MyteMite

Thanks for your advice. I guess it's good for me that because of my age I have worked in many environments and with many hateful co-workers and know what it's like to be stabbed in the back and how to recover from that. Trust me. I do not romanticize nursing. I remember the nurses I worked with who were hateful and mean just trying their hardest to make my life more miserable than theirs was. I remember my feet aching from literally running on them all night between patient rooms due to short staffing. And I also remember the small victories like a truly grateful "thank you" and "you helped me so much". You gotta take your small victories when you get them and shrug off the negative stuff as much as possible. Yep, I remember how one nurse was so continually mean and nasty, and the stress building up to the point I basically yelled while crying at her telling her how I felt. Oddly enough, that is what it took to earn her respect and have her treat me respectfully. I'm not saying that is how one should always handle stressful situations. I'm just saying I've had a few and don't live in a fantasy land looking through rose-colored glasses thinking nursing will be all smiles, thank-you's, and warm fuzzies. I've worked in hospitals and private clinics for years. I know those waters. Those waters are pretty much like everywhere else honestly. Every job is what YOU make of it. We all have control over how we respond to things and much we can handle. I'll keep on with my life-long dream because I know what I want to make out of it. Thanks again for your input!

Ginger's mom ~ It's called having your both your parents die and leave you an inheritance. I have invested the money they left me which provides me income. I was working in a job that I hated and quit a few years ago to go back to school to do what I am interested in (nursing). I am fortunate, I guess, to have this opportunity. I'd rather have my parents...

Agreed. I figure that I'll have that on my side. Again, I could just as easily move to Mexico and live next to the beach but, crazy me, I want to get another career and keep working. And finishing what I started years ago (nursing school) is what I've decided to do. Thanks for your input.

Good for you Sally! I want to still be working at 67.5 as well :-)

Good for you! I want to still be working at 67.5 as well :-) Thank you

Hi all ~ Thanks for your replies. Yes, I can afford the school (paying out of my pocket). I'm retired WITH income so no issue there. I have thought about working nights, weekends, whatever. As I was a CNA previously I worked EVERY schedule. So I know what that is about and I'm totally prepared to do whatever schedule is necessary for my job... until I can be a bit more choosy anyhow. And I'm able to relocate. I'm not stuck in my current town by any means. My kids have their plans to go to colleges out of the area so I don't need to stay here for them. Actually I wouldn't mind relocating, but we'll see what Initially I'll be doing an ADN program with plans to cross over to BSN after a bit. My goal is to work in either NICU, surgery, or Cardiovascular and I'm sure a BSN would help. I could do travel nursing too.... But I know I'll most likely start out Med-Surg and I'm totally okay with that. I have thought about this A LOT, and I know what nursing schedules entail. I really just didn't know what it would look like once I do get done with the school... Sounds like I'm not the only "older" person making this career change and that makes me feel better. Any other advice is TOTALLY APPRECIATED! :-) If only just to hear other persons in my situation age-wise. :-) Thanks.

Hi there! Question for all you seasoned nurses out there. I am 47 years old, soon to be empty-nester, and retired. Looking ahead, I want to fulfill a long time dream and become a nurse. I'm too young to just sit on a beach drinking margs all day (sounds good but can't do it more than a week) but I'm wondering if realistically becoming a nurse in my early 50's might not work out so great as far as getting jobs. Over 50 too old to start out?? I'm not really doing it for the money (though that would be a nice benefit). I want to have a fulfilling, meaningful existence and really love the medical world. Years ago I was a CNA while initially going to nursing school but young twin children required more mommy time so I stopped pursuing nursing. I became a stay-at-home mom who worked as a medical transcriptionist for 13 years. I'm fit, healthy, and available. Just waiting for my name to be pulled out of the "hat" for the local nursing school lottery. Think I'll be wasting my time??... Thanks for any input :-)