Mid 40's new LPN career

Published

I'm a 46 year old motjer to 3 young children and am starting PN school in the fall. I'm just curious if any of you are beginning your nursing career late in life as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was 30 when I started the LPN and graduated at the age of 32 this pass may and just figured out I passed NCLEX!

Though, I don't have any kids or anything. I just quit my job and moved in my parents...it hasn't been fun moving back with the parents at the age of 30 but it was cheaper and convenient and I guess I was lucky in that way.

I did have a couple of classmates that were in their 40s and one had a grown son and the other had a teenage daughters and a grand child. I think it was tough for them to balance school and life but they did well in school!

I thought I was going the easy route when I started LPN, I knew it was at least the cheapest route rather than start with RN....but it was TOUGH! Lots of studying, crying, almost giving up, getting on anxiety meds....but it's worth it at the end. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just had orientation today to start LVN program I am late 40's with 3 kids at home (2 teenagers yikes) super excited to finally make my dream happen!! I am probably the oldest in my class but I do not care I am truly thankful I have this opportunity!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YAY!!! We should keep in touch a little :-) Support a little, you know? I have a doozy-up on you and those teens...I have a preteen (12 y.o girl), 8 year old (stereotypical middle child and a girl), and a......2.5 year old! WOW, right?! I was obviously not starting menopause, but i do have a gorgeous little boy now! GOOD LUCK! I'm excited along with you! I mean, it's never too late until you die, right?! I met a nurse practictioner who told me that she went back to school at 50 to become a nurse, now she's an NP and is still going strong in her career. I'm so happy to have met her! She's an inspiration!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was 30 when I started the LPN and graduated at the age of 32 this pass may and just figured out I passed NCLEX!

Though, I don't have any kids or anything. I just quit my job and moved in my parents...it hasn't been fun moving back with the parents at the age of 30 but it was cheaper and convenient and I guess I was lucky in that way.

I did have a couple of classmates that were in their 40s and one had a grown son and the other had a teenage daughters and a grand child. I think it was tough for them to balance school and life but they did well in school!

I thought I was going the easy route when I started LPN, I knew it was at least the cheapest route rather than start with RN....but it was TOUGH! Lots of studying, crying, almost giving up, getting on anxiety meds....but it's worth it at the end. Good luck!

Thanks!! I've heard "stories" of how intense the schooling is! It's making me a little pumped to think about it though! It seems like it's going to be an intense ride!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections, Surgical.
YAY!!! We should keep in touch a little :-) Support a little, you know? I have a doozy-up on you and those teens...I have a preteen (12 y.o girl), 8 year old (stereotypical middle child and a girl), and a......2.5 year old! WOW, right?! I was obviously not starting menopause, but i do have a gorgeous little boy now! GOOD LUCK! I'm excited along with you! I mean, it's never too late until you die, right?! I met a nurse practictioner who told me that she went back to school at 50 to become a nurse, now she's an NP and is still going strong in her career. I'm so happy to have met her! She's an inspiration!

Wow, 50?! I'm amazed. When I turned 24 my mom pressured me to go back to school for nursing because I was 'getting old'. I know she wasn't literal but just wanted to light a fire under my butt. I did wish I was more serious about it years ago instead of getting distracted and changing majors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Absolutely we should check in on each other I need all the inspiration I can get!! Wow a 2 year old that is wonderful and 2 big sisters to help you (when they feel like it lol). Are you in school yet? I start in Sept í ¾í´—

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I am! I'll be in my early 50's when I'm done with school. I decided to remake my life when my husband walked out after 20 years. My youngest son will be starting college the same time I'm starting nursing school--maybe at the same university! (I promised him that I'd pretend I don't know him if we run into each other.)

I'm **so** worried about everything: money, commuting, whether I'll get into a school at all (doing prereqs now), whether I'll be terrible at it (a real possibility), what if after all this I have lots of debt and no one will hire me??

I really want to become a psychiatric NP and whenever I feel overwhelmed at the ways everything can go wrong, I read other people's stories, look at job openings, think about where I'd like to relocate to, sometimes I even look at apartments to rent on craigslist. And I know if I don't give this a really serious try, I'll regret it forever. If I fail--well, I gave it my best shot. SO, anyway, here I am... :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! I'm in my 40's and have an application in for a BSN program. It's nice to see other students around my same age. I'm finishing up my prerequisite courses and if I'm accepted I'll start in January. I am also very nervous about the same issues previously mentioned, but I know we can do this! I have a son that graduated high school in May and a 15 year old daughter starting her Sophomore year in high school next year. I wish everyone the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am 45 and have been accepted to LVN program. After many years of saying I was going to do it my fiancé finally convinced me to just apply and stop doubting my mad skills..lol...needless to say I about fell out of the chair when I got the acceptance email! I have 3 grown kids and 8 grandbabies and they are all super supportive. Nursing school is very competitive so anyone having doubts please remember that you were accepted so they already believe you have what it takes to keep up and be successful! Never stop chasing those dreams...we are all going into it with no experience as a nurse so that puts everyone on the same level. Age is just a ####

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm 46 too and starting in the Fall! I'm so much more focused now than I was when I was in my twenties. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't worry at all, you can do it! My mother did a career change at 50 years old, when she decided to go back to school to become an LVN. It was not easy for her, but she studied and dedicated herself to learning about nursing and did well in her program. She is now a practicing LVN working and applying to RN programs with me :) Congratulations on being so courageous and deciding to go back to school! It's not easy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion