Hello! I started nursing school here in St. Louis at 40! The best thing that I ever did. I was getting sick and tierd of always wondering if I would have a job in the future or not, so I self impowered myself! It is very very cool! GO FOR IT!!!!
I once was in the industrial environment(machine shop) and got tired of the ups, downs and layoffs. So I went back to school (part-time).....I just graduated from a LPN program and just passed my State Boards. I am 43 and love nursing, more then anything I have ever done. If you are dedicated and can put the time in studying........GO FOR IT, your not to old.
I'm 47 and am in my final two quarters of my RN education. I've been around the academic block once or twice and am now in an accelerated graduate-entry program. In about a year and a half, I'll have my master's degree in nursing and will be able to sit for the NP exams!
I had always looked at healthcare, but got sidetracked chasing "money", instead of going for my hearts desire. Finally, at 39, I left my career and trained as a nac, for less than a third of what I had been earning. I went through emt school, then got side tracked again, then entered nursing school at 48, and graduated and passed the boards when I was 50. The oldest people in my class were in their late 50's, and one who was 60. The class president was 55, and went straight on from there into the nurse practioner program. What is too old? When you can't or won't learn anymore.
I'm 38 and just starting to looking to Nursing. From many of the things that I've been reading being in your late 30's to early 40's and starting a second career in nursing is pretty much the norm rather than the exception.
Also, I found a website advertised in Readers Digest and sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, it has lots of good info on becoming a nurse. Their July newsletter has two articles on male nurses, very interesting...check it out.
http://www.discovernursing.com/newsletter.aspx
I am 52 years old and have been an RN since 1977. I graduated from a diploma program, this past June I completed my BSN. You are never too old too learn – go for it!
Thanks for the support!
Hi,
Thank you all for the words of encouragment.
I have now completed my prereq's, and have applied to an adn program in the spring. Hopefully I get in.
Jeff
I'm 46 and never thought of nursing as a viable career choice for me. I began to consider it three years ago and had to take a number of pre-requisites to get me looked at for a program:
microbiology, physiology, anatomy, nutrition, chemistry... and then there were the non science courses in public speaking, political science and other electives. I was lucky inasmuch as I didn't have to take English or math.
I assume you can be a nurse well into your 60s... so I certainly don't think your age is too late.
Nursing is too important to leave just to the young. You bring more life experience to the table, and chances are you have a better idea of when to shut up and listen to someone instead of blurting out some superficial platitude. I don't mean to dog twenty-somethings, but I see it all too often: some relentlessly cheerful, fresh-faced, idealistic GN who has all the answers, bubbling all over some poor elderly man who's just lost his wife, his heart and soul of 50 years.
I say step up to the plate and be proud of the experience and patience you'll bring to your chosen profession. One of my best friends (in his late 40's) went to nursing school, finished my hospital's ICU internship program, and is highly regarded by his coworkers for his skill and compassion. He loves it. Lots more rewarding than writing software, he says.
Give it H311.
Jamie
47 yrs.
Jeff,
You're never too old...well at least not by my perspective. I am 47 and have recently completing my prequisites.
Regarding the aforementioned advice of first becoming a CNA, this direction really opened my eyes to the dialy issues of the environment of nursing. For some its a surprise, for others it's simply a confirmation of direction and purpose.
Good luck and God speed!
- Louis
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