Hi.
I saw your website and was very interested in writing to you. I am fifty years old and work as a registered nurse. I am currently working on my bachelor’s in nursing because it is a requirement for employment.Afterward , believe it or not I would like to work on prerequisites to get into veterinary school. All I can think about is becoming a veterinarian. As I take classes, I think of Am i too old? How will I pay over $300,000.00 in debt.? Will I be a debt ridden old lady? And most of all, Will I keep my good health or will I become ill?
I guess working on an oncology unit I think about my mortality all the time. I also know if I don’t try I will never know. I do know I work hard, love to learn, Am willing to get into the trenches. I also know that as a nurse, helping sick people get well is a beautiful thing. But I feel so empty. I can’t think of anything else I would rather do. I have thought of wildlife biologist, vet tech, marine biology, etc. Again, all I want to do is shoot for the stars. Although these other very noble careers are helping animals every day, all I want to do is be a veterinarian. Do you have any suggestions for me? I would really appreciate it.
Thank you.
BS
Date: 12/29/10
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Hi BS!
Sorry to hear you’re feeling conflicted about your future. As much as you may think you might be too old for veterinary school, I urge you to reconsider. None of us vet students know how long we will be around for – I am sure some of us will have passed by the time we are your age while some of us will live much longer. You sound like you are already a very healthy and active individual in the medical field so I ask of you this: if you didn’t pursue a career in the veterinary field and you lived to be 100, would you regret it? If the answer is yes, you know what you should do.
Far too many people stay in careers they are either unhappy in or only partially happy because they don’t have the guts to go for what they really want (for whatever reason: age, money, time, family…) Whether you want to be a veterinarian or a veterinary technician, you will stick out as a candidate for those programs because you are so unique! I would encourage you to follow your heart and do what makes you happy.
Thanks for reading the blog and thanks for writing! Let me know if you have any additional questions.
~Sharon
Life In Vet School & Tips On Getting In
BS,
I am 37 years old and I am stuck in a career that I cannot stand. I say go for it! I decided to go for my dream about a year ago. It is tuff on me, but it is worth it. Just remember you are not alone.
BS,
I am 37 years old and I am stuck in a career that I cannot stand. I say go for it! I decided to go for my dream about a year ago. It is tuff on me, but it is worth it. Just remember you are not alone.