Returning To school at 44?

suzy253, RN · May 30, 2006

Congrats on your career change. I did the same thing 3 years ago--started nursing school at age 49 and just graduated this month at 53. Good luck to you.

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 30, 2006

Oh, I LOVE the older student threads!! I turned 50 in December and will be starting an RN program in August!! I was able to take a semester off as I already have a BS and had all the other prereqs, coreqs, etc. done.

I worry about the physical demands of the job -- I don't have any health or physical retrictions -- but: will my back hold up? Will my legs hold up? Will my BRAIN hold up?!?! :roll

So inspirational! Thanks!

Ari RN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

Currently have a friend that will be turning 59. She is enrolled in an RN-BSN program. It's never to late!

butrfli · May 31, 2006

Hi. I'll be 40 in June and I've also recently started school this past Spring. I love it and I feel like I'm more determined to focus and do well now than I've ever been in previous years, long ago. I have an 8 yr. old girl and twin boys 6 1/2. I'm also divorced! So, if I can get through this, so can you! Having your husband support your study time needed and help with the kids would be a great benefit. I study while my kids are in school and when they go to bed at 8:30. I know it'll be challenging but I'm gonna do my best to get through it! I wish you much success! GO FOR IT!!!!!

:studyowl:

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

I went back to school at 39. It wasn't so much a career change for me as it was just furthering what I already had from 8 years earlier. I think going back as an older adult I have more drive & determination to make it work. My only regret is that I wish I had been able to do this alot sooner, but better late than never. "Old dogs" can learn new tricks! I also found that by having some life experiences & maturity behind me I have not struggled as much as some of the younger folks in my class. Over half my class is in my age range, so that helps the comfort level. Due to some of life's circumstances that ended up being beyond my control, I had to wait many years to go to nursing school. So, for me, this is a life-time dream that has finally come true! Hang in there & good luck to you all! :wink2:

HARRN2b · May 31, 2006

I am right there with you. Somehow I do not think of myself as old. I have relatives in their 80's. I think "society" thinks we are old. What I have noticed is in watching the commercials. I just saw one during GMA from a pharma company. The doctor (white, male, old) writes the script for a young cute girl. Says alot about our society. Just that snapshot told me we value the opinions of old white men. We also like young, white, ditzy females. Watch the commercials and you will see what I mean. Do not let some marketing company tell you that you are old. That is my motto.

*CJA* · May 31, 2006

I just finished my first semester of a BSN program, during which I turned 50. I've loved being back at school - it has really whipped my brain into shape. And being around so many younger people is fun. What are we going to do with the rest of our lives anyway? Why not go for what we want?:)

HARRN2b · May 31, 2006

One thing I have noticed is that my 11 year old son has suddenly gotten very interested in school. This is a side effect of my endeavor. I took him to the college with me when I registered. We ate lunch in the student lounge. I gave him a tour of the campus. I took him into the nursing building, where we talked with a career counselor. I believe this made a huge impression on him! He is now coming home with A's. It was too cute, my first day of class, he wanted to make sure that I had pencils and paper and all of my books!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

That is too cute, HARRN2b!

My "going back to school" experience was pretty unique. My then 20 y/o daughter and I started the same semester at the same college...there was a young man in her English 101 that was also in my Gen. Biology!

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 31, 2006

Good luck to you!

1pinkrose · May 31, 2006

Welcome and don't worry, you will do just fine! I am a 2nd semester nursing student (48 years young!). Age is only a number, it does not define who you are. Many of the younger students tend to look up to older students.

Be proud of who you are and what you are accomplishing! Good Luck, see ya around