Brian57

I graduated in May with a BSN at 58 years of age. I'm sitting for the NCLEX in August, and hope to have a job in hand by the end of the month. Will I be successful? Who knows, but I got through school, I'm (reasonably) confident about the NCLEX, and I'm looking forward to a new life adventure. They say age is a state of mind, which I think is true (well, OK, I wonder sometimes), but I cannot agree with anyone who thinks it's time to pack up and die just because I'm not a kid. Sure it's tough, but if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth doing. We bring a lot to the table for an employer; experience, patience, understanding, empathy, and (dare I say it?) wisdom. Sell who you are: heck, just getting through school at our age says a good deal about our value! Don't underrate, or undersell, yourself!

Not only are you not too old, Hell no, you're not too old! I'm 58 also (and male, to boot), and graduate with my BSN (Fast Track) in 31 days 21 hours 32 minutes. If you want it, you can do it. Get a grip, make up your mind, and full steam ahead (and no, steam power is not a reference to age)! It ain't easy, it ain't quick, and it does involve an on-going trip outside your comfort zone. You will have plenty of times ahead to question your own sanity, and you will definitely not be one of the gang, but if you want it, I think you will find the reward equal to the effort. Good luck!

Unfortunately it is rooted in a need to blame someone/something for difficult circumstances and events, I think. Random chance and/or complex biochemistry are scary unknowns.

I'm 58 and graduating in May with a BSN. Age is a relative concept. Take the time to do it right.

Burning your bridges is never a good idea, but something else to consider is how your new prospective employer will feel about it. I would not hire someone who would do that to their current employer. After all, if you would do that to another employer, might do it to me. Besides, it says a good deal about your professionalism. Do the two weeks; you will not regret it in the long run.

To continue the debate regarding nurses and abortion.

No, this is not the place.

I am 57 (58 when I graduate with my BSN), and this subject is obviously close to my heart. To complicate matters, I'm also male, which makes me "non-traditional" in more ways than one. It has been a tough few years, as I got my last degree in 1982, and there have been many changes in schooling as well as in me over the intervening decades. However, I have to believe there is a niche out there somewhere for someone like us. One of the biggest reasons I chose nursing as a second (third? Fourth?) career is the tremendous breadth of professional options under the "nursing" umbrella. I don't expect to have the stamina of my 23 year old compatriots, or their natural ease with social networking (we used to call it "talking"), but I feel very strongly I have a great deal I can bring to my patients. I might end up behind a desk or in some other non-floor-nurse position, but I will still be helping people, which is the point. I say go do it. I refuse to be shelved, pigeonholed, or ignored after all these years I have spent growing up. A job or career is what you make of it; we might have different hurdles than a 23 year old, but they are just that: different. Not impossible, not even necessarily higher, just different. If you can physically get through school, then go forth and contribute!

Don't let it bug you. As a male entering my senior year of a nursing BSN, and 57 years old to boot, I have received encouragement from complete strangers a hundred times for each negative comment. Actually, I can think of only 1 or 2 negative comments at all. The patients, employers, my wife, and practicing nurses have been universally supportive. Who you are is defined by what you do; male, female, gay, straight, young, or old do not matter in the least. Just put on your game face and go for it.

This is a comforting post; I'm 56 and finishing my first semester in an accelerated BS to BSN program. It has not been "hard" as of yet, but either I have changed in the last 32 years, or everyone else has. What a ride!

OK, I'll bite: I'm in the BSN to RN program at WVU SON in Morgantown. I'm also 56 years old; apparently the oldest in the WVU program. Any contemporaries out there?