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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:04 pm
Hi - I am looking into embarking on a Cert IV Nursing traineeship and my question is - at 39 will I be considered old by my fellow students? I know that sounds like a funny question but I am feeling a little paranoid about joining nursing at this ripe old age!!! If anyone has done this traineeship then any advice will be gratefully received. Another question is..will I get paid for the hours of practical work I do or is this simply to pay back my education fees? (I'm advised it's a minimum of 15 hours on the job training a week required). Thanks Suzanne
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Ronnie
(offline)
- Joined: Oct 2006
- Location: XXXXville
- Posts: 34
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Apr 24, 2008, 12:49 am
No your not too old. I'm 39 and just about to graduate from UNI and there are others older than myself. I would assume you will not get paid whilst you are completing your practical component. I have completed nearly 1000hrs prac so far with no pay. Actually I pay to do the prac, couple this with the fees for the degree and I have a HECS debt of around $16000 waiting for me when I graduate.
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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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Apr 24, 2008, 01:35 pm
Thanks for your reply Ronnie - You have given me piece of mind regarding my age, but worried me a little regarding the amount of debt one can incurr during studying.... It doesn't seem fair does it.... oh well what can you do. Suzanne
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Molly
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- Joined: Apr 2007
- Location:
- Posts: 135
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Apr 24, 2008, 07:10 pm
I started my studies at 46 and I graduated Cert IV at 48, so 39 is not to old and you are ever to old to start any studies. You will meet and will befriend many fellow students believe me. I befriend some fellow students and never looked back.There is a saying " use it or loss it" .
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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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Apr 25, 2008, 07:27 am
Hi Molly - thanks for your reply. I am feeling much more confident about starting the studying at my age. As you have done the cert IV nursing studies - any info you could give me would be gratefully received. As I don't start until over 6 months away are there any things I can read to give me a good start - I have absolutlely no nursing experience at all. (sorry - I should have started this thread in another forum other than Tea room - I'm new to this site - I will learn:) Thanks once again - Suzanne
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cruise29
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location:
- Posts: 4
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Apr 28, 2008, 02:11 pm
Hi, no you're not old at all!! I'm studying EN part time and I'm over 50 - won't say how much over 50! I'm enjoying it. Never too old to learn or change your career.
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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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Apr 28, 2008, 09:21 pm
Hi Cruise - thanks for your reply. I'm starting to see that there are many of us 'older' people wishing to persue our wished careers. Cruise are you doing a traineeship? Regards Suzanne
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Molly
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2007
- Location:
- Posts: 135
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May 11, 2008, 10:09 pm
Hello suzfenau !Thank you for your reply and I am so sorry I did not answer your questions I just found your forum for me. Yes I could suggest to read " Tabbner's Nursing Care" book. I suggest if you want to know more about nursing try to get a job or volunteer at a Nursing Home or Hospital ask what they could offer you in a Nursing so you will have a taste of what is nursing like. Best Wishes Molly
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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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May 12, 2008, 12:32 pm
Thanks Molly - I'll look out for a copy of that book. May I ask how you secured your traineeship? I am under the impression that if I take a certificate III in health then I am not eligible to take part in a traineeship later(does anyone know if I am mistaken?) I see lots of vacancies for care jobs leading to a certificate III but none for traineeships leading to Cert IV in nursing - unfortunately it would be really hard for me to afford to pay to do the certificate at uni with a mortgage to pay etc! so for now a traineeship is my only option. Any advice or suggestions gratefully received:)
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tropicana
(offline)
- Joined: Mar 2007
- Location:
- Posts: 62
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May 26, 2008, 06:04 pm
suzfenau - average age of a nurse is 45. Hey, you're a young 'un. And you will be bringing life's experiences. Age has nothing, nothing to do with it.
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suzfenau
(offline)
- Joined: Apr 2008
- Location: Melbourne
- Posts: 18
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May 26, 2008, 07:12 pm
Thanks for the encouragement Tropicana - I must admit that for me - I know I'll do a better job as a nurse at my age than if I had studied years ago - I was a bit of a 'dreamer' back then LOL and although I wanted to do nursing it was never the right time for me due to certain things in life. They do say things happen for a reason!!
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tropicana
(offline)
- Joined: Mar 2007
- Location:
- Posts: 62
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May 30, 2008, 04:55 pm
No problem suzfenau. Hey mate, they need us! Go for it!
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Bev
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- Joined: Jun 2008
- Location: South Australia
- Posts: 2
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Jun 04, 2008, 12:49 pm
Hi - I have just joined the forum and very glad found your post - I am 56 and am planning to study RN in 2009 at Flinders University - I have a previous degree in Social Work and so it will be two years of study. At times I feel I am too old to take on nursing, but at other times I feel age is not an issue. I will be going on 59 before I can work as a nurse - does anyone have any advice?
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enigma
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- Joined: May 2009
- Location:
- Posts: 72
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Apr 24, 2012, 06:49 pm
Well, it's a bit late to reply to this but I met a nurse today who is still working at 73 and has been nursing for 55 years! I was worried about being in my 40's and starting but there were quite a few older than me in my class. Even as a new graduate, I haven't been made to feel old at all. I still have many years ahead of me to work if I can so I don't think it's ever too late to start if you're still fit enough to do the job.
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beckistar
(offline)
- Joined: Jun 2012
- Location:
- Posts: 1
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Jun 13, 2012, 12:09 am
Hey all, it's nice to see the level of friendly support on here. No, 39 is definitely not too old to do this. In fact, with years of experience in other fields behind you I bet you're bringing something completely fresh and great to the mix (not denigrating younger nurses of course). Best of luck!
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Bev
(offline)
- Joined: Jun 2008
- Location: South Australia
- Posts: 2
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Jun 13, 2012, 10:48 am
I posted a message in June 2008 when I was considering doing registered nursing at uni - I was wondering if I would be too old. Just thought I would let you know that I am currently doing my graduate year at a major public hospital in the emergency department and I will be 60 next month. I am very proud of my achievement and have fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, and I don't feel 'too old' at all. So if you want to do something, go for it, it's never too late.
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