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)
a good friend told me "You're going to be 45 anyway... why not have your dream job and a degree too?..."
Yep. 45 when I'm DONE with the BSN program... I think I'll be close to 50+ by the time I'm actually done with my ph.d!!! But what a great way to celebrate my 50th bday! eh? Turning 50, having my ph.d AND travel to Italy for a few months as present to myself for the past 10 years of school (or it'll seem like it) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Hi There. I feel you with the late career choice thought. I was 33 when I started taking pre-reqs for nursing and am now 36. I graduated in December of 2009, passed boards in Feb of 2010 and just got my first job on a med/surg unit in the past month (March 2010). I'm surrounded by people my age that have been nurses for 15 years and people 10+ years younger than me who have been nurses for 1-5 years and are currently more skilled and confident than I am. My preceptor is in her 60's and has been an RN for over 40 years. She's very skilled, sharp and confident but man oh man does she make the quote "Nurses eat their young" stand true. She eats me for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. She has no problem telling me I'm unskilled, that I take poor direction and pretty much challenges every statement I make. It's been difficult working with her but I believe if I stick it out I'll learn tons from her...just filter through the BS.
I left a career in and industrial food industry (factory setting / not fast food) to begin nursing. I was the supervisor of the Quality Assurance dept. at my old job. I was pretty much the go to guy with tons of knowledge and resources. Now I feel like a duck out of water. LOL But I know with time and patience I will learn this profession. My people skills are there. I just need to learn more skills and learn where everything is in the hospital. SO MANY SUPPLIES!!!
So hang in there. You're not alone. Us 30 somethings are breaking into the field and I personally think it's a good thing. We have some life experience and maturity that only years of living can bring.
In my youth I circumnavigated the globe as a Navy HM, never made E6, could have taken the LVN licensing exam on discharge but didn't. 23 years later I've finished NS and an current studying for state boards at age 48. I am not the oldest in my graduating class.
I think the older student should seriously consider teaching as a post-retirement career. Teaching might not be a good fit for you, but please at least consider it.
I worked as a CNA for 10 yrs. Yes YEARS. I became an LPN at 30 and if I am lucky I will graduate just days shy of my 41st birthday.
you are never too old. I didn't lolly gag around I was just content with my life where it was, and when I got into the right circumstances I moved on. Life is a journey, just go with the flow.
I was 40 years old when I followed my career choice and decided to become an RN and I have never regretted it. God opened doors for me that I never imagined. My grades were much better than my younger classmates because I took my classes seriously and I stayed home and studied while they were out partying. I say go for it! You will not be sorry.
I will be 50 this year (a young looking 50 I'm told) and have been an LVN just 3 years. It was always my passion to be a nurse, but family situations and having a full time day job prevented me from attending classes in the daytime. Our local Adult Education sponsored an LVN course in the evenings and Sat, so I attended. Haven't been happier. Had to take a pay cut, but it has been worth it. I am now working on my BSN with ISU. I am finishing up some classes through College Network and will hopefully start the nursing program in the Spring 2011. You are never to old to follow your dream. You have many productive years left; do what makes you happy.
Wellllllll, I'm 53 and I just started a 15 month BSN program this week!!! There are 22 in my class and I'm right in the middle!!! I thought for sure I would be the oldest, but there are guys and gals in my class that are older than I am.
I would not have been able to put this much into a program when I was getting my first BS at age 22 (statistical analysis--a pretty tough degree for a kid). Now I have the patience, the compassion, the good sense to say 'no' when told to do something I know isn't right, the strength to ask when I don't know the answer, and the dedication to finish when my eyes feel like they've already fallen out of my head.
On the first day of class our instructors told us to look sharp during clinicals as this program has 100% success in all graduates being hired before the graduation date. The four year undergrad program at this particular university does not have that record. They told us that being older makes a big difference in how we are perceived, and so far I've seen that in class and lab.
I'm excited about starting a new career at 53--I'll be 54 when I graduate. I'm happier and healthier than many of my friends at this age and I believe that being involved with things you truly love keeps you young at heart and productive. So, go for it!! If this ol' lady can do it, you can too!!
I started an LPN course at the age of 47 and began working as a hospice nurse at 48. I had originally planned to get my R.N. through an external degree program. However, after I went to work I learned that the hands-on patient care that I found most rewarding was done by the aides and LPN's; I don't really enjoy doing the paperwork. My wife didn't like the idea of me spending most of my off hours working on getting my R.N. I did take courses and passed the exam to become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse.
I am now 54 and I couldn't be happier with my career. My only regret is that I didn't change careers many years earlier. The work I do is not only needed but very much appreciated.
I'll be 53 when I graduate from the RN program! According to some of the pictures of graduating seniors, I'm nowhere near the oldest that has graduated. Welcome! Most of the people in my class is at least in their 30's.
I'm only 33, and I finished my RN in 05 ( i did the ADN program at a community college, and worked as an LPN while I got my RN) I had 2 young kids and was pregnant with my 3rd when I finally graduated, was divorced, remarried, and immediately divorced again, and living with my mom and her fairly new husband with whom I didn't get along at the time. My wonderful mother pushed me and encouraged me and picked up the pieces when I was an emotional wreck. I spent many nights typing careplans one handed while breastfeeding a baby, wanting to give up almost every step of the way. Please don't give up. Nursing is so rewarding and fulfilling. People trust you with the most intimate details of their lives, and you have the opportunity to protect them and give them the best experience in a frightening and vulnerable time. In nursing school, instructors were mostly eat their young kind of nurses, testing instead of teaching. A few told me I had no business working full time while going to nursing school (imagine, in a continuing education program), and one in particular really tried to fail me, and outright told me I wouldn't be a competent nurse. Since then, I worked (very hard) at a prison for a few years to try to provide good care to a population that is neglected (whatever one's view is about what prisoners deserve, it doesn't change your obligations as a nurse), then moved to the operating room, where I am at least average, and still work hard to provide the best care for my patients, and remember where I was when I was first starting out. Please don't give up! We need all of you. You have my prayers and hopes for the best.
I think 35 is still young, so go for it! I've seen some people posting that are 38 and just starting pre-reqs...if you really want to go into Nursing it doesn't matter when you start as long as you do!
45whenimdone
85 Posts
a good friend told me "You're going to be 45 anyway... why not have your dream job and a degree too?..."
Yep. 45 when I'm DONE with the BSN program... I think I'll be close to 50+ by the time I'm actually done with my ph.d!!! But what a great way to celebrate my 50th bday! eh? Turning 50, having my ph.d AND travel to Italy for a few months as present to myself for the past 10 years of school (or it'll seem like it) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh