New Here,Olders Nurses to Be??

illidan01 · Jun 10, 2006

:balloons: i am a firm believer - the older, the better. teachers do appear to relate to the "older student". they are more anixous to learn because of the maturity level, and the desire. i am not saying that the student that is in his/hers 20's or 30's is not mature at all! when you have actually been on this planet more years, and have gained more "life experience". we all know that we do not think the same way we did 5 or 10 years ago. that applies to everyone. i say go for it! learning is a great tool for staying healthy! :balloons:

kayel · Jun 10, 2006

Like Kayel, I'm also 43 and will be entering year two of a four year program. Going back to school is the best thing I've ever done! It made absolutely no difference getting into the program, and sometimes I feel that the profs are happy to see a more "mature" student (if only they knew how immature I actually am! )

Woo hoo! We're twinsies!! Hey, join me in this post! https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/any-class-09ers-out-there-post-here-159948.html

StudentMom2006 · Jun 11, 2006

Seems like I'm in the same boat as some of you. I'm a 38 yr old mother of two who, after 10 years of working in a job I loved that I am being forced out of, have decided to take that giant leap to begin preparing for my ADN. I work 40 hrs a week and am currently taking 3 classes (night and telecourse) at our local community college for my pre-reqs.

The hardest thing for me so far (other than lack of sleep :chuckle) is working time in with my two children, hubby and get my schoolwork done. It's been a challenge so far - only into week 4 of my classes - but I'm enjoying getting back to learning new things.

A question for anyone who's already been there.....any tips you could share on balancing family, work and school life? I know it's a difficult situation, but I'd like to make sure my kids still know what their Mom looks like while I'm getting my degree. :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

Well, since you grew up in Rosemead. . . :lol2: . . .I don't see where you would have a problem. One of the first things taught in nursing school is body mechanics and how to protect your back when lifting and moving patients and other objects. Many employers are now reinforcing this during orientations and some are instituting policies that employees must follow regarding the moving and lifting of patients in order to prevent back injuries. I've never had a problem with lifting or moving someone. I've always gotten help.

My biggest physical problem has been my feet and varicose veins in my right leg. I've had plantar fasciitis twice. The second time was due to my own stupidity in not continuing to keep arch supports in my shoes. My varicose veins were something I got from the genetic wheel of fortune. Had I known about and started wearing Jobst compression stocking BEFORE all my varicosities things might have been different for me. Also, I was a lot more than 30 pounds overweight so that sure didn't help. Things are fixed up and better now including my weight.

The only work injuries I've had were a finger that got smashed in the doorway of a room as we were moving a patient and bed out and a bruised knee when I slipped and fell in some coffee that someone spilled outside the cafeteria onto a brown tile floor (couldn't see it) and didn't report it. Oh, I almost forgot, I got stabbed in my upper arm with a needle on a syringe full of blood during a code blue. That was fun--not! My only trips to the ER during work over 30 years. I have had a ruptured disk but it was not from a work related lifting injury at all.

From my point of view, my worries for you would be if you are going to be able to tolerate all the standing. That is usually the first thing that people notice they have trouble with. When I worked an 8 hour shift I probably sat an hour only and that was only to chart. At the first sign of heel pain or pain in the ball of your foot get to a podiatrist and get evaluated. Pay attention to body mechanics and NEVER lift anyone alone if you can at all get help--you don't need a lot of strength to lift. I can't think of any emergency other than a patient throwing up and needing to be turned to their side to prevent aspirating their vomitus where you can't wait for a second pair of hands or an assistive device to help you out. And, work smart. I made my own uniforms that had huge, Captain Kangaroo pockets in them. I never made two trips down the hallway when I could stuff things in my pockets and only make one trip.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 11, 2006

Thanks Daytonite.....that makes me feel a LOT better!!

The standing will definately be different than the sitting I have done the last 5 1/2 years, but that's a good part of the reason I want OUT of my current career.

One of the things mentioned in our orientation this weekend was shoes and we have the option of buying whatever we want, as long as it's white, so I'm going back to those posts where those discussions took place. We have to buy uniforms for school (polo shirts rather than scrubs), so the pockets will be a moot point for now. We can wear a lab jacket, so that may help with your tip there. Once I am out of school, I can make my own too!! (We people from Rosemead are VERY resourceful and creative, too!)

Thanks again for the info....I know there are a lot of us who appreciate your posts and insights!

summerland5 · Jun 12, 2006

Hi,

I'm definitely older-I'm 51 and just started an LPN program in south Louisiana. I asked people over and over whether they thought i was "too old" for it. i found out that i wasn't, so after years of wanting to become a nurse, i finally will. a friend told me that her mother was widowed at the age of 51 and went to LPN school and worked as a nurse until she retired. i have decided that it's just a matter of what's in your heart. :redbeathe

nursein08 · Jun 12, 2006

StudentMom2006, I know how you feel. I am starting my clinicals this fall. I have 3 kids all under the age of 6 at home, so it can be frustrating balancing everything. I take the evening to spend with my kids and when they go to bed at 8, the next 2 or 3 hours are mine to study. I also study during the day when my oldest is in school and my other 2 are down for naps. Any little bit of studying I can get in, the better. When I am spending time with my kids, I try to focus entirely on them and not think about school at all (it will only get me stressed :banghead: ). Wish you the best of luck, and congrats on making the leap into nursing!

rntoben2008 · Jun 12, 2006

Hi! My name is Gwen and I am 38 years old and looking forward to beginning a career in Nursing soon. I have always been interested in Obstetrics so think I might pursue either a Certified Nurse Midwife or a Womens Health Nurse Practitioner. I obtained my GED in 1997 and made alternate status at that time in the LPN program,however I want to pursue an Associates Degree at my local community college. I know that I require Gen Ed Courses in Language, Math and Chemistry before applying to the Nursing Program. Would my age make a difference in whether I would be chosen as a candidate for the program? Am apprehensive about the pre-enterance exam. Is there anywhere I can brush up on my skills for this exam? Thanks!
Gwen

I will be 41 years old in a few months, been in school for two years and waiting on my acceptance letter. If I am in for Fall of 06, I will be 43 years old upon graduation. I know a lady in her 60's who went back, got her Associates degree and now is going full time at the U of M to get her B.A. degree in Geology. I think that is awesome. Your never too old to learn and with age comes maturity and wisdom that show in your work. Good luck to you.

stpauligirl · Jun 13, 2006

Hi! My name is Gwen and I am 38 years old and looking forward to beginning a career in Nursing soon. I have always been interested in Obstetrics so think I might pursue either a Certified Nurse Midwife or a Womens Health Nurse Practitioner. I obtained my GED in 1997 and made alternate status at that time in the LPN program,however I want to pursue an Associates Degree at my local community college. I know that I require Gen Ed Courses in Language, Math and Chemistry before applying to the Nursing Program. Would my age make a difference in whether I would be chosen as a candidate for the program? Am apprehensive about the pre-enterance exam. Is there anywhere I can brush up on my skills for this exam? Thanks!
Gwen

You are YOUNG

I am 46 and I am getting close to finish my prerequisite classes.

I plan to apply to nursing schools next year.

Good luck, study hard to get A's in the science classes and you will get accepted.

summerland5 · Jun 13, 2006

math.com has lots of math help online:

- algebra

- others

good luck!

amybethf · Jun 14, 2006

Hi Gwen! Nursing is my second career, I am 33 and a mother of two youngsters. I have 2 pre-req's to go and I start in '07. I agree with one of the replies above that the prof's are probably relieved to see older students that are surely dedicated. Age is only a number so go for it and good luck!

HelanaDietrich · Jun 14, 2006

Since you are 38, you want to be a midwife, skip the AS degree. There are 6 year programs, or you could do a BS and then the additional hours for the CNP.You are never to old to pursue any educaiton or profession. A woman graduated from my nursing program at 64 years old as an LPN and went to work in the nursing home. Grandma Moses artistic talents were performed when she was around 90 years old and became world renowned. With a healthy mind you can do anything you set out to do. Rather than focus on worrying about what someone might think, focus on what you wnat to do. When the day's work is done, and you leave your job, you certainly don't have to go home and sleep with those people. Good luck. You can do it.