38 too old for school?

[akanarn]

Hi all! I am 38, married, two (2) children, ages 15 and soon to be 13 (boys). I have my AAS Degree. I am currently a Corporate Paralegal. I just started doing CRNA's employment agreements three (3) years ago. Three (3) years ago I want to started nursing school and too be honest I was scared of "starting over". Now I am ready. I have a lot of prereqs., but I a fine with that. I start in Feb. My husband who is also my BEST FRIEND is extremely supportive and our children are amazing and supportive. I haven't mentioned it to one (1) person at work. When I am doing an employment agreement for one of the groups we represent I work directly with the Chief and President of Anesthesiology for surgical corp. He is affliated with major hospitals in my area. I know that he would be happy to know that he played a major role in regard to me wanting to become a CRNA. I haven't told him because he is one of my boss' clients. I was think about getting a job in a hospital, so that I could work until 3 or 4 the latest. Right now I have to work until 5:00pm and I cannot change my schedule not even for school. Back to my question. One (1) of my friends that I told said, that I was too old to begin and by the time I graduate with my RN degree I will be 41 at least. That is true I most likely will be 41 because I am going part-time. What do you think? I have prayed on it. God bless.

[vemiliob]

:Melody: As it was said before, there is plenty of room for all of us in our profession.

For some people time is a process of ageing, for others a process of maturation. It is your heart that makes the difference.

I became a RN at my 40's and finished my BSN at my 44.

Whatever you decide to do, don't push yourself too hard against others. Don't be competitive! You don't have to demonstrate nothing. The question is always "how far can one get on one's own way? Instead of minding how far did others get".

Things are changing in this world. As I look around I see nurses passing their 60's. People live longer. Old patterns about age have to be removed.

I do not wish you good luck, just be yourself. It is what this world needs!

:balloons:

[KimberRN1]

Noo...you're not too old...I started nursing school at 30 at got my BSN.....I've been working in the MICU for almost 3 yrs and I'm applying for CRNA school...I'll be 37 this month....The director at the CRNA school that I'm applying to told me he recently graduated a 61 yr old woman in the MSN program and her granddaughter in the BSN program...they marched together.....now that's cool!!

[tamar2007]

don't listen to them. You are not too old, there are many nursing students your age and much older (I'm one of them). Do what your heart desires, you are at the prime of your life. You will still have 25 gratifying years of your nursing carreer. And having family support too - you are good to go!!

good luck with all the prereqs - don't give up!

:) :) :)

[big sweet life]

Just wanted to say that I come to this area of the forum and read a majority of this thread just to keep myself focused. Trauma Tom you are an inspiration to me as are many of the other postings. Just thought it might be nice to see it up front for awhile for those who might not have seen it and could relate/ be inspired as well.

[big sweet life]

Hmmmm.........Pre-CRNA forum here we come perhaps...............lol

[Diahni]

Gnunurse,

You are not too old!!! I will get my RN in a year, and I'm 53. Maybe 20 years ago, you might have felt out of place, but nursing schools are full of so-called "non-traditional" students. My class has retired engineers, new mothers (bless them!) and a wide assortment of ages and ethnicities. Being older means you bring much more wisdom to the job. Becoming a CRNA is a great goal, but you will also be exposed to so many possibilites along the way. I was inspired to get my RN after reading a article about a traveling retired couple. The wife had been a nurse and picks up work whereever they go. A college dean once said to me about my concerns about being "too old": And how old will you be in four years if you don't do it?

Go for it!

Diahni

[MSADN, ADN]

I hope 38 isn't too old. This fall, I start an ADN program at age 47. I'm leaving a job that pays quite well to do this. If married, a supportive spouse (in my case a wonderful wife of 20 years) is essential in any career change, no matter what the age.

[Bladestuck]

Hi everyone

I'm not on here very often but I do read my e-mail some. Just to let you know 38 is not to late. I started LPN school at 47 years old with a wife and two children. Got my license last August and just finished my pre-reqs for my RN. I am now working on my RN degree. So I believe it is never to late to begin something you really want to do. Have fun doing what you want not what others want you to do.

[ggm]

Too old? Absolutely not! I, too, am 38 and in nursing school. I am divorced and have a daughter and I am doing it. I spent the last 15 years of my life running a family business. When we decided to sell it, I realized I need to do something to benefit me. In fact, I think age is a plus since we have experienced life in varying degrees and perhaps have a broader perspective on things (no offense to youthfulness). Go with what you feel is right and what you want to do. It will be good for your children to experience academia with you-perhaps it will spark the desire for higher education in them as well.

[dayplay]

38 is not too old for school. Most people nowadays start a new career in their 40s. So, you are just right in with the group. To be a CRNA, first you must get a BSN (3-4yrs), + additional year of nursing(as an RN) experience preferably in the Critical Care areas (ICUs), then you can apply for the CRNA school which is highly competitive. Money is great though. However, CRNA school is very expensive ...about 750-800 dollars per unit. Keep you foot in the BSN program, and get your RN license. The, save some money up for CRNA school and in about 8 years you'll be a full pledge CRNAearning mucho dolares. Good luck.

[anne74]

Nursing is a profession that people enter at all ages. I was a corporate marketing executive for 7 years, got burned out and went back to school at age 29. I was really intimidated and didn't think I could do it. But I was ready for a big challenge. And that's exactly what I got. I had a ton of pre-req's - a full year of nothing but science classes - and then entered an 18-month accelerated program. We had a variety of ages - oldest being 50.

Nursing is 180 degrees from the corporate world! More demanding for sure! I've only been a nurse for a few months, so I'm still in that struggling phase, but I think I'll learn to love it eventually. Nursing school and "real" nursing is all-consuming. It's tough academically, physically and mentally. It seems like there are multiple hurdles to get over - (1) getting into nursing school, which is extremely competitive (2) getting through nursing school (3) passing the ridiculous boards (4) orienting as a nurse into your new job (probably the biggest shocker of them all.) So just make sure you have support, which sounds like you do. You will eat, sleep and breath nursing - but it can be very rewarding.

[LPN1974, LPN]

It just amazes me that people think 38, 40, 41, etc. are too old to start school.

How old would you be if you don't go to school???

You're still going to be 41 if you don't go...41 if you do go and finish. Right??

So if you are 41 when you finish.......if you work until you are eligible for Social Security, then you will be about 66 or 67 y/o.

That is at least 26 years of working at something you always wanted to do, PLUS, that is probably enough years at alot of places to qualify for retirement benefits. My job requires at the very least, 25 years for retirement benefits, at 28 years you can get FULL benefits.

I realize that the OP has probably already started her nursing program by the time this thread got to the current date, but I just had to respond. As I said it amazes me that people say, "You are too old to start that."