New Nursing Students age 50 and up

Nursing Students General Students

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hello all,

i wanted to see how many ns are like me. i am starting ns in august and i am 58 years young. just wondering how many more there of us!!!

I am 60 and have been working now for 10 mos with my license as an LPN. I really do like the work. Some days are really hard but every day is a learning curve. :) I have started my studying with excelsior for my RN, ASN and hope some day to have my professional license. If not that is ok too. At least I have a dream!! Hang in there !

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From IIg: "I'm curious ... how are you all paying for school? I knew someone who became a nurse in her 50's and her story did not have a very happy ending - largely because of the huge student loans she acquired. When she started having health problems in her late 50's, she realized she would not be able to repay all of her loans before retirement, if ever."

I'm just starting this process, but my first career has been pretty good to me, and I am cheap, cheap, cheap. I have decent savings--nothing fabulous--and no debts except an exceedingly low mortgage that will be done in another 8 years. (Its cost is far less than rent in my town.) I take my classes inexpensively through state programs. For now, I work full time and I've been able to pay for all my prerequisite classes simply with cash.

If I decide to enter the local BSN program, the cost will be fairly low. I'll probably pay for it *and* my low living expenses from my savings, but if I do take any student loans, they won't be much. I'm in the process of drawing up spreadsheets to figure out which would be the most prudent way forward.

If I couldn't do it without large loans, I just wouldn't do it. I like my no-debt lifestyle.

Dina

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I am lucky enough to attend a community college, and in addition, I work at a hospital (non-medical administration) that does tuition reimbursement. I couldn't have done it otherwise - too old to take on all that debt!!:bowingpur

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

I'm 51 and not the oldest in the class. Most of my colleagues are half my age but it gives me an advantage in some ways. For one thing there's a lot to be said for education (I already have a BA) and life experience. By the time you're 51, you know a lot about bodies, medicine and health just from living! Plus maturity helps a lot. And, I don't go out partying till all hours so don't come to school hungover! (Not that ALL my classmates do so dont scold me for this comment SOME do and the rest are serious and just so smart) It's really great to have people of all ages relating and learning together. I don't feel left out or motherly or anything negative at all. We all respect each other. In fact I think we have more in common than not. Best of luck.

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I start in September, 2 weeks after my 52nd birthday. We had orientation the other day, and I was sitting with a woman (46) I know from doing my EMT ride-alongs a few months ago. When the department head pointed out that most nursing students were "non-traditional" and that their average age was something like 27-35, my friend just smiled and whispered to me "That's okay--we're above average." :yeah:

I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life, and I want to wish each and every one of you good luck and a great nursing school experience.

So sorry about your daughter, Seasoned Hopeful.

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Specializes in med surg home care PEDS.

I graduate (God willing) from a 2 yr community college program in December, I will be 59yo when I graduate. I have taken out students loans to pay for this, as far as repayment problems, that can happen at any age, you can be 25 yo and run into serious health problems. Don't let anyone or anything discourage you, while my classmates for the most part have been great, treat me as an equal, and the professors (most of whom are my age) have been very supportive and proud of my accomplishments, I have run into some skeptical looks from friends, family and even patients, but you know what, I going to be 59 anyway so why not do what I love and I do love it!!! Good luck, follow your dream and don't let anyone rain on your parade.:yeah:

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thank you so much. my support system is great, but i know my body is not 25 years old. i do know one thing, if losing my daughter did not make me quit school, i am a very determined almost nursing student. an advantage of being 58 years old, is all i have to worry about is me. the kids are grown, and school is my complete focus.

thank you so much for your encouragement. you made my day!!

is there any advice you can give that will help making this journey a little better?

and congratulations on your journey. i am proud of you.:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat:nurse:

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Specializes in Skilled.
I sold my house 3 years ago to do to school. Right now that money is gone, but I still qualify for Pell Grant, scholarships, grants and loans. I am so lucky that I am able to stay with my sister and go to school. That helps on my expenses alot. I work all summer for the up coming year. I have had to get one student loan so far, but if i get the scholarship I have applied for it will be my last. I am 58 and in excellent health. I hope that I am doing the right thing.:yeah::yeah:

I am also over the age of 50, am in the end of the second quarter out of four. I love it. WE CAN DO IT! :yeah:

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I am 50 and just completed my first year of nursing school. Back when I was applying to schools I applied to our local community college and Johns Hopkins University. I was thrilled to get into both but the reality of going to JHU fizzled when it became clear that I would accumulate approximately $50,000 in debt. A lot of people I met at the JHU orientation were young and ready to accept a high level of indebtedness. It was a deal breaker for me and I ended up in an excellent RN program at the local community college. I've gotten scholarship and some grant money. It is costing me practically nothing. Once the economy tanked last fall, I thanked my lucky stars I decided the way I did. I will have no debt when I graduate in May 2010.

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Reading all your replys has really encouraged me! I am 55 and will be starting my nursing program in August. I found out yesterday that I am recieving a scholarship from the hospital I work at to cover my tuition, fees and books. I will have to fullfill two years of employment as a payback when I graduate. It was very important for me at my age to not run up large debts. I get so excited and then I get really scared thinking about what I have gotten my self into. But this is a dream I have had to put off for over thirty years and I can't wait to get started. I can't wait to get my books to start reading, and I have already started trying out NCLEX questions just for practice. Only 52 days to go before the first day of school!

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Hi All, I am going to be 49 shortly and have to admit I was intimidated by the thought that I would be the "old lady" in my class. But as i meet all of my fellow students I know now that there is quite a mix of ages! I feel that I have advantages of having heard it all and experience of just living life I know more than an 18 year old...........which helps unmeasurably in dealing with patients. Life experience--you can't buy it! But on the other hand--the 18 year old has the stamina! I need a nap when I get home from clinicals.

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:specs:I just wanted to let you know that I just finished my first semester in my BSN program and am 52 years young! To be a nurse was a dream of mine but with family circumstances, kids, moves, husband's employment, it was a dream for myself that I was always putting to the side. I started my prerequisites at night in 2005 (working full time during the day) at the local community college and after 4 years was able to apply to the university for the RN program. I was accepted and was ecstatic. I am the oldest one in my class (next in line to me is 36), but I feel absolutely no negativity from any of my fellow nursing classmates, in fact, there is an energy that makes me feel younger than my years. My professors respect me and and are extrememly encouraging. I am looking forward to my second semester to start in August. The only down side for me is that even though I am always included with the younger crowd I wish I had someone closer to my age in my class who I could relate to regarding, husbands, children, grandchildren and menopause!

All of the "mature" crowd can be a great support for each other on this message board. We will be successful and will be wonderful nurses!!

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