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.:)

I have worked my tail off for the last two years and completed all my prerequisite courses. I have been admitted to Thomas Jefferson University and will begin in the Fall of 2010. I will have my BSN in two years, when I am 50 years old! What a great 50 year old birthday present that will be!!!!!

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To buzkil:

You are entitled to your opinion that beginning a career in nursing is "odd" when one is in their 60s or 70s. Do you know that life experience is the greatest teacher of all? A person in that age bracket has seen and felt so much that nurses come in contact with everyday. Personally, I feel that "older" nurses are much better and relate much better to the patient as well.

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Specializes in Renal/Cardiac.
To buzkil:

You are entitled to your opinion that beginning a career in nursing is "odd" when one is in their 60s or 70s. Do you know that life experience is the greatest teacher of all? A person in that age bracket has seen and felt so much that nurses come in contact with everyday. Personally, I feel that "older" nurses are much better and relate much better to the patient as well.

I couldn't have said it better, they have a lot to give to the nursing field and in different areas. I am older than most of my coworkers but they are good in one part and I can be good at another together we make the whole work-- Life experience is the BEST teacher of all :)

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

I was 50 by the time the pre reqs were done and I got into a program. At our regional orientation for all the new students in the local schools, the moderator asked us to stand by age group (20s, 30s, 40s, etc). At the 50s there were maybe 5 of us, at the 60s there were 2. My instructors said we older students were the role models for the younger ones. By the way, after graduating I made same salary as in my other previous field (marketing) but was way more fulfilled. Just got a new job after 1 interview, who can say that these days. Know that would never have happened in marketing now...:cheers:

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Well, you know, I'm going to be 67 next whether I do this or not. I'm in good health, I'm intelligent, and I have some skills and life experience that most nursing students do not. No one is obligated to hire me, of course, but I don't worry about that much. Last I heard, there was still a shortage of people wanting to do this work.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care/Rehabilitation.

That is awesome!!! I love reading stories like this, and also like knowing there are others in my age group out there doing the same thing! It keeps our brains healthy and young, in my opinion! I'm going to go on and get my Masters so that when I'm too old to work on the floor I can teach!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Managed Care, Home Health,.

I don't know if you are the oldest. I am 56 years old and in my second semester of an online nursing program. So it can be done!

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Specializes in IMCU.
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.:)

Well I am 42 and there are two women older than me in class -- and I mean wayyyyyy older than me. One of them is a riot too.

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Specializes in IMCU.
Well, you know, I'm going to be 67 next whether I do this or not. I'm in good health, I'm intelligent, and I have some skills and life experience that most nursing students do not. No one is obligated to hire me, of course, but I don't worry about that much. Last I heard, there was still a shortage of people wanting to do this work.

I think this is great. 67 years young!

But have you come across the people who tell you they don't care what you did before or if you have any non-nursing skills. I keep thinking -- how can that be right...people would be crazy to not be more interested in those who came from other professions.

Oh well.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care/Rehabilitation.

I completely agree! I am old enough to be nearly eveyone's mom - but they treat me just like any other student and I have totally forgotten that they are (most of them) 25 years younger than me. Once you're in nursing school, in my opinion, we're all on the same level as students. The benefit of being older, for me anyway, has been my life experiences. But that is not to say that some of these kids do much better than I do in some areas. Age really only matters if you make it matter! :)

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I am 56 and graduated in May. I don't think you will find age to be a major problem. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.
I am 65 - once I enter the program I should have my RN in a year and a half if all goes well

Don't worry about your age, just do it and have fun. I'm in my 2d semester (Med-Surg), and set to graduate in May, 2011. Social Security is helping me pay the way - I'm 65, will be 66 when I graduate. As Satchel Paige used to say: "Don't look back; they may be gaining on you." Good luck!

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