46 too old to start nusring school?

[cute2]

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!

[CHDad]

You are all very inspirational to me. I will have to start almost from scratch with schooling because all of my focus has been in Network Engineering and you don't take a lot of Biology classes in IT education. But for me it will be a labor of love. I am a father of 5, the most recent and last was born Nov 4th 2009 with a Congenital Heart Defect (PA/IVS). He is home now and mom too, and our family is doing much, much better. I am 33 years old and a recent veteran. I want to be a PNP working with babies and kids. Most of the time its not their fault, and because of the experiences we had in the hospital with my own that have changed me permanently, I feel that I can do more than just earn a paycheck. Its going to be a hard road with working and going to school (again). The worst is going to be working while doing clinicals, and I don't know just yet exactly how I will be able to do it and still provide for the family. But I have to get through the Pre-Reqs first and I can't wait to finally start learning after things calm down here a bit. In the mean time I think I will just order the books and start learning on my own. And do a couple CLEPS. On a bright note I still have a little left on the GI Bill. But taking classes this time will have much more purpose than it did when I was studying IT. It would be an honor to be an RN like the ones that took care of us in the hospital recently. And I know that my life will be much richer than if I didn't. Sure their are great scarifies that come from working in the health care fields that other occupations don't have. But there are also great rewards and experiences that others with easier paths will never know. Thank you all for your service.

[cyngon1972]

NO WAY you are never to old to better yourself!

[coolgabby]

No, 46 is not too old to start nursing school( or any other endeavor for that matter).You are never too old to learn-it may get

challenging , but you'll get through it. I am 53 and just began an LPN program in September '09. Ecpected graduation is October '10 and this is a crash course at a popular technical school. There are five "0ver 50's " learners in my class and sometimes the angst is actually being in class with the "younger generation" who sometimes don't realize the importance of being there and studying toward what it is you want. They fail to realize that nursing school is really a committment and therefore should be treated like a JOB. I am already investigating bridge programs and holding down a 30+ hours a week job, taking care of an elderly parent and keeping up a 4.0 GPA. I say go for it with a vengeance.

[camoflower]

"working for a paycheck"...I don't know about everyone else but my paycheck goes to bills with very little left over. I don't see how anyone can work for minimum wage and survive. I am wanting my family to build a huge house and combine..lol I work as a nurse because I love it. If my floor would not think I was a weirdo I'd go in to help as a volunteer to give them a lunch hour. Beats television, beats sitting at home...love ..can't put a price on it! but..they would think I needed a psychiatric evaluation. Its not the money.... Nurses do need a break, at least where I work.

[CHDad]

camoflower, what are you talking about, I don't understand. Maybe were not supposed to understand.

[camoflower]

I am just agreeing with you. We work for more than a "paycheck"!! We work with big :redbeathe, lots of :heartbeat, and hope that we make a positive difference in people's lives. Sorry....my ex is taking me back to court now that I have graduated and have a job..to reduce child support. (I sigh) So I'm disumbulated..sorry not so clear, but just when I get my head above water....he pushes my head back down. I'm as you said "not supposed to be understood"...I suppose

[CHDad]

Oh, I apologize camoflower my mistake. I hope everything works out for you. I know one thing for sure, you work in a very rewarding field that has great potential to touch peoples lives everyday, for the rest of their lives. That is something you have that not everyone does or will ever know. Keep your head up Ma'am.

[mmmc2]

I meant there is a LOT of ageism. A typo, sorry. I was typing in the dark...