Nursing School Age 49?

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Hi. I would like to get some input on this. I have always, always wanted to be a nurse; I was accepted at a few nursing schools in the early 70's but didnt' attend due to some bad choices I made at that time. I am still very much interested in nursing but I'm 49!!! Am I way too old? In your classes did you have students my age? It is my lifelong dream yet I don't know if I should apply to the schools in my area. Help! And thanks for any input. I really appreciate it!

I attended nursing school with a retired lady in her seventies. She graduated and passed her boards. It's never too late to follow your dreams.

I am also 49 and have applied to nursing school. Medicine has been a life long goal. I am going to get old anyway so why not finally follow my heart. I think I have more to offer now than I did in my 20's. I am biting my nails waiting to hear if I am accepted. Best of luck to you.

Specializes in MS Home Health.

Go for it!

renerian

I went back to school @45 if I can do so can you!!

GOOD LUCK!!

We have a guy that's 52 and in my class. He's wonderful and pulls better grades than many in the class!

My "nursing school hero" though is Berta, a 46 year old that has 7 kids. Her hubby is a semi driver and gone all week. How she does it, I don't know. Gotta love her dedication though.

Hi! I'm 49 and starting nursing school this summer. I've been working med/surg for 6 months as a CNA - 12 hr shifts. I'm not in too bad a shape, but working 3 in a row really does me in! (They're flexible with scheduling though) I can't wait to be an RN - a dream I've had for a long time. The hospital will help pay for it, as well as Pell Grants. Just follow your dreams and the rest will fall into place!

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Hey... I started at your age. I just got my licence today.. at 53.

As my "thingie" says : NVR 2 Late !

It's been a dream? Dreams were meant to be realized. Nobody can do that but we ourselves. Do it or you'll regret it always. It had been my lifelong dream as well. I finally got tired of being a "wanna be", and doing everything in the medical field I could, but never what I truly WANTED. What else have you got to do? Sit around in a rocking chair and watch others realize THEIR dreams?

There are many things you can do as a nurse if the ol' body won't cooperate. You don't HAVE to be a "floor nurse". I run around all day from 4 a.m. and love it, but that's just me. I've always had excess energy to burn.

It's up to you and you alone. This is YOUR dream. What will you do with it?

It's all been said here..... don't think of how "old" you are, think of how many years left you plan to work.... do you want to spend them doing more of what you dislike? Nursing can be done in 2-3 years..... than you can nurse for 20 plus more years.

we need people that care... period. Not just people that are 19.

Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I graduated nursing school at age 40. Two women in my class, both long-time mental health aides and then LPNs, were in their mid-50s at graduation. Age is largely a state of mind.

I remember Ann Landers addressing a similar topic with a man who wrote in wondering if he was too old to go to college. He mentioned that he would "be 45 after the four years it would take to finish". Ann Landers said, "How old will you be in four years if you don't go?" The moral of the story is that time will pass whether we chase our dreams or not. What we do with that time determines our happiness (or lack thereof). You would likely be happier achieving your dream and working in the field, no matter how briefly, than sitting in your rocking chair 20 years from now and wishing you had followed your dream.

Best of luck to you.

Iwas 52 and working a job that paid well, but had no other rewards. 9-11 came and made me wonder why I wasn't doing something that made a difference. Then I lost my job. I decided to follow a path I had started when I was in my 20's. . . I returned to school. I am now 53 and pursuing a BSN, When I gradute in '05, I may be the oldest graduate from my school, ever. Does it make any sense. To some, no! But to those who understand pursuit of a dream, it's the only thing to do. Maybe the money isn't he best, maybe the working conditions are horrible, but I'm doing the education for me, , , and for the chance to make a difference in a few lives along the way. BTW, the chance to be always employed in a profession of my own choosing is also very appealing. Best of luck.

"It is never too late to become what you might have been."--Mary Englebreit

Hi! I 'm 37 and I agree with everyone else go for your nursing degree. I have wanted to be a nurse for sometime now. While I continue taking the prerequites towards my RN Degree ( hopefuly BSN). I am planning to go back to work as a CNA part-time in a nursing home then after about six months I will apply for a position in a hospital. You Can DO It! Good Luck!!

Carmen

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