Starting Nursing at 52 and Nervous

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Hi All! I just graduated in May and turned 52 in July. I've been offered a job on a telemetry floor and am very glad about it. I am also nervous about what to expect...I know the first year can be a devil for any new nurse but I have the added worry that I am an older nurse and just beginning. I'd love to hear advice from any and all but especially nurses who entered the profession at an older age about weathering the first year. I'm in good health but the twelve hour shifts scare me a bit in terms of the physical toll. I'd love to hear advice and any management/coping skills you could share that were helpful to you in being successful. Thanks!

How wonderful !!!!!!!!

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Stay confident and positive. You don't need to let others know that you are a 'new' RN. But you do need to ask questions and be in a learning mode. When I was 38 yrs old and had been a RN for about 16 yrs, the staff always deferred to an 'older' RN in her late 50's who had just gotten her RN 2 yrs. previously. I finally realized that they thought that since she was so much older than me, they thought she'd been a nurse for many yrs. So, just be so proud of yourself and don't worry about what others think. Also, I've found that nurses who are young in age tend to treat older nurses w/ disrespect...perhaps a generation X or Y symptom? Or they think that since we are 'older' in age that we have not continued to update our knowledge and practice skills? Whatever, do not let yourself be 'bullied' by other RN staff. We need to support ourselves in a mentoring and kind manner. All the best to you!

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Congratulations on completing your RN degree. I am 52 and still in my 2nd year. I wish you everything of the best. Just be you. You will be great. Have some faith in yourself you completed the studies so you must be capable. Well done!!!!!!

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Specializes in Psychiatric, MICA.

In at 50 and doing great in psych. Some issues with schedules at home, but working on that! Keep up with the continuous improvement and have a comprehensive self-care plan! I have a daily workout with Yoga and a meditation regime.

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Wow! This a great website, with so many great nurses responding! You guys really ease my fears and help me to realize that I CAN DO THIS! Thank you all for your encouraging words!

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hello Toni, Welcome! It is a great site and whenever I have a question/problem that needs solving, I know just where to come. We are all sisters in that regard. Also, it's just a great site for everything that is nursing. Have fun!!:)

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Specializes in All age groups, Acute and Ambulatory.

52 and Just started my first job last week - 3 12 hour night shifts in rehab. It' AMAZING! I love it. I'm working with a group of people of all ages and backgrounds, and we all share a love of nursing and our patients. The first two nights were hard, but by the third night I felt much better. I'm pulling 4 12 hour shifts for a few weeks - need to start paying tuition. But I am confident I'll be fine. Most people when I polled the boards prior to starting suggested sleeping several hours before your night shift begins. The nurses who proctored me taught me to spread my tasks out throughout the night so I don't get bored, and there's always something to do if you look.

I think the age thing is a lot more mental than physical - I know I'm not as strong as when I was 25, but I do know how to pace myself better. But taking care of patients and knowing that I am making a positive difference in their lives keeps me going very well. Good luck! :nurse:

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Hi Everyone,

I was called for an interview today. I will interview next week. It is at a comprehensive health clinic. I am preparing because I reeeeeallllly want this job. So, any good tips you have will be well appreciated. Thanking all of you in advance,

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Specializes in All age groups, Acute and Ambulatory.

Allll rigggghhhht! You're on your way. In my interview the interviewer threw the "test" questions in as part of our conversation - like what would I do in a fire, (RACE), what would I do if a trach got coughed out, symptoms of allergy, shock, etc. So my advice is to bone up on the situations you can imagine you'd run into there, and then listen carefully during the interview - they may not ask you technique/procedure questions bluntly. Good luck - I'm praying for you.

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Thank you, thank you so much, LPN e2010.

It's what I was planning to do over this Labor Day weekend. I had already told myself, as a matter of fact, I wrote it down so that I won't forget- to review immunizations, where to place the vaccinations to peds, etc; because I will be working with that population and adults. However, I am so grateful that you responded, because not only does it give me reinforcement about what to expect (like you said, they may not be blunt, etc)but, you give me more of a sense of confidence. Thank you.:):redpinkhe

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Specializes in Long term care.

I am not 50 something, but I am 46, graduated in 2009, and just finished my first year in nursing as a LPN. Everyone's comments encourages me to think about going to school again to get my RN.....the first year of nursing is very hard at times, because you feel so lost, but its true what the one nurse said, that if you can get thru nursing school then you can get thru your first year on the job. Just remember if that one job does not work out, you are not a failure as a nurse, just need to find your niche.

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Hi all, thank you for all the great replies. I graduated ADN in May and I will be 58 in December. The entire time I was in nursing school I wanted to work in a hospital, but during last semester I realized it probably would be better for me to pursue another category of nursing. I was in an accident 6 years ago and burst fractured L1 - have an ant/pos fusion and all lumbar vertabraes have compression fx. Fortunately and miraculously, I am probably not in much more pain than the average 57 year old, and maybe even less than the average nurse my age! However, I knew I was blessed to make it through school with the lifting not taking some catastrophic toll on me. Also, it is not necessary for me to pursue the greatest amount of money my education can bring since I am retired from another job. I started a job in Correctional healthcare (County jail) in July. I am really loving it. I am very disappointed going into hospital was not to be, but I trust in my intuition (and angels) to lead me to the correct paths. I am planning on furthering my eduation to at least BSN, and also look for opportunities to develop skills I may not use enough in this nursing job. Good Luck to all of us new grads, older and young. And praise be to all the wonderful nurses who have the experience and are willing to spend the time and effort to teach us all. You are all so special. :redpinkhe

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