What would prompt a 45-year-old mother of teenagers to pursue a career in nursing?
Delusional thinking, some might say. At times I thought I was mad. How could I keep up with those tireless, technology-savvy twenty-somethings? Still I couldn’t ignore my inner rumbling. I wanted to do something significant with my life.
When I was younger, nursing was my dream. But I wasn’t the student I needed to be to make that a reality. Instead, I got a degree in social work. But like many women my age, I got married, had my first child, and traded in my dry-clean-only wardrobe for playdate attire.
The children grew up. At about 40, I started thinking about nursing again. Since I wasn’t getting any younger, I realized if I wanted to do it, I had to do it now. Five years later, I’m ready to take my State Board Exam and work at a rehabilitation hospital in the brain injury unit.
Being a second career nurse isn’t easy—and it probably never will be. I often feel like I’m 13 steps behind the young new nurses. Nursing is physical, and with a body that’s already slowing down, the eight- and twelve-hour shifts are draining.
I also find myself worrying about adjusting to the technology—which younger students are proficient at. Once you get used to one pump, it’s gone and the next one comes in. I’ve spoken with other second-career nurses, and all share that feeling of not being able to keep up.
But through the discouragement, I’ve learned what second career nurses have to offer.
Your Unique Experience
Second career nurses bring to the nursing profession something younger nurses don’t have: life experience. My fellow students—most who were about 20 years younger than I—often said to me, “You’re just so comfortable and confident.” They mentioned how nervous they felt when talking to a patient. I’ve never really stressed about that. I chalk that up to my background in social work and because I’ve had my own children and been through lots of family health situations. I bring more empathy and knowledge to the nursing environment.
I also think I’ve gained confidence as I’ve gotten older; I am not afraid to say to myself, I am still smart. I can still do it…and I’m going to do it. Seasoned nurses might snidely question the way I do things, but I don’t take it personally. Instead, I deal with it. I’ve encountered enough catty people in my life—from my previous work as a social worker to the PTO--to know that usually these people have insecurities of their own.
As a second career nurse, I’m also sure of my priorities. Often, hospitals want younger students who want to climb the corporate ladder—and, hence, are willing to take the tough shifts. At this stage in my life, accelerating in my career isn’t my first priority; my family is. So, I’ve chosen to be pickier about my shifts.
I encourage others to pursue a nursing career, even if you feel over-the-hill. Health care professionals are hugely in demand, and good, caring ones are going to be the difference in solving the problems we face. Each of us has something different to offer—whatever our life stage—and working together we can make a difference.
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October 7th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I relate totally to this story- I am 44 and am 6 months away from completing my nursing. I’ve been working on the wards for 6months now and have had the much younger new grads continually tell me they envy my ability to communicate with patients, Doctors and not to stress out over situations - I know this is just a result of life experiences and confidence of age…. I envy them the fact they have 20 yrs on me to really have a longer career. I’ve worked in the health industry for over ten years in an administrative role so have the experience of knowing how things work…. it all helps. I guess the greatest thing about doing nursing in your 40’s, is that life has taught you some humanity and compassion which you can bring into nursing… which isn’t to say younger nurses don’t - it’s more that you understand the context of various phases of life, the stages…. which 20yr olds are yet to grasp. I get on great with the younger nurses and love being a ’student’ with them…. I also have copped some incredulous attitude of older lifetime nurses who think I’m MAD for taking up nursing…. but I am so grateful to have this new lease on life.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Thank you for your interesting story. I can identify with most of what you have written, as I am of a similar age and about to sit my nursing aptitude exaination tomorrow. I am glad to read that you too, shared many of my concerns and that you overcame them and now enjoy your career.
November 30th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Thank you all. I’m in my late 40’s and decided to take the leap into nursing. So far it’s been a great learning experience, but I know from clinicals how physically demanding it is. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with the physical strain–swollen legs and feet, and just plain deep fatigue that comes with the territory?
December 1st, 2007 at 3:36 am
I’ve been nursing only (only?) 17 years - including training. In the last 3-5 years I feel I’m starting to understand it at a level beyond textbooks even tho I’ve always been, and been regarded as, an analytical thinker.
The only benefit I think I may have in having time-served experience is seeing the old practices, slightly amended, re-titled, making a come back. Apparently, (according to Mother Jones or MyOwnWoman - or both, I forget) a life-time nursing career will probably see the same philosophy/model/issue revisited and revamped 3 or 4 times, invariably coming back to the original idea.
Having the savvy to know family is important- or working to live - and picking your shifts is better than being blinded by career and - living for work.
Good luck to you all. Wear comfy shoes.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I’m 26 and I have decided to go back to school to be a nurse. I read somewhere that the average age of a nursing school graduate is 30 (not 23 or 24 like most degrees). I am married, but I don’t have any kids yet and after hearing stories of single parents or women who are pregnant or people with 4 kids going through school I figure I can do it. I just can’t see myself sitting at a desk for the rest of my life. So thank you to those who have families and get through nursing school for giving me the courage to go for it too - Cheers to you!
December 12th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
How about a 52 year old grandmother who is 6 months away from graduating with a BSN? I think this is my third career, but one thing that life has taught me is that life is what you make it, and life is full of choices. Yes, it is tough to be at this age and going through the rigors of nursing school and beginning a new career, and dealing with some pretty “shoddy” attitudes of some, but the opportunity to support myself with something other than minimum wage jobs and a chance to make a difference in someone’s life is well worth some of the uncomfortable issues I have encountered.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Kay we are kindred spirits. I am 44 and a LPN bridging to RN. I have been a LPN for five years, so I am a relatively new nurse for my age. Opinions and support vary greatly. So we’ve got to make it personal. I wan’t my grave marker to say more than, “she survived.” And its kind of sexist too, most all of the great scientists made thier greatest contributions in thier 60’s and beyond. Sending love your way, your fellow nurse in the trenches, Gigi PS. I am a grandma too!lol
December 12th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
I am 24 with a business degree and decided to go back to school to do nursing!! Thank god I decided to do this before “life got in the way”… I am lucky in that I realized before I went further down the wrong path!
January 30th, 2008 at 10:53 am
An excellent post; one that mirrors a lot of my thoughts.
Nursing school can teach so much, just not common sense. Only life seems to teach that.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I’m working on my Masters in Nursing Education. I’m trying to find out how many RN’s were beauticians before becoming a nurse. I’ve known a lot of them in my career and want to do a research project on areas that future adult RN students can be recruited from.
Thanks,
Monni
August 13th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Thank-you for writing. I am a 45-yr old new nursing grad with an Associates degree. I am currently looking for a job with very mixed feelings_ Am I too old?… But in America we are told to follow our dreams… I was married for 20 yrs taking care of my family doing odd jobs off and on- try putting that on a resume!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Wonderful article! I am a 43-year-old new grad LPN and I plan to bridge to RN in the next couple years. It is so good to see so many with a similar experience - love and best wishes to each of you. The world really does need women’s wisdom and I see evidence of this need, and examples of our value to the world, every day. If I find I have the stamina, I may well go on to become an NP.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
This article is sooooo inspirational. To become a registered nurse and ultimately, a neonatal nurse practitioner, has always been a desire and dream of mine since I was the tender age of 2. I have found it so very difficult to get into a nursing program or nursing school here where I reside (in Tennessee). I currently hold a bachelor of science degree in biology, with a minor in chemistry, and career certificates in both medical and nursing assisting, respectively. I also have a wealth of knowledge in other areas of medicine, as well, but none of this has helped me to get into nursing school or a nursing program. Each time I get close, but yet, still so very far away. Reading you guys responses has given me hope to not give up on pursuing my dream of becoming a nurse, even though I am now 41.