Never Too Old for Nursing School

Biosciencegeek · Aug 3, 2014

Thank you Seattle Jess! You know that 60 is the new 40 right? I too am a CNA and I'm working through school. I LOVE it! My mentor is 72, and she works circles around everyone in my facility. She's even older than 3 of the patients she cares for. This lady is my hero, and it was meant for me to meet her. Keep up the passion and the fire. It's obviously your calling, and I KNOW you will succeed.

SeattleJess · Aug 4, 2014

Thank you Seattle Jess! You know that 60 is the new 40 right? I too am a CNA and I'm working through school. I LOVE it! My mentor is 72, and she works circles around everyone in my facility. She's even older than 3 of the patients she cares for. This lady is my hero, and it was meant for me to meet her. Keep up the passion and the fire. It's obviously your calling, and I KNOW you will succeed.

Biosci, you made my day! I did not know that 60 is the new 40! Your mentor sounds awesome. Thanks for reminding me not to get tangled up in the averages but to strive to be an outlier, like your awesome mentor. Wish I could meet her.

futureLVN40 · Aug 5, 2014

Thank you so much for these references you are Awesome! You will be an Awesome Nurse too!! :)

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2014

I think being a CNA first definitely has helped me to understand that physically I can do the work of nursing.... I am 50 and just got my CNA this past March, and finished up first year of NS in May. But I can honestly say that it takes one day of recovering for every evening shift in LTC! I could certainly eat better and exercise and that would help.... :sarcastic: Good luck!

Livetoride · Aug 5, 2014

I want to say congrats for making your dream come true! Much success to you!

Nursing24/7, LVN · Aug 5, 2014

Yay! I too am starting "late" in life with my nursing career. I'm 42 and will be about 46 when I finish my BSN if I start school in 2016 as I am hoping to. Been wanting to be a nurse since I was little (I have my aunts and grandmother who were all awesome nurses to thank for that) but like others, despite my interest in nursing most of my life, I chose a different career path (dumb decision)--Journalism. Got my BA and worked in PR/Marketing field for over 12 years but still always felt a void like something was missing. I didn't feel happy or content in my job/career at all.

However, I realized that I have always felt complete when helping and caring for others. It wasn't until about a year ago that it hit me that duh, I feel the way I do because nursing is in my blood...it's always popping up in my head and it's all I think about. I am always the first one that family and friends call when someone is sick and they are trying to figure out what to do. I get joy out of helping people feel better.

My journey has been slow and has been stalled a few times due to life happening and a couple of family crisis's. But now I am taking that first step(which is always the hardest) I am doing a CNA program, which starts next week, I am so excited! Once I get my CNA cert, my plan is to work in Sub Acute/Rehab/Restorative Care for 4-6 months, then transfer to a hospital and work as a CNA there.

I plan on working through my prerequisites while working as a CNA and then apply to the pre licensure BSN program at WGU. I am also looking into getting Doula, lactation educator and childbirth educator certified somewhere in between everything, since I too want to VERY much work in L & D and I want to have as much experience and relative skills under my belt as possible, so I can be a GREAT L & D nurse :-)

Any of you can pm anytime I would love to keep in touch with this group and see where we all end up in our journey :-)

PS. What is everyone doing to pay for nursing school??? That is also a big hurdle for me. For me, loans are out because I still owe loans from my first B.A. and I no longer qualify for grants either because of my B.A. So I'm looking into scholarships and hospital employee tuition assistance/reimbursement programs....

Kjffairytales · Aug 5, 2014

Wishing you much success, I'm sure that you can do it, my story is kinda similar to yours. I am currently enrolled in a nursing program and I can admit that is quite a challenge but I am so determined to get through this. Keep striving for your dream because it will surely pay off in the end.

SeattleJess · Aug 5, 2014

I think being a CNA first definitely has helped me to understand that physically I can do the work of nursing.... I am 50 and just got my CNA this past March, and finished up first year of NS in May. But I can honestly say that it takes one day of recovering for every evening shift in LTC! I could certainly eat better and exercise and that would help.... Good luck!

Exercise and diet? Oh, LORD, yes! Though recovery time is getting shorter and the agony of "de feet" is lessening. (My pedometer app told me I was walking 6.5 to 9.5 miles a shift. That's strain on a body, going from zero to that.) The whole CNA experience is great motivation to get myself to the gym! And constant physical exertion dulls the appetite and makes large portions unappealing. I lost 8 pounds my first month without paying any attention.

Excellent point about finding out whether you can do the physical work... or enjoy it at all... before undertaking nursing.

And everyone, when we're nurses, let's never forget to treat the CNAs like the gods and goddesses they are and never to shirk the opportunity to lend CNAs a hand and to support and appreciate them.

SeattleJess · Aug 5, 2014

calistudent818, what excellent and exciting plans! I love the idea of keeping in touch and encouraging each other on our paths. Feel free, all y'all, to PM me anytime, too. (Especially among those of us who will be working as CNAs and students at the same time. I sure hope I can do it.)

As far as loans go, there is no substitute for pay-as-you-go as much as you can. Ask your school advisor about scholarships and grants. (Every little bit helps.) Some hospitals in my area have nurse residency programs where nursing students get jobs and financial support to finish their degrees... as well as a priority or guaranteed job when they graduate. Your plan to get into a hospital ASAP sounds smart because it will give the people who can help you inside the system a chance to know you, love your work, and advocate for you.

I know that your experience planning smarts and heart connection to this work will make you succeed. Please keep us posted!

Nursing24/7, LVN · Aug 6, 2014

Thanks SeattleJess! I want to do sooo much, now it's just figuring out the logistics of everything, getting going & keeping going! Sometimes our dreams are bigger than time allows to happen too quickly ;-) sometimes the journey takes a lil bit of time...

Yeah my main reasoning behind the hospital ASAP other than just really wanting to be a hospital nurse is the hopes qualifying for tuition assistance program/tuition reimbursement. I have 5 hospitals that I really could see myself working at for a long time & would love to get into one of them. My other option is a state supported scholarship, but if I apply for that, their stipulation is that you work in a county hospital for 2 years. Not that I am opposed to county hospitals, but my first preference is working at 1 of my top 5 for many many years if at anyway possible. But I am going to try both routes because you never know, plus I know beggars can't be choosers in this tough job market, so if it takes me working at a county hospital for 2-3 years before I can get in at one of my dream hospitals, so be it. I'm flexible. I'm just ready to be a nurse!!!!

Good luck & god speed to all of us on our nursing journey!

Guests · Aug 6, 2014

I was 45 when I passed the NCLEX. Nursing is one the best decisions that I've ever made.

Keep up the strong effort.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2014

Good day:

I'm 51 (started my prerequisites when I was 50), and if all goes well, I will be 53 when I graduate with an AD (Jesus willing).

Thank you.