Sassy66

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful thoughts and support and honesty. It means so much to me. I have discovered the other forums (students, articles, etc.) and lo and behold, there pinned at the top of the Success Stories forum is a thread about entering nursing later in life: https://allnurses.com/forums/f200/anyone-start-their-career-late-life-125963.html I found that very helpful too. Although there's 51 pages and I only got up to around page 7. Looks like a really great thread for me to read, so I'll continue on when I have the time. I'm just happily surprised to have found this site. Everyone seems so helpful -- what a wonderful support group! Thanks for asking...I've done many, many things throughout my adult life. Some have been home-based, some not: Bank Teller Marketing Assistant Court Reporter (carpral tunnel symptoms forced me to stop which was a bummer because I made GREAT money!!) Sales/Marketing Food/Cocktail Waitress Community Relations Manager Personal Chef Which brings me up to today -- Nutritional Consultant. I'm FASCINATED with the way the human body works. This is what prompted me to look deeper into the health care field. Then I started to read so much about the shortage of nursing so I investigated. I love the thought of learning a skill that can translate into helping people (like many of you, I have a wonderful nurse in my past who I'll never forget), making good money, job security, and flexibility -- but mostly just continuing on the path of learning more about the wonders of the human body. Yes, I have a fantastically beautiful hubby who has always supported me no matter what -- even through all the crazy jobs. He's my biggest cheerleader. I just love him to bits. He makes good money, but it won't last forever -- so we're planning for our future and it's my turn to figure out what I can do that will support us (since nothing else seems to have worked for me...grrrrrrr). Nursing just seems to offer everything I'm looking for and need. Wow, this is getting long. I'll shut up now. Happy day, Everyone! And thanks again.

Hi there... Many apologies if this is in the wrong forum. I'm 41-years young but have taken very good care of myself over the years and am happy to say that I look and feel younger than I am. (is that stuck up of me??!!?) Anyway, I've been very seriously considering a career change. I've been working for myself, creating business after business, and have now realized it's time to learn a skill that will be secure and lead me into retirement age. I've always been attracted to nursing (many people have told me over the years I'd be perfect for the job) but always felt I couldn't afford the schooling and should instead work for myself. I'm an information sponge, always seeking to educate myself further. I truly love to learn new things, and am excited at the prospect of becoming a nurse. My plans are to attend school to achieve my Associate's degree, and then start working as a nurse while working towards my Bachelor's. But in the back of my mind I wonder: Am I too old to start down this path? Do you know if there are many others out there who make this career shift late in life? How does it work out for them? Please be honest...my feelings won't be hurt. Just really wondering if this is the right thing to do at my age. Thank you very much! Sassy