Older mature nurses: How can I encourage my mom to pursue her RN with me?& should I?

AZMOMO2 · Mar 23, 2011

At least half of my nursing class was over 30, even a few over 50. If she wants it she can do it. I have a friend you got got her RN and she sis in her mid 40's and got a new grad job in Long Term care. It's a start and its a great paying nursing job!

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 23, 2011

Older and Mature: that's me....And I felt even older when I read that your Mom is the same age as my daughter!

I think you should encourage your mom to do what she wants to do, not what you want her to do.

She is so young so my initial argument of the time and expense versus length of actually being able to work is moot.

I do wonder about feelings that might crop up if either of you do really well and the other one struggles. OTOH, you could study together and that might be helpful.

Good luck, no matter what.

cebollita · Mar 23, 2011

There are a lot of people in their 30's and 40's and even 50's who I have done nursing pre-reqs with.

I wouldnt' worry about the Astronomy class, I failed a bunch of classes when I was younger, dumber, and in a different major, and I am still able to get the Pell grant.

noahsmama · Mar 23, 2011

The oldest student in my accelerated BSN class was 55 when she graduated. She didn't have any more trouble finding a job than any other new grad that year (May '08) -- which is to say, it was a struggle, but she did find a job 4 months after we graduated.

Her daughter was in a traditional BSN program at the same time -- graduated a year after her mom. Had a much harder time finding a job than her mom just because of the timing -- new grad jobs were much harder to find by summer of '09 than they had been in summer of '08. I think she did eventually find a job.

I understand that from your point of view 39 must seem ancient, but it's not at all old to start nursing school.

I agree though that you should be mindful of what your mother wants, not just what you want. If your mom really wants to be a nurse though, no reason why she shouldn't go for it!

Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2011

Not only is she not too old, but let her know that many nurses continue to work past the age of 65 - so in a way she can look at it like she still has a good 20 to 25 years of working years left, even if she pursues her BSN :)

julyemrn · Mar 23, 2011

Go with your plan, that is, if your mom will buy your idea. I'm in mid-40s when I finished nursing, as my second degree.

FLmomof5 · Mar 23, 2011

I just passed my NCLEX Feb 7! :nurse: (see age....right by my name! LOL...ok saving you the effort...I just turned 49)

I have 5 children (hence the moniker) and my hubby has 4.

I worked full time and my husband was deployed to Afghanistan for the last year of NS (in fact, I graduated before he got back!)

Your mom can do this, but it SHE that needs to believe in herself! I took ALL of my prereqs online. Maybe that would be a good way for your mom to start and to build confidence in her abilities!

Good luck to you both!!!

OldNurseEducator · Mar 23, 2011

Hello:o
I am starting community college this summer to get my nursing prerequisites and general requirments done this year, I will apply to the ADN program and if I don't get accepted upon first try I'll transfer to a university to go straight for my bachelors. Anyhow. My mother has been wanting to pursue the nursing program for atleast 10 years...maybe more. She has tried and tried to go back to school but has been brought down by having to raise 3 younger kids and work fulltime in a degrading job that she absoluetly hates. I love my mom so much and I want to encourage her to start this summer attending college classes for her prerequisites with me. She has completed Ethics and Math as far as I know so she will actually be ahead of me Which is good because she can get stressed easily and doesn't retain information as much now that she is older. I will have full financial aid paid for, but my mom doesn't know if she's still eligible because she had to drop an Astronomy class and I guess failed it or something and she had a horrible intructor...it's complicated but I'm sure she'll find a way to get financial aid.
What is the best way to encourage my mom though? She can be impatient and the road to becoming a nurse is not easy or short I know. Considering the situation I can't see my mom going straigh for her bachlors...she's 39...she might be able to get it online after she gets her ADN though....considering this economy...will it be super hard for her to find a new grad job after nursing school? This worries me:crying2:
I'd love some from the older and wiser nurses

At almost 59, I could be your grandmother! LOL But seriously, I have found older people (over say 30-35) make better nursing students because of their life experience. NOT TO SAY THAT YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE LOUSY NURSING STUDENTS!! Please, no harm intended. I just like working with adults who have done a few things besides go to high school. Good luck to both of you! I also liked the idea of your mom starting with on-line courses to boost her confidence. Good idea! :twocents: :nurse:

sunflower777 · Mar 23, 2011

OMG! Your mother is still young!...Push her to do it!!!!...no matter what age, nothing is impossible!!!

leslie :-D · Mar 23, 2011

Which is good because she can get stressed easily and doesn't retain information as much now that she is older.

oh my gosh, your mom is 39!

i am 52 and i did....wait.......

why am i telling you my age?

and what were we talking about?

leslie

:lol2:

danh3190 · Mar 23, 2011

I was 55 when I started and 57 when I finished. No problem. There were a number of 50+ and a bunch of 40+ in my class. Most of the older students were good as they'd already been holding down jobs etc and knew how to get done what needed to be done.

With the economy what it is, there are lots of older folks suddenly out of work so I imagine there will continue to be a group of older students.