Late career choice @ 35

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).

Hi everyone. I am new here and so far I really enjoy the information and experiences that everyone is sharing.

I just turned 35 years old in Jan and after years of not knowing what I wanted after I left the Navy, I have finally chosen the one career that my Great-Grand mother told me that I was going to be. Matter of fact every since I was a little girl she would always ask me, "So, you are going to be a nurse like Florence Nightingale, right?". And I would always tell her that I would.

So far, I have really liked what I've learned and have even passed my A&P I with an A. I have always liked feeling like I am making a difference in people's lives and I want to help people get better physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.

Are there any other 30 something year old people out there that have just now chosen nursing as their career and do you ever feel like sometimes you may be too late in choosing although you know there is no way that you want to stop now? (Sometimes I feel that way)

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You are not the oldest one here. I didn't start taking prereqs until I was 37 and I am finally pretty much completed on those (just two left). I applied to my program this winter and hopefully will be starting this fall at 40. I had a great career and then had children and decided that I didn't want to go back to that great career. I've thought about being a nurse for years, so when my youngest was 2 I finally went back and started taking classes. It's a wild ride for anyone, but I have a very different perspective than many of my classmates. Honestly, I wouldn't have done as well if I had done this in my twenties. Best of luck to you!

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I'll be 34 this summer, about 2 weeks after I start my classes, you're definitely not alone. I've always wondered what I'd be when I grew up, now I know. It's funny because once I decided to do to nursing school (a few years back) I just knew that it was right, there was no more doubt or hemming and hawing (which I'm really good at).

Anyway, good luck to you guys!

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).
You are not the oldest one here. I didn't start taking prereqs until I was 37 and I am finally pretty much completed on those (just two left). I applied to my program this winter and hopefully will be starting this fall at 40. I had a great career and then had children and decided that I didn't want to go back to that great career. I've thought about being a nurse for years, so when my youngest was 2 I finally went back and started taking classes. It's a wild ride for anyone, but I have a very different perspective than many of my classmates. Honestly, I wouldn't have done as well if I had done this in my twenties. Best of luck to you!

I say the same thing! I did so much lolly gaggy around in my 20's I would have wasted my grant and all. I just was not serious about it.

I did the same thing with my youngest being 3 and went back to school but...you know, when you are a mother with a family to take care of, no one is trying to waste that $$ like we do when we are young and carefree. lol

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).
I'll be 34 this summer, about 2 weeks after I start my classes, you're definitely not alone. I've always wondered what I'd be when I grew up, now I know. It's funny because once I decided to do to nursing school (a few years back) I just knew that it was right, there was no more doubt or hemming and hawing (which I'm really good at).

Anyway, good luck to you guys!

I am good at the hem and haw too! A professional actually. :lol2:

Some of us know what we want in our 20's and sometimes it is just meant for some of us to go our own path no matter what age, I guess.

Thanks for the response and best of luck to you with your career path.

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I just turned 39 in February and have been psyching myself out of taking the entrance exam for nursing school for a few years now. But what I've come to realize is, if it's your dream, the nagging feeling won't go away until you make your dream a reality no matter how old you are when you do it :)

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).
I just turned 39 in February and have been psyching myself out of taking the entrance exam for nursing school for a few years now. But what I've come to realize is, if it's your dream, the nagging feeling won't go away until you make your dream a reality no matter how old you are when you do it :)

Truer words have not been spoken!! So true :)

Best to you and your words are encouraging.

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Specializes in ER.

I am 35 and will start nursing school this August. I began my "new" career path in January of 2009. In my opinion, it is never too late to make a change in your life/career. The only limitation is yourself, in terms of how badly you want to make a change, and how much you are willing to work. If you spend your time "wondering" what will be, or what could be, it will never happen. Good for you for deciding to make a change....now go do it! Don't look back, or second guess yourself! Do what YOU want to, and work hard to get there! I applaud you, and anyone else who has the "guts" to entirely change careers beyond say, their 20's. It is not an easy decision to make.

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I am much older than 35 :D and beginning my program this summer. Why not?

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).
I am 35 and will start nursing school this August. I began my "new" career path in January of 2009. In my opinion, it is never too late to make a change in your life/career. The only limitation is yourself, in terms of how badly you want to make a change, and how much you are willing to work. If you spend your time "wondering" what will be, or what could be, it will never happen. Good for you for deciding to make a change....now go do it! Don't look back, or second guess yourself! Do what YOU want to, and work hard to get there! I applaud you, and anyone else who has the "guts" to entirely change careers beyond say, their 20's. It is not an easy decision to make.

Thank you for the words of encouragement.

Congrats on getting to the nursing school portion and best of luck to you!

And it is gutsy to go a different career route after the 20's. But once we hit out 30's, we get gutsy anyway. :lol2:

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Specializes in Putting band-aids on boo boo's :-).
i am much older than 35 :D and beginning my program this summer. why not?

there is absolutely no reason not to. i say, "go for it!!":yeah:

best of luck!

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I was accepted for this fall, and I'll turn 35 a week after starting! There are definitely lots of us out there!

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