I just did something daring

[Jilly_in_VA]

I went down to the local Tech Center and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant diploma program. Mind you, I'm in my 70s, I'm in good health, and I'm a retired RN (let my license lapse this year though). I don't know that I will actually work as a vet tech but I might volunteer on the med team at the shelter. Please tell me I am not crazy.

[blm]

1. Not crazy. 😻

[cilla4progress]

2. R U kidding - I think it's

STUPENDOUS!

If you have the chops (which as an RN, you do) - it will be SO rewarding, I think, to bring comfort and care to our furry relatives!!

How long is the program?

I got a challenging license at age 60, so, I know it can be done!

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. It's 26 weeks

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 pm. Starts Aug. 10 and ends March 3. I'm pretty excited, actually. I love the critters I care for, and I think I was just ready for something new. I've been inspired by stories of women who went back to school and got degrees in their 80s, even, so why not?

[TNNurse]

15. My husband and I are both retired RNs.

We worked with a cardiologist who volunteered at the animal shelter when he retired. He did anesthesia for surgery when needed.

[woodsprite]

3. You are most definitely not crazy!!!

My husband's aunt (retired military/retired nurse) went and volunteered her services during Katrina at 65 yrs old. When she came back, she finished her law degree, passed the Bar exam, and is now a lawyer representing nurses in malpractice and other types of medical cases.

Another friend didn't get her MD until after she turned 62. At 70, she now fills in at urgent care facilities in our hospital system as a floater to give their regular docs a break.

Best of luck to you! I think your plan sounds awesome!

[SheltieLover]

4. Awesome!!!

[Maraya1969]

5. It's fabulous! I have always wanted to be a vet tech and even trained for awhile

years ago. I'm 63 now and think I'm too old but reading your story just made me think different.

I'm not saying I will do it but knowing that I can if I want is great. Thank you!!!!!

[MuseRider]

7. What a great idea!

I stopped nursing a long while ago and let my license lapse. I was an ICU nurse with an interest in trauma but we also did a lot of cardiac care, recovered heart surgery patients in our unit right out of surgery so I could do a lot of things that critters come in for.

I am 67, I just might consider something like this. I had never even thought of that. I LOVE that you are doing that. You are NOT crazy.

[Duppers]

8. Jilly, that's wonderful!

Congrats, kiddo!

[trof]

9. You are not crazy.

You are what we need more of.

[seta1950]

10. You are not crazy

Good for you👏🏼

[Mr.Bill]

11. You are not crazy.

Volunteer work is always a noble cause. Best of luck to you.

As a side note, I worked with a guy once who used to be a Veterinary Assistant. I asked him what a VA does and he said "Give dogs enemas."

[Skittles]

12. not only are you not crazy

you have my extreme admiration!

[niyad]

13. I want to hug you for wanting to care for our companions. Yes, you are crazy--crazy

wonderful. Crazy caring. Crazy compassionate,

THANK YOU on behalf of all creatures great and small.

[Traildogbob]

14. Go you!!!!

Takes courage to challenge yourself for a possible second career after retirement. But what you you expect from an RN, but tremendous courage.

[WinstonSmith4740]

16. No, you're not!

I just retired from teaching, and I"m already bored. Giving serious thought to having one of my dogs go through the training and see about visiting nursing homes with him.

[Warpy]

17. That's great! No, you're not crazy

although you might question your own sanity the first time you need to approach a cat with welding gloves on.

It beats the hell out of sitting around and sinking into TV.

[marieo1]

18. Right On

Absolutely not crazy..........all of us seniors need to find something to enthuse us - good for you!!

[mgardener]

19. Not crazy

What a wonderful thing you are doing!

[AZ8theist]

20. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY NUTS!!

No, not at all....

(I just wanted a sarcastic contrary headline...)

Having just put down one of my wonderful rescue mutts, I can say with 1000% certainty that the folks who work at the shelters are absolutely fantastic, caring human beings.

I wish you the best in your future career. There's never enough dedicated folks like yourself.

[Jon King]

21. This is the coolest thing I have read in a long time!

Absolutely fantastic to hear someone putting themselves out there. Best of luck.

[Scottie Mom]

22. You are a dear person. 💝

For the dear animals you will comfort and help!

Thank you!

[70sEraVet]

23. Whoa! I think that you just inspired a whole BUNCH of folks

who thought they had nothing worth giving! Congrats on that alone, and best of luck!

[Jilly_in_VA]

24. I am blushing all over the place

Y'all are too kind!

[Scrivener7]

25. Nice! Enjoy!

[a kennedy]

26. You make me so happy for doing this, and no you are NOT crazy......

[Fla Dem]

27. I think that's wonderful! Let us know how things are going once you're on board.

[SharonClark]

28. Good for you!

Congratulations for continuing your life long learning and potentially helping out at a shelter. You're awesome.

[Faux pas]

29. All

I can say Jilly-in-VA is go for it!

[XanaDUer2]

30. Not only are you not crazy, I've bern

considering doing the same program! I'm 55

[Jilly_in_VA]

31. Go for it

One of the women in my nursing school class was 57 when we started.

[Hortensis]

32. What a great thing and so nice to hear. Go, Jilly!