I am 51 and I am currently pursuing my BSN. However, I have not trecieved mush encouragement from my colleagues and peers. They seem to think I am too old. I was raised to believe one is never too old for education but I am beuing told I am wasting my time as it is not going to benefit men career wise and these naysayers don't see it as useful personally.

I intend to work as long as my mind and body will allow me and since I come from hardy stock, am physically fit and don't look my age AND can hold my own in ICU/CCU I say I have another 19 or 20 yrs to contribute and to learn.

Looking for different input, opinions and beliefs on this. What do you think????

Thanks, tigermom

Go for it! I agree, you are never too old for education. :)

I second that go for it! You are not old...I just finished my Clinical Nurse Specialist and will be 48 soon. I didn't go into nursing until I was 34! Please continue to learn and grow.

Nursing is full of people your age and much older, there are so many disciplines in nursing, it is possible to work until YOU decide to quit.

If I continue on for an MSN I will be greater than 50 because I'll go part time. I too plan on working for 20 more years. That's a generation, that's a career, I want to do something different than I'm doing now.

Good luck to you. You are not "old".

The way I look at it - You will be the same age in a few years whether you pursue your BSN or not. Might as well "go for the gold!" This degree may open doors for you which you never envisioned. Don't listen to the naysayers. Pursuing your education is a great investment in yourself.

See the following about being "too old:"

http://www.wilsonsalmanac.com/latestart.html

I have the same concerns. I just turned 49. Shutting down that negative little inner voice is hard but you can do it. Just go to school and tell that voice, "OK, yeah, you're right. Now I have to study."

Check out:

Prill Boyle, "Defying Gravity: Tales of Late Blooming Women."

You've gotta go do what you gotta do whenever you finally get your chance. The other posters are right. Someone posted a story on another thread about this same topic, about an 80 year old woman who returned to college. We're not nearly that old, but it was a nice story.

I do suggest attending a school with a diverse range of students, however. It helps to not be the only "old" person in the classroom and to have a peer to share cultural references and music taste with.

after 5 years working full time, i received my msn at age 52 yrs. i was in bs to msn path. my bs was in another field. i enjoyed going to school and loved the atmosphere.

at age 52, i retired from a 23 year hospital job to start a new career as adn faculty. teaching in the adn program has been wonderful. i am now 58 & tenured.

we live much healthier and longer lives now. our 50s today are not the same as they were 50 years ago. my husband & i stay active (e.g. dancing, hiking).

i believe in using my brain matter to prevent my possible cognitive deterioration (half joking/ mostly serious). i don't see myself retiring any time soon.

is it worthwhile returning to school for bs/ ms nursing degree - yes, at any age!

Thanks to all who posted and shared your experiences; I was very upset when I posted that (as illustrated by my typos!). Now I feel much better, more focused and determined.

You folks are wonderful! Thanks for the lift.

Jonna

Tigermom,

I just graduated in May with my MSN, and I'm 54. I to believe you're never to old to learn. I enjoy education, in fact I am teaching in 3 different schools part-time.

I say, go for it.

Graduated at 49 with MSN, classmates in their 60's and 70's. Education in never a waste.

I am 59, want to go back to school this fall, pursue nursing, not much encouragement from my peers but much encouragement from my children who are all in college. Thanks for the lift, I needed it. Any advice for an older student?

Age will give you wisdom with your life experiences. You do not need to be perfect student. Do you know what type of nursing you would like to practice?