I went back to school at 50 years old.  I may be the oldest new graduate of a nursing program you have ever met. I tell people that I have retired into nursing. The thing is, I don’t feel anywhere near retirement age. Actually, after completing my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing —I feel younger than I felt before going back to school.

I’ve listened to my friends doing the “count down” for retirement and although I suppose I can see the attraction of long, leisurely days of cruises, vacations and whatever one does during retirement, I guess I’m just not the retiring kind. I know that many retirees do wonderful things with their lives like volunteering and saving whales and such. I also must admit that I’ve never had the kind of job that was going to give me those life-long benefits that would allow one to make a living while not working. I’ve been a dancer (not that kind!), a personal trainer, an event planner for lesbian travel and a muralist. Not exactly careers with benefits but they were tons of fun.

So, though I say I’ve retired into nursing, I might better compare the last few years to a marathon that never has a finish line. But that doesn’t sound enjoyable does it? How about an enduring journey of learning, self-discovery and…wait…too deep and meaningful…perhaps a non-stop, three-ring circus? I’ve always loved a good circus. Of course I mean a circus with no animal cruelty or scary clowns. Although, scary clowns are everywhere…just check out the latest election campaigns.

When I told friends I was going to school to get my BS in Nursing they responded appropriately. “I’m sure your life experience will count for so much in your studies and finding a job”, “Wow, how exciting”, “You are so brave, I don’t think I could do school at my age”. Only later did I discover that most people thought I had lost my mind….but were still willing to come to parties with me. Except that I didn’t exactly have a social life for a few years so the going-to-parties thing only called for a partial commitment from my friends – more like a long-distance relationship.

Returning to school has re-engaged my heart and my brain in ways I never expected. The funny thing is that going back to school has taught me I that I am smart in ways I didn’t know about. And, at the same time, I found out there is so much to learn – and I’m not just talking the subject matter. I came to see how many judgments, internalized fears, stigmas and stereotypes I had been living with. No matter how cool, open-minded and intelligent one is (and of course I’m all those things), it is easy to get comfortable (read “stuck”) in patterns of living and thinking. I discovered that despite my previous educational background and extensive life experience I had much to learn about myself, others and…oh yea…the subject matter.