46 too old to start nusring school?

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Hello! I have been thinking about nursing as a profession. I have been raising my 2 boys all these years and working part time at a middle school as a classroom assistant. It's time to get a real career that is not a dead end job. I have the time and dedication it takes now. I am partly afraid and partly excited about going back to school. I don't love math and science, but I see it as a chance at a really rewarding career where I can actually easily get a job that pays well. I am concerned about my age starting this. I do feel I can become a nurse by age 50 and have another good 15 years working in the field. I would like some input on people who started school this late and those who work with brand new nurses who are 50! Thanks so much!

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I started at 52.

Got for it.

:)

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I am not a nurse but I have read tons and tons of threads and there is alot of people who start nursing later in life, your age is not a problem, science and math are not a problem neather, there is always tutors and extra classes that you can take to help you on the way. YOU CAN DO IT! :) GOODLUCK!!!!

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There is a log of ageism in nursing, fyi. It may be hard for you to find a job as an older new grad. Just from what I have seen.

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There is a log of ageism in nursing, fyi. It may be hard for you to find a job as an older new grad. Just from what I have seen.

I didn't experience that at all. In fact, I believe that it has helped me.

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Became an LPN at 48 and RN at 52, now working on an acute inpatient rehab unit, going to start grad school in the spring. I have a 17 year old son and am getting a divorce after 29 years. Life is good!! Like Sue said in her post, I think my age may have helped. I have many years of work and school behind me, a good choice for a hospital that is going to invest in training, orientation, etc.

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46 is absolutely NOT too old to go to nursing school. I just graduated a few weeks ago. I am 25 but more than half of the 90 people who graduated were over 35. The oldest person in my class was 58. If nursing is what you want to do, than do it! :) Nursing school is tough no matter what your age, but you meet wonderful friends who you will study with. Go for it!

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There is a log of ageism in nursing, fyi. It may be hard for you to find a job as an older new grad. Just from what I have seen.

I'm not sure what you mean by this. log of ageism? Haven't ever heard that term.

I'm so glad I found this site. It looks like a lot of info here.

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I'm 59 and in my second semester of a BSN program. So far I'm getting straight As. Going back to school is the best decision of my life, and I'd strongly encourage you to do it.

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I'm 58 and I started working in nursing at 54. So, 46? You're a spring chicken!!

You can do it! And, don't worry about be the oldest in the class . . . I was but I was also top of the class!! And, my son, who was also in the same nursing program, kept trying to get better scores on tests and such, but he never did!!:D

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

Of course not! There are people in my program who are in their 60's and will make excellent nurses. If anything, life experience and maturity will benefit you in ways they can't younger students. Good luck :)

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I am 50 and in my second semester. And English is my second language. It can be done, just focus and study a lot. And I am not the oldest student in my class. The only concern is finding somebody who will give us a job after graduating. I was naive and listened to the media's ongoing nursing shortage talks. Wish I would have known this website a long time ago. This is where you get the real uncensored info to make decisions.

Thanks to all of you and keep up the good work. Happy Holidays!

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