Success Story - Peggy Gray Becomes a Nurse at 60

For years, Peggy Gray took classes in the health field because she loved her work volunteering at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. When she was about to turn 60, she wondered what she was going to do with all those class credits. One week after her birthday, she started nursing school. Ryan Ori wrote her success story for the Journal Star.

"As a non-traditional student, Gray said school work didn't come easy. Her husband quizzed her on class materials, and she stayed up as late as 4 a.m. completing paperwork.

"She realized she was going to have to work harder because, as adult learners, we learn differently," ICC associate nursing professor Holly Dever said of Gray, the oldest student she has taught."

Peggy had the support of everyone around her. Ori quotes her:

"My parents are so proud that their oldest daughter went back to school," Gray said. "Every time I took my mom or dad to the doctor, they would always say, 'My daughter is 60 and she's going to school to become a nurse.' They were shocked but elated to know that I was going to become a nurse."

This new nurse is a wonderful and inspiring example of how it's never too late to make a dream come true. So you're almost 60? So what! What have you always wanted to learn, to do, to be? Go right out and do it!

Congrats Peggy! And thanks for the inspiration.

Other inspiring success stories:

• Jennifer Hefner's Story
• 97-Year-Old Evie Eaves
• Kass Wixom Earns BA at 57!
• Betty Hastens Earns GED at 86
• From High School Dropout to College Student

Share your success story right here or in the Continuing Education Forum. We'd love to celebrate with you!