Older and back in nursing school...????

kcrewfive · May 13, 2011

@sofla: I live in sofla now too! I used to live in new England. that is where I had gone to nursing school! I also have all my nursing books too. i have 3 shelves of books all from school. I still can not let them go. I look at them a lot. I still "know my stuff" so to speak. i just hate that i can't really use it. haha.

taalyn_1, CNA · May 13, 2011

I'm 41, will graduate @ 42. There are some people in my class that are older than me too. As for being weird around the kids? I don't know, its not that bad. Most of the students in my class are very mature, responsible and take it all very seriously. I for one do not feel 41 by any means so maybe that has something to do with it? You are never too old to learn, and IF you feel old you will be! There's a song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show I'd like to offer to you, "Don't dream it, be it"!:)

limey · May 13, 2011

After working as a CNA for several years, at 52, I realized that the medicinal part of healthcare was more interesting to me. Had not been to school since high school graduation. The same questions you had in mind also entered my mind, wondering how I would do in class with students that had just come out of school and of course a lot more up to date on technology than I would ever hope to be. Know that I would never pass the entrance test to LPN school, decided to take that chance when I received a letter from the local tech advertising the LPN class coming up in a few months. Decided to sign up and fill out all the paperwork to send in for $20.00. Well, for $20.00, let's see if I can really do it!! I was ready to do something different. I was so nervous!!! Took the test. Checked the mail everyday for the next couple of weeks. One day, there it was...the letter I had been waiting for!! I PASSED!!!! I was totally shocked!! Now, I felt like I had to do this, excited, but scared. This was my chance to do something that I thought I would never in my life see myself as... a NURSE!!! It was the perfect time. Both of our kids were grown and on their own. A nurse now for two years and I have never once regretted it. I am so happy to have taken that chance!!! By the way, I was the oldest student. You may feel a little intimidated at first around the younger students, but you'll soon find out that some of them are very eager to help you if needed. So many friends to be made that wonderful year.

DroogieRN · May 13, 2011

I graduated last year at 45! Have been in my position as an RN on a telemetry floor for just less than a year. I am so glad I did it -- it's never too late. And I wasn't even the oldest student in my class. We all had the stressful exhiliration of nursing school in common and for the most part, age wasn't even a factor. But I will say this: I was a much better student in my 40s than I was in my 20s.

Survivor 1957 · May 13, 2011

I have a sigh on my wall that I read every time I walk in the door that says " It is never too late to be who you could have been". I start a new life every morning when I get up. I have my goals written down now in my computer, and I review them at least once a week to make sure I stay on track. Sometimes when I think it is too tough and that I can't possibly do it , I just quit, rest for a while and start again. Looking back on this last year of A&P, it does not seem so tough now, but there were times! Determination makes all the difference. :lol2:

tern, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

I'm 45 I will graduating in november :yeah: . I was a LPN for 14 years and decided to go back once my daughter was a junior in high school...most people did not even realize how old I was until I said something one day and they looked at me in amaizment..lol..my gpa is a 3.4 and I cant wait to finish...good luck with your studies :yeah:

Missellie41 · May 13, 2011

I went back to school after my husband died, and graduated with high honors at 46. I think life experience makes you realize the value of education. The young students were wonderful to me. I was vice president of my nursing class! I have been a nurse for 24 years now, and I'm still going strong! Don't give up on your dream!!! :nurse:

workingmama77, BSN · May 13, 2011

I will be entering my first semester of nursing school this fall:yeah: at age 34. I stayed home with my son for his first two years before going to work part-time. When I decided to begin taking my pre-requisites for nursing school, I got pregnant with my daughter. I went to school part-time and worked part-time so I could enjoy family time but keep working towards my goal of becoming a nurse. I feel bad sometimes that I waited until my 30's to do this but like other people have said here on the board it can make you such a better student. I would never take my studying or school as serious as I do now if I had done this in my 20's. Never give up! You can do this!!! Best of luck with everything!:yelclap:

cubbieblue · May 13, 2011

I went back to school in my forties.I worked in several careers and then was a stay at home mom with my kids. I finished nursing school when I was 46 and graduated with high honors and started working on a very busy med-surg ortho floor a couple of months after graduating. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I am glad I was home with my babies and didn't miss anything. If you are financially able to stay home and raise your children, I would do it and postpone school and work. They grow up so fast and before you know it they are teenagers and don't want to hang out with mom so much, lol. It is never too late to go to school and start a new career. There were lots of 40 and 50 yr olds in my class and all that extra life experience comes in handy as a nurse. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

You're never too old to go back to school!! I'm the youngest person in my cohort, most of my classmates are 30 & up. Some of my instructors are a little snarky to the older students though, by making snide comments about their age..but it doesn't matter what they think. It matters what YOU think. And if you want to be a nurse, don't let age deter you. Good luck!! :)

eagle78 · May 13, 2011

I am 50, will be starting nursing school in January 2012. I did not have good reasons like you for not doing this when I was younger. I let the opportunity slip through my hands in my youth because:

- I did NOT want to go to school anymore after I got out of highschool.

- I wanted to shop and PARTY!!!

So, I got a job. Now I had this strong urge to go to nursing school when I was 15, remember telling my aunt who was a nurse, that I wanted to be a nurse and work with critically ill patients. When I graduated I worked for a year, then that nursing thing started tugging at me again. Back then alot of the hospitals had nursing schools, so I applied to one of them

Well, the night before I was to take what could be called an "entrance exam" an old boyfriend popped up and wanted to take me out for a night of "dancing and partying". Party girl that I was, I went. Unfortunately I was out until 3 or 4 am and the nine am appoint with the test saw me still in bed.

After that I shrugged it off and said, "oh you can't be a nurse, you can't stand blood :D". I came up with all sorts of reasons why I really did not want to be a nurse and took my happy butt to the phone company instead (back then there was only one phone company, Ma Bell!!).

About 5 years ago that nursing thing started to tug at me again. But this time it would not go away... Started my pre-reqs, applied, and now here I am about to start. I have had a career, worked for the phone company for 25 years. It would have been 30+ but I left, got married and then after the divorce my ex no longer would pay for my schooling like he promised. Who would have thought I had to stay married to get that deal... :uhoh3:

To make a long story short, I find that in my case it was actually better I did not go then. I am more focused, and the dream that has always had it's hooks in me has come to the surface. I want to be a nurse, and my age is not going to stop me. I know you want to be there for your kids, if I had some I would probably feel the same way. I hope my story helps you to see that it is still possible when you get older, if the dream is strong you will still be able to do it. Good luck to you in what ever you do.

itsmejuli · May 13, 2011

:) I graduated LPN at 47 and have all the pre-reqs done for LPN-RN completed. Started RN then decided it was time to get out of Florida and return to Canada.

I got a great job here in my new location partly due to my age :) I'm not going to take mat leave and I don't have kids or a husband to worry about.

Today I was on my new unit and the younger nurses were sharing pictures of their children. I had to show mine too :) the 29 yr old and the 20 yr old. :)

What I really like about being older and a new nurse is that its far easier for me to talk to the older, more experienced nurses to seek guidance. There's a bond of age, wisdom from life experience and therefor an increased ability to relate between us.