I am a 35 year old mom of three and have had my CNA for over a year, but never worked as an CNA. I am in the health field, and am going to school for my RN. I am only in the pre req stages, but boy-o-boy are these classes tough. Let me be more clear, its not the classes, its the time to study and focus is whats hard. I read most women start RN in their 40's, which I think is great. When you have raised your kids and have time to do what you desire, its all worth it. I have to be realistic and just take one class at a time. Many students juggle 4 or more, I tried and almost gave up on my dream. I suggest anyone getting into nursing, go at a pace thats comfortable. You will get there on time, it may not be the time you want, but it will be on time. I do wish I had a study buddy, someone going through the same thing I am, family, study, work, school. Until then, I will continue to do what I have to do, and not give up. no matter what.

I went back to school when I was 39. All 3 of our kids were old enough to take care of themselves. And things were going smooth for me, until the first grandchild came along and we ended up with custody. (which was wonderful and also stressful at the same time). I left school  to take care of that granddaughter. Her mom then got her back and we were blessed with another grandchild by another daughter and we became caretakers of that child also,(but only while her mom worked) because  none of us believe in day care IF someone in the family is able to provide care. Then I decided to go back part time and part time is a killer and we still provide care for our 4 yr old and 10yr old grandchildren. To make a long story short.. I am 48 and I will begin clinicals either this fall or next... It can happen and its never too late...

just gota hang in there and take one day  (or class)at a time...

At 54 ,during a successful career in management in the computer industry I was faced with taking more computer courses or moving on.  I promised myself if I could pass a college Chemistry course I would go back to school to become the nurse I wanted to be at age 6. 

I passed (Thank goodness for Chemistry for Nurses! and graduated with my ADN at 56.  I did find that at my age hospital nursing was not for me.  I have been very successful as a Case Management Nurse in our State Family Care Program working with elderly, developmentally and physically disabled and mentally ill in the community.  Very rewarding!  I don't believe age is a barrier to learning, it was a challenge but it was fun! 

I do believe age and some of the archaic notions in hospital nursing were a barrier. 

I have school loans I will be paying off with my Social Security if my income isn't too high!?!?!  I would look for different school financing if I could do it over.  There is little "free" money out there for a student this non-traditional.

My advice, if you want it, go for it.  A few years with 19-22 year olds is refreshing!!!!  Good Luck!

105 years old.

I'm a male, 40 years old, have above average grades,  and in my 3rd year as a nursing student(BSN).  There are only 2 hurdles... 1) The program is extremely challenging.  I study ten times more than I did for my degree in information technology.  If one is willing to endure long days of school and giving up 90% of free time to studying, then it can be done.  The challenge is because nursing school is filled with so much opinionated crap and very little hard science.  you will spend hours and hours learning about "Nursing Theories" involving everything from the supernatural to snake oil medicine.  Many of your exam questions will have 3 correct answers and the instructor decides which one is the most correct.  This is actually similar to the style of the NCLEX.  I read one blog post where the blogger described the entire profession as a Sea of Witches who eat their own  lol.  My best advice is just push ahead and ignore those things because once you have your license there are many career paths to choose from.  2) The vast majority of the students are under 20.  (very few males and im the only male over 20) So you can expect the young girls to prefer cliquing up with other young girls most of the time.  Generally speaking I would say most nursing students are courteous and polite.  But things are not the same as it would be if most of the class were in your own age group.

The silver lining is that despite those two obstacles, nursing school does have its fun moments.  You just have to focus on that and the fact that once you are done, older people with life experience usually have a much easier time finding a job that suits their style. 

I am 25 years old and preg with my second child and have wanted to become a nurse for a long time.  i always felt discouraged and too old to go back to school.  But after reading all of your post I am really encourage...a lot of you offer so many amazing words of advice...and its true...you are never too old to pursue your dreams...please feel free to email or reply sharing your experiences about attending nursing school.

Elisha

:)

I'm a very proud 60, I've been nursing for 36 yrs, ouch what along time.  I started from the ground up, CNA, LVN,RN.  Between all of the nursing, I have done over tweenty years in the military, Navy & Army. I did this from the ground up from and E-4 to Captain in the Army.  I've travel to many places because of the military.  Alot of them were humanitarian, which was just one of the most awesome thing I've ever done. I'm also a Desert Shield/Desert Storm vet.  The military also help me pay for college.  Trust me age is just a number.  I can keep up and pass the young ones with problems. I love nursing!!!

Thanks for all of your postings. I am just finishing up my prereqs this summer and hope to be able to apply for the ADN program next spring. I hate having to wait so long before applying, but I guess I have waited this long a little longer won't hurt. I struggle all of the time with the thoughts that I am not too old to go to college, but will I be too old to actually get a JOB after I pass the NCLEX. I am estimating that I will be 51/52 years old by the time I graduate the ADN program, provided it does not take a long time to get accepted. I ended up waiting this long because I had plans to go for my dreams when my children all got school age, then life kicked me on my butt and I ended up fighting cancer and the complications from treatment since 1995. I think it made me stronger though and that experience will make me a more compassionate nurse.

 Also, with age comes the wisdom of life experiences that we glean along the way.  But you can learn from the youngsters in your class about the latest in tech stuff.  (I love my iphone apps and I have NCLEX study questions on it too).  So you can develop a symbiotic relationship with the "kids" in your group.

Next month I will be 47.  I have been working 2 + years on prereqs. just for admission into a nursing program and have finally have gotten into one.   The school is not my first choice but since the competition is fierce I am just appreciative I'm, in. Last summer I got my CNA certification and was able to work part-time for six months while taking classes, midnights, in a nursing home. I loved my residence but didn't so much some of my colleagues or the administration. 

My advice to you is to try to find out everything the schools your applying to want, and they all want something a little bit different.  Talk to recent graduates from the program they have the inside skinny.  Start now, and don't  let anyone or anything stop you.  I applied at a University in Oakland County, Michigan where the counselor chewed me out in front of a whole room of people because I didn't know the intricacies of enrollment. At another school it came down to the last week to apply and I was running around in the rain trying to get all the signatures and information they needed.  They are of the thinking, that we need them more than they need us, and that is true in this economy.

I know I can do this and so can you.  You just have to want it enough and not let those who get fullfillment out of thwarting you slow you down. I send you my best.

that's true too. I've already said I've  had students in their 50's and 60's and they did great..

 I am glad I found this! I am 37 soon to be 38 and I am just starting to get my feet wet getting back in school. I have a great desire to help people and I always have. I have been wondering if I am too old and if I am able to do school. I start in 3 weeks and I am really excited about it!! 

jmccabe says ...

 I am glad I found this! I am 37 soon to be 38 and I am just starting to get my feet wet getting back in school. I have a great desire to help people and I always have. I have been wondering if I am too old and if I am able to do school. I start in 3 weeks and I am really excited about it!! 

You will do great! I am 37 also turning 38 at the end of October. I started school a year ago taking prerequisites and this year will finish off all the nursing prerequisites as well as finish off all the requirements for my AA. So in the fall of 2011 I should be starting Nursing school. You can do it! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

jmccabe says ...

Floridapete says ...

jmccabe says ...

 I am glad I found this! I am 37 soon to be 38 and I am just starting to get my feet wet getting back in school. I have a great desire to help people and I always have. I have been wondering if I am too old and if I am able to do school. I start in 3 weeks and I am really excited about it!! 

You will do great! I am 37 also turning 38 at the end of October. I started school a year ago taking prerequisites and this year will finish off all the nursing prerequisites as well as finish off all the requirements for my AA. So in the fall of 2011 I should be starting Nursing school. You can do it! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

 

I am so glad to hear this!!!! I have been in the Auto industry for the last 14 years and I am DONE....... I am on the wait list for 2 prerequisites that I need for my AA and then once I am in school I hope to be able to get more classes when the next term starts. I am so new to all of this I am scared but very excited at the same time!!! :) I really wish I would have done this years ago but like I am hearing its never too late to start!! :)

I am lucky to have a great support system and this site is a great help as well!!! My boyfriend is a Firefighter/Medic/AO for Sacramento City Fire and he has already said he will help me any way that he can since he has all of his Medic training under his belt. :) Now I just need to get in the classes I am on the wait list for and get started :) YAY!!!!!! 

That's great to have that kind of support! You will do great! Yeah this website has a ton of useful information and great people on it willing to answer questions and share their experiences.

I am 57 years old and have wanted to be a nurse since I was 7 years old. I have been told that I am too old to go into nursing. Need some advice from those in the profession.