Older Students - 40 +

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We are all nursing students, but some of us have come to this as a second or third career. Looking for age-peers. This forum is not a place to complain about, judge or idealize people of any age going to nursing school. Just to share experiences if you are a minority age (older) group in your class.

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
2 hours ago, NuggetsHuman said:

One definitely can take the direct entry route, and it would be much more time efficient.

Unfortunately I’m not in a position where I can stop my full time job to attend school full time.

Understood. I said that because I think LCSWs have an advantage during the psych NP portion. But good luck and keep plugging away.

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

I got my BSN and RN at 41 and will be a Psych NP by 44.

Most of my classmates were much younger, but there were also quite a few who are 2nd-career nurses. My age wasn't really an issue and I got along just fine with my classmates. However, I didn't act like I knew better than my peers just because my age and my previous career. We were all BSN students learning the same stuff.

I have to admit that my first RN job was tough on my body. The unit was huge and all the walking up & down really took a toll on my knees and ankles.

Specializes in Clinical Social Worker.
8 hours ago, umbdude said:

Understood. I said that because I think LCSWs have an advantage during the psych NP portion. But good luck and keep plugging away.

Thanks for the encouragement.

It also helps that I’m in a job where my role is really interesting and worthwhile in an organization that is a good match for my personal values.

It will be 6 years from starting the BSN program to psychNP without any hiccups, and a full 10 years since I started the prerequisites. So apparently I’m playing the long game. ?

Specializes in Clinical Social Worker.
On 4/3/2019 at 5:48 AM, ThatChickOmi said:

LOL. YES. I'm 33 (34 next month) and most nights I barely make it past 9-9:30pm. But my current job (non nursing) requires me to be up at 4-430am so yeah.....I sometimes wonder how the hell I'm gonna manage if I need to work night shift or an overnight as a nurse.

We aren’t old... just used to a regular schedule!!!

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