I started my pre-req's for nursing in 2004 - 2005. I took chem, A&P1, Bio, and Psych. (I had previously earned an Associates) I stopped to have another baby #3 (my last baby) and we also moved into a new home. I would love to go back to school now if I could, but realistically it won't happen for another year. I will be 35 this November and I feel like this clock is ticking. Becoming a nurse has been something I have wanted for a long time and I'm not ready to give that dream up!
Are there any future nurses who have been in similiar shoes? How did you feel going back to school and not being the 19 year old in your class? I need advice and encouragement! Thanks!
Absolutely not too old! Go for it if it's your heart's desire! I started back to school at age 48 and just turned 50 on Jan 5 and I'm in my second semester of nursing school now. We have several 50+ students in my class as well as a lot of 20 somethings. Age doesn't seem to be a huge factor at this point. I still have quite a few years until age of retirement and the fact that I will be a nurse at the age of 51 (hopefully if all goes well and I go straight through the rest of the semesters!) is exciting to me know that I will be doing the kind of work I am passionate about. Definitely not too old!! Good luck!
No way ... you're never too old to go back to school! My mother went back to school for nursing when she was in her early 50s and did so well in all her classes. It's been about 10 yrs since she finished school and she's still working! She loves her job. I'm sure you will too. Please don't think you're too old. I'm sure you'll meet other people in your class older than you, but that shouldn't matter b/c age is just a number. Good luck!! :wink2:
Well, this is my second career, just to let ya know, I delayed this because of the same reasons, wondering if I was too old to start down another road. But I can tell you that I am at the top of my class, and have a lot of experience that seems to add to nursing. You'll find that while the young ones are wondering what to do next, you'll have that second sense that will guide you. Most of my classmates are also older too, which does mean competition, from people who have all sorts of other degrees upon entering nursing! I'd say one thing though, that being older means fitting in a little nappy when you can!:chuckle
I'm 37 and in nursing school. I was scared to death at first but now see there are many people my age and sometimes even older. Don't sweat the small stuff! Go in there and learn, just like everyone else. And you might be surprised to find out that us ole whippersnappers have something called "life experience" under our belts and can sometimes school a young kid or two :)
I am going to be 36 when I graduate in the spring (fingers crossed) and I feel that I would have not made it through the classes if I had been a "traditional" student. I have more drive and really want this career change. You can do it!
Well my brain certainly doesn't think I'm too old for anything.....right up until I can't get out of bed after a day of being the "coolest aunt" running around with my 20 something nieces and nephews all day and letting them convince me that I can keep up with a night of "clubbing.." Wow - that's a eye opener (and a head pounder)!! That's something I that will certainly concede that I just can't do it like I used to anymore!
I'm really not hesitant about the schooling part - it's the fear of being lured by the carrot of an "automatic" job after killing myself for another 2 yrs - as I said before, that happened a year ago - worked full time, did the surg tech/AAS program full time - did VERY well - top 3 at everything - stood there at graduation with all my "bling" and nobody would hire me.....didn't help there were only about 3 jobs in the city, but they all went to the 19 yr olds that would work for $11 an hr, nights and take call every weekend and holiday.....I'm not against the hours - I've worked 3rd shift most of my life and really like it - don't mind working weekends either - it's just the demand that you WILL and they won't pay you to do it.....I'm certainly not going to take a VERY hard earned degree and licensure and kill myself at a hospital that places zero value on what you do and insists you work hours that prevent you from getting a second job to survive because they won't pay you enough to live!
The "professors" conveinently "reserved" the descent jobs (only 4 of them) for the 18-19 yr olds, denied us (by us I mean the 3 of us that were in our 40's) clincals in the last quarter which is when you get the job offers.....it was all very illegal, but pursuing a legitimate, provable lawsuit doens't get you the job at the end of the day - so why bark up that tree?? We didn't stay silent, but bringing that kind of discrimination to light again, doesn't get you a job and it isn't going to change anything either....too bad....we were trying to help the next 40 something's that will surely "drink the Kool-Aid" like we did.....
HOWEVER - I always try (and am usually successful) to turn bad behavior and hard lessons learned into something advanatageous.....so starting RN school with the intense surg tech school behind me will hopefully make some of the nursing classes/clinicals easier....at least that's the way I'm looking at it....and best of all, I don't have to to come home and want to slice my wrists trying to get through Micro or Chem or A&P!! The only non-NSG courses I have to take is Pharm (which I hear is also a new dimension in academic pain) and NSG math.....the rest is just the NSG.....that's a huge relief!!
Just a word of been there done that advice to those of you that are just starting with no background/courses....it just happened (financially and waiting list) for me, and boy am I glad the universe worked it out that way....
If you're faced with a waiting list.....do whatever it takes to take ALL the classes that are required outside the NSG program - ALL of them!!! You'll be so happy and relieved that when you finally get in the program that you don't have to deal with the frustration and time it takes to try and keep up with NSG classes AND stuff like Micro, Chem, A&P, etc - even the "easy" classes like the ENG, etc - they are time consuming and all affect your GPA - believe me when you're trying to keep up with classes, labs and clinicals and have other "non" NSG classes to contend with you'll get overwhelmed quickly......it's WAY easier to get ALL of it done before you enter the program!! Trust me - been there done that!
Can I get an Amen!!!! :chuckle
This old broad is going to start studying for the Pharm and NSG math now....doesn't start till March!
I am 35 and will graduate in May 2010 which will make me 37 when I finally graduate. I have been going to school since June of 2004, if you want it I suggest you got out and get it. I work full time and am a father of 3. There will be rough days, weeks, and semester's but you can do it.
nurse2b2010
190 Posts
Absolutely not too old! Go for it if it's your heart's desire! I started back to school at age 48 and just turned 50 on Jan 5 and I'm in my second semester of nursing school now. We have several 50+ students in my class as well as a lot of 20 somethings. Age doesn't seem to be a huge factor at this point. I still have quite a few years until age of retirement and the fact that I will be a nurse at the age of 51 (hopefully if all goes well and I go straight through the rest of the semesters!) is exciting to me know that I will be doing the kind of work I am passionate about. Definitely not too old!! Good luck!