38 too old for school?

Trauma Tom · Feb 3, 2005

Please excuse my classmate, Sproutsfriend, he is easily confused. You see our school has an equal opportunity policy, and as such they will make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate those students who are challenged, including those who are neurologically challenged. I know for a fact that Sproutsfriend's age is within 10 years of my own. In fact, when I asked him why he wanted to go to CRNA School at his age, he replied, "I thought it was a school for the Cantankerous Retired Nurses of Alabama."

Trust me, I know this guy, he must be older than 50. I'd say he's in his 70's. Talk about geriatric grad students.

lovelee · Feb 3, 2005

hey, im a new nursing grad and i was wondering whats a crna???? and how do you like being an rn??

this is my first year of rn job and after my contract ( 1 year ), i want to go to crna. i dont know know how to start things. pls help..
thanks....

MFlash · Feb 3, 2005

Please excuse my classmate, Sproutsfriend, he is easily confused. You see our school has an equal opportunity policy, and as such they will make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate those students who are challenged, including those who are neurologically challenged. I know for a fact that Sproutsfriend's age is within 10 years of my own. In fact, when I asked him why he wanted to go to CRNA School at his age, he replied, "I thought it was a school for the Cantankerous Retired Nurses of Alabama."

Thanks for making me laugh!

Kyriaka · Feb 6, 2005

You are never too old to learn. Even if you were 100.

I am 38 working on my BSN changing careers from accounting.

bluebirdinc · Feb 6, 2005

I am 57 and will not complete my RN until I am 58. I still plan to go on and get my BSN and if possible a FNP. It has been hard for me but it is worth it. Never quit anything because of what the "norm" is. It is those of us outside of the "norm" that makes the "norn" norm. Good Luck.

DianeRNOCN · Feb 6, 2005

:Melody: Go for it, I did the same thing... Went back class by class to see how I did I grad. at 35, with 2 year degree and now at 51 am 8 classess grom my bsn then off to my masters when I grad in 89 We had a clasmate who was 65 at graduation, He husband retired and she said I am not staying home with him on the couch al day, as I heard latley she is stil working in the new born nursing, just go for it... just another day ........ Diane

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.

klgann · Feb 6, 2005

Akanarn,
This is a post I posted to some time ago concering someone who asked a similar question to yours concerning their age and CRNA school. Hope this helps.
After twenty years in the restaurant business, I changed careers and started Nursing school at 46. I had a previous bachelor's degree so I went through an ADN to finish and get working as fast as possible. After 4 semesters in an ADN program I passed my boards and started working in a SICU at a Level One Trauma center. While working full-time I worked on my BSN. I finish my BSN next month. I applied to 5 schools, interviewed at all five, was an alternate at 2 and accepted at 2. I will be starting my CRNA program a few months short of my 50th birthday! Can you do it? Absolutely! You just have to decide this is what you want to do. Forget worrying about your age. I was worried about it all during school until I interviewed. It was only an issue to me. They did not care. I have been in school for the last three years non stop and will soon be going full time for another 7 semesters. If this old ....
can do it at 50, you can certainly do it at 43. Good luck!!!
I am about to finish my 8th month of anesthesia school and love it. I do not consider my age to be a disadvantage at all.

Was 35 when I finished my BSN, am 47, in my 9th month of CRNA school and loving it. Is it hard? Yup, in a word, humbling.

Good luck!

Grampa Kelly

hoping to be an rn, ADN · Feb 6, 2005

i am 38 yo and in my second semester i have a son who is 16 and a daughter who is 18 with a 15 month old grandson i think maybe you are even better prepared as an older student i have been through life experiences that some of my classmates being younger have not... like losing a parent, becoming a grandmother toughens you up....however, i do not have the stamina some of the younger ones have i cant stay up all night and do care plan stuff and go to clinical the next day plus study but i am making it and you will too i cant wait until i can say i am an rn!!! good luck you can do it

Ruylupez · Feb 6, 2005

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.

You will be 41 then regardless of what choice you make so why not make the one that will make you happy?

I am currently going for my ADN and will be 40 when I graduate later this year. I am far from the oldest person in my class.

Don't let someone else's idea of what you should be doing stand in the way of doing what you want to do!

shawng007 · Feb 7, 2005

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.

I was thirty seven when i went to lpn program, and it was the best thing i ever did. you are only as old as you think you are, think young and go for it.

elish954 · Feb 7, 2005

please do not think you are too old to start nursing school at the young age of 38. i know a lady who started when she was 54 and did great.

actually, i started the bsn program at 39 and graduated when i was 45. i wanted to wait until the children were old enough to stay home alone.

please do not be discouraged with comments made by other people. you have the support of your family, and i am sure you will do just fine. if you have been out of school for some time like myself, it might take a little while to get in the so called "groove", but it is a very attainable goal. if in you heart, this is what you really want to do, go for it and good luck to you.

best regards.

elish

dnurse · Feb 7, 2005

I believe that we "nontraditional students" (as my school refers to those of us who aren't attending college right from high school) bring a great deal to the table for our patients and classmates. Go for it!!!!!!!!