experiences will come in handy as a nurse... :balloons:

Life experiences as the above poster mentions will make school so much easier for you! And, as everyone else has said...DITTO!

Welcome to the world of nursing!

loriangel14, RN · Oct 3, 2004

Hang in there! I am 38 and in my second year of my rpn. Part time nights. When my marriage broke up I ended up doing homecare and that rekindled my interest in nursing. I agree with other posters that you do better as a mature student. I really want this now and life experiences help.I am by no means the oldest in my class, proving you are never too old to go after your dreams.

Fiona59 · Oct 10, 2004

I was a mature student as an LPN at Norquest. Graduated and went to work 2 months later.

The training was really related to the job.

Now, can I just say a few word. As a working LPN, it was terrible when we had distance students on their practicuums. Some are very good, but we keep telling Norquest that their people skills aren't that great.

We had one distance student who gave us the "I was an NA" stance and refused to learn. She didn't like the way we did things because "back home they do it differently".

I worked with a distance grad., clinically she was good, but she had the rest of the staff hating her within 20 minutes of her first shift. It was all down to people skills.

The lectures may bite and the travelling may be expensive, BUT you have to learn to get along with the rest of your classmates.

Sorry to sound so negative, but other LPNs that I worked with said the same thing. There shouldn't be distance ed for the entire course. There should be class time.

Also, did they tell you about the changes for Sept. 2005? I heard from one of the instructors who was at my worksite, that then the students will have to do first year arts. It's basically becoming the old GMCC diploma program.

Moving to BC is a nightmare. Over $200 for them to process your request for a license. Work is hard to find contrary to the Government ads. The role of the LPN here is changing and certain hospitals let you have full scope of practice and others will barely let you work as a NA. Its been ten weeks and I still havent got my license and the BC college of LPNs keeps blaming CLPNA for not sending my documents when CLPNA keeps assuring me that they have...

Dratz · Oct 10, 2004

I was a mature student as an LPN at Norquest. Graduated and went to work 2 months later.
The training was really related to the job.
Now, can I just say a few word. As a working LPN, it was terrible when we had distance students on their practicuums. Some are very good, but we keep telling Norquest that their people skills aren't that great.
We had one distance student who gave us the "I was an NA" stance and refused to learn. She didn't like the way we did things because "back home they do it differently".
I worked with a distance grad., clinically she was good, but she had the rest of the staff hating her within 20 minutes of her first shift. It was all down to people skills.
The lectures may bite and the travelling may be expensive, BUT you have to learn to get along with the rest of your classmates.
Sorry to sound so negative, but other LPNs that I worked with said the same thing. There shouldn't be distance ed for the entire course. There should be class time.
Also, did they tell you about the changes for Sept. 2005? I heard from one of the instructors who was at my worksite, that then the students will have to do first year arts. It's basically becoming the old GMCC diploma program.
Moving to BC is a nightmare. Over $200 for them to process your request for a license. Work is hard to find contrary to the Government ads. The role of the LPN here is changing and certain hospitals let you have full scope of practice and others will barely let you work as a NA. Its been ten weeks and I still havent got my license and the BC college of LPNs keeps blaming CLPNA for not sending my documents when CLPNA keeps assuring me that they have...

Wow....actually, I think I will be ok when it comes to people skills.:chuckle And well, the clinical skills will just take lots of practice. Norquest does use webct and I am able to listen to all of the classroom lectures for each class, so it is really like I am already sitting there with my classmates.

Too bad about the NA and her attitude. Myself, I did work in long term care and then moved on from there to the RN program. I got along great with my classmates. I would love the option of attending full time classes in the city but it isnt possible since I live so far away but I am not quite sure why the distance learning would be a hindrence. I do partake in 20 weeks of clinicals so will be with my classmates for that. I think I can manage to get along with everyone and since my attitude is such that I would welcome all and any help, then I think that will be a bonus. Granted, I did work as an aide once but I am so looking forward to asking a million questions and humbly getting the help I will need.

I was just in BC over the summer and might move there someday. I found there were lots of positions for LPN grads etc in Oliver and Kelowna. Not sure what the scope of practice would be but I did check the Interior health site often. Suprised you are having such a tough time getting your license switched over.

As for the first year Arts that might be required by Norquest for 2005. I have it. Not too worried. Why they would want that is beyond me lol.

Thanks for your post and good luck in BC....I love it in BC...was raised there.

Take care:)

gloria kay · Oct 10, 2004

Not to worry!!! I started LPN school at 43 after getting my GED and graduated with honors. AND most of the people in my class were 30+. After 10 years am finally working on my RN...hmmm...after that who knows!!!...You will not regret it. Made some lifelong friends and love nursing for the most part...The best to you...

gloria kay · Oct 10, 2004

Not to worry!!! I started LPN school at 43 after getting my GED and graduated with honors. AND most of the people in my class were 30+. After 10 years am finally working on my RN...hmmm...after that who knows!!!...You will not regret it. Made some lifelong friends and love nursing for the most part...The best to you...

Kaelie · Oct 13, 2004

As long as you are in excellent health and have the ability to run around, you are NEVER too old!! Good luck with your studies, i'm sure you'll make a great PN!

:balloons:

Kae

robynhood · Oct 13, 2004

I got my LPN when I was 41 and just got my RN at 52. I get ALOT of flack from the younger nurses on our unit but I just tell them to remember they will be my age one of these days and there will always be another young smarta** nurse saying the very same things. Never too old to learn.

2151 · Oct 13, 2004

I Think That Is Great That You Want To Change And Go To Nursing You Are Never To Old To Do Anything Good Luck!!!!!!! You Will Be Great!!!!:) ----danielle------

Mommy/Grandma · Oct 13, 2004

Went back to school for LPN at the age of 46 makes you feel real good to know can do it.