Hi I may be out of my class in this group but am searching for answers and this seems like a great place. I am a male married 21  years no children. I have been a care giver in Arizona and also have been caring for my mother who has late stage alzheimers for the last 3 years. I admit my education is none all I have is a GED. I have thought about nursing for twenty years and the desire has never left me but am wondering being a male and 53 with only a GED am I nuts thinking of this career at my age. I am not stupid took test and scored on college levels in most of them. I thought maybe an LPN but am worried if I have the brain to remember all I have to remember and if I would get laughed out of class being a guy my  age. I would appreciate honest to the point answers as that is what I am seeking. I am willing to dig deep and dedicate myself if I am not to late to actually get a career in this field.

I look forward to any replies to my inquiry.

Thank you

Ronald Danneman

I think you can do whatever you set  you mind to. You just have to have faith. I know you will not be laughed at. I will admitt from experience when I when into the nursing program at 43 it was harder for me to retain things. I had to study constantly. The only education I had was a high school diploma. So if I can do it you certainly can too.

Wishing you the best of luck.

I am 54 and just starting to take my prerequistes for nursing school this fall.  I hopefully will get them out of the way this year going to night school and taking courses on line.  I am married and have four kids, and a good job with good pay so why am I doing this?  My wife is concerned that I am going to take a cut in pay (I will collect retirement) when I do this, but I have a calling to do this, and like you took care of my mother with alzheimer's and also my father with Parkinson's Disease before he passed away.  The last thing I want is to be old and looking back and saying "if only".  I look at this as a new phase of my life and actually will be in nursing school at the same time as my third child (daughter), although God forbid we are in the same classes. 

I guess at my age I am passed caring what other people think, and most initial think I am out of my mind for doing this, but I have to live with myself and not going into the medical field would be denying a major part of you I want to be.  Good luck and keep in touch, and I definitely say go for it.

Joe

My sister had her GED and is now an RN, she started off as an LPN then went on.  I believe your never too old go get any kind of education, and if this is your desire, I say go for it.  Good Luck!!

Go for it, you are never to old to learn a new trade.  If this is something you feel strongly about you will catch on quick!!!! Good luck!

You so can do this!  I went through LVN school as a fresh divcorcee with 2 little girls.  It was the hardest thing I'd ever done, but it was well worth it.  I am considering doing the Excelsior online transition now.  Even though I've remarried I kinda like not being terminally broke so I dont wanna quit & go back to class full time!  Stick with it & give it your all!  We need more great nurses

I am also a "late bloomer" and wishing I had made up my mind to go to RN school 10 years ago!  I am loving my new job!  If it is what you really want, and you have the determination to finish RN school, then please go for it....the world needs lots of RNs who really want to help people and have the kindness and compassion that it takes to get all of the rewards from this job.  Study hard and know that it is completely worth the effort as a "late bloomer" if nursing is what you really want to do:)  Best of luck!!!!!

Ron,

Absolutely go for it.....I knew a lady in her 70's that went to nursing school. It is drive that gets us where we want to be. GO FOR IT!!!!!

Don't sell yourself short if you've got a calling!  I know that feeling, and I spent over twenty years in IT as a tech writer. When I got my CNA, I thought I'd do the LPN too, but the waiting list at the MCCD is so long, I figured I could get the BSN as quickly as I would have gotten my LPN. I can't see myself doing anything else these days, and being back at school full time is great.

We Baby Boomers are healthier than our parents, we're living longer, and having to wait longer to collect Social Security, anyway. If you've got a retirement to help carry you through school, go for it. I'm at ASU, and there are a handful of us in our 50s, come on down!

Ron--

Definitely GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!  I believe in you.  My husband had a GED only and went back to school for nursing.  He is now an RN and is the Director of Cardiovascular Services at a local hospital.  He loves his job.  He not only is the director of the department, but he likes to keep his hands in it too--by rotating through cath lab cases with his nurses so that they can take breaks, get lunch, etc.  He even takes call for the department.

They just had the cath lab expansion ribbon cutting last evening and now he is feeling less stress.

Sheila

Hi Ron,

 I am 47yo in my second block of an RN ADN program in Phoenix AND not the oldest one in my class.  Although I am definitely older than some of the instructors.

You may want to check out the Maricopa Skills Center for the LPN program.  I know that a GED is sufficient.  Also, if you decide to go on for the RN, it is actually easier to get into the RN program through the community college if you are already an LPN.

I vote go for it!

GO FOR IT   ... Repeat after me "I Think I Can I Think I Can...I   KNOW   I  CAN"  Believe in yourself.

There are programs to help prepare you for nursing (like EOC et al)  Check with your public school systems.

GL

I know you can do it.  We do have more drive.  It is a butt load of homework and memorizing and studying.  I think in the long run it will be worth it.  I am in classes now, prepare for good and bad days.  The good days way out weigh the bad.  I do think you should get your ADN and forego the LPN.  This way when you have your 2 year nursing it will be easier to advance.  My Aunt did the LPN to RN, she said she should have done the RN right off the hop, it would have been easier.

Ron53 says ... I am willing to dig deep and dedicate myself if I am not to late to actually get a career in this field.

Lee says:  The sky is the limit. I too am in school at 44 working towards an MBA in healthcare. Compassion is such an important quality and needed to care for the ill. Don't let age cloud your plans. As we get older it is a bit more challenging to retain information, but dedication and studying hard will surely help you achieve your goal... go for it!

It is never too late!  Go for your dreams!   I went to LPN school and then obtained my RN (ASN degree), and there was a woman in the class behind me (LPN school), who was in her late sixities!  I was almost 40 when I graduated.