47yrs old in 4days and starting class

Alnitak7 · Jan 13, 2015

Some people don't get "in their prime," until they're old.

sch-64 · Jan 13, 2015

I definitely understand all the emotions you are feeling right now. I start tomorrow and I'm 50. I'll be 52 when I graduate and I am scared to death. But I'm going to do this and I'm going to succeed. Yes I keep telling myself that!

marayazam · Jan 13, 2015

Congratulations! Finding out about people who does not let age define their limits & capabilities is always very inspiring.

Feeling nervous, anxious and/or scared is perfectly normal. I will start my BSN tomorrow and it's my second career in less than 10 years and I feel very scared too, but one conclusion that brings a lot of peace to me and I think might help you too is that; though we aren't 20 years old anymore, studying might be a way more enjoyable action as a mature person. Im not saying that people in their 20's are necessarily immature or unable to have a positive schooling experience, but there is an advantage about being a bit older, because as life goes on you acquire a great deal of exposure to experiences that become a skill, an earning and sometimes may even make us wiser, and this is something invaluable. No ADN, BSN, or even PHD will give you this :)

You will rock! Best of lucks

kogepan · Jan 13, 2015

age is just a number. don't let fear and age stop you from achieving your dreams...whatever that is. Our oldest classmate was 55y, so it's really not that big of deal. We learn everyday in our lives, it doesn't just stop at 22 when you graduate. It's a continuous process until we die. Good luck!! you can do it!

HolisticRN2016 · Jan 13, 2015

I just turned 41 and am starting my 2nd semester! Shout out to the 40 and over crew! Ha! We got this!

depleas · Jan 16, 2015

I am 45 and me and my 58 year old friend started nursing school this semester. I felt like you, nervous and scared, but I have to tell you that we are enjoying our journey. Its a lot of work but its going to be worth it. Hang in there sister, you will be just fine.

USSTusk · Jan 16, 2015

I obtained my RN when I was 35. Once I began working in my field, I enjoyed it so much, I just kept going to school part-time and NEVER noticed my age again. I am now 54 and have a doctoral degree, and am a family nurse practitioner. You will bring a particular set of skills to where you choose to work. Especially with so many elderly out there. Believe me, they will appreciate you so much! You will still remember what it was like before the technology boom began! You are only too old if you keep saying that. One of my favorite motto's "You can eat an entire elephant, one spoon at a time." Fear is a good motivator anyway. Use your fear as a focus factor. When you find yourself nervous, say, "OK, I need to really concentrate now." THEN CONCENTRATE! You will do this! Live in the moments.

Judi421 · Jan 16, 2015

I will be 58 in 3 months and just finished my RN. I was an LPN for 33 years. I really loved school and even though I had wanted to do this many years ago, I just wasn't able to with getting married and having children. They are grown now, and I finally had the ability to go back to school. I graduated with honors and am waiting to take the NCLEX. I am proof that you are never too old! Enjoy school - I think that as you get older you are better able to appreciate it! Good luck!

MedicalPartisan · Jan 16, 2015

Happy belated birthday!

JenniferGuthrie · Jan 16, 2015

I'm not terribly old at the age of 39, but I just finished nursing school this year and am currently orienting in my first "real job" as a nurse. I felt old in school--surrounded by a bunch of kids fresh out of high school who (I imagined) clearly had a better focus at their age than I did! But there were a few older than me as well AND one of my friends was much older when she went back. It will be a rough ride in general, but you can take heart in the fact that your age will hopefully lend to your maturity and ability to handle this stuff because you also bring worldly experience and OBVIOUSLY a determination to change directions at this time which takes a LOT of courage.

Now that I am out "doing it", its still a little rough being surrounded by people who are at least 10 years younger than me or more and they are telling me what to do and doing it better. But its only because they have the experience. It has nothing to do with how old they are. Try to throw all that comparison crap out the window and realize that you are doing this now because its calling you! If you don't even try, you will spend the rest of your life regretting that you didn't.

nursewandy · Jan 16, 2015

I've been a professional photographer for the last 20+ years. I turned 50 this past August and started nursing school in September. I finished my first semester and about to start my 2nd. You CAN do this. It's okay to be scared just try not to let it stop you. I'm easily the oldest one in all of my classes and older than many of the professors but no one treats me any differently. They all treat me as if I'm a committed nursing student. Try this visualization. Rather than worrying about what's to come stand in the place as if you have already graduated and a full practicing nurse. Work backwards from there. Believe in yourself. Someone had to believe in you to get you to the point where you are now, even if it is just yourself. You believed enough in you which sometimes is all that matters. Good luck...anything is possible.

lsasson · Jan 16, 2015

Good luck and good for you! By the way, the average age for RN's in this country is 46-47. You'll fit right in.