To all that think you're too old for nursing school

Nursing Students General Students

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To all of you that think that you can't do this because there are too many miles behind you, you can! Graduation is 3 weeks and 2 days away for me (but who's counting?) and I did it. It has been, with out a doubt, the hardest thing I've ever taken on. I'm exhausted. It was like a marathon. But the sense of accomplishment is SO AWESOME!!! I have to say, the 20-somethings have had all the same struggles with the curriculum. But they have the social lives, the boyfriends/fiancée's that they want to devote their time to, many lack the life experience we've had (we've had babies, we've dealt with illness and death, etc.). In a way, it is harder for them. Yeah, they have those clean, sponge-like brains that soak up everything...but that's when you invite them for study group at your place (feed them well!). Don't doubt yourself for a second! If this is what you want, go for it! You'll be glad you did. The patients will love you. :heartbeat

ELDER CLASS OF 2008

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Thanks...that's quite inspiring!:yeah:

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Specializes in none.

Thanks! I needed that.

I'm tired of students coming to me and thinking I'm the teacher - b/c I'm older. A student from another class came into ours and was telling me why she was sent there and what she needed to work on. I listened closely and then realized she thought she was speaking with the class instructor. I was embarrased and wanted to cry.

Another time, I was first to show up for a class and several students came in and asked if I was teaching the class.

I'm determined to keep going. I don't care how old you are, if this is your dream - go for it. Like I said to someone who told me they thought I was too old to go into nursing - I'm not dead yet.:clown:

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I'm 30, and couldn't believe what a 20-year-old student said to me. I'm in a one-year LPN program, and am planning to continue step-by-step (begin my RN in Jan '09) toward becoming a nurse practitioner. We were discussing our career plans, and when I told her mine, she got wide-eyed and in a shocked way exclaimed, "HOW OLD will you be when you get done?? You'll be SO old, ...YOU'RE going to get your Masters' ???, I would never want to be in school in my THIRTIES!!!"... I was shocked. A little hurt, have to say, too. But, just so you know, "old" is relative, and even in "relatively" younger years, there are always going to be people who can make you feel "old", no matter what your age!

We are fortunate to live in the time we do, where age isn't so much of a limitation as it used to be. I think of all the wonderful role models we have-amazing ladies like Diane Sawyers, Barbara Walters, etc. Classy and beautiful! I've seen a magazine, "More" magazine, for women 40+. Very motivating! I read about a woman who decided she wanted to be a physician, and decided on it at the age of around 40. Yeah, she's a physician now! All I can say, too bad for the girls who think quality of life ends at 25! Don't fall for it! And, how awesome that you are choosing to join the group of empowered, amazing women who are unbounded by age!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I graduated from nursing school at the ripe old age of 38 and never looked back. We only limit ourselves when we say "I'm too old for such-and-such". :stone

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I'm 30, and couldn't believe what a 20-year-old student said to me. I'm in a one-year LPN program, and am planning to continue step-by-step (begin my RN in Jan '09) toward becoming a nurse practitioner. We were discussing our career plans, and when I told her mine, she got wide-eyed and in a shocked way exclaimed, "HOW OLD will you be when you get done?? You'll be SO old, ...YOU'RE going to get your Masters' ???, I would never want to be in school in my THIRTIES!!!"... !

I have had a few kids (not many) insinuate this, but never comment out loud. Whoosh!

I would have taken everything I had not to slap her (just kidding).

Seriously though, I wonder if she lives at home still with mom doing her laundry and stocking the fridge? I'd ask her :lol2:

Cheers,

Diane

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
We were discussing our career plans, and when I told her mine, she got wide-eyed and in a shocked way exclaimed, "HOW OLD will you be when you get done?? You'll be SO old, ...YOU'RE going to get your Masters' ???, I would never want to be in school in my THIRTIES!!!"... I was shocked. A little hurt, have to say, too. But, just so you know, "old" is relative, and even in "relatively" younger years, there are always going to be people who can make you feel "old", no matter what your age!

LOL....that just goes to show the ignorance of youth...hopefully her life will go exactly as planned with all goals reached and obstacles avoided as she goes along!!

I only say that because I remember being in my late teens, early 20's and thinking how OLD 30 was!! Now, here I am in my (very) early 50's and I'm amazed and in shock sometimes!!

But I am completing my ADN in a month....hard to fathom sometimes....and hey, I will go on for my BSN and am considering a future MSN.

Because as someone else pointed out -- I ain't dead yet!! Although there were times, as I have fought my way through this program, that the rocker sounded more and more appealing!! :lol2:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I started nursing school right out of high school and was doing fine, got fed up one day, joined the USNavy the next day and shipped out the next day!

I became a nurse at 34, got my masters at 47 and I will be 50 this year and still might consider a doctorate!

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If I didn't graduate from nursing by 39, I would still be 39 but without a nursing education and fewer job options. Like one of you said, we have some advantages, some things we learned out of school, we have experienced more, lived longer.

My husband's t-shirt says,"Age and treachery always overcomes youth and skills." While not encouraging treachery by any means, age has its benefits.

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Hi, my name is Tonya and im a 39 year old going back to school for nursing, it is extremely hard and often i felt i was too old. But thanks to your memo i believe more in myself regardlesstoomy age.thanks a lot for the uplift its just what i needed.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Hi, my name is Tonya and im a 39 year old going back to school for nursing, it is extremely hard and often i felt i was too old. But thanks to your memo i believe more in myself regardlesstoomy age.thanks a lot for the uplift its just what i needed.

Rock on, Tonya!

I'll be 38 when I graduate...

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Actually in our nursing school, we have a number of 30+ students. Out of 43 students starting, we are down to under 30 students left, and I don't think we lost one 30+ y/o student.

I'm 43 and proud of it. I'll be just a week shy of 45 when I finish with my ASN and still have plans to go forward.

Kris

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