i'm new this site as i am trying to garner information on either becoming a cna first to see if i really would be suitable material for nursing school (possibly an lpn or rn) at this late point in my life.
i'm 44yrs old, live in nj, i work f/t at an ivy league university and have a son who will be 19 in 3 weeks! i've always thought about nursing, but never did it. i make a 'good' wage as an office administrator , but i do enjoy helping people. when my mil died 5yrs ago, i helped the hospice nurse clean and take care of her. it didn't bother me in the least.
the other motivator is that i need to make some extra income , as i will be paying for a loan i took out for my child's college. i can't make overtime at my f/t job as i have a low-level management position.
my question is:
1) should i at least try a cna program and get certified to see if it is for me and to help make extra money part-time? (and help others, of course!)
2) if i do indeed enjoy it, should i go to school for nursing at this late stage?? i'm 44....is it just a stupid idea to try and earn a degree now (i don't have one..i never finished college) (i should have stayed in college when i had the chance, but oh well...)
3) should i not do a cna program and just jump to an lpn program??? but perhaps being a cna will help me decide if its for me??
4) is it possible to work f/t (37hrs a week), go to cna training (or rn school) and work p/t?? i know some people have done it.. i'm just wondering if i'm just too old to do all of this.
4) is it more advantageous to do an lpn training or just shoot for rn (after cna training) if i indeed do the cna training and like it??
any and all help/suggestions would be great. i really need to do something -- and i figure if i want to help people, i should learn a new trade and be able to work p/t in that trade, instead of me working at target (not that there is anything wrong with that!! :)
thank you!! sorry for all of the questions, i am in real need of input. i look forward to hearing your responses.
That's so awesome you did that while you were in high school. I know going to college during high school is hard work, but you're living proof that you did it!!! At such a young age, you will be one of those nurses who practice nursing for 50 years before retiring LOL....Platinum Award
I am 55 and just took the pre test in Ri and passed and will start the CNA night course soon, I also work fill time.
I say go for it, Soon you will be 55 and no certificate. 55 with a certificate or no certificate,
So things will fall to the side, as I know they will for me, but that will only be short term.
I do not know if your state requires a pre test to get into the course, but if it does, take it, if you pass go for the certificate and beyond if you are still motivated.
Today is my 57th. Birthday.... I am taking some college classes now and will enter the RN program next fall. I'll be close to 60 when I graduate. I can't wait.....Now that your kids are grown it's time to do something for yourself. This is something I've always wanted to do and the time is perfect...Good Luck..
What a great post! "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" could not have hit any closer to home. Thank you so much for sharing. I am just beginning my pre-reqs at 42, and have had the "am I too old" worries too, and this simple statement is just what I needed to hear. It all happens for a reason, and this is MY time and MY reason. Your quote will be my mantra for the next few years. Thank you so much, you made my evening!
don't let age be a thing that YOU hold against yourself... you are there for one reason only....to learn and become a nurse. I did it 1day at a time, and 1 semester at a time. As an older students we bring lots of good stuff to the table.
I am 56 and I am training right now to be a CNA while I am on a waiting list to get into nursing school. I still have about three weeks left in the CNA course and then state boards... You are definitely not too old.
Today is my 57th. Birthday.... I am taking some college classes now and will enter the RN program next fall. I'll be close to 60 when I graduate. I can't wait.....Now that your kids are grown it's time to do something for yourself. This is something I've always wanted to do and the time is perfect...Good Luck..
That's my timetable too - I expect to be in Block 1 in the Fall of 2010. I have spent the last two and a half years getting my prereqs completed and I am in the program, just waiting. Will probably be close to 58 or 59 by the time I'm finally an RN. It's never too late......
For years I put off my own dreams of studying nursing because I once heard a very famous radio advice-giver whose name I won't mention, discourage a caller from studying nursing at age 36 because, according to this radio doctor, by the time the caller finished nursing school she would be too old to handle the physical side of nursing with the necessary agility. So as I got closer to my own 36th birthday, I decided I too was too old. Now at age 37 I realize how foolish that kind of thinking is. Age is nothing; how you feel is what matters.
i am from germany and like you 44 years old and i've been in us since last year.
i got my rn diplom 1984 and worked about 10 years as a nurse in germany.the last almost 20 years i had my own business in germany in a totally different field.well,now i am here and starting over in healthcare after so many years,study english and work as a resident assistent .all depends on my english skills and i am really happy got this job because i did'nt need a certification or license to start in this field and everybody is very friendly.well,i got experience and practice and could improve my english.i choosed that way and i think it was right.
i think i am prepared to get an cna license and going to start class today.
the next step is the lpn license and i am going to start with classes in january 2010.
i was thinking like you that i am too old smile now i think 44 is only a number .i am healthy and my mind works still good.there are so many who starting over in ourage.
i just can tell you it is never to late .i enjoy to learn every day .
wish you good luck!!!
hello!
i'm new this site as i am trying to garner information on either becoming a cna first to see if i really would be suitable material for nursing school (possibly an lpn or rn) at this late point in my life.
i'm 44yrs old, live in nj, i work f/t at an ivy league university and have a son who will be 19 in 3 weeks! i've always thought about nursing, but never did it. i make a 'good' wage as an office administrator , but i do enjoy helping people. when my mil died 5yrs ago, i helped the hospice nurse clean and take care of her. it didn't bother me in the least.
the other motivator is that i need to make some extra income , as i will be paying for a loan i took out for my child's college. i can't make overtime at my f/t job as i have a low-level management position.
my question is:
1) should i at least try a cna program and get certified to see if it is for me and to help make extra money part-time? (and help others, of course!)
2) if i do indeed enjoy it, should i go to school for nursing at this late stage?? i'm 44....is it just a stupid idea to try and earn a degree now (i don't have one..i never finished college) (i should have stayed in college when i had the chance, but oh well...)
3) should i not do a cna program and just jump to an lpn program??? but perhaps being a cna will help me decide if its for me??
4) is it possible to work f/t (37hrs a week), go to cna training (or rn school) and work p/t?? i know some people have done it.. i'm just wondering if i'm just too old to do all of this.
4) is it more advantageous to do an lpn training or just shoot for rn (after cna training) if i indeed do the cna training and like it??
any and all help/suggestions would be great. i really need to do something -- and i figure if i want to help people, i should learn a new trade and be able to work p/t in that trade, instead of me working at target (not that there is anything wrong with that!! :)
thank you!! sorry for all of the questions, i am in real need of input. i look forward to hearing your responses.
I say go for it. I decided at the ripe old age of 47 to become a CNA. The best decision I have ever made. I love it. I am now in the process of applying to a school to get my LPN then plan to bridge into my RN. And to top it off I am male. The only male CNA where I work. So as Nike says just do it.
(i should have stayed in college when i had the chance, but oh well...) 
Go for it!!
NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN
2,487 Posts
That's so awesome you did that while you were in high school. I know going to college during high school is hard work, but you're living proof that you did it!!! At such a young age, you will be one of those nurses who practice nursing for 50 years before retiring LOL....Platinum Award