Never Too Old for Nursing School

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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!

Specializes in LTC.

You ROCK Pjgal2000! You are going to be a GREAT nurse and I wish you all the luck in the world. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Robert, your training and work as a CNA is going to be so valuable when you start clinicals in nursing school. I've been told that "shyness" when dealing with real live patients is an issue for some, whether they naturally have an outgoing personality or not. Being a CNA will get you over that hump. I work in LTC as a CNA as well, and I LOVE it. Geriatric care is very rewarding, and I'm in love with my patients at my facility. My long term goal is Trauma/Emergency, but I could be perfectly happy in LTC as well.

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You all made my day! At 44, my story is similar, my dream of being a nurse began at around 5 or 6. But after H.S. graduation, I chose to become engaged and married at 21, my husband would not allow school so, after my daughter was born when I was 25, I snuck night classes to become an EMT, worked in the field, saving my pennies to go to Paramedic school which I accomplished at 30! All the while trying to figure out how to go to nursing school, after the birth of my second child, I finally divorced the man who held me back, have worked as a paramedic in the field and in the ER, married a fabulous supportive man and in 3 weeks will be starting an accelerated BSN class WITH my daughter!!! Yes, I'm sure Ill be the oldest in my class and we may be the ONLY mother daughter duo but, I don't care! I'm so glad my dream didn't die all these years later!

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I just thought that I would make a comment here. I am in my final year of the ASDN program and I will be 53 when I graduate. Though there are a lot of those younger then me in my class I can keep up with the best of them and I have a lot of experience to fall back on. I worked as a CNA for 8 years, in a drug rehab for 2 years and then a mental health program for severely mentally ill adults for 12 years. I wanted to be a doctor as a kid and as you have already said, life happened over and over there was always something. Because I was a displaced worker there is a state program that is helping me with funding. Everything fell right into place and I know that I am on the right track at the exact time that I was suppose to be. I have now learned everything I needed to know to succeed on this journey and I know that I will enjoy it. I wish you and all the other commentators who are starting later all the best of luck now and in the future.

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Congratulations and all the best to you! I decided to finish college at age 50, took one year of prerequisites, entered nursing school, and just graduated this past spring with my ADN - at age 53! I graduated with honors, received 2 awards, and started working 2 days after graduation. I passed my boards two weeks ago. No regrets, all the sacrifice was worth every minute of it, and I'm thrilled to be nurse!

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You're never too old. I started a second career at 50 yrs. old when my job was outsourced after 30 yrs. of service. I went back to school to become a nurse (LPN). I worked as a CNA for 2 yrs. while I was in school, graduated, and landed my first job. I am now 7 mos. into my job and seeking LPN to RN mobility program. Some classes were tough and it took longer to comprehend but I found a study buddy group of all ages and learning became a really great experience, along with the going back to school! I learned i was not the oldest - learning is forever. Run towards your goal and don't look back, you will do it!

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Specializes in None yet..

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.

Thank you, GrnTea. Beautifully written and wise.

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Specializes in LTC.

LLD5790..... You'd be surprised. I'm willing to bet that you won't be the oldest person in your class. Going to school with your daughter is just plain AWESOME. :) There's a father/son team that I'll be in Developmental Psychology class with this fall. I met them during registration. I wish you both the best of luck, and please stay in touch as to your progress. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

That's how I'm doing it as well schoolgirl2013Lpn. I need to work during the journey to BSN, so I'm taking it in baby steps. I'm working as a CNA now while doing LPN. (My LTC facility is very supportive and flexible because they want me to work for them as an LPN). From LPN, I'll bridge to ADN, then BSN. Here in NC, I can specialize in what I want(Trauma/ER) at the ADN level. (Unless it changes). Best of luck to ya!!! :)

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Never give up! I am 49 years old and just passed my TEAS V test! I have always wanted to do this degree. I came into this country illegally (unbeknownst to us and our parents). I am from Quebec and my husband is from Michigan. Marriage did not automatically make me a citizen in 1989. So because I was an illegal immigrant, I was denied school and work. We went immediately to the immigration office and explained our situation. They were so nice and understood the situation and I became a citizen in 2.5 years. Meanwhile, we started our family. We ended up having 4 children in 4 years. We homeschooled them all until college and now that all four are in college, I am returning and aiming at this nursing degree. I cannot tell you how excited I am to advance in this undergrad relatively painlessly. The country only accepted my highschool diploma but refused any education that I did after that. This is why I am now finishing up this undergrad and expecting my interview date soon. Never give up!

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We have very similar paths. After 10 years in the Air Force, I left in 2003, then "life happened". I spent these last 10 years as a single parent to two wonderful children. Now that they are older (and so am I), my path to becoming an RN just got brighter. I will be applying for the ADN Program this Fall for next Fall start date. I'm nervous about the TEAS test, but I am confident that this life long dream of mine will finally be fulfilled :) Good luck to you, and thank you for sharing your story!

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Specializes in LTC.

aupele......Best of luck to you always. You'll do great on the TEAS. :)

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