[RN Wannabe]

I am a 48 yead old male and have had an interest in nursing for many years. Because of my work schedule, which is not in the health field, I have not taken any college courses in 10 years.

I need to complete two more classes (Anatomy & Physiology, which scares the bejesus out of me due to the high failure and dropout rate , and a compostion class) with a B grade to get accepted into the nursing program at a local university.

I'm wondering, at my age, if my goal of being a nurse might be just a pipe dream. Even if I complete & pass the two prerequisite courses, the wait list for nursing students at this school is currently over one year. Even if I start schooling now and everything goes well, I figure I'll be 53-54 years old by the time I graduate.

I've been doing volunteer work in a nursing unit at a local hospital for over a year and I think I would like to be a RN. I did very well in all of the Biology & Chemistry courses I took previously but, like I said, that was a long time agao. I wonder how desirable a 50+ year old green nursing student/grad would be accepted in the real world.

Just wondering how many of you started nursing "late" in life? And how many of you came from a line of work that was not health related?

Thanks in advance

[OldSquidNewNurse]

If you are in good health I don't think you'll have a problem. Nursing can be a very physically demanding job, so keep that in mind.

[RN Wannabe]

Originally Posted by OldSquidNewNurse

If you are in good health I don't think you'll have a problem. Nursing can be a very physically demanding job, so keep that in mind.

I consider myself in good physical health. Mental health is another issue.

A lot of the physically demanding chores on the floor I volunteer in are usually done by at least 2 people (with NA's) if required. This isn't usually the case in most environments?

[cougarnurse]

Hi, Wannabe, and welcome to the site.

Just to be curious, how old will you be in 6 years or so if you DON'T go for your RN? When I'd gone on through my LPN program, I had some more mature classmates, and they were great. I was also 'the oldest' in my LPN to RN classes. What a lark!.

Given you joked about your mental health...well, that is good. Keep a sense of humour. It helps.

Good luck; I know you can do it.

'Cat'

[orionseal]

One of My classmates in LPN school was 63.

[cassioo]

There's a man in our ER who finished school at 52 he's now 62 and it was a 3rd career

[cgrunrun]

I went to nursing school with several people in their 50's and a grandmother in her 60's. And my brother left a real estate appraisal career to go into nursing in his 30's. I really think older students are more focused and actually want to learn. If it's what you want to do, then do it.

[orionseal]

Now that you have AN answer. What the hay are you waiting for?

[lecie]

I say go for it =]. I really don't think age should be an issue. If it's something you want to do, and something that really interests you.. then go for it! I'm 18, a college freshman, and I just finished the first section of Anatomy and Physiology.. and yes it DOES kick your ass. But in the end it's awesome. I've realized I know ALL this information about the human body because of that class and I've actually learned to love the class. Don't give up your obvious dream just because you're almost 50. My philosophy on life is to love and to learn =].. no matter what age you are!

[silty1]

The nice thing about nursing today is that you don't have to stay in the hospital forever. I would strongly urge you to do at least two years on a med/surg floor, but then you can branch out into something else. After I got tired of fighting for holidays off, I went into Public Health, Practice Administration and now case management. I think you'll find that your years of "life experience" will give you an advantage over the youngsters in your program. And you're right, the heavy lifting should be a two-person job. If you want it, go for it. I am 60 and had no trouble finding a job when we recently moved after my husband retired.