malestudentat49

Thanks for all the great replies, Because schools are so backed up in accepting nursing students into there RN programs (Often 2 years after you complete all pre -req's) LPN to RN route is really quickest and offers the best opportunity to get the income and experience flowing. Funny, I started a PTSD peer 2 peer support group at our college (has taken off like wildfire). But I understand keeping the injury thing on the down low. 49 years young. I must say coming back to school was/is a huge challenge but somehow it has offered me some comfort being in a safe place and one where people for the most part are good natured. The course load of 6 classes is challenging but again because of my lifes experiences even A & P is excitting so I am really trying to keep up the energy and forward outlook. Luckily all my Profs. have been understanding and very supportive of my endeavors and have really supported my 504 plan that said when the PTSD symptoms hit I have many escape routes afforded me to take that break to regroup and use management techniques to get my head back into class work. Thanks all and be safe! Officially 49 as of yesterday!

Awesome thread! I am currently in school and will have taken 14 pre req classes for my eventual RN degree goal (LPN-RN) by the time I enter the 10 month lpn program here in NJ next september (2012). I will be almost 51 when I complete LPN program. I really want to work in a VA hospital (a giving back thing). Can anyone tell me what might help me prepare for this career. I have no ties so I would be very much be willing to move to a facility anywhere in the USA. I have been looking at the benefits offered to employees of the VA and it does look like they have tuition reimbursement(?) for the LPN-RN program. NICE. Can anyone share there experiences as a LPN in the VA system? What if any input can you share about LPN - RN route through the VA?. Please share with me your experiences and facilities specialties. I do see a great variance in salaries is this solely based on local of facilities or does psyche facilities pay more than other facilities? Again please share so I can set a somewhat course... Thanks "Young at 49M future nurse and plan on working till they can't stand seeing my smiling face anymore."

Good for you Amyloov., Please let us know how it went.

Merlyn it does. Thank you and good luck with the move!

hehehe... 2 funny I just hope the nurse does not go the way of the postal worker oh wait maybe they are after all they are closing many smaller hospitals just like smaller post offices and nurses are being replaced by "Techs" just like the postal workers are being replaced by robots.....

Hello all, Yeppers I will be a 50yr young male nurse:yeah: when I finish my LPN education in NJ. Currently I am taking pre reqs for LPN (with sights set on RN) future at a local community college. I already qualified for next years admittance into voc school for LPN as I missed this years class admission as the class was full. The time frame to get admitted into the local county college for the RN program is about a 2 years wait after completing the pre reqs. IKESSS!!! (4+years) So I have decided to take 10 classes before next Septembers LPN class. I will use the pre reqs towards a rn bsn degree (via lpn - rn program). I will then take the class for LPN starting next September and finish in about 10 months. So again in 2 years I will hopefully be a LPN with about 12 classes that will be able to be used towards a RN degree. THE Questions...Does this sound like logical route? Are there any recently new nurses in this age category out here? What about all you young-ins give me your thoughts on my choices and planned route. choices). SOME MORE INFO...I do need to get into the workforce as soon as possible and I will be working until... well i hope forever at some level so I figured a career in health care is a good place to be and with a bsn degree this will hopefully afford different doors down the road I hope (who knows a masters might be in my future) . I was an EMT years ago and loved it. Sure I know the LPN License is going to limit me to LTC / Home health for a period of time but that is fine by me. I am a workaholic and have a great personality so I am sure I will be Okay. This is a major career change for me as I was a heavy construction contractor until I suffered an injury:uhoh3: to which I had surgery and now I am on my way to a full recovery:D. (About 6 months) I have some friends that think I am entering a young persons field but to be honest my adult Adhd keeps me very young so I really think I can keep up physically and mentally. (I do have a close young cousin whom I have a great relationship with and I followed her through her college studies. She just got her first RN job in med surg with in 1 month of passing n-clex:)) I am realling looking forward to a little more consistancy in my life with periods of gratification (although yes I know the gratifications are not what they used to be but that is our future for all careers) Well I will stop rambling and I wait in anticipation of your awesome replies Greg

Hello all, Yeppers I will be a 50yr young male nurse:yeah: when I finish my LPN education in NJ. Currently I am taking pre reqs for LPN (with sights set on RN) future at a local community college. I already qualified for next years admittance into voc school for LPN as I missed this years class admission as the class was full. The time frame to get admitted into the local county college for the RN program is about a 2 years wait after completing the pre reqs. IKESSS!!! (4+years) So I have decided to take 10 classes before next Septembers LPN class. I will use the pre reqs towards a rn bsn degree (via lpn - rn program). I will then take the class for LPN starting next September and finish in about 10 months. So again in 2 years I will hopefully be a LPN with about 12 classes that will be able to be used towards a RN degree. THE Questions...Does this sound like logical route? Are there any recently new nurses in this age category out here? What about all you young-ins give me your thoughts on my choices and planned route. I have some friends that think I am entering a young persons field but to be honest my adult Adhd keeps me very young so I really think I can keep up physically and mentally. (I do have a close young cousin whom I have a great relationship with and I followed her through her college studies. She just got her first RN job in med surg with in 1 month of passing n-clex:)) I am realling looking forward to a little more consistancy in my life with periods of gratification (although yes I know the gratifications are not what they used to be but that is our future for all career choices). Well I cannot wait to see my responses so I will thank all of you in advance Greg I do need to get into the workforce as soon as possible and I will be working until age 70 so I figured a career in health care is a good place to be as a bsn degree will afford many doors I hope (who knows a masters might be in my future) . I was an EMT years ago and loved it. Sure I know the LPN License is going to limit me to LTC / Home health but that is fine by me. I am a workaholic and have a great personality so I am sure I will be Okay. This is a major career change for me as I was a heavy construction contractor until I suffered an injury:uhoh3: to which I had surgery and now I am on my way to a full recovery:D. (About 6 months)