Much Older People Going Into Nursing

deleern · Dec 28, 2009

I started School at 45, I graduated at 48 and have been an RN almost 3 years. I worked full time nights first as an CNA and then as a LPN until I graduated from the RN Program.... during that time I called in 2 times. Now I work 40 hours a week (at least) as a Charge RN IN an LTC... I never call in.

the younger nurses are calling in all the time. Sick Kids, sick day care, to tired, you name it they call in.

To Old..... I work circles around the younger nurses. I do what ever it takes. I help the CNA's, Fill in for the LPN's, I do RN Charge. I schedule for a nursing staff of 80 people. I do all the Doctors rounds. I show up each day I am scheduled and I come in when they call me.

We had a Big Blizzard over the holiday, I arrived to work at 6AM with a coworker in her 4-wheel drive, on Christmas morning. 2 of my 27 year-old PM nurses called off because of the weather.... they lived right along the high way and would not come to work even when the maintenance man went to pick them up.. that meant I (the 50 year old who is in her twilight years HA!) had to work double. sleep in the rehab room for 5 hours. and then back on the floor. and worked until 3PM in the afternoon when I went home. I spent 31 hours working out of 36.

Angel@MyTable, RN · Dec 28, 2009

WoW! just WOW!

I am 46 and graduating in May 2010, and along with us other old fogey's don't plan on retiring anytime soon! I am ready to attend school for the RN to MSN program, all of my prereq's are completed to start next September if I wish to do so. Next to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner so I won't have to break my back at 60 and beyond!

PS.....ageism goes both ways. Do you like hearing that because your so young you won't be as competent/wise/experienced as an older nurse?

sharpeimom · Dec 28, 2009

quick! where's my walker? oh no! i can't find my bifocals because my poor old memory is going fast.

the good news is that since my ears are just as old as the rest of me, i can't hear a thing you're saying about all of us in our dotage (look it up) ... those of us 40 or so and up.

someday, you'll look back on this thread you started and realize just how silly you were back then.

well, since it's later than 7:30 pm, i'd better shuffle off and put on my flannel granny gown and drink my warm milk, and crawl into bed before i forget where our bedroom is. :uhoh3:

'nighty-nite,

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw:

Lucky0220 · Dec 28, 2009

iread the forums and see alot of really older people who are like 45, 50, nearly 60 talking about taking pre reqs to be a nurse. If you are that old, you only have about what 10 years left to work or less for those who are older. Why chose such a physically demanding profession when you are in your twilight years? nursing needs people who are young and still in their prime. Thats just how i feel. When I"m 50, I want to be retired, planting flowers, and relaxing looking after my grandkids. Not on the floor looking after sick people with crazy demands.

You wouldn't, by any chance, be related to, or best buddies with that "cutiepie nurse" who wants to go into nursing to marry a doctor?? Seems like the same similar "off the wall" point of view! But, yes, you are surely entitled to your point of view!

blueyesue · Dec 28, 2009

I think we should go easy on the OP. Afterall, she is young.

sharpeimom · Dec 28, 2009

i think we should go easy on the op. afterall, she is young.

hhuuhhmmmppphhhhhhhh!

it's a darned good thing my teeth are still firmly attached or they'd have hit the floor! :bugeyes:

we can't all retire from nursing right now. there aren't enough walmart greeter jobs available.

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw:

blueyesue · Dec 28, 2009

hhuuhhmmmppphhhhhhhh!
it's a darned good thing my teeth are still firmly attached or they'd have hit the floor!
we can't all retire from nursing right now. there aren't enough walmart greeter jobs available.
kathy
shar pei mom:paw::paw:

:lol2:

i guess the young sometimes do need a good spanking.

CuriousMe · Dec 28, 2009

iread the forums and see alot of really older people who are like 45, 50, nearly 60 talking about taking pre reqs to be a nurse. If you are that old, you only have about what 10 years left to work or less for those who are older. Why chose such a physically demanding profession when you are in your twilight years? nursing needs people who are young and still in their prime. Thats just how i feel. When I"m 50, I want to be retired, planting flowers, and relaxing looking after my grandkids. Not on the floor looking after sick people with crazy demands.

No offense intended....but at 21 yrs-old, you have no idea what you're going to want at 50 yrs-old. You'll likely look back at your 21 yr-old self fondly and shake your head about what you thought you knew back then.

FLmomof5 · Dec 28, 2009

One thing I tell my kids is that you spend your young life rushing to "grow up". You feel each year. You feel yourself getting older....then **BAM**, you hit 21! From that point forward, your body ages, but the MIND still feels young! I tell everyone that I am 21 with 26yrs experience! :anpom:

I will graduate from my ADN program Aug 2010. My ancient husband will deploy to Afganistan in January. (Talk about your "physically demanding" job!) I guess someone forgot to tell us that we were too old to save lives!!!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 28, 2009

I figured this would be a flame fest closed down by now. LOL

Actually, for some people whom are over 50 and considering a career in nursing I ask them a few questions. #1 how is your health? - do you have a good strong back, good knees, and a healthy weight? #2 - how long do you intend on working and is the thousands of dollars investment really worth it. #3 - how bad do you want it? - cause it's probably going to be one of the most difficult things you've done.

I don't want to discourage older students, but one can't go into lightly thinking "I've always wanted to be a nurse, it's my calling" because the harsh reality of a 12-hour stressful shift on a 50something year old body that's not in good health can be brutal. Not all 50 year olds are marathon ready - too many have lead sedentary lives and need to get into shape.

I've seen posts from people "I'm 50 years old and I want to be a nurse, but I have a bad back, hypertension, am diabetic and weigh 400 lbs and can't do floor nursing. Can I be a nurse? " and people have the nerve to say "go for it!!!". Not that there aren't those types in nursing, there are.

On the other hand, our "twighlight years" can be one of extremely good health, vitality and productivity and the timing might be right to start a 2nd career. Everyone is different.

mammac5 · Dec 28, 2009

When I was in my 20's I was quite obese, smoked cigarettes, and had 3 young children for whom childcare was a continual issue, especially at times when I had jobs that required work after 5 p.m. or on weekends. My car was a very undependable POS and there was always drama in my life.

Now in my 40's I have been at a very healthy weight x 5 yrs, exercise regularly, eat very little sugar or other refined carbs, stopped smoking many years ago, have no childcare issues to juggle, and have a mature way of thinking through problems and can use my life experience to solve them.

Which "me" would you want to be your nurse if you had a serious health problem?

RB2000 · Dec 28, 2009

Interesting thread indeed! I would like to say that I believe that it is on a case by case basis. You certainly could say that in general 20ish person should be in better shape than a person in their 50's. This is not always the case.

Also, I would like to add that when I was in my 20's in college I was distracted by everything around me (parties, girls, etc.) Now that I am a little wiser in years (with a family) I have a better sense of priorities, a sense of purpose, and a strong desire to succeed and provide for my family. I have people that are counting on me, and I don't want to let them down.

Additionally, I notice that many of the younger students in school are still being distracted by various things, and they don't feel like doing the work. Notice I said many and not all younger students. I certainly feel that there are younger students that are focused.

My mid 20's self was in way better shape physically than I am at this point in my life. However, my current self would run circles around my 20ish self mentally. I can certainly exercise and diet to get in better shape. However, you can't fix stupid!!! In my 20's I was young and dumb! Today I have a family, with tons of obligations and still maintain a 4.0 gpa. : )