Starting Nursing At 40...am I Too Late???

Nurses New Nurse

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Hello All,

Im just starting nursing at 40 years old and Im wondering is this going to backfire on me in the long run???

I only have about 20-25 yrs--if God spares life :)--to put in the field and most of the nurses that I am meeting that are my age have already been in the field for at least 20 yrs!!!! Is this a good thing or a bad thing :confused:

Now, I should mention that I am a really "YOUNG" looking 40 y/o...People often mistake me for 25-27-- which I love by the way--who wouldnt :D...but Im still worried about agism :uhoh21:.

Im just starting a new floor and my co-workers are dying to know my age, of course Im not going to say....overall, I guess Im wondering is starting nursing this late in the game a good idea?????

I welcome any thoughts on this :wink2:.

Specializes in HBO, Cardiac.

I started LVN school at 41. I am now 42 and an LVN. I love it and I'm here to tell you it's never to late. I will start the LVN-RN transition in August. Go for it.

Specializes in Geriatrics, med/surg, LTC surveyor.

No, it is never too late. I am sure you will be a great nurse!

Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

This is such an aspiring thread! After years of being unsure of myself and not knowing what I wanted to be "when I grew up", I finally found nursing (and allnurses.com!) I just turned 30 and am doing pre-req's. I might not start nursing school for a few years, meaning I will be mid-30's when I become an RN. But I know it will be worth it. Although I wish I had decided on this career path years ago, I don't think I could have handled it in my 20's. I was immature, irresponsible, and lacked confidence. Now I am older, have had a lot more experience, am married with two kids. And I think all those experiences will make me a better nurse.

I'm 40 and graduated 1 yr ago from nursing school. It's not too late! Your life experience is useful - gives you an edge. Have fun pursuing your new career. And, hey - 20 to 25 years in a career is a good long time.

I don't know. I just do my job at work and I don't even think about my age. Many of my patients who are in their 70's to 90's think I'm a "kid."

:loveya:

Nursing has done great things for m-- has kept my mind sharp, my body well oiled and running, and makes me realize how important my health is. I'm very committed to getting my weight off finally and to controlling my BP, cholesterol, etc, as I see so many sick with these problems.

At times the young nurses do get a little too "giggly" for me and so I just find another place to hang out and stay quiet. I get along great with the older nurses and they are always happy to show me the ropes.

There are some very rude younger ones -- but I just usually consider the source. The older rude ones -- well, they're just making themselves more haggish by the day and I refuse to join them by being rude to anyone in any way.

But getting back to careers -- I can't count the number of older nurses in our hospital in really exciting positions other than bedside nursing -- there are tons of different options, and age just doesn't even seem to matter -- it's all experience. I plan to put in the hard work before my early 50's, then go back to grad school and prepare myself for something REALLY interesting to finish out my career. I doubt I'll ever really stop working ... but who wants to? Of course, there will be more travel and enjoyment than work ... .but there will still be some work to do and that's what makes people feel useful and inolved in their older years.

forty is young! i graduated last year, 5 months before my 60th birthday. i refuse to even allow myself to think i've made a mistake. i know what my limitations are and will pay close attention. after 8 months on an alzheimer's unit i've gone into dialysis and i love it! good luck.:yeah:

Hey there Sunny Beach,

Like the name...I am 23 and work with many nurses that are new nurses 3 years or less that are in their 40's. They get more respect from the doctors and the patients because they are viewed as if they have been a nurse for 20 years or more. I know that I am a good nurse... although I have only worked for a less than a year I care about my patients and I know my material. I get age comments often. In my eyes it would be more beneficial to go into the job older than younger. In response to your comment about having only 20-25 years in nursing, on of my go-to girls has only been a nurse for 2 years and I trust her more than anyone else. Just because someone has been a nurse for 20 years doesn't neccesarily mean they are good one. Good luck!!

Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I became a nurse at 47 and had the same thoughts as you when I started the Nursing program. Like "who will hire me since I only have a few "good years" left!" I was so surprised to find quite a few people my age going to nursing school. We all found jobs and not one ever ran into an issue of being too old. Life lessons do count for something.

Good luck and go for your dream- it is well worth it when you accomplish your goal.

Katmoose

Without reading thru all the replies, in a nutshell, no you are not too old at 40 to start. I graduated last year at almost 42 (and valedictorian, to boot). I thought I was going to be the oldest in my class - not even by far was I. We ranged from 19-50 years old and the average age in the class had to be upper 30's if not 40. You will be surprised at how many second careerers enter nursing.

Someone told me when I was contemplating whether or not to try, they said look at it this way, you'll be 41 one way or another. Do you want to be 41 and an RN or just 41 and not an RN. That sealed it for me.

You can do it!

Well, I am 48, just passed nclex in February and I'm right nor orienting in a cardiac PCU, I would have to say you are not too late or too old. Believe me, it can be rough, but I think that is true for everyone, old or young. Good luck

Specializes in Oncology, Med Surg, Ortho.

As long as your body is working well, age is just a number. I started at 35 and never looked back....only to wonder why I didnt do it earlier. You have the advantage of better critical thinking skills and organization than many of the younger ones. As for other nurses who have 20 years on you, there will always be someone who knows more than you do but in a few years you will be mentoring the new ones with your knowledge!

Specializes in Infection Control.

I started back to school at age 50 while working 3 part-time jobs that fit around college classes. I may well have been the oldest in my nursing school class of 51. I was 54 when I passed NCLEX and started work as a Med-Surg nurse. I've been off of orientation since June 4th and will turn 55 on June 19th.

A lot of my patient's are my age and it's a reality check. If I don't take care of myself, I could be where they are. I am more aware now of how my diet, exercise, and rest as well as my stress management impacts my own health.

When I am on the Floor, my age never enters into my mind. I'm just a novice nurse who's trying to transition ASAP into a confident, skilled, compassionate nurse. I was told by my preceptor, who was about 15 years younger than me, NOT to tell pts that I was a new nurse but rather that I was new at the hospital.

If I had stayed in my "other life" I'd be retiring now and beginning to travel.

As it is, I've embraced nursing for the rest of my life and will endeavor to turn to dust as one.

The only regret I have is that I didn't have a chance to do this when I was younger. I'd love to have more time to explore the many different perspectives of nursing.

Hm-m-m-m, well, I also wish I had better computer skills. We're switching to Cerner charting and I feel so dumb. The younger people seem to grasp the training instantly and I'm not wired for this stuff:banghead:. I know I will "get it" with practice but will feel like a stumbe-butt at first. Big sigh.

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