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WomanAtTheWell

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I am getting ready to go back to school for a diploma in nursing. I have a degree in Social Work now but it's time for a change. I sort of thought about continuing my education with a Master's degree in social work, but I decided against it - I have been deciding against it for a long time, that's why I waited so long to do anything because I didn't feel like I really wanted to stick with social work.

Anyway... I have had a number of people tell me that they think I might be too old to go back for this degree... Sometimes, I feel that way, too. When I am finished I will be 35 and starting over at the bottom in nursing.

Do you ever feel that in your 30's you're "too old" for something that you would like to do?

Do you do it anyway?
 

J20

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WomanAtTheWell said:
I am getting ready to go back to school for a diploma in nursing. I have a degree in Social Work now but it's time for a change. I sort of thought about continuing my education with a Master's degree in social work, but I decided against it - I have been deciding against it for a long time, that's why I waited so long to do anything because I didn't feel like I really wanted to stick with social work.

Anyway... I have had a number of people tell me that they think I might be too old to go back for this degree... Sometimes, I feel that way, too. When I am finished I will be 35 and starting over at the bottom in nursing.

Do you ever feel that in your 30's you're "too old" for something that you would like to do?

Do you do it anyway?
Whoa girl! Slap these people into touch, you are never too old. Think of all the experience you have gained, think about it first time through School the hardest thing you had ever done was think, consider all the practise you have had since then. Sure there will be things that are difficult but nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I would love to be able to do something similar to what you are doing, but my family and work constraints make that impossible, but maybe one day.

Is there anything that I am to old to do? Well enjoy listening to the latest top 10 chart hits
 
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MaraPetra

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You're never "too old" to do it!

One of my very good friends graduated with her RN degree this past May...She's 34 years old, a mom to two kids, a wife, and director of a church's children's ministry! :eek:

I'm going back to school, too, soon, and I'm 33. I figure that my son and I will both graduate college at the same time.

Don't ever give up your dreams just because someone says you're "too old". Age doesn't define your capabilities. It just makes you more experienced.
 
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WomanAtTheWell

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I am starting next month. Actually, I finished the pre-requisites, I just need the clinicals, which start in August.

I posted this because I wondered if anyone else gets messages like that and how they handle it.

Sometimes I am surprised at the people who tell me I am too old for nursing school. It's not usually the people that I expect to hear that from!
 
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MaraPetra

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If you ever find the motivation of people like that, who respond negatively to the news that you're going back to school, let me know.

You normally tell things like that to people who you think will understand, after all.

The few negative comments I've gotten regarding it came from people already intimate in my life. My normal comment back is, "So tell me...At what threshold do you think one becomes too old for learning?"...And smile gently when I say it.

It's interesting how a person acts when they realize they've said something truly tactless.

Bottom line is, you're in your 30's. You're still young enough to take on the workload (and clinicals are tough!), but there's really no age limit that says you're too old to switch careers, or to take on more education.

At the very least, in continuing your pursuit of education and a career switch, perhaps you can do nothing more than to change their misconceptions...And perhaps motivate someone else who was perhaps too scared to take the same risk until they saw you achieve it :)
 
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Niels

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The human brain reaches maturity at 25, and you're not even 10 years into that. You're still young at 33. But what if you were 63... would that be too old? I don't think so. We're never too old to better ourselves and pursue our dreams.
 
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llghoney

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I think it is wonderful what you are doing & it may be an inspiration to others. I commend you! Don't listen to the ones saying you are too old. And they will probably be the first to call you & ask for advice on something knowing that you are a nurse! :)


I do have to say that I feel sometimes I may be too old to have children (was recently pregnant & lost the baby) but then I have to step back into reality & think I am not THAT old yet!
 
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nuthousemom

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WomanAtTheWell said:
I am starting next month. Actually, I finished the pre-requisites, I just need the clinicals, which start in August.

I posted this because I wondered if anyone else gets messages like that and how they handle it.

Sometimes I am surprised at the people who tell me I am too old for nursing school. It's not usually the people that I expect to hear that from!

Interesting...Right now I'm a sahm but I also am a liscensed RN. Someday I plan on returning to nursing at least part time. I'm 31 and it never occured to me that one could be too old for nursing:confused: :scratch: . I know nurses of many different ages! Hospital nursing can be fairly physical but there are so many venues a nurse can be employed in. It is definitely a career that offers great flexibility!

Stick with it!:thumbsup:
 
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MadFingerPainter

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WomanAtTheWell said:
I am getting ready to go back to school for a diploma in nursing. I have a degree in Social Work now but it's time for a change. I sort of thought about continuing my education with a Master's degree in social work, but I decided against it - I have been deciding against it for a long time, that's why I waited so long to do anything because I didn't feel like I really wanted to stick with social work.

Anyway... I have had a number of people tell me that they think I might be too old to go back for this degree... Sometimes, I feel that way, too. When I am finished I will be 35 and starting over at the bottom in nursing.

Do you ever feel that in your 30's you're "too old" for something that you would like to do?

Do you do it anyway?
I'm 40 years old and taking my very first college course. Granted I'm taking it at home but...why not? If a 90 year old woman can go to college why can't you? I think you should just do what you want to do and not listen to everyone else. Only you know what will make you happy. God bless.
 
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jstgrl

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You are never too old. Thirty is nothing. Trust me. I am going to be thirty in a couple of days. I plan on going back to school too. I have to. No matter how long getting your degree takes, it's well worth it. It's not like you going to age in a matter of 3-4 years. Don't listen to negative people. Get away from "haters".
 
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ranyhyn

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I don't think that's too old at all. I was a student tutor at the community college I attended back in the early 1990s. There were quite a few folks in their mid 40s and up that were coming back to school to change careers or to brush up on what they were already doing.

It's never too late to challenge your mind. Now if you're trying to do something that is physically demanding and you can't do it...that's another story. But learning, I feel, is a lifelong process. You can never learn too much and as long as you can meet the physical demands of the job then git wit it!
 
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BarbaraJean

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My husband turned 39 in June. In May he received his Associates degree.
He went to college after high school but only completed one year. He moved with his parents and had intended on transferring schools but it just didn't work out. He finally did it! I'm very proud of him!

So, no, you're not too old! Go for it!
five.gif
 
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