how old is too old?

beachbound · Jun 8, 2006

hello, i am new to this site and just finished school in may and just found out today that i passed my nclex. i saw that you asked about wilmington nc and that is where i will be working....new hanover hospital. it is a great hospital and you should really look into it!!! oh yeah, btw, you are never too old to acheive your dreams!!!! go for it!!!!!

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

I work with a nurse -- she's been a nurse forever, though -- who is 68 years old. She works 40 hours a week: two 12-hour days and one 16-hour day.

GO for it!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

Old is a chronicalogical time measurement, not a fact on how you feel or how you function! If you are up for the job, go for it!

I started when I was 28, which I thought was late...oh heck no, people where in their 40's-50's starting! And I know quite a few nurses that are retiring at 70!

Old is a measurement, functionality is individual and not held to a formalized measurement! It differs...and that is the spice of life that I enjoy each day!

and remember the poem by Robert Frost which is ageless...."Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Now...take age out..which path do you want and go with it!

swatch007 · Jun 8, 2006

I'm 52yo. LPN. 18 yrs in pedies, 2 yrs in ER. 5 yrs off due to re-marriage, re-locating, (etc , aka re-finding myself). --husb thought I would be ok w/ not working. I terribly miss the ER, and where I am now, I need my RN to work anywhere in the hospital. so...how old is too old to go for my RN? wondering about retirement age for nurses and simply would appreciate any advice.

Years will pass by in your life whether you go back to school or not. You might as well invest some time to earn your nursing degree. Your years of work experience in hospitals are valuable advantage when you do your clinical rotations because you are comfortable taking care of patients. With the shortage of nurses nowadays, you will find a constant nagging feeling in you when you don't take advantage this opportunity to follow your desire.

The pain of regret weighs tons; whereas, the pain of pursuing your ambition weighs an ounce. So go and take action while you are still young to be too old! -- I'll be praying for you.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

"The pain of regret weighs tons; whereas, the pain of pursuing your ambition weighs an ounce"

I love that...thank you, I may use that phrase a ton in my work if you don't mind....it is very very very true!

tudugger · Jun 8, 2006

Hey there girl......I was 56 years old when I finished school AND passed the RN licensure test. I ended up having to answer all 200 some odd questions, too!!!

I had never worked in the profession prior to going to school, either!!! I found out I really should have checked it out; it definitely is NOT what it was 40 years ago when I seriously considered going to school to be a nurse.

GOOD LUCK......I've started my own nurse advocacy business and work 2 8 hours shifts at an ALF and am finally happy for the first time since I graduated. I tried other positions and just couldn't take the stress, management crap, etc.

GO FOR IT GO FOR IT GO FOR IT GO FOR IT

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

Okay now...Tudugger...I need to work for you then! LOL! Great job! I have worked in ALF, what I call the GREY area of nursing for 4 years and just left recently! Not easy at all...everything in the rule book is grey or changing. Bless your heart!!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!

You did what I couldn't...well I did help a bit..LOL! And the is the thing with nursing...find your own and apply it to what you can do best! I have the passion to change ALF into what it was meant to be, but no reference to how!...so till my day, I will go with what I am doing, which I enjoy and wait till the day I can really make a difference (oh like I am not now...I am now hospital and I make sure orders are good for ALF/LTC for once, help the pts I once had there in their time of utmost need, and am a friendly face they know when they are scared! And I advocate now for Paramedic/RN relations, help with the POLST teams here in Oregon to get things on ONE page!, and advocate for safer work practices in lifting! I guess I should give myself some credit huh! LOL!)

Keep up the great work...it is not an age thing..it is a YOU thing!

swatch007 · Jun 8, 2006

"The pain of regret weighs tons; whereas, the pain of pursuing your ambition weighs an ounce"
I love that...thank you, I may use that phrase a ton in my work if you don't mind....it is very very very true!

That's my personal motto, and it sort of like my mantra in order to endure the pain to stay on the top of my sports (read my bio), and to finish college without failing any class --which was common bec. of rigorous and demanding nursing program, you've been there too.

You have my permission to use it and let other people be inspired too.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2006

I started nursing school at age 45. Got ADN, then BSN four years later and finished MSN at age 57. The years will go by anyway. You may as well be doing what you like and being paid for it!

Jupiter Crash · Jun 16, 2006

you know the saying age is just a number... well it is true! If there is something you want and you are physically able do it. This is your life and your here to do what makes you happy!!!

GOOD LUCK !!!!

catlady, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2006

I once worked with an LPN who finished her RN in her sixties. She was hit with a humongous pay cut, as they dropped her from an LPN at max to a new grad RN rate. She retired pretty quickly after that.

momdebo, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2006

I went to school with a vietnam vet who was, at the time, a biomedical engineer, our other study buddy was 62. I was 24 at the time and I got soooooo much from going to school with mature experienced people, you never know how you might help someone while you're helping yourself!!! I say go for it!! :studyowl: