40+ yr old students who made it..

[garnerja]

Hello, everyone. I got accepted into an LPN program last month and was so excited, classes start in August. I'm 44 and haven't been in school for over 20yrs.

After reading everything I can find about LPN school now I'm having second thoughts. Fortunately, time and finances aren't going to be a problem (children are grown and husband works) my fear is the work load and comprehending soo much info in such a short amount of time.

Also, when I went to orientation I was shocked at how juvenile some of the other students were acting, lots of sighing, playing with their phones under the table, whispering to each other while the instructor was explaining the program. I get along with most people and am not confrontational at all but also have a low tolerance for nonsense so I'm nervous about being able to get along with these people for the next year.

Academically I'm most worried about Pharmacology and A&P (were those you're most difficult?) I guess what I'm asking is how in-depth is A&P in an LPN tech school program? Is it just learning the systems and how they work together? How did you study for Pharmacology? Have you heard the pharmacology song on you tube? If so does it cover the most common drugs tested on? I was hoping to get a class syllabus and reading list at orientation but we wont get one until the first day of class.

Any and all info is appreciated! Thanks!

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I went through an ABSN program and graduated at 48. Although my cohort was very mature, we had several classes with the traditional students. Even though the instructors asked us to integrate with the traditional students, we chose to group ourselves away from the traditional students in the lecture hall. We definitely didn't pick them for group projects.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Hello, everyone. I got accepted into an LPN program last month and was so excited, classes start in August. I'm 44 and haven't been in school for over 20yrs.

While I will not have the complete answer to your question until January/February of next year (Jesus willing, I graduate RN school this coming fall, and then take my boards in January), I started working on my prerequisites when I was 50 (I'm now 53).

Yes, it is very hard; yes, certain parts takes me longer than when I was in my 20's and it can be frustrating seeing some of my younger classmates getting it faster. But one moves forward even if slowly. And yes there are times I feel like I'm in either middle school or high school; but those times are as few as I can make them via avoidance of drama.

While I believe learning pharmacology is a life long endeavor as a LPN/RN (let alone doctors), for classes that involved pharmacology (including a dedicated pharmacology class), I found learning the drugs involved by drug classification, common method of action, common side effects, etc. helped.

PICMOnic and other sources regularly have free webinars; the most recent PICMONIC one is available at

For A&P, I remember spending hours in lab and in the library where they had various models for which to hold, study, learn. That plus flash cards (though go by your learning style as flash cards don't work for everyone as well as other methods -- find your learning style).

[rudecat]

Do not worry. I went through the three year RN program at 40 and was raising two daughters by myself at the same time. Yes, it is quite a bit of work but trust me you will not be alone and those young ones will surprise you! They will not only take you into the fold ( if you allow this) but valve your opinion because you have so much life experiences. If you do decide to take the challenge, I wish you call the best. It won't be easy but so rewarding ,!😉

[Caring201]

I'm 44 and half way thru my BSN program. So far, I have been the oldest person in all of my classes. I start the nursing portion this fall and so excited and really hoping there are more people my age. Love to see that I'm not alone in my 40ish age and starting a new career. Good luck to you all.