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Hi everyone. I am Firstina, 32 years of age and a Biochemist. I seriously have the urge to go to nursing school but I am thinking its too late. Pls friends what do you think? Can I start a nursing carrier at 32 years of age. Pls I need all the advice I can get. Thanks everyone as I anticipate your comments.
well crap, if 32 is too old then what am I doing taking prerequisites for Nursing? I'm 39!
You'll be fine. If anything, age helps you because you hopefully know how you learn, how to study effectively, have had real life experience, and can usually focus more on school than the social stuff (ie, if you are already married you don't need to worry about who you're going out with this weekend ).
32 and wanting to go back to school.....heck yes. You are NEVER to old. In our program we had a few in their 50's. I started the core program when I was 30. I personally feel it is better as you are older, more mature and know what you want so you will study and do whatever is needed to pass/learn/grow and be the best nurse. Go for it!!
I was a biochemist before I went to an accelerated second degree program for nursing at 38. I didn't enjoy being a biochemist for two main reasons: (1) turns out I love science but I don't love endlessly repeating variations on the same experiment without making progress (something that happened often in the early drug discovery phase and (2) not enough interaction with people on a regular basis, just plugging away at my bench next to other people doing the same with their earbuds stuffed in their ears. Nursing is so much harder than being biochemist, and my first two nursing jobs were OK, but not a good match, but now I love my job and am so much happier than I was as biochemist! Go for it!!!
Nightmaren, BSN, RN
49 Posts
In addition, nursing is a tremendously flexible job. In getting older, it might get difficult to, say, work in a neuro floor due to the amount of physical activity involved in turning/moving patients. Then you can pick up another specialty to explore! Numerous L&D nurses I knew were doing it for a change of pace in their careers as they grew older or had changes occurring within their family. If floor nursing isn't for you? You can pick up a job at a clinic! As a nurse, your job will grow alongside you. =)