This ancient acrobat just got into Nursing school !

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Ha ! They suggested I use a "catchy title" so there it is ! I just turned 49 (GULP) AND got my acceptance letter yesterday ! I'm not actually an "acrobat" either but have taken Dance and gymnastics my whole life, so can still do cartwheels into splits, put my legs behind my head and am in excellent shape. I just wanted to confront the stereotype that all 20 somethings are better suited for this physical job than we 40 somethings and tell anyone who might be going through the " Am I too old thing ?" to GO FOR IT !

My stats are : I had all the English and social science stuff from forever ago so I just had to do math and the hard sciences. 'Just" Ha ! I started with my teen daughter in 2010 but she passed away so I stopped. I figured it was "our" thing and I couldn't do it without her. Then I met a 95 yr old former RN who became one of my closest friends. She is one of the smartest women I have EVER met, and she encouraged me to go for it despite my age, despite my lingering sadness over my daughter. I started feeling like it was the path I should be on once again.

SO, last semester I took A&P I, Microbiology and Algebra, all with labs, all 4 credits, and I kicked butt ! My averages were around 98, so I had a 4.0 for that semester and a 3.7 from back in 2010 when I took Gen Bio, Chemistry, Medical terminology and stats.

The TEAS was a challenge as if you read the opening chapter in the prep book it says that they are testing you on general knowledge from grades 7-12. HA ! I only had a month and knew I couldn't reteach myself chem and earth science and actually some of the easier maths which I had long forgotten in that time frame, so I only got a 79, but for the program I was going for, it was worth one point, pass or fail, and pass was only a 65.

I had gotten a CNA licence from a college in SC where I stayed with some friends after my husband died in 2009 but never worked as one, as the pay in the south was around $8 an hour and I could make a lot more with one of my other skill sets. I think the certificate may have helped though.

I had not and have not taken A&P II yet and will have to take it in my first semester along with with my nursing courses, eek ! It all came pretty naturally to me and I have an excellent memory so I'm not too worried as long as I put the time in.

They said they usually get about 400 applicants for 40 spots, so it was hardly a lock. There are 2 other programs in my medium sized city and ALL three are very well respected, but the other two were private and between 12k and 24k a year ( for tuition only) so I ONLY applied to the community college program where I took my pre-reqs which will be more like 6k a year. That's my ONE concession to my age : I didn't want a high loan amount ! Their NCLEX pass rates were 90% last I checked: equal to the 24k a year school and the 12K one was only 79% in the last reported year.

Last semester I unofficially tutored a lot of my much younger classmates, and with my life experience I really don't feel at ALL like they have any advantages except maybe on paper. I hope that while doing clinicals I will make connections, so that I will be judged by my energy, intelligence and ability and not the number on my birth certificate. I'm hoping a 40 something head nurse might rather hire a tough, smart peer than someone her kids age ? Maybe ?

Also, at my age, my nurse friends are RUNNING departments and centers, so I may have an advantage there.

Well, I know I have been stalking these pages for years and am always curious to hear other peoples stories, so here is mine :)

I actually have no worries about the academic portion but DO wonder what if I just can't give injections, or hear heartbeats, or place catheters or the more technical stuff ??? Guess I'll find out !

BTW: My parents are still working and have crazy energy at 73, and 80 respectively, and my husband of nearly 5 years is 25 yrs old ;)

It's been a hell of a ride and I can't wait to learn more !! What's YOUR story ?

PS. When I signed up years ago I had no idea I would be staying so I used my dogs name (which was bestowed by my daughter when she was 8). I TRULY am NOT that flowery of a person and wish I could change it but oh well, LOL !

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Welcome!

As someone who already knows your way around AN, you have probably encountered many posts about the 'age' thing, including disclaimers from people who know (or ARE) nurses in the 70+ range who are still actively practicing. I know a wonderful 83 year old nurse who just retired (again) from her relief House Supervisor position. She says this time she'll stay retired in order to spend more time travelling.

So - there's a really good possibility that you'll have an opportunity for at least 20 years or so of nursing practice ahead of you after you graduate so the return on your educational investment will be tremendous.

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Thank you so much ! That is absolutely what I am planning on; 20 yrs of practice, and THEN I'll take a cushy desk job, lol. That was part of why I posted, to let those in their 30's, or 40's know that it is FAR from too late ! We still can't get my dad to stop lifting those 80 lb concrete blocks when he's doing masonry work, lol !

I know I have been my own worst enemy, having told myself I was "too old" for the last 10 yrs ! NOW, I have no choice but to prove myself and the naysayers wrong and I still have SUCH a love for learning, I can't wait to suck up all the upcoming knowledge ! The 95 yr old friend I mentioned above was still active in nursing into her late 70's and now still takes classes on a variety of topics because as she says, she has a " curious mind" !

I'm sure i'll have my sleepless nights but for the most part, right now my attitude is : This is going to be FUN, bring it on !

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Wow, you go girl!! That's completely awesome! Thanks so much for posting and best wishes to you!!! (And I'm sure your daughter is doing cartwheels up there for you, too! :).

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Congratulations Dahlia Daisy on nursing school acceptance!

Thanks for the vote of confidence for us over 40! I am 45 years old and at times I feel too old to start nursing school. I admire your energy and enthusiastic attitude. I have the enthusiastic attitude, however I lack the energy at times. I am not very agile and limber so I worry I will not be a very physically strong nurse. I plan to go the gym up the street from my house and eat better. I appreciate your candid posting because it proves you can be over 40 and be energetic and lively. And I just love the fact that your mom and dad are still going strong! :)

I hope to be accepted in nursing school for Fall 2016, in the meantime I am working on my stamina and strength. Because I know I'll need it for those earlier morning clinicals and long study hours.

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My Mother went to school for her LPN at 50. She was not nearly in the good shape you are. You know already that you CAN do this. Congrats on getting accepted into your program. Good luck, and keep us updated on your progress.

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Hey and Thanks, Tbird88 ! Yikes, when are you supposed to find out ? I know I spent the last month sick to my stomach waiting : when I finally got the letter I ate like 5,000 calories, slept 14 hrs and woke up feeling like a new human being ! No one is the energizer bunny all the time, just try to pace yourself, and like you said : eat healthy, stay limber and just keep working incrementally in that direction ! Guess what ? I have to quit smoking !!! I promised myself I would if I got accepted, so i'm meeting with my doc and then it's smoke free for me ! We ALL have our challenges ! Good luck, hope you find out SOON !!!!

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You've made my day! I'm in my mid 40s and I'm starting nursing school this fall. Almost every day I have a voice in my head that says "You can't do it, it's too late!" but I keep trying to shut it up. Your post is one I'm going to bookmark and read from time to time.

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your daughter and I can't imagine how proud she'd be of you to know that you're starting a new chapter of your life.

Thank you again for posting, I really needed to read this today.

ETA: I chose my name here (Evening Primrose) because that flower is a "late bloomer" and that's how I think of myself. We all have different paths we take in life and never know where we'll end up. For lots of reasons, my path was muddled. I think I'm on the right one now, though.

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Congrats Double D! (See what I did there?)

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Hey and Thanks, Tbird88 ! Yikes, when are you supposed to find out ?

I find out the end of June, so I am on pins and needles until then. And congratulations on going smoke free!

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I am about to be 35 this year and have just decided to go back and complete nursing school. I have been a high school science teacher for the past 10 years and have back for 2 masters degrees in education. After all of that, I made the decision in February of this year to go back for nursing. I say go back because I was previously in an ASN program when I was younger and was unsuccessful in the Adult Nursing I course. I gave up and did not re-enter. It was a mistake that I made due to immaturity and lack of confidence. But, that was 15 years ago. I am a different person now. And like you, I see the advantage of being mature and of having life experience as some definite caveats to being successful. I know for a fact that you will be successful and will quickly find employment!!!

Congrats!!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

At 23 I was one of the youngest in my class! A good half of my cohort were in 30s-40s, changing careers or who had stayed at home with their children.

My late great aunt retired from nursing at age 76! She was a rural community health nurse.

Congrats on your acceptance!

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