Will I Be Too Old??

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Sep 20, 2006

NO.

Or rather, How old will you be if you don't follow your dreams? My guess, older than your stated age. . .

~faith,

Timothy.

RN007 · Sep 20, 2006

Here's a thought:

If you're interested in surgery, go ahead and get the surgical tech training and work while you're waiting for the list to clear. That also will help you to figure out if surgery is really your thing.

I don't know about your financial situation, but many hospitals have good tuition reimbursement programs and would pay for your ADN. Good luck!

P.S. Is there no other school around w/o a waiting list? You might be able to find an employer that will pay for private school. The hospital where I do clinicals pays 100% in-state, 80% private.

P.P.S. I'm 47 and will graduate May '07. I don't consider myself too old. If I get to the point I can't walk the halls, there will be plenty of other options for me.

hfdguy, LPN · Sep 21, 2006

I am 40 and in LPN school as I got tired of waiting around on the 3 year wait list for the RN school...

One of the reasons I decided to 'go for it' was an article I read in Dear Abby.

To paraphrase, a woman who was 55 always wanted to be a doctor. She wrote to say she was too old to persue her dream. Abby would hear none of it, and years later a letter was published from her daughter to Abby.

In it, Abby had originally said how old will you be in 6 years if you don't go? And will you still be sitting on your porch, saying "Gee, I could have.. but I'm too old..." Based on her advise, the 55 year old woman went to medical school, graduated, and moved to a rural community in Vermont. There she was the only doctor in 50 miles. Her daughter wrote that she had just passed away at the age of 98, but spent over 30 years touching lives in that rural hamlet - caring for patients and changing lives. Now, not only do you owe it to yourself to become an RN if you are really committed to being one... you owe it to all those future infirm, ill and helpless patients who will be looking for a knowledgable, caring nurse when that call bell is pressed.

Best of luck, my friend!

L&D_2b · Sep 21, 2006

The way I look at it is: You can't retire until you are about 65 years old. That will still give you 20 to 25 years to work as a nurse. Old? Nah, you can still get a good retire plan in that amount of time.

As for medical concerns, do floor nursing as long as you can/want. There is always administration, teaching, etc.

Now go for it!

puggymae · Sep 21, 2006

You are never too old to persue your dreams. I had a 67 year old woman in my ADN class - she had been a grade school teacher for all her life and hated it - she said she hated the kids, and they hated her - but her parents insisted she go to teachers college. She worked for 8 years as an RN and died of a massive stroke. At her funeral there weren't too many past students but there were alot of her patients there. You are never too old to find your calling.

HARRN2b · Sep 21, 2006

I am in my 40's but the truth is we may have to work past 65. AND we may want to, as well. It sounds heavenly sitting around on a beach 24/7--that is until you do it. The thing with this degree is that you may opt to work 2 or 3 days a week and still do your beach thing as a retiree. My mom who is 70+ said there is a lady that is an rn in her Fl retirement community, who still works part time. Who knows, you could also be an NP, someday. One last note, my aunt is 89 years old and still travels, and are you ready for this--she has a boyfriend. I am not kidding! Both of their spouses passed away and they hooked up. He is a little bit younger than her. So, now, do you think you are too old?? :)

mary4mary · Sep 21, 2006

The average age of a floor nurse is around 45. Hospital work is very stressfull I WORKED FOR 22 YEARS IN HOSPITALS AND IT GOT WAY TOO STRESSFULL. Now I work pediatric homecare,I only have one patient and even though they are fragile and have problems I have to address on a dayly basis this job is so much less stress and I have fun with the children. You only need one year of hospital experience to work in homecare, you can do extended care like I do or do visits for woundcare or IVs for example. Good luck RN is the way to go and with a bachelors degree you could go into medical sales:nurse: :studyowl:

Corvette Guy · Sep 21, 2006

walktheline - D/T long waiting list I was first a Certified Surgical Technologist [A.K.A. Surg Tech, OR Tech, etc.] for three years before becoming an ADN, then RN-BSN program. I completed ADN program at 38 yrs old. Most RNs plan to work until retirement age, so more power to you... whatever line you choose to walk.

rellco40 · Sep 21, 2006

You're NEVER too old!

Stay focused

angelymick · Sep 21, 2006

Be too old! Gosh no! The ones with the knee and back problems have been doing it since their 20's and 30's. Think how we can do it till we retire. Besides as of today, I am 43, just graduated :mortarboard: in June, sat for my NCLEX this morning and already have a job in Med/surg in a Hospital :nurse: "my dream job".

So go for it. You will never regret it. I haven't!

Guest717236 · Sep 21, 2006

Be too old! Gosh no! The ones with the knee and back problems have been doing it since their 20's and 30's. Think how we can do it till we retire. Besides as of today, I am 43, just graduated :mortarboard: in June, sat for my NCLEX this morning and already have a job in Med/surg in a Hospital "my dream job".
So go for it. You will never regret it. I haven't!

Congratulations on your graduation !

Best wishes in your new job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:balloons::balloons::balloons: