40 yr old wanting to be a nurse

nightwatcher · Aug 5, 2004

I say go for it. From experience! I was 39 when i started and 40 when i graduated. My husband is disabled and we had essentially NO income for the whole year. (still had 2 kids at home) It was rough going, ate alot of noodles! but if it is something you really want,, dont wait! I speak from experience. I say doit noww, you will be very glad you did. And, you will do great!! :balloons:

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?

NurseDiva04 · Aug 5, 2004

I will be 44 when I start nursing school next month!! You can do it! There will be times when you may feel overwhelmed. But try yourself with positive vibes and strive on. I had to turn up my gospel music this morning and just praise God for His goodness because I have been feeling so overwhelmed with trying to persuade this goal. However, I am going on anyhow and doing this. I am moving from Ga. to Philly on a less than shoestring budget. I hate(I very seldom use such a strong wrong, unless I mean it) cold weather but I am going to do this!

Go luck and keep us updated.

imenid37 · Aug 5, 2004

I am 39 and have been a nurse for 17 years. I say come on in. We need you. I also say (and I'm really predjudiced because I have never been an LPN) go for the RN. The LPN's I know work too hard for the little bit of money they make. I wish you only the best of luck in your quest. You are young among nurses. I am one of the younger nurses on my unit. Being a nurse is not easy but it is worthwhile! :)

johnsonprn2 · Oct 26, 2006

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?

Girl go for it. I am 45 years old, I dropped out of school 25 years ago, and it took me this long to get back on focus. But I'm going for the gold. Associates degree in RN, and when finished there try for my BSN. In th long run it will pay off

pawashrn · Apr 22, 2007

Go for your RN. Look into the state paying for some of your schooling, also, some hospitals will pay for your schooling, if you obligate yourself for X amount of years of employment. I quit my managerial job and relied on my wife, an RN, to support me and our two children when I decided to become a RN. In short, I didn't stop to look back. Good Luck, Godspeed and I hope to see you on the other side of the bedrail, when I am a patient. Because, you have a heartfelt desire to become a Nurse and that is something not taught in school.

royr · Apr 22, 2007

Please NEVER let anything discourage you from your hopes and dreams. Many have tried to keep me from my RN - and God willing I will Graduate for my 44th birthday with my BS in nursing and this summer sit for the NCLEX and get my RN licence. If a "tired old man" as one of my teachers called me can do this - so can you! I wish you much success!

DTC · Apr 22, 2007

I entered the LPN program at 51, graduated last March and have only 2 classes left to take before applying for the bridge to RN program. There are many paths to your goal, it just depends on your particular life situation. Set your eyes on the prize and GO FOR IT! DOn't compare your pace to anyone else's, do what suits YOU! Good luck!

allantiques4me · Apr 22, 2007

I say go for it!!I would go for LPN (we do make good money)I own two houses free and clear of clear of mortgage at this time. I just paid off my second house.(rental)You could always go back for your RN if you want,but make good money as an LPN while pursuing it.and you will already be a nurse if you go for yourLPN.JMO

sharoma55 · Apr 30, 2007

Hello

I graduated last year and one of my classmates was 67. She was an inspiration to me and many others. Go for it.

allantiques4me · Apr 30, 2007

Wow! How awsome to be 67 and realize your dream!

njitalgirl · Jun 6, 2007

I'm so glad I found this thread. I am 44 and have been putting this off for 5 years because of the location I live in (Northeast PA) and the cost of schooling. I'm hoping I can find a program that isn't 90 minutes away and also get some type of help with finances. I have 3 boys a husband and two dogs but I'm willing to stop working for a year and start the schooling for this new career. Anyone in the Honesdale area who can give me some info on where I can find an LPN course would be greatly appreciated. Best of luck to all of you who are hitting the career change at our age!!

nursingis4me · Nov 26, 2007

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

Hi Born2bAnurse!

What school do you attend? Please PM me with info on your school's program, I'm curious if it's Eastern Ctr for Arts & Technology-that's where I'm looking at and hope to take their LPN entrance test within the next 3 months.

Good luck to you and GOD bless you and your family!

nursingis4me (SLJ)