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.:)

Hi:

I am 38 years old and will start Nursing 2 next week. It has been hard because I have 2 daughters and a wonderful husband but I have loved every step. I was awarded best clinician in my clinical group and plan to graduate with honors in 2012. :nurse:

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I'm not only the oldest in my class, 57, but I'm older than all the instructors. I'm in a 1 year LPN program but reading the replys maybe I could get my RN. I was a stay at home mom that raised 6 kids, now becoming a nurse is my 40 year dream.

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as a mother of 6 I say keep going, baby steps and more baby steps

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Specializes in Student.

Yay for all of us.

As for me, I will be the big (?) 5-0 on Fec 7th.

I feel most us older students are oftentimes the voice of reason,

the good example, and great dedicated students.

I am applying now, hoping to begin fall 2011

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When an educational institution talks about its "ongoing commitment to supporting diversity" what are they talking about? Look at the brochures, the catalogues, and the PR. Does diversity refer ONLY to students' socio-economic class, gender, race, country of origin, sexual orientation, special needs groups?

I think diversity is wonderful. I live in the Metro NY area, and what a marvelous bubbly brew of people we have here.

But who ever talks about what the older students add to the mix? This is the last barrier to be broken. And to all of you, congrats! You are trailblazers.

Be patient, be strong, be true to yourself, and be willing to change if need be.

I've learned so much about myself over the past two years. It's overwhelming. I learned that I could be wrong. I learned what I needed to do to be a better person. I learned a lot from the younger folks, and at least a couple of the younger folks have told me they have learned a lot from me.

We are so lucky to be starting this adventure. Who knows what great things will come of it?

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Hello. I am just wondering if there are any "mature" students, now going to RN program in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am curious to know what your experiences are at school, and also if you already graduated from a program, what the job outlook is like now. I am considering applying to a nursing school within a few years, but by then I will be in my late 40's. I will surely be early 50's when I graduate. I heard that job market is extremely difficult in the SF Bay Area. As a mature student already, I wonder if there will be any chance of getting a job after I graduate....

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Specializes in ED.

40, 2nd year RN student, two boys in grade school, one supportive hubby, recently accepted to a BSN completion program. I'm no Einstein, but okay with my 3.4 GPA because I can make time for my family and community 'cause I don't obsess over things that won't make a bit of difference when rubber meets the road in the world of nursing.

It isn't any picnic, but what an exhilarating ride its been so far! As I write this, my class has three months of torture to endure before our pinning ceremony. As our nursing program goes through major changes, it really stinks to be on the receiving end of the clinical instructor's wrath while the department tries to figure out which end is up, whether the majority of our class will pass the NCLEX and if there will be a job out there when we do pass.

As a"mature" student (HA!) I really can benefit from my life experiences and have learned not to sweat the small stuff.....it really is ALL small stuff in the grand scheme of things. I have learned how to budget my time, money and emotional outbursts. I have learned the true meaning of teamwork and how to support others. I have learned that my problems are nothing compared to what others around me have had to endure to get to a better place in their lives and careers (not to mention what many of our patients are going through). I have learned how to be a better friend and how to love my extended family at school. I have learned that an education in nursing opens up doors to an infinite number of careers beyond being a floor nurse in a hospital. I have learned that no matter how ticked off or offended I get, I CAN pull myself up by the bootstraps and press on without taking things personally. Would this all have been possible if I decided to go into nursing in my twenties? Who knows, but at this point, who cares? LIVE FOR THE HERE AND NOW!! If you want it, go get it and you will have no regrets for at least trying!

:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

PS For those worried about employment prospects, please don't overlook some of the basics of job searching. The first thing to do is put yourself into the shoes of the interviewer and try to brainstorm what you think they are looking for in an employee. Tailor your demeanor and responses to the needs of the facility, but be yourself. Take an inventory of everything you have done in school, work and your community and know who you are and what you have to offer an employer. Have a comprehensive resume on one page, write thank you notes, have a portfolio with all of your accomplishments (bring a photocopy to hand to your interviewer), and fill in every box on an employment application legibly.

Get reference letters from anybody you can think of, including clinical instructors, hospital staff, previous/current employers, and hospital staff then put them in your portfolio. Before an interview, do your homework on the facility and the department you want to work for. During an interview, ask questions and don't be afraid to interview the interviewer! The job has to be a good fit for both of you, so don't be too picky if you have no experience, but don't settle if you know it's not the right job. You will shoot yourself in the foot and waste everyone's time while potentially screwing up your track record if you don't give the job your best effort.

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Im a mature student with 2 children 6 and 3. I am doing pre-reqs right now for entrance into a Practical Nurse program in my area. It is a two year program.

Once I have some experience as an LPN and my children are grown I will go back and get into a BScN program which is 4 years.

You can do anything at anytime!! Your never too old and its never too late for you to follow your dreams.

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Dear HawaiiRose and MsMcCoy,

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and stories. It is always encouraging to see other mature students working very hard toward their goal. You two are amazing (and of course, all others in this thread.)

However, I am concerned about the job situation specifically in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have heard it is very hard to find nursing positions for current new grads, including those who are in their 20's too. I read from other threads in this website that many are not being able to find employment even a year or two years after their graduation.

I am still very much interested in pursuing nursing, but that also requires several years of time and financial commitment. The fact that I won't spend much time with my children as much is not too bothering to me, as I think they understand, and they would probably like to see their mom working for her goal. I am probably more concerned about financial commitment, and the lack of gaining it back if I cannot find the job after graduation. If the nursing will not most likely land me any jobs in the Bay Area (where I am stuck because my husband has a secure job and my children is all set in this place), I feel irresponsible and somewhat selfish to even try to pursue something that won't give me a chance to contribute financially to my family.

That is my worry.

Anyone from the Bay Area, who can share your story? I am interested in learning other mature students' perspective about nursing career in this particular location, the Bay Area....

Thank you!

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

Mikaboo, I understand your concern regarding the employment issue once your through with the nursing program. However, once you are in your clinical that's when you need to shine above from the rest, and demonstrate your capabilities and your enthusiasm. In addition, get to know the nurse manager, the head nurses and the nursing recruiter plus check the bulletin board for up-coming positions at HR. This is exactly what I did during my clinical and at the end of my program I had 2 offers and I was the oldest one in my class. Wishing you the very best in all of your future endeavors, España RN, BSN, MSN :redbeathe

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Believe it or not, as a mature student/new nurse you have many qualities employers value: dependability, good judgement, experience in dealing with others, good time management skills, etc.

You are not in a phase of your life where you are concerned about marriage/non-marriage, relationship/non-relationship, children/no children, house/rent, etc. All this stuff that people have to do as their "life work" in their 20's and 30's (and 40's!) is time consuming and worrisome. Personally, I think youth is overvalued. People forget how stressful it is to be a young person!

Although as a 58 year old I find going back to school challenging, I am at a stage in my life where I'm comfortable with myself. And I don't have the stress of a social life. When I talk to my neices and my younger classmates, I realize that their lives are far from care-free.

Age = Wisdom

Age = Strength

Age = Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, made a dish rag out of it.

You go, older nursing students!

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36 starting doing my pre's now. I will probably be around 38 or 39 when I finish! I'm going to work my butt off!!!

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