Older Nursing students

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I am finishing up pre-reqs and applying to an RN program for the fall - I wonder how many of you are out there that are non traditional nursing students - I have a feeling I may be the oldest nursing student on this site.:)

Buzkil:

You are 41 now and will be in your 60s in the blink of an eye. See if you still feel the same way.

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:jester:

Oh, don't feel bad about asking that because I have asked myself that same question many, many times before I was in school......and even now. I had a WHOLE other life......I was a medical malpractice paralegal for 25 years (don't shoot me, folks....you know there are some who are really, really good and some who don't deserve to take care of other people!). I was at the top of my game..very confident, very knowledgeable and secure. I like the word "seasoned". I managed other people, was the computer "guru" and network manager, and I was charged with training all the new law school graduates.....Two years ago I decided I'd had it with the frivolous lawsuits and decided to jump the fence. I went to CNA school and have been working in a LTC facility. (Which, btw, we need to so something about LTCs ....it's a shame the way so many CNAs AND nurses treat old folks!).

Now, I'm beginning a brand new career at 54 and wondering if I still have what it takes to roll with the punches, take criticism and be on the bottom of the ladder with others who are much younger than I am and much more experienced.

I am hoping that I can learn nursing skills from the younger nurses and that they can learn practical "life" skills from me. It can be a win-win....but it's still not going to be easy...and, if it doesn't work out in a hospital setting for me, there are so many other options that may afford more independent working, i.e., home health, small clinics, etc.

I know there's a place for me to give good nursing care and bring my life experience....especially with so many older people out there.....they can relate to someone like me who is older, a Grandma,and who can remember some of the things they hold dear, etc. The profession needs as many caring hearts as possible. Technology and youth are wonderful, but there's also a need for someone who can relate to middle age and older adults in a way that younger people just don't have the life experiences yet. Younger and Older nurses = perfect together for patients.

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Buzkil:

You are 41 now and will be in your 60s in the blink of an eye. See if you still feel the same way.

Are you saying you would encourage a 70 year old to pursue nursing? The OP has never worked in healthcare. How is that going to be ok for her? I guess it's not my business but the topic was put out there.

And yeah, I think most people in their 60s are not thinking about starting new, physically demanding careers. I don't think I will either.

Again, I am in no position to set age limits on career starts, that's not my place. I'm just giving my honest opinion. I think the nursing ship has sailed for someone at that age.

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They will take your tuition at the school but will the employers invest in you and select you for new grad training? There are many experienced nurses your age that cannot find work so give it a long hard look. There is the opposite of a shortage and will be for some time to come. The health insurance reform bill is stalled and many people have lost their jobs/insurance. It is my opinion that nursng is far more age discriminatory than other professions are.Look around the ospitals where you want to work do you see many over 40 nurses on the floor?

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I'm 49 in my first semester. It's a tough choice at this age but I'm told it's all worth it.

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Who is telling you it is worth it? Nursing professors? They have a motive which is their teaching job. Do you have prior medical experience? Are you bilingual? They prefer males these days too. Have you worked physical jobs on your feet jobs before? Do you have connections? When they get over 400 resumes for an opening do you think they read them all? I wish it wasn't true but your chances are slim of getting to use your degree.

Many people in their 50s and 60s might be strong enough but statistically the recruiter is thinking of benefits and stats not your desire to be a nurse. Or that you would be less likely to quit in a year so hope for the best but be informed that there is NO shortage and they have many many people to chose from.

Talk to the nurses you meet on your clinicals they might be more straightforward.

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MarieD

I graduated from nursing school at 58 in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, and have been a RN for 2 years now. It was challenging going through college as an older person, but perseverance pays off. The rewards of helping others as a RN make all the obstacles seem small in retrospect and the maturity (hopefully) that comes with age pays off in dealing with patients and their families. Hang in there!

RonH (ronami49)

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Hello,

I am an LPN since 1981, I just started my first pre req class Human growth and dev, 2 weeks ago and start pre algebra next week, first college classes ever and I turned 48 last August.

Shur61

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I am finishing up pre-reqs and applying to an RN program for the fall - I wonder how many of you are out there that are non traditional nursing students - I have a feeling I may be the oldest nursing student on this site.:)

I graduated from an ASN (second career) at age 49 and there was a student who was 56. Hope that helps.

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Goodness...there seems to be some difference of opinions here. Not all nurses have to work in hospitals. The economy is HORRIBLE right now; every job market is being effected not just nursing. Is there something wrong with looking towards the future (besides BEING in a Long Term Care facility)?:eek: if someone is "older" and wants to continue their education and chooses Nursing, it is no more foolish than Art History, Literature or Teaching. I wouldn't make judgments about something I wasn't totally clear about. Just my opinion, but I'm sensing some lack of understanding here. I don't mean to step on toes but I think those of us who are "much older" are very aware of the situation that our age brings to us in the job market.

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Goodness...there seems to be some difference of opinions here. Not all nurses have to work in hospitals. The economy is HORRIBLE right now; every job market is being effected not just nursing. Is there something wrong with looking towards the future (besides BEING in a Long Term Care facility)?:eek: if someone is "older" and wants to continue their education and chooses Nursing, it is no more foolish than Art History, Literature or Teaching. I wouldn't make judgments about something I wasn't totally clear about. Just my opinion, but I'm sensing some lack of understanding here. I don't mean to step on toes but I think those of us who are "much older" are very aware of the situation that our age brings to us in the job market.

I think it is very foolish to think you can BEGIN a career in healthcare at the age of 70. Perhaps if someone was already a lpn, cna, medical assistant, etc.. this would be a doable thing. I don't think it is a lack of understanding. I think some folks in this forum are being unrealistic and encouraging the OP to do something that will, in the end, be a waste of her time. Most of the jobs for new grads with no prior healthcare experience are going to be physically demanding. Those of us with experience in healthcare know that. 58 years old, even sixty with healthcare experience is a lot different that 70 with none.

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I teach clinicals--we have plenty of older students. Some do just fine, but for quite a few, it takes them longer to grasp concepts and master the manual dexterity of equipment like putting together IV tubing, etc. If this is your case, then you MUST put in the time to get these skills--the other student will progress leaving you bewildered and confused if you don't get it and clinicals will not go smoothly for you. Again, this is not every older student, but I do see a trend.

In my experience, it seemed to be the other way around !!! Us older students were helping the younger ones in clinicals............:D

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