What is it that YOU want to do? Do YOU want to be a nurse? Don't let age or people's opinion keep you from your dreams. You sound like you "light" up when you talk about what you want to do and learn. Please don't let anyone keep you from doing what you have a passion for.

I say follow your heart and what you want to do. That is exactly what I am doing. 

I would not miss it for the world. 

Always wished the pay had been a bit better, but the job satisfaction is rewarding beyond anything else I experianced before or after working in nursing.

 hi leekaye, nursing was a second profession for me as well.  i started my first nursing job at 52.  i know that every person's experiences are different but i found my patients grateful for the respect i showed them and they returned it.  as with any public occupation, you can always get people who are difficult, demanding, etc. however generally speaking, the patients were great to me.  i was in a teaching hospital and found every single one of the doctors respectful and communicable with the nurses.  the other nurses though were a different story.  there were obvious cliques and if the clique leader found it satisfying to make your orientation and job difficult, the rest of the clique followed suit.  i only mention this because this was an aspect of nursing that blind-sided me.  i expected that preceptors would be supportive and patient but that was not my experience.  there was no respect, support or kudos for any of your proud victories.  instead, i found that nothing was good enough.  as an adult, i had evolved into a philosophy of supporting and encouraging other women both personally and professionally and i was unprepared for other professionals going out of their way to intentionally create anxiety, lack of confidence and intimidation for new/other nurses in regard to patient care and efforts to learn.  like i said, everyone's experiences are different but had i known this nurse-nurse phenomenon took place, i probably would have handled it a little differently.  i must also say, without reservation, that there is no excuse for any nurse to "have to handle" this type of behavior at all.  it is an unhealthy and potentially dangerous distraction and grossly counter-productive.  btw, don't expect management to stand up for you because if it happens to you, they will never witness it and it's so subtle and covert, you can barely describe the constant occurrences.  as a matter of fact, you may even feel like a whiney idiot trying to describe it to management (and how it's detrimental to your performance) while they act like they have no idea what youre talking about.  very sad imo and a huge disappointment to the integrity and honor i expected nurses to have for their (our) chosen profession.  they should be ashamed of themselves.  im telling you this because i didnt know and if you can navigate THIS, your job should be very rewarding as long as youre going into nursing for the right reasons....and only you know that.  i know i did.