I am freshly turned 40 years old as of April 2005. I am interested in returning to school to become a Registered Nurse. At my age do you think I am simply too OLD...I think so but,it's something I really want to do.
If you are too old, then so am I. I start the LVN to RN transition at the end of this month. BTW, I'm 44, I didn't start on my LVN until I was 40. I'm not slowing down. Think of it this way, you'll be the same age in 2 years whether you go back for your RN or not. Might as well go for it, if that is what you truly want to do. Good Luck.
I graduated LPN school at 29 and RN school at 45 and still going strong at 54. There are many areas of nursing that are not back breaking or stressful..
DON'T DO IT. YOU WILL GET ADDICTED AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE RUINED. INSTEAD OF THINKING ABOUT GOING OUT AFTER WORK YOU WILL BE OBSESSING ABOUT WHO IS THE NEXT NURSE TAKING CARE OF YOUR PT. OR WORSE FEELING GOOD WHEN YOU SAVED SOME ONES LIFE. THAT FEELING STICKS AND YOU FIND THAT EVERY TIME YOU GO TO WORK YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT CRABBY OLD LADY OR THAT OBNOXIOUS TEENAGER. LOL ARE YOU EVER TOO OLD FOR THIS ADDICTION?
Never too old to have dreams. I am a nursing eduactor and find many of our students as second career people and many nurses who are in their 40's and having a dream of working in the nursing profession. Your only enemy is your doubt. You can rid yourself of that and go for the GOLD. Have many opportunities in front of you.
OK. Who are you calling old? I am 44. Been an RN since 27. I prefer to work with older nurses. I would greatly encourage you to pursue your dream of becoming a RN before you get to be as old as I am LOL
You are definitely NOT too old to go back to school. I am 36 and just graduated with my BSN (my first degree was in marketing - yuck). When I first started, I thought I was going to be the oldest of my classmates. WRONG!!! The oldest person in my graduating class is in her early 50's. If you really want this, then go for it! Good luck!
All of the above is so true. I graduated from nursing school at 40,loving it ever since. Fulfill your dream. It's a wonderful career with opportunities around every corner.
Too old? I don't think so. I'm 37 years old. Two of my nursing school peers are 44 and 52.
I've worked for an Oil Company for 3 years, and I've been working for a hospital for 16 years as a a System Analyst. I had a Computer Science Certification and Associates in Business and decided after 12 years of working for the hospital that I wanted to be an RN. So I talked to my VP, applied for the RN program and started my prereqs. Before I knew it I was in the program and working towards my RN. As of 12/22/2005, I will be a new graduate of Nursing School.
I say YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD to start something new. Once you learn it and earn it they can't take it away from you. Do it, try it and if you like it I don't think you'll think your too old anymore. I've known people that started nursing school in their 50's and loved it, it was what they were supposed to do, it was just at an earlier age they weren't ready, in their 50's they were ready. So your ready at 40, go it for. GOOD LUCK! :)
I'm so glad to read this thread and all of your wonderful comments. I am 44 and just received my CNA certificate which is a requirement here before you can apply for nursing school. I was, without a doubt, the oldest in my CNA class and have been concerned about being too old to start a nursing career. Thanks!
My mother yearned to be a nurse since high school. But love, marriage and the baby carriage got between her and her goal.
I saw her become an RN at 50 and had a tremendous 20 year career!!!! Her life was changed. She was happier, more confident and self reliant. She says that she finally realized and lived her dream. How many people can say that. She still chomps at the bit to get back into it, but health keeps her down now. Through this she inspred me to do the same. I have now had a 20 year career and it was her courageous example that gave me inspiration.
Never give up on your dream. It will take you places you have never been as well as be an absolutely brilliant inspiration to your children and family.
I am in LPN school now, 2nd semester. I just turned 45 and we even have a couple in the program who are 50. So you are definately not too old. In fact at one of our clinical orientations we were told that the average age of nurses right now is 45 years old. So come on and join us "old folks" LOL> I think you will find you will fit right in. Donna
I'm 43 and I'm in my LPN year. I graduate in Aug. I was scared to go back to school but I was amazed once I started to find that half my class was my age. Funny thing is my closest friends ended up being in their early 20's.
I have loved going back to school and learning a whole new career, but I warn you, it is a challenge. I eat, breathe, and sleep nursing. I study all the time and feel guilty when I'm not studying. My family was put on the back burner and it's been very hard. But we all know in the long run it will be worth it. So, if you have a husband and kids, just make sure they are in full support of you going back to school. Then hang on for the ride of your life and enjoy every moment of it!!!
By all means , you are not too old, you're just better. I am 49 yrs. young, with 3 grown children and 4 grandsons, ages 15,7,5,and 3. AND best of all I will graduate from Augusta Technical College tomorrow, 9/15/06 and then go take my State Board for LPN. HOORAY, HOORAY!!!
This is an old thread, but I found it VERY inspiring . Reading the comments of those who have returned to or begun nursing in their forties was uplifting, an motivating. I graduated a two year program in NEw Zealand in the 80s, and now in my forties I have passedthe CNA test fo MA and CA and am now looking for the right degree program while getting into the swing of things here in the US in a hosiptal setting.
I wouldnt trade my nursing carer for anything at any age. I am sorry I didnt takwe the chance offered to me to be an RN back at graduation but chose to travel instead. NOw I must play catch up and am not waistnig another minute.
At 45 I think I still have twenty years of service to provide, and then I MIGHT consider retiring or teaching others.
That you read an old thread and get inspired is nice to know. I get irritated that there are so many old and neglected threads; you don't. Yours is the better outlook -- the glass is more than half-full in your view. I like that.
What's old these days?
I'm over 50 and planning to go back for my FNP certificate -- my MSN precedes the current requirements for advanced practice, so it's off to school I go. I'm taking this year off ('06-'07) because my job has a particularly time-sensitive and demanding agenda but, in just about a year, I hope to be enrolled in the certificate curriculum.
Age is a state of mind. At a recent retirement party, we celebrated a staff nurse who was just about to turn 70. She worked in our clinic where experience is a major factor, not energy. She had both!
I plan to work until it's not any fun any more. Right now, I have the best job in the world. I've had a similar role, but the healthcare system I worked for fell upon "hard times" financially and that position was disolved. I am hoping that my current role as a practice specialist will remain viable at my current hospital.
I've only been in this role 6 months. My performance review is next week. In my self-appraisal I wrote that I enjoy every aspect of my job. Not everyone can say that -- even when their nursing career is shiny and new -- let alone after 30 years of practice!
Hopefully, if I am successful with the FNP plan, I will be able to work at least part time until I drop. Staying current seems to be the crucial element. It's a little harder to do that these days because information moves so quickly and practice changes pile up on each other. But, if you work in a place where nurses help each other (and I think I do) it is a lot easier to manage an ever more complex career.
Keep us posted on your journey, KiwiNurse. You sound like you're a lot of fun!
Okay, first of all I can't call you OLD. I am 3 years older than you and refuse to acknowledge my numerical age. JUST a number!!! Secondly, we are never too old to fulfill our dreams. The greater tragedy is living our lives with regret at what could have been and never was. I am an LPN and looking for the right opportunity to become an RN. Change is always a scary thing, but it is what keeps us young at heart. Follow your dreams no matter what they are. at the end of the day you can look back and say "I fulfilled my own destiny"
I am freshly turned 40 years old as of April 2005. I am interested in returning to school to become a Registered Nurse. At my age do you think I am simply too OLD...I think so but,it's something I really want to do.
You are not too old...... But why do you want to go to Nursing School
Is it the thought of the money...
Are do your really care about taking care of people.
It seems that the patient has taken second place to people thinking of
themselves and the money
I was in my 40's when I finally got the chance to go to school for my LPN I love it and felt I should have done this years ago Now at age 51 I am going for my RN throught The College Network
Peg
YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD
I am freshly turned 40 years old as of April 2005. I am interested in returning to school to become a Registered Nurse. At my age do you think I am simply too OLD...I think so but,it's something I really want to do.
I am amazed by everyone wants to become a Nurse.... She is concern as
you are concern if you are too old.
My question to you is why do you want to become a Nurse..?
Are you thinking of the patients or are you thinking of making money?
I'm really encouraged about returning to school, when I read the positive abundance of posted threads. I have a undergraduate degree in Human Services (Social Work). I have worked in this profession for 14 years. It is time for a change. I'm returning to school to be a nurse for two reasons, one...I have always wanted to be a nurse but allowed too may outside distractions to get in the way. Now, I am 46 years old. If I don't make this change now it will never happen. I'm healthy, very active, full of energy and ready to take on this challenge. I view myself as a servant to those in need to make their life as comfortable as possible. If you have ever been in the hospital, then you know how fearful it is to have a complete stranger care for your needs. It is a nurse's to make the patient feel secure and at peace, knowing they are receiving the very best care.
To those individuals who view nursing as just a profession to make money, please opt for a degree in business or for a MBA. When you walk in hospital room, the true reason why you are there is felt by the patient. Nursing is a profession, but more important, a servant. I consider this to be a very high calling. If you do not have a loving, patient, compassionate spirit, please consider another profession. If you continue on this journey remember, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (From the author of LOVE, God our heavenly FATHER) It is my hope, there are more caring nurses in the profession than just those interested in making money. Best wishes to all of us.
You're never too old!! The more life experience you have the better nurse you'll be.
I think the average age of my nursing class in 1990 was early 30's. There was only one person in my class that came directly from high school - and they didn't make it through.
As for money, it never occured to me that I was going to make a lot of money. No one in my class was in it for the money. Job security - YES, but money??? There are a lot of other much more lucrative fields available for people. Nurses work too darn hard to be in it for the money.
