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It's your body...right? Just make a mature judgment about it and understand it could potentially have some negative impact. Bottom line it is your sole decision, interesting though how much vitriol is in some of the posts. Personal story: As I walked out of the house at age 18 to the Marines my 5'2'' Mom told me if I got a tattoo she would skin it off of me. Being a lifelong believer in making Mama happy I never gave into the desire to get an EGA (Eagle,Globe, Anchor (USMC insignia)). Now that I'm on the distal side of life it "ain't" a big deal, especially since Mama's still here! On a personal side some skin art is beautiful some not, they do fade with sun and age but thankfully true beauty, what's inside never goes away.

I feel bad for you but...you cannot allow this woman to bully you. She doesn't sound like she's worth a bucket of warm spit. Do not let her or anyone belittle you. I can deal with angry, spiteful people all day but she (as described by you) is clearly a bully and she's using you to slate her twisted appetite. Nothing is worth allowing your dignity and self worth to be stripped away.

Only you can decide if you're too old. "Ageism" is indeed alive and well and it is kept alive by some of the types of people that have posted comments on this thread. I graduated 11 May, 2016, took the NCLEX, passed in 75, became an RN 17 June, 2016. I applied to lots of places (with no joy) but the place I preceptored at gave me a job in the ER. My point is this...I start work on 8 August, 2016, I'll be 61 the next day. For those that are closet age discriminators I won't waste my time on you, just suffice to say if you're lucky you may live long enough to see what it feels like to be subtly discriminated against due to your age alone. So Ma'am if you're in good health, willing to withstand the rigors of going to Nursing school (second hardest thing I've ever done, the first was being a U.S. Marine) then go for it and ignore the naysayers. Even if you only touch or save one life isn't that worth it? Good luck to you!!!

Just some observations now that I'm on the 'distal' end of the NCLEX. Keep in mind these are just my opinions so if you disagree that's well and good but it's just my opinion. First: 48 hours means 48 hours. I had my finish time down +1 minute maybe, my unofficial results were not ready until then. Second: The PVT, think about this before you do it...is it worth potentially $200 to see a good/bad popup that may or may not be accurate? Will it alleviate your stress? More importantly you're not really being ethical in my opinion with the expired cards, changed expiration dates etc. Third: I walked out after 75 questions KNOWING I failed, YOU will likely feel the same way. The test was hard as woodpecker lips. Fourth: I used Hurst and Kaplan, I watched the Kaplan videos (ton of them) I did every question every test, ditto for Hurst. I did the UWorld demo and fell in love with it but I was too far down the road to take up another study program. Oh yes, I did PDA by LaCharity, great book, some minor errors but worth the coin. Again I think UWorld is awesome. I'm not sure if there is a magic elixir for the NCLEX other than finding NCLEX like questions and doing a ton of them and LEARNING the rationales. Fifth: Be prepared for the most miserable 48 hours. Lastly: Study for the NCLEX like its a calling, if something is worth doing then its worth overdoing, moderation is for cowards. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed so I knew I had to dig deep. I spent 3 weeks prepping 6 hours a day every day but it paid off.

I'm currently 60 (or as a female friend would say 30-30), although I look younger than my chronological age, and I'm more fit than any 19 year old I know, I get the stares and multiple questions about what I'm doing in nursing school from the RNs when I go on clinicals. I usually just smile, tell the truth that its something I've always wanted to do, and drive on. Ageism is real, it is not a figment of anyone's imagination. I encounter it every day but I cannot let other peoples biases stop me from pursuing my passions. If you run into a brick wall in life (ageism, racism, sexism, whatever 'ism',) and your not tough enough to knock it down, then climb it or go around it, or even under it, but don't pound your head against it because that really hurts! My pontification for the month.

First let me qualify my remarks, I am not a Navy nurse, I am a nursing student going into my last year of an ADN program. However, in my first career I was a Marine, ergo I was around Navy nurses, doctors, and corpsman in peacetime, and sadly in two armed conflicts.(the Navy provides the Marines all medical and Chaplain support). Try this website: Carry Your Nursing Career Further in the US Navy Nurse Corps : Navy.com Personally, I would give anything to be young enough to go back in as a Navy nurse. If you want excitement, adventure, travel, personal and professional growth, and to work with a medical corps second to none, then look into the Navy. You also need to have the willingness to serve your country and to go into harms way. I retired from the Marine Corps many years ago, I envy those that still serve our country. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.

Dear Unsure: If I may offer some advice...Just do it if your heart says so, "remorse is the complement of hell" (Emily Dickinson), we all want do overs, so if it is really something you want just do it. I am going into my second year of an ADN program, this will be my third career, I will be 61, 2 months after graduation. The past year has been harder than 'woodpecker lips' but so far I have zero regrets. I have always wanted to be in the field of medicine. I left a very promising career in public education to pursue something I am passionate about. Just go for it!

Very poignant and well written. I have limited experience in Hospice (CNA) but it was memorable. Your post made me remember the times when I did not say anything for fear of saying the "wrong" thing to friends and loved ones who went before me, that weighs heavily upon me. I enjoyed your post and thank you for your service.

Thank you for your sharing and selfless attitude. I am in my first semester of an ADN program and I'm pretty busy but, I'm going to put WGU on my radar for my next step.

Follow your heart. I am 58 years of age, I am starting nursing school this August (ADN) program. There are obstacles everywhere in life, just decide if you're ready to negotiate the foreseen and unseen obstacles ahead. I have already met my classmates, one lady is 53, the other 28 students are under 25. Bottom line if this is something you want to do just do it. Question...do you want to be 64 and look back and wish you had pursued this dream?

It is sad that people don't judge someone on the content of their character. It is also very, very sad...and ignorant, when people say things like "klan country" and former Confederate states, to speak disparagingly of Southerners or Southern states. I have lived in 17 states, served 21 years in the Marines, am multi-ethnic, and spent 18 years in public school education. Interestingly, the least prejudice place I ever lived was Mississippi (2008-2012), as a rule the most prejudice people I ran across, black and white were from the Northeast. I try not to generalize, there are always exceptions. As a Principal,I handled cases from both ends, of black parents not wanting white teachers and vice versa, I never allowed their requests, I took the time to explain why and I never had to eat crow. I hope I never run into this in nursing, but if I do I'll try educating first.

Decide what you really want to do and do it. We all run into brick walls, either dismantle the wall, bust through it, or go around it...if you really want to get to the other side! As someone pointed out you'll be 52 in 5 years whatever you choose to do. Age is but a number, it means a lot to some folks but you have to decide what it will mean to you. Just FYI, I'm 58, I'll be starting an ADN program in August, I was accepted to Duke's ABSN but I did not receive a scholarship and I refuse to borrow that kind of money when the Community College I'll attend has a 100% NCLEX pass rate and is ACEN approved. Chin up and drive on, the past is written, the future is next.

I'm in also...now to find a place to live!!!

Good for you, follow your heart and trust in God and you'll be alright. You've got courage that's plain to see.

My thoughts for what they are worth: Keep peace with yourself and God (if you are a believer) which means suit yourself not others; follow your heart. As the Bard said "To thine own self be true". I just turned 58, my Mom thinks I'm nuts because I quit work and am working on my prerequisites full time for nursing school, I left a good paying job as a Principal of a middle school to pursue a life long dream working in medicine. Don't listen to others, negativity abounds, even on this website. This will be my third career (retired US Marine and Educator), keep your head down, these people thrive on dragging others down, lift yourself up!