I am finally, at the age of 46, fulfilling my life-long dream to become a nurse. It has always been my passion, and now it is finally my time to make that dream come true. I am both excited and scared to start nursing classes in August. While I realize it will be very difficult, I know in my heart it is the profession for me. My concern, as I read the posts on this website, is that there seem to be a lot of overwhelmed, unhappy nurses with too many patients and not enough time to care for them. I do understand it is a challenging profession, but I do hope to be able to make a difference in my patient's lives. Please tell me this is still possible. :heartbeat
Juryizout 141 Posts Specializes in Psych, geriatrics. Has 5 years experience. Apr 14, 2011 :w00t:Congrats! I am in the same boat as far as motive for becoming a nurse. I will be 48 this year and waiting as an alternate to get into the LPN program. Good for you, and hope it will be me SOON!Jury
Rshells 12 Posts Has 7 years experience. Apr 14, 2011 I am finally, at the age of 46, fulfilling my life-long dream to become a nurse. It has always been my passion, and now it is finally my time to make that dream come true. I am both excited and scared to start nursing classes in August. While I realize it will be very difficult, I know in my heart it is the profession for me. My concern, as I read the posts on this website, is that there seem to be a lot of overwhelmed, unhappy nurses with too many patients and not enough time to care for them. I do understand it is a challenging profession, but I do hope to be able to make a difference in my patient's lives. Please tell me this is still possible. :heartbeatCongrats and good luck on nursing school! I would say don't let those posts discourage you about nursing. If it has always been your passion, then it won't matter about the stress, or the patient ratio. I am an LPN and I am a student as well. I have been an LPN for 5 years, and I can still say that I love nursing. I can't imagine doing anything else. I think that if you have the passion for this, and you know that it is what you want to do, then the stress and everything else will be worth it. Just make sure to take a break when you need it, or even step out of the building if you need a break from the stress. I've had to do that a few times. Good luck!
sweetnurse63, BSN, RN 202 Posts Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge, Ortho. Has 7 years experience. Apr 14, 2011 Nursen2013, You Can Do It !!!!! just stay focused and pray! nurses are graduating everyday at every age, congrats:yeah: I was 40 when I completed the LPN and 44 when i finished the RN and now thinking about the RN to BSN.
Rshells 12 Posts Has 7 years experience. Apr 14, 2011 And to add one more thing.. it might not seem like it, when your busy, but in nursing you are always making a difference in their lives. Even just a smile or a touch can go a long way. Most people need to know that someone knowledgeable and caring are on their side when they are sick, and with that you've made a difference.
rachmdav 13 Posts Apr 14, 2011 I think that many people use the forums here to vent to other nurses about issues that only "we" would understand. I believe that the majority of the members here truly love nursing. Your heart has to be in it, or you'll never make it.Good luck in nursing school and congratulations for following your dream!
Juryizout 141 Posts Specializes in Psych, geriatrics. Has 5 years experience. Apr 15, 2011 I will keep my fingers crossed for you ... good luck!Thank you so much!Jury:)
donsterRN, ASN, BSN 2,558 Posts Specializes in Cardiac Care. Has 10 years experience. Apr 15, 2011 Of course it's possible; you will be in a position to affect so many people with your compassion, caring, knowledge and skills.I would only caution that you not read a lot into the venting posts on AllNurses. This forum is a wonderful place to visit, learn, commiserate, bond and yes, to vent. We ALL have days when we wonder what on earth were we thinking when we decided to become nurses. It is a demanding, challenging, frustrating career, and the vent threads reflect that. But those feelings are certainly not restricted to Nursing; other professions definitely have their own challenges, too. You can't let those challenges frighten you away. On the other hand, nursing is exciting, rewarding and fun. I love my job. That doesn't mean I don't think of quitting every other week. One night can be hell and then the next night makes you realize why you do it. I guess the point I'm clumsily trying to make is that we vent here because we sometimes desperately need to. And then we move forward.By the way, I graduated nursing school at 51. Lord knows, if I can do it, you can do it. I wish you all the luck and success in the world!
nursein2013 5 Posts Apr 15, 2011 Donster ... thank you so much for your comments ... you really opened my eyes to a lot of things with your post ... everyone needs to vent ... but like you say, then you remember why you are a nurse to begin with. So thanks so much ... I am going to look at posts in a different light from now on ... I so much appreciate your support and encouragement!!!!!
