Older Nursing students

teriadn2004 · Jan 24, 2010

I think you will find that there are a lot of "non-traditional" students in nursing programs these days. I graduated in 2004 with ADN and in 2006 with BSN and am now soon to be 54.....and I was not the oldest one in my class either. Hang in there, as a rule, we do better too because we really want to be there and in most cases, are paying for it ourselves. Good luck.

Maddie-LPN · Jan 24, 2010

Hey, i am 46 in the nursing program, if i can do it anyone can, i graduate in June and i will be 47 then, you are never too old!

mammac5 · Jan 24, 2010

As a 44 YO working on an MSN degree right now, I feel the need to jump in here concerning much older students entering the nursing field. There is a small community college in the town I'm from that has a 2-3 year long wait list to enter the ADN program. There are many more applicants than instructors and available clinical sites can responsibly handle.

Coming from that perspective, I think it would be sad for a man or woman of 70+ years to snag one of those scare slots in the program above another qualified applicant who is in his or her 20s, 30s, or 40s. It's not a matter of one potential student being more "worthy" than another, but merely a case of allocation of scarce resources and likely return on investment.

As it happens, I was too old to get into that program (they rate on a points system and younger people get more points, even though I have years of outpatient clinical experience) so as a result I moved away to attend a MSN program and will be a nurse practitioner when it's all said and done.

inava · Jan 24, 2010

That's the spirit!!!

Take it day by day and you'll get there soon enough.

kcochrane · Jan 25, 2010

I was 42 when I got my LPN...most of the students were 35 or older. I am 47 and just graduated from RN school. Many students were in their 30's, 40's and some in their 50's.

momology · Jan 25, 2010

When people in their thirties refer to themselves as older nursing students it is telling. I mean come on! I do think 70 is generally getting out there. Although in my 20s I had a friend who would drive me to exhaustion hiking up mountains. He had been a professional dancer for many years. There is investment if a hospital gives you new grad training. But younger nurses often quit after a year or two. A person who is being discriminated against for their age is likely to stay on. It is a lot easier to get into nursing school than get a new grad position. If you are older then your education may be in vain.

shunyo · Jan 25, 2010

When people in their thirties refer to themselves as older nursing students it is telling. I mean come on! I do think 70 is generally getting out there. Although in my 20s I had a friend who would drive me to exhaustion hiking up mountains. He had been a professional dancer for many years. There is investment if a hospital gives you new grad training. But younger nurses often quit after a year or two. A person who is being discriminated against for their age is likely to stay on. It is a lot easier to get into nursing school than get a new grad position. If you are older then your education may be in vain.

Momology,

What do you mean by "in vain." I'm 47 years old. Does that mean that if I finished nursing school by the time I'm about 52, my education would be for nothing? :confused: Would I still be able to get a job as an "older" new grad? I'm not being sarcastic, just would like opinions on this. By the way, where I live the ADN programs are VERY HARD to get into. You have to have at least a 3.8 average before they will even consider you. Somehow, I don't think my 3.0 is going to cut it!

buzkil · Jan 25, 2010

Momology,
What do you mean by "in vain." I'm 47 years old. Does that mean that if I finished nursing school by the time I'm about 52, my education would be for nothing? Would I still be able to get a job as an "older" new grad? I'm not being sarcastic, just would like opinions on this. By the way, where I live the ADN programs are VERY HARD to get into. You have to have at least a 3.8 average before they will even consider you. Somehow, I don't think my 3.0 is going to cut it!

I think she is talking about someone who is in their late 60's or early 70's. We have to acknowledge there is a difference between someone in their 40's and 50's and someone in their late 60's or early 70's. Then again, who is the person who is going to say what the cut-off age should be? How do you come up with that age? 62? 65? I'm not qualified to determine that. I can only go with my gut feeling that at 70 I think the time has passed. I think most people(who have worked as nurses) would advise people they CARE about not to go to nursing school at that age. It's easy to encourage someone on a discussion board and say things like "You're never too old" or "Good for you, you can do it". Sure, you won't be around when these people have spent their money and are blindsided by the reality of nursing school and being a new graduate nurse. I think it's irresponsible for someone with experience to sugar coat the reality of it just for the sake of being supportive. Where is the honesty and compassion in that?

I'd like to be an olympic distance runner..I'm 41 years old and fifteen pounds overweight. Any olympic athletes out there gonna encourage me to "go for it" Or would they give sound advice like..." Hey Buzkil, that goal might be a little over your head, maybe you should set smaller goals for yourself and just work on improving your time/distance, then maybe you could begin training for local marathons" Doesn't that sound more reasonable?

By the way Shun, I truly think YOU can do it. There are several students in my class (including me) who are over 40, oldest is 52 and we are all doing great. Good luck.

katixlt · Jan 25, 2010

Well, I don't know what you mean by "OLD", but I just graduated in Dec. and I'm 52 yrs. old. The youngest in my class was 19 and the oldest was 56! So keep plugging away and stay focused! :yeah:

Maddie-LPN · Jan 25, 2010

And who is anybody to say anything about age, what happened to living your life to the fullest, do what you want when you want, it doesnt matter how old you are. Who cares if you know they cant do it, they want to try and do it, thats what matters, dont discourage or kick them to the curb, believe in them and they might surprise you in the end, dont listen to anyone, follow your heart. And try, at least you can say that you did try hard.

momology · Jan 26, 2010

You can do nursing school. I did it with children and a part time job. And an elderly parent to take care of. I just missed getting into sigma theta... But tell it to the nurse recruiters. Your goal is to actually work as a nurse, right? Right now it is very competitive to get a job in nursing. The market is flooded. There is far less age discrimination in teaching. Not many jobs there either but less emphasis on age.

Encouraging people to exhaust their resources (time and money) is cruel if it is unlikely to be hired.

It would be nice to hear from someone who hires. Have any written in and said they hire 40+,56 yo etc? Don't hold your breath.

As far as setting limits the US Army sets a limit at 42 to join. The coast guard lower still. They need nurses. I understand that right now they are waiving the age limit but you have to run a 12 minute mile and some other fitness requirements.

deleern · Jan 26, 2010

I am soon going to be 51years Old I graduated with my RN in May of 2007 I work in a LTC (my 1st love) I am a Nurse manager and a house charge. I work hard and on the run all day.... I love it. But I am so glad I graduated at 48. School and clinicals were exhausting. ( i worked full time thru the whole program CNA, LPN, RN it took 3 years.) I cost me $23,000. now I make $60,000. a year. to me that is cost effective. I had thought that I wanted to continue on with my education. but at this time and at my age I don't think going on to further my education is cost effective. I have 15 years that I want to work.