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

[SunnyBeach_RN]

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

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 ...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:.

[Alexis0124]

I'm turning 41 in a few weeks and I will be just starting Nursing school. I was in the same boat as you worrying about my age and regretting that I didn't make this decision earlier. I've been through culinary school, graduated and completed a high school teaching degree just two years ago, and worked at various office jobs and when I realized that there were no teaching jobs available, I went into a deep depression and felt like a complete failure. My friends and family talked me into going into Nursing. After reading all these posts, I felt better about my decision. Thank you to all who have given me the inspiration and motivation to continue with this profession when I felt my age would hold me back from doing anything with my life.