paujos

Was it suspended due to something that happened at the place you were working in Tennessee? Or did you leave there and fail to renew it? Something seems missing.

I graduated from nursing school at 63. Going on 8 years of med surg. Had many naysayers and those who were positive. I plan to retire at 73. Med surg changed a lot since I started—patients ungrateful and higher acuity. Many aspects of nursing you can do. Go for it!

I agree about the post about NP and salaries. I know a lot of NP's who work at our hospital and regret going for NP. Their salaries have been cut dramatically and have high tuition bills. One had to stop going for doctorate due to cut in salary. She couldn't affor tuition and bills and go to school. Had to choose...

I agree with the one reply about checking the medications you are taking. I graduated as a RN in 2017 and have been a med surg nurse since. I will be 70 this year and have no issues. I am not on any medications. Was diagnosed with ADD years ago but refused the meds they wanted me to take. Routine and structure is best for people with add. I can't stand the stigma that because you're a certain age it automatically signals decline. Not so... Genetics and health status can affect anyone at any age. I see patients all the time a lot younger than me and look about 20 years older than me.

I graduated from nursing school at 63 in 2017. I am no entering my 7th year med surg. For those who are looking into starting school later in life, go for it. We are living longer.

I graduated from nursing school in 2017 at 63. I will be 70 this year and starting my 7th year of med surg. I say go for it! I had so many naysayers but went for it. I had originally thought about going for NP but at this point will retire in 3 years. You're young. Do it!

Agreed! This is a teachable moment. Go back to the Five Rights of Medication Administration: Right Patient; Right Drug; Right Route; Right Time; Right Dose. And always triple check. Check as you are removing the medication, check as you are scanning, and as you are administering to patient. I still look at packaging as I am giving to patient and look on their mar to make sure everything is correct. Lately we're having up to 8 patients with no aide and under so much stress, you can never recheck enough to make sure everything is correct.

Agreed! This is a teachable moment. Go back to the Five Rights of Medication Administration: Right Patient; Right Drug; Right Route; Right Time; Right Dose. And always triple check. Check as you are removing the medication, check as you are scanning, and as you administering to patient. I still look at packaging as I am giving to patient and look on their mar to make sure everything is correct. Lately we're having up to 8 patients with no aide and under so much stress, you can never recheck enough to make sure everything is correct.

I have a fellow nurse who just made a grave med error and luckily the patient is okay. Ironically it cured his bladder issue and was discharged two days later. But, I would not report this to the BON. We do incident reports for any such errors. They are never to be part of the chart. They are not punitive. They are simply to bring attention to the incident. They can use this data for e-learning and to prevent future such mistakes. No intent of harm was made. Don't beat yourself up. This will help you in the future by closely examining medication orders and verifying information. It happens to the best of us. We are under so much pressure right now. The stress is overwhelming. This will make you stronger and an even better nurse. Take care, paujos

Ageism is alive and well in any field I believe. I bring it to the forefront and that puts an end to it. Most feel that we should be able to fulfill our dreams no matter what age. Go for it! Our life experience brings an extra edge to the field. They are young and a lot to learn in life. I am happy I went to school late in life. My children are raised and feel the freedom of no interference. And to CAK58, I worked for a demo company, helped a friend run her new restaurant, and babysat grandchildren. I made it through. Determination is key.

Sorry--I work nights so a little tired but meant I started job hunting mid November...

Not at all! I started in mid November before I graduated thinking I would have a hard time. I was interviewed and hired. I worked as an extern until I got my graduate license. I applied for the graduate license in school. I graduated December 6, and graduate license was issued December 11. I did state to employer I would have my RN within 90 days of hire which I accomplished. I passed NCLEX first try. Good Luck to you! You can do it!

I am 64. I graduated from nursing school in December/2017 at almost 63. I have been working in Med/Surg a year and a half now.

I just wanted to see how you're doing. I am in specialties now. I have 3 more and then my last semester is 7 weeks of school & the last 7 weeks is our preceptorship. I graduate December 7. I turned 62 in December.

That is great news, and full of encouragement! Thank you for sharing your story. BTW, my brother has lived in Rapid City for almost 40 years. God's country out there. I visited, and got to see the Badlands, Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, and a rodeo! It is so beautiful out there. I will update throughout my school semesters. I have 20 months straight through.

Yes! That is one of my biggest goals--in addition to attaining my lifelong dream career of becoming a nurse, I will also have the income that will take me into retirement. I have twin grandsons that are 9 months old. It will be nice to have the cushion to splurge more than I can now. I figure if I can work till 75ish, then will retire. I am from a family of long-livers, so, hopefully, I will still enjoy some retirement. I have always worked, so not sure if I would even enjoy retiring completely. And, I will be paying off my student loans until infinity also! P.S: I give you so much credit for all you have accomplished! I love your story...

@Flatlander Thank you for the update. I read the other post, and am just now reading this one. It is reassuring to know everything went well, and you were able to find work. I realize they will be long shifts. My daughter-in-law is a nurse and 30 years old. She even feels it. I think that is a lot for anyone. I didn't even realize I wrote that long post last October, LOL!! Oh well. Take care, and will update. At this point graduation will be April/2017.

Wow!! That is amazing!! I give her so much credit! Thank you for sharing... That is very encouraging, as we can always use the confidence pull!

Hi Fergus51: I am not sure of the original poster, but I actually was in a BSN Program last year, but withdrew because of cost, $853 a credit. I was then accepted into two separate programs, an ADN and St. Luke's School of Nursing, one of the oldest hospital based diploma programs. I chose that one as I will have 900 clinical hours. I will be 61 in December, and will be 62 when I graduate in April/2017. I don't feel you're too old at all! I have met so many people in their 50's & 60's who are in nursing school. In fact, I ran into a fellow classmate the other day. She is 56, and still in the BSN Program I was in. Go for It! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At this point, what is another couple years. Our school offers 70% discount for the BSN if we work for them two years. That is what I plan to do. Good Luck with your decision!

I was at work, but thank you all for your advice! It means a lot. I got my answer tonight at work. I ran into a woman I know who is a nurse, and she said hands down, St. Luke's. She said they're not even comparable when it comes to quality. I realize I will need my BSN. St. Luke's and Moravian work together for a RN-BSN Program. St. Luke's is growing so rapidly, and have clinics popping up all over. I feel confident that I will find work. I have family in Florida, and their hospitals will only hire BSN's. Our local Lehigh Valley Hospital won't hire ADN's anymore due to their Magnet Status. Thank you again!!

Now I am looking at the tuition aspect. I talked to the community college, and it's only $220 a credit. St. Luke's is $22 thou total. I only need like 5 classes at Northampton. Would that money I spend on St. Luke's be better spent on getting my BSN? So much to consider... So many talk about retaking classes too. I don't know how common that is. I know a friend that graduated from Northampton, and she said about half survived. I talked to a girl that went to St. Luke's and she mentioned many dropped out, but don't remember stats. Do they drop out because of grades, or they decide they don't like it? I have A's in all my classes, but I know you are told to forget A's in nursing. Should I be concerned about having to retake classes? I hate major decisions! Luckily, I work all weekend, so I can, hopefully, relax and not think about if for a couple days. Sometimes it is better to breathe, relax, and let it come to you...

Thank you, nurse2b13! I think I would be more prepared!

Just to add... Last year, I was enrolled in the BSN Program at Cedar Crest University. It was just too expensive! It was $853/credit, and about $50 thou a year. As much as I wanted to, I just could not afford it. So, I then decided to just get my ADN, and gradually work on my BSN. It's hard to digress, but so be it.

Thank you both for your input. And, yes, I have fellow students who have graduated from both. St. Luke's would be 5, 14 week semesters straight through for 20 months. I would have 900 clinical hours. I already graduated from Northampton with an AA in General Studies. Their program is 70 credits, of which I already have 36 from Gen Ed classes; therefore, I would just be taking the nursing classes. St. Luke's Hospital is growing, and clinics are popping up all over the place. From what I understand, most get hired within 6 months. Decisions, decisions!! Thank you again!!

Thank you! It is such a hard decision!! St. Luke's School of Nursing in Bethlehem PA is one of the oldest nursing schools in the country, and has a wonderful reputation. It would be 20 mos straight through, and 180 clinical hours per each of 5 14 week semesters. Northampton Area Community College is well known for their ADN program too! St. Luke's has a 96% passing rate for the NCLEX. I think Northampton is 90%. Both have RN to BSN programs.