New, ICU, and Older Too!

maynot58 · Jul 14, 2005

Me too! I just graduated with my BSN, passed the boards, was hired into ICU am 47 and mostly stayed home to raise my three kids. 2 boys and a girl, youngest is now 17. Yep, guess that makes me a late bloomer.

I was hoping to find a forum for new nurses like myself. I just graduated with my BSN in May and passed boards in June. I was hired into an ICU/CVU/PCU position and am now in orientation. The thing that I think is a bit unusual in my case is that I will be 45 next month and my previous full time job for the past 23 years has been mom to my three kids.
Is there anyone out there who is just starting out and a late bloomer like me?

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2005

38-year old late bloomer :chuckle

Stay-at-home mom for several years ... extensive corporate work experience before that. Now set to start my first position as an RN in the ED. :)

Good luck to all.

Bijou-Spice · Jul 14, 2005

Nansanurse...There are probably more of us than we realize! Exciting to knowthat I am not the only one starting a second career at middle-age (45 for me) :rolleyes: . Oh, well! Could be worse!

Anyway, I will be starting in CCU in August. However, I have been really bad about focusing on the NCLEX....have been like a little kid with summer vacation...but the flowers and tomatoes look great! :rotfl:

Also, found it interesting of those of us "older" new RN's and GN's that we are in critical care. I would be interested in hearing how the experience has been so far. I was planning on going the med surge route, but ended up in CCU. I am REALLY nervous about starting because I don't feel I have some of the basic skills down...never put in a NG tube and started only one IV!!! My last clinical site was short on learning opportunities!

Good luck to everyone! Good idea to start a thread for the late-bloomer!

classicaldreams · Jul 14, 2005

I was hoping to find a forum for new nurses like myself. I just graduated with my BSN in May and passed boards in June. I was hired into an ICU/CVU/PCU position and am now in orientation. The thing that I think is a bit unusual in my case is that I will be 45 next month and my previous full time job for the past 23 years has been mom to my three kids.
Is there anyone out there who is just starting out and a late bloomer like me?

I'm 45 and spent many years at home with my own business while raising kids. I had to be very organized and focused to meet deadlines, so I'm use to stress. Just graduated this spring with an ADN and passed boards. I'm headed to the ICU/CCU. What's a little excitment in the ICU after raising teenagers, no?

I think we'll make excellent ICU nurses. We're obviously flexible, as we enjoy reinventing ourselves, and mature, ambitious learners.

Are you planning to further your education? Good luck to you.

TypicalFish · Jul 15, 2005

Hello Hello;

I graduated on May 18, passed boards in 75 on may 24th-I am going to start in the ICU on Monday (18th-my oldest son's 16th birthday)-I am 42. I am a CST, primarily worked L&D, but with kids, I floated alot, did alot of PRN in other units as a secretary, tech, in the nursing office, etc, so I could be home with kids. But have been home last 4 years due to school-

I am pretty nervous-I feel like I have forgotten everythign from nursing school-"what's this rubbery thing with the shiney metal parts hanging around my neck?" :chuckle I feel like I am getting ready to ride a roller coaster!

DanaS · Jul 15, 2005

Hello. I am set to start NS in October. Currently 31 and am leaving my career as a paralegal to join the nursing world. I am constantly doubting myself though. I am afraid that after obtaining an Associates Degree - RN that I will have a tough time finding work due to the younger competition??? In fact, when I even think about continuing beyond the 2 year degree in nursing, I immediately remind myself that I will be almost 34 by the time I get the 2 year degree and shouldn't push my luck? I know this must sound ridiculous to some of you, but I can't help but wonder if I am biting a bullet that I'd be better off not - meaning sometimes I tell myself, "Dana, I know you hate your job in the legal field but you make good money and spending all of this $$$ on nursing school just to find out your too old is silly.Stick to what you know and stop being foolish. You've waited too long. You're just too old to change now" :stone

I too have 3 kids (15, 10 and 5) and will be cutting my family back to 1 income. Scary!!

I was wondering if any of you had much trouble getting your first RN job over the age of 35? Sometimes, I come across wrong and I am definitely NOT saying that any of us are OVER THE HILL and such. Just sharing my own personal fears of the future and how the hiring world may view us. Thanks for any input.

Dana

Me too! I just graduated with my BSN, passed the boards, was hired into ICU am 47 and mostly stayed home to raise my three kids. 2 boys and a girl, youngest is now 17. Yep, guess that makes me a late bloomer.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 15, 2005

Congratulations on your success

Bijou-Spice · Jul 15, 2005

DanaS.....First, for me my age (45) was not a problem, actually I had seven job offers and I know I was up against others (22yr) that I graduated with. And the CCU job that I accepted the nurse manager said that she does not hire 22 year olds...and that she could tell I wasn't 22 (ouch!). (And I wouldn't want to be that age again, maybe just the skin! :rolleyes: )

You are bringing a whole wealth of experience and maturity that someone in their twenties won't have. And when you start NS you will see the wide range of ages there. Mine had someone who was 57! So I say, you go girl! You are at a perfect age to start nursing and experiment with the many different roles nursing has to offer!

LeesieBug · Jul 15, 2005

Thanks for starting this thread...makes me feel better. :)

I am less than a year from graduation, and the fact that I have been a stay home mom for the last fifteen years has had me worried. I feel awkward applying for jobs with NO formal work experience to fill in except a bank teller job over 15 years ago, and the bank has since closed :chuckle .

Also, since my family is my priority, I have not accepted a job as a tech while in school. Between school and work my kids would never see me, something I am not willing to do.

Congratulations and good luck to all of you starting your careers!

DanaS · Jul 16, 2005

DanaS.....First, for me my age (45) was not a problem, actually I had seven job offers and I know I was up against others (22yr) that I graduated with. And the CCU job that I accepted the nurse manager said that she does not hire 22 year olds...and that she could tell I wasn't 22 (ouch!). (And I wouldn't want to be that age again, maybe just the skin! )
You are bringing a whole wealth of experience and maturity that someone in their twenties won't have. And when you start NS you will see the wide range of ages there. Mine had someone who was 57! So I say, you go girl! You are at a perfect age to start nursing and experiment with the many different roles nursing has to offer!

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I needed that. Looking forward to my future in this field. Good luck to you in all that you do as well. :)

coffee_anyone · Jul 16, 2005

Hi! I'm 39, have two teenage boys. I'm in my first year of nursing - graduated in August 2004 (RN), started in ICU in Oct. 2004. I wanted to start on a med-surg floor to gain some experience first but then let the person I interviewed with know that I evenually wanted ICU... well, she said, why wait - just go there. So, I did. It's been great!, I can say that now - my first several months were very nerve-racking - even now on occasion, it is.

I've had an unusual year... both parents died within 6 months of each other... feel like that's been a set back for me and that I'm just getting back on track. :uhoh21:

I think it's great to be a nurse and to decided to do that any age is wonderful! :coollook: