Late Start for Nursing?

[nodaknurse]

I am really glad I have found this forum. It is nice to hear so many stories of the success so many of you have found in the nursing profession.

I am restarting my path towards getting my LPN, then RN degree and was wondering if anyone could provide any experiences the had when starting.

I am 36 years old, spent most of the past 10 years in the IT field working with computers. I was in the military prior to that, not in the medical field.

I have took my first year of nursing back in 1997, but ended up in IT as the money was hard to pass up. I wish I had stayed with the nursing program as I know it would have been a more fulfilling career.

Anyways, thanks for any inspiration you can provide!

[2bnurseguy_2005]

Whats a goood way to find a CNA program? I am not in a RN program but started one pre req this summer

[nursedude1]

Ditto on the going straight for your RN. Not sure how it goes for your school, but in my program it would have taken me a year and a half longer to get my RN if I had gotten an LPN first. It's not "easier" that way. In fact most LPNs in our transition program had difficulty because the by-the-book approach of nursing school ran somewhat contrary to their real-world experience. Better if you don't have any preconceived notions about what you will be learning. Lastly, I highly recommend getting your CNA right off the bat. Working in the trenches is good experience, and it gives you a unique appreciation for the folks who will eventually be backing you up when you graduate and hit the floor.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

36 is much too old to start nursing school. You should definitely wait until you get younger.

Or you could just press on and go for it. I was 46 when I started. It was horrible, but fun, too. I had to work part-time through school, and it seems like I got maybe 11 hours sleep (total) during those two years. But I think it did my middle-aged brain a lot of good to challenge it.

[career#3]

I'll be 31 in October and I hope to start on my prereqs this fall. I expect that it will take me upwards of 10 years to become an RN (slight hyperbole, but not by much). I support a wife and 5 month-old-son and pay a mortgage. It seems most men pursuing this field are doing so mid-career. We're not alone!

[Larry in Florida]

Are there specific questions you have, or looking for experiences that pertain to some aspect of nursing in particular?

I wouldnt knock your prior career choices as being less meaningful. One of the last customers I had via my small consrtuction business impressed upon me how valuable a dependable, quality contractor is to people who are spending their hard earned income to have work done.

And military service that is not health related is vauable too.

All of that will add up to life experience that will come into play at the bedside and elsewhere in the hospital or healthcare environment.

I was 35 when I entered school. I was 38 when I passed the NCLEX.

There was a gal in my class who was 52 when she started school and she is currently working a very busy med-surg floor.

At your age it is feasible to get into the work force and retire from nursing, or take your education somewhere else eventually if thats what you want to do.

I have found that my education and experience has opened a world of opportunity away from the bedside.

Take care-

11

[Larry in Florida]

Well I'm 60 years old and studying for my Rn. I have been an LPN for just 2 years. So ya wanna talk about late!

[mingez]

Ditto on the going straight for your RN. Not sure how it goes for your school, but in my program it would have taken me a year and a half longer to get my RN if I had gotten an LPN first. It's not "easier" that way.

One thing I'd like to add, is that much of your decision making may hinge on the amount of time it'll take you to acheive your goal (if ultimately that is RN). In my case, had I not entered an LPN bridge program I would have been on a waiting list for another 2 years. So, in my case, the shortest route from point A to point B is getting my LPN first.

[husker-nurse, LPN, LVN]

I realize that this is a GUY forum, but I have to answer; I graduated with my ADN at 46 and have been working med-surg since and, I might add, keeping up with the youngsters.......I think the computer training may serve you well with the digital charting stuff nowdays. I agree, go for the ADN (I think that maybe you're planning on that anyway). The very best to you and your chosen career; keep in touch with this forum for support and you'll be fine.....

[husker-nurse, LPN, LVN]

mike, you are waaaaay funny; I bet your patients just love ya!