Is it TOO late?

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For sometime now have been wanting to become a nurse. I put school off several times due to my family life, trying to balance marriage and children. I am 35 years old now and I really want to become a nurse anesthetist. I am able to go to school full-time. My main concern is I am starting from the bottom. I have to get my bsn first and probably some experience in an acute care facility and then go back to school for crna. I guess I'm looking at about eight years maybe more by then, I'll be nearly in my mid 40's. I know most nurses start off at a much younger age. Will I be too old? I think sometimes I just worry about being the old lady on the floor:chuckle. Can someone please give me some advice.

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u r going 2 b the old lady on the floor anyway so would u rather b an old crna or old doing something else? starting crna school @ 40 something is a little harder i think, but we have several in our class and they do fine. crna's seem to b happy at every age from 20 something to 60 something i dont c 2 many happy old floor nurses. and ull b retired b4 u burn out.:chuckle:chuckle

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Specializes in CCU, CVR.

Set little goals, but keep the big goal in mind. Start out by just getting through nursing school. That's an accomplishment in itself. Then, take whatever additional classes, tests, etc. you have to take will working as an RN. It's a long road to CRNA. I've been paving it for 6 years now. I've got two more to go. I haven't had a semester off since high-school. It will be worth it though.

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San073,

Great comments from the others. I was one of those who started a little late I thought. Had another degree and worked in that field for 15 years then realized I was not happy and went to an accelerated BSN program.

I will be one of those 40 somethings starting CRNA school and could not be more ready. Hey, I know I will have to work harder probably than most the "youngsters" but I will and have seen many posts of people who did the same.

At my interview I think they liked that as was a little older because I told them I was very focused and would not be doing this at "my age" moving my family etc.

I may be the oldest in my class but someone has to be. The comments from others hit it on the head, you will be retired before you are burnt out. I looked at the writing on the wall and knew I should go the CRNA route.

I am excited and nervous; will be going to Newman University this fall so go for it and take it one step at a time.

Good luck and just do it.

jw

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I just want to thank you and everyone for the great advice. I feel alot better and mor encouraged.

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being 35 leaves a good 20-30 YEARS of working...why not go? What is 8 years of school when you still have a good 20+ years ahead of you.

You only live one...achieve as many goals as you can and keep on going.

Thats why my neighbor told me :D Im 24 and concerned about going into CRNA (might be med school instead) but like he said, I still have a long time of working ahead...might as well be something I wanted to do.

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San073,

Great comments from the others. I was one of those who started a little late I thought. Had another degree and worked in that field for 15 years then realized I was not happy and went to an accelerated BSN program.

I will be one of those 40 somethings starting CRNA school and could not be more ready. Hey, I know I will have to work harder probably than most the "youngsters"

Why do you think you will have to work harder than most of the "youngsters?" Other than more family and financial responsibilities, I would think older students would be ahead of the younger ones. It's that way in college. When I was in nursing school this issue was brought up, we had students from age 17 through 62. I think the 17 yr. old learned her first lesson in karma because she was openly bragging about how easy the course was going to be, especially since she was fresh out of high school.

I'm not one to enjoy seeing others fail but about two weeks later this girl ran out of the classroom crying when we got one of our A&P tests back and she never came back. I later overheard that the rigors of nursing school were just too much for her to handle.

I think life experience and maturity are greatly undervalued when it comes to learning. I find the old saying true that youth is wasted on the young.

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Even in the bigger picture (outside nursing), we live in a great time where options that once weren't open to us at a certain age now are acceptable.

I'm 30, and just now starting my nursing career (in NS). I'm now working to maintain high grades (okay, "As"!) so that I'll have the option of eventually going to CRNA school. My career plan is to become a nurse practitioner, but the more clinical experience I get as well as my interest in anatomy/the sciences shows me that I need to keep my options open (not to mention I find myself browsing the CRNA site too much!).

Sometimes I feel the strain of being older than the traditional student. A 20 year-old in my clinical displayed shock that I'd want to eventually go to grad school "at my age". What a downer! But, really, I keep myself motivated with positive role models of all types. I fill my mind (and try for environment) with the people and stories of success. I especially appreciate a magazine called "More", for women over 40. It's truly inspiring to see such amazing women accomplishing so much (and looking gorgeous doing so) at any age. Unbounded. Love that! I plan to join them, and my story may include nurse anesthetist school at that time! Wish you the best!

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