Never Too Old for Nursing School

[Biosciencegeek]

Proud and super excited to say that I'm fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming an ER/Trauma nurse. When my friends were asking for toys and video games at Christmas, I was asking for a stethoscope and BP kit. I got both and a microscope as a bonus surprise. My family used to dread coming to visit because they knew that a scary little 9 year old was was about to "put the squeeze" on their arm and make them "take deep breaths."

I embarked on this journey in 1991 after high school and was "side tracked" with Naval service, which I'm very proud of, and would not trade for anything. After leaving the Navy in 2003,I started again, then "life happened", (I was raising my son and caring for my sick father with Alzheimer's)and I had to postpone my dream until last year. I'm just older and wiser now. That's the only difference. I have rediscovered my passion and the fire burns inside of me stronger than ever. You can only run from your true calling for so long. Eventually it will catch you. I hope this is inspirational to those who may be second guessing themselves. Never, ever give up!

[anixon]

I am 37 and on the waitlist for the Duke University ABSN program. I also homeschool my 3 kiddos and worry about that. Sometimes I am on board with my decision and the other half of the time I think I am nutz!

[Biosciencegeek]

Well said lorirn2b! I'm 42 and I feel it everyday. It's tough work. I work with 25 year olds that fantasize about foot rubs. lol.

[Biosciencegeek]

anixon....GO BLUE DEVILS! That's awesome. VERY good program. I'm in NC as well. :) You've made the right decision.

[Biosciencegeek]

pm...YOU WILL! Stay focused. I wish you prayers and the best of luck. :)

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Some of you have heard the story of one of my students who was 62. She had been married for forty-plus years to an old SOB (not "short of breath," either) who told her how stupid and worthless she was and how nothing she ever wanted to do was the least bit useful. And when he died she took the life insurance money and went to nursing school, bless her.

She wasn't any better at nursing (or any worse) than any of her 18-year-old chickie classmates, But she had something that they didn't, and that was life experience. She had seen her mother and father die, seen how families coped with adversity, knew what it was like to be a mother and a grandmother; she could sit down at a bedside and calm a frightened person just because she was a white-haired older lady who didn't panic and knew what to say, when to say it, and when to be quiet and just be there.

I have no idea if you will be able to find work. Everybody's having a hard time with that. On the practical side, older students should consider looking for a job with fewer physical aspects, if you can find it. And it is possible that if you can express those qualities bestowed by maturity, someone will see how lucky they are to have you, even if only for a comparatively short while.

[Biosciencegeek]

Same here with everything that SeattleJess said!!. I mean it.

Jess, I've been to Seattle and Tacoma on several occasions. (My brother worked for Kohler in Tacoma in the mid 90's, and when I would go on Navy leave from San Diego, I'd hop on I-5N. I LOVE it out there. I live in NC currently and that's where I'm in school. I've traveled to all 50 states, and imo, Washington is the most beautiful.(I even like the rain) I'm a nature and hiking fanatic, so I've always felt "in my element" out there. :)

[Biosciencegeek]

Grn Tea...Great post. There's a classmate of mine in his 60's that wants to get his MSN and teach. He says that he just can't get around in a fast paced clinical setting due to some personal health issues, and wants to go that route. From what I've read, there is a big demand projected for instructors. What are your thoughts?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The pay is dreadful, much less than he'll get as a staff nurse; this is a major reason why the ranks of instructors gets older and smaller every year. (Staff nurses used to tire of floor work and would go teach, but in the last depression they couldn't afford to take retirement and do that, so they stayed in the hospitals.) I got calls for ten years after my last faculty contract to ask me to come back, but it was just not economically feasible for my family for me to do that. But if he can't work as a staff nurse, some pay is better than no pay. :)

And it is wonderful to see students learn because you thought of a good way to teach something, even though you have to be part of an academic department. As Henry Kissinger famously observed about his time at Harvard, the reason academic politics are so vicious is precisely because the stakes are so small. :)

But there's nothing like it.

[Satori77, ADN]

Thank you for this topic. I am starting my last year of prereqs (I've been doing it off and on for a few years now because of working, kids and a sick mother). But I am nearing the finish line! I am 36 now. If all goes well, I will be 39 when I graduate. I get more nervous with every passing year, am I making the right decision. But you can't help getting older. Make the time count.

[Biosciencegeek]

Satori77. Well done my friend. I wish you the best of luck always!

[pjgal2000]

You're probably not much older than me. I'm going to be 36 in September and I keep thinking to myself that I'm too old already and I should just be a CNA until I retire. Those are my negative thoughts trying to get in the way. I really want to work in the ER or Labor and Delivery. Your saying, "You can only run from your true calling for so long. Eventually it will catch you." is very true. Thank you so much for that because I have been trying to run out of fear since Science (Chemistry, Microbiology) is very hard for me to comprehend, but I'm going to learn it one way or another no matter what it takes! I will do it even if I'm 60 by the time I finish. Thank you! Good luck to you!!

I started college for the first time with my pre reqs at age 55! My calling finally caught up with me, : ) better late than never! I have finished my pre reqs which took a little longer than I had hoped because my dad passed away in the middle and I had to drop out mid-semester, causing me to miss the deadline to apply for nursing school last year. After helping my mom get through this difficult time, I got right back on track the next semester and applied for nursing school this year. I was one of 48 accepted into my schools RN program and I start my nursing school classes Aug. 25th. I can't wait! I want to say it is never too late and by the way, I will be 60 when I finish and get my RN! I also want to work in the ED. I have been shadowing there and LOVE it!! My biggest fears were A & P, Micro and Algebra. I got through all three and more and ended up with a 3.74 GPA overall which was good enough to get me into my RN program.You CAN DO THIS!! All the best!!

[BertG77]

I am 37 and beginning my BSN program in a few weeks. I spent my 20's playing music and working as a restaurant chef. I'm unlike many on this thread who've raised families, instead I was aimlessly drifting around trying to 'find myself.' The phrase, 'you can only run from your true calling for so long,' feels incredibly true. Throughout all my previous endeavors/experiences I always felt that something was missing. Now, after returning to community college at 32, while a Sous chef of a busy restaurant, and after toughing out the science pre-req's, stressing over the TEAS, applying and getting accepted, I feel more fulfilled than I ever have before. Also, after recently completing a CNA course with 4 weeks of clinicals in a LTCF, I'm absolutely certain that working bedside with patients is where I am meant to be. Never give up, be open to change, seek out support, and advocate for yourself. Anyone on this forum going through the same and needing help, please ask me! It's my pleasure to help.