Older, New RN

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Hello everyone,

I'm new here and I will be starting my new job in a few days at a magnet hospital and I am scared out of my mind. I am older - in my 40's - and this will be my 2nd career. Nursing school was hard but you know what was expected of you. I'm just wondering if anyone started nursing at my age and how was their experience starting off.

Thanks

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

CVON - I am still in nursing school, but just wanted to lend you some support! I am 40 y/o and nursing is my 2nd career. Got my LPN license in February, and will finish in December with my ADN and RN boards.

Congratulations on your job! I work as a CNA at a Magnet hospital and I really like it here. I am hoping they will hire me when I graduate, but I know they want BSN's... just hoping my 3 years of history here will work to my benefit, and that some ADN nurses will either leave or retire so they can hire me without lowering their BSN ratio!

Anyway - just know you are not alone. I think the fact that you are a "real" adult will help patients to trust you. They won't know that you are new! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

i gave seen a several do it very sucessful, my neice in particular....your prior life experiences and successes are a strong foundation. the anxiety is normal.........hopefully there will be adequate orrientation and sucessful preceptorship

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Thank you for your support. I'm glad there is a forum where we as nurses can get the support of others like us.

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I attended nursing school in my mid-50s, after a long career in media. Now I'm in my 60s and working in a large university-affiliated hospital and pursuing a master's in nursing.

I was a challenge to go back to school in late middle age, but in retrospect it was the best decision I ever made.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I completely agree that being "older" and a second career nurse will give you an advantage - generally this type of nurse starts out with more confidence, more ability to interact and communicate with patients and colleagues, and is able to draw upon their life experiences, even if it's not directly nursing related.

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Baubo516,

i just wanted to thank you personally for your encouragement, and I wish you the same as you go through this challenging journey.

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Baubo516,

i just wanted to thank you personally for your encouragement, and I wish you the same as you go through this challenging journey.

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CVON, I just graduated with an ADN in January, just before I turned 39. I'm right there with you! Just wanted to encourage you from this side too.

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Mossback, You are a wonderful example of what can be achieved with the determination and strength of will that nurses are known for. Thanks for sharing your experience.

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Thank you, AmyRN303, for your encouragement.

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