Is 52 to old for starting nursing program

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2005

jsteine1:

Thank you so much for your words of comfort. My spirits were lifted reading your post. Your words about what was happening were so succinct and clear! Of course she was discriminating! I just didn't see it through the spider webs. I talked to the instructor this morning. I told her that someone had told me they "thought you were discriminating against me because of my age." She said "who was that? Was it --------- (naming one of the other refreshers), she is always yanking somebody's chain." I said no, I could not say. She said she was just "guiding me, it is just too fast for m." I said, why would you think that, how do you know what I am capable of? As I continued to question her, she started backing off and said "you do what you want to do." She wasn't mean about. I went back to my department and continued my work. The funny thing is, the department manager came in to meet me today and asked me to apply for that department, wanting to know when my refresher was going to end. I just kind of "mentioned it" to the instructor. Nothing much was said on either side. So it was a very good day for me. Where ever I end up, I believe your suggestion to meet it head-on was the right thing to do and put a stop to it and let her know (in a nice way) "hey, you can't do this."

Thank you so much, again.

jsteine1 · Nov 3, 2005

Movingalong-I hope it'sok to say that I am so proud of you. What you did was not easy for you,Im sure. You have empowered yourself tremendously whether you realize it or not. Additionally, you have created a level of respect with this instructor and no doubt, you have taught the teacher something. Way to go!!!

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

JSteine1:

It's all your fault! What a good feeling (and a lesson for me) to stand up for myself. I am sure it will be an asset to me in the future.

Hugs.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

P.S. I'm sure that got her attention, after all she was practicing discrimination and I am sure she will be careful of this in the future. And it was done with no animosity or hard feelings!!! She's already referred me to a hospital she works at as a SART nurse. It's just so cool, I really feel good about it.

SkateBetty · Nov 4, 2005

My mom raised 5 kids over 35 years, survived breast cancer, and then went to nursing school in her 50's. She has been a nurse for almost 20 years now, and still makes big bucks hobbling over to the nursing home where she writes care plans and does dressing changes for $40.00/hr plus change. She will be pinning me Dec. 15th as I follow in her footsteps as a mature adult nurse graduate! :yelclap:

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

You still have to live until you die! What else is there to do? Live it UP!

Woogy

GalRN · Nov 6, 2005

I just copy/ pasted this from a reply I wrote earlier on the same subject...

As far as starting nursing when you are middle-aged goes... my mom started her RN program at age 48. She got better grades in her classes, both because she realized how truly important it was to her, and because she was able to use life experiences to gain a different perspective. When she graduated she got a great job at Mass General, and was a valued employee because she already knew how to deal w "work politics" and was not afraid to ask questions. Many patients felt more comfortable w/ her because, unless she told them, they assumed that she'd been a nurse for years. If they asked how long she'd been nursing she was truthful, and got even more respect for having the guts to start later in life.

She's always liked administrative work, so she went back and got a Masters in Nursing Admin and Business Admin. Now approaching 60, she works for a major Boston hospital doing cost/benefit analysis for the supply dept. She still does shifts at the General to keep her skills fresh. Don't know what her salary is, but it's close to 6 figures. She loves both jobs. Incidentally, it was cool to be in school (different ones) at the same time. She passed the NCLEX a year before me.

Don't think of your age as a negative thing... it has only been positive for my mom. And it was great to see a woman who never thought she had the brains to even go to college end up w/ a double Masters degree.

bone nurse · Nov 10, 2005

Hi Debbie,

By all means..............GO FOR IT! and Best Wishes and Good Luck.:yelclap:

One of the very best Nursing Instructors I had was a very gracious lady who entered the RN program and at age 58 graduated Valedictorian of her class. She was an exceptional instructor while in her 60s.

FroggysMom · Nov 10, 2005

Hello, My name is Debbie.
I have been a single mom for many many years, and my last daughter is entering her senior year in high school today.
I have always held jobs that just paid the bills and allowed me to be home when the kids were there.
I would like to start school next fall. (2006) in a RN program, which will last 2 years.
Am I being silly or do you think at my age (I will be 55) when I recieve my degree that I will find work available to me?
Thanks for all your comments in advance
Debbie

Good heavens no. I'm 59 and going back to school. You go girl!

krisssy · Nov 15, 2005

Dear Movingalong,

I am sooo sorry it took so long for me to respond to your post. I have been out of town and just got back. Do not listen to anyone's comments. Your instructor is completely unprofessional. Personally, I have gotten comments like that too. My cousin, who is a Dr. said , "You are going to go be a nurse with all the 22 year old kids?" He should know. He left his wife for one of those kids. Everyone who says something usually have their own personal agenda for saying it. There have even been nurses on allnurses.com who have tried to discourage me from doing what I want to do. I ignored my cousin and any negativity I heard here. And guess what? I decided to listen to the people on this website and elsewhere who have encouraged me. By doing that, I just got accepted to graduate school. This is another controversal topic on all nurses that you could read about, but I am going back to graduate school to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and I have NO psychiatric nursing experience except in clinicals and in the refresher course I took. I don't care what anyone thinks. This is what I want to do, and I am doing it. Obviously, the school that accepted me believes I can do this. Don't let anyone's negativity discourage you from doing what YOU want to do. Most of the posts on allnurses.com have been very uplifting and very encouraging. Actually if it weren't for the nurses on allnurses.com I never would have applied. So keep posting, and do whatever you want to do in the nursing field. Do not listen to an obviously unhappy nurse. I know I am rambling, but I am very intense on this subject. When I finished my refresher course, I was offered a job at the hospital where I took the course. They said that I was unaware of how much , at my age, I had to offer incuding 25 years as a teacher, a master's degree, 24 post graduate credits and life experience and maturity that you only gain as you live.. You go for it, and let's keep in touch!!! Krisssy

miphillli · Nov 15, 2005

Deb Good for you! I think with all your life experience's and your mature nature would make you a valuable employee,I would not hesitate at all.I would suggest that you work as an CNA just to get the feel of the hospital. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

zaretah · Nov 16, 2005

I think it is absolutely wonderful. I am doing school in my 40's and I personally think mature women make wonderful students and nurses. We bring with us lifes experiences on many issues. It is important to redefine ourselves after are children are grown and we want something in our life just for ourselves. If you can be a mother and survive you most definately be a nurse. I say you go girl. Good luck and God Bless your endeavor.