40 yr old wanting to be a nurse

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2004

Where is Chester County? Anyway, to answer your real question, I say go for the ADN vs. LPN. The time and $ spent getting your RN license will be worthwhile and pays off quicker when you consider the too-low salary LPN's make. Here, a starting RN makes $10/hour more than starting LPN. That averages $20K per year, which is way more than your education should cost. Don't know your situation, but some facilities may help with tuition, but you would be working full time and that means it takes longer to finish the degree plan. I got my ADN, then BSN while working full time. And I started when I was 45 y/old, so you just hang in there!

Born2BAnurse · Jun 17, 2004

HI Adamsmom, I am 36 years old, and always wanted to be a nurse for ten years. But I have a disabled son and was not able to pursue my career. I was finally able to do so about 3 years ago. I was just about to finish all of my prereqs when all of a sudden I became pregnant, So what I ended up getting into a LPN program part time (they do have fulltime 12 months) This I think was the right choice for me because it really gave me insite on what nurses really do. I have 6 months to go and I will take my boards. Im glad I went this route because I can really get some experience and see if I want to go back for Rn.. I think you should talk to some people on the LPN board...

You have to weigh the pro's and con's and look at your situation it might be different from mines and others. but in 12 months/fulltime to 18/partime you can become a lpn and still make good money... BUt its not about the money anyway I hope this helps you

FNP2B · Jun 17, 2004

hi
i am a newbie. i am 40 years old and want to become a nurse. i do not have any college but did graduate high school. i live in chester county. i am debating on taking a lpn course take the lpn test and hopefully find a employer that will help me pay to become a rn. does anyone have any suggestions?

hello adamsmom.......i think if you want to persue a nursing career there is no testing the waters(lpn). the previous post referred to become an lpn first and i agree every situation is different, but if you have the opportunity, go for the gold(rn). i ask why waste time and money only going a 1/4 of the way(lpn). if you have the ability to go for your rn, like nike said (just do it). you are not getting any younger. by the way if you go to the lpn boards they are going to tell you lpn is the way to go. but remember adamsmom......."its never to late to be what you might have been (rn)"

yayanurse · Jul 19, 2004

HI
I am a newbie. I am 40 years old and want to become a nurse. I do not have any college but did graduate high school. I live in Chester County. I am debating on taking a LPN course take the LPN test and hopefully find a employer that will help me pay to become a RN. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Go for it. I became an LPN at 43 and RN at 53 (May 2004). Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans but it is never too late to pursue your dreams. If we don't have goals in life, we might as well be dead.

suzy253, RN · Jul 19, 2004

Chester County is in PA

My grandmother was originally from there.

You're just a young one!!! I entered nursing school last year at age 50. Go for it!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jul 19, 2004

First and foremost, you are definitely not too old! I started nursing school at 48 and thought I would hold the school record for geezerhood, but found out the eldest student in the class ahead of me had me beat by 10 years!

Second--if you can get your LVN in a year, then you can work while getting your RN in a bridge program (LVN to RN program) or in an ADN program. Excelsior College, for example, accepts LVN's into their ADN program; it is "on line" and affords you incredible freedom (although it is a little pricey compared to community college, it is probably one of the least expensive of the online schools). If both plans take the same amount of time and one allows you to work and have a life....

If you can afford to just do school, then I would definitely do the ADN program (2 years generally) straight through and if you wanted to, you could do a bridge program from RN to BSN afterward.

One step at a time though. See what's in your area--check with the nursing departments of your local hospitals. They may be aware of programs (because of new grads applying for jobs, if for no other reason) that you would not find out about otherwise.

In any case, you will at least need to take Anatomy & Physiology (I and II), Microbiology and a math course (some schools accept Algebra, others only statistics)--check this out with the schools in the area as well.

Good luck and welcome to the club!!!

NeuroICURN · Jul 26, 2004

You are definately NOT too old....better late than never!!! :)

When I was in school....we had a "Big Sister, Little Sister" program where the older students "adopted" a student in the class that was a year behind. Anyway, my sister was 62 (going on 25 LOL) when she graduated! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO proud of her!!! She has definately been an inspiration to many!

Anyway, as for getting started....contact a local college if you have one. I'd recommend a community college, that way you could do a year of prereqs and then be done in two years (or you could do your prereqs along with the nursing classes, but many find that to be too much to handle). Another benefit of only getting your ASN is that you can start working sooner and let your new employer pay for most of your BSN if you want it!!!

Good luck!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2004

Oh my, you're just a young thing. Don't let age be a factor except that you may wish to enter into an ADN program rather than directly into a BSN program to get you out there and working sooner. You can do a bridge to the BSN while working as an RN.

Check into financial aid. You may be eligible for grants and there are always student loans.

Euskadi1946 · Jul 26, 2004

HI
I am a newbie. I am 40 years old and want to become a nurse. I do not have any college but did graduate high school. I live in Chester County. I am debating on taking a LPN course take the LPN test and hopefully find a employer that will help me pay to become a RN. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hi adamson;

I say go for it...I started nursing school at 44 yrs of age and got my ADN 3 yrs later....I think you really should go for your RN because the starting pay in some areas of the country is very good compared to what LPNS make... :)

jcaracci · Aug 4, 2004

When I was in Nursing School, over 80 percent of the class were people seeking second careers or Mothers who were finally able to go back to school as their children reached the later teen age years. Among the RN Graduates - A retired Navy officer, a retired construction worker, and a friend of mine, who happend to be a Grandmother in her 50's. This was seven years ago when I graduated, and I still see her out there working on the Telemetry floor!

Maggie in NC · Aug 4, 2004

I'm 41 and trying to go to a 2 year RN program. This board is inspirational! I am taking a full load this semester but, I know if I can get through this one, it's all down hill from here!!

Maggie