Over 40 and Becoming a Nurse....Any Thoughts?...

MunoRN, RN · Apr 7, 2012

Currently more than half of new RNs are going into Nursing as a second career, the median age of my local ADN program was 37 last year. Life experience is valuable in any job, but particularly in Nursing, so don't view your wealth of experience and wisdom as a detriment.

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Apr 7, 2012

Thanks for the kind words....yes, prior to nursing I spent 20 years in business/management and those skills have been put to good use through out my PN program, particularly when I had a chance to be a "Charge Nurse" for a week of clinicals....it was kind of a weird revalation when I thought about my age, but in some ways it may serve me well....awesome profile pic btw, huge Bill Murray fan here!.....

**CalicoKitty, BSN, RN** · Apr 7, 2012

I think a "nice" thing about being 'older' and starting off as a nurse - you'll never have patients dismiss you and say "You're too young to be a nurse (in a condescending way)." Plus, you'll already "command" a little more authority than the younger ones (even if they are deserving of it).

I wanna consider myself a "lifetime learner".

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Apr 7, 2012

lol!...yeah, I wont run those risks with the patients....

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 7, 2012

hello everyone...i am a mere three months from becoming a lpn, very excited and proud of my accomplishment....nursing is my "second career" that i started at 42....a little older than most students to be sure, but still young enough to do the job and do it well....after my june graduation and passing the nclex-pn, i plan on working in ltc while going after my bsn at the same time (lpn to bsn at uop)....sounds great but then a reality hit me, after i complete that bsn i will be pushing 48, and for the first time i felt old....i dont know, is that pushing the limits for a new bsn as far as the age gap?....maybe i just need to get over it but honestly it makes me think twice about it....any advice, comments or sage words of wisdom for me ?.....

and how old will you be if you don't get your bsn?

noahsmama · Apr 7, 2012

I completed a BSN at 49 and I wasn't the oldest student in my class. It's worked out great for me! Good luck!

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Apr 7, 2012

and how old will you be if you don't get your bsn?

44, a youthful 44 though..:)

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Apr 7, 2012

I completed a BSN at 49 and I wasn't the oldest student in my class. It's worked out great for me! Good luck!

That is great to hear!....any challenges along the way?....I think my biggest challenge will be balancing a new nursing career in LTC and getting the BSN....I think the experience I will get working as a LPN will be valuable while advancing my education....

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 7, 2012

44, a youthful 44 though..:)

it is the middle of the night and my math skills may be suspect. plus i am still spouting the fluorescent green snot. but i don't understand how you could be 48 if you get your bsn and only 44 if you don't. is there some time sucking worm hole at your nursing school?

Wild Irish LPN, LPN · Apr 7, 2012

it is the middle of the night and my math skills may be suspect. plus i am still spouting the fluorescent green snot. but i don't understand how you could be 48 if you get your bsn and only 44 if you don't. is there some time sucking worm hole at your nursing school?

well...i will be 44 as a new lpn grad...then another 3-4 years to get my bsn, so that puts me at 47/48 years....fluorescent green snot!!, yikes!!!....

Ruby Vee, BSN · Apr 7, 2012

well...i will be 44 as a new lpn grad...then another 3-4 years to get my bsn, so that puts me at 47/48 years....fluorescent green snot!!, yikes!!!....

i'm a picture of health right now -- not!

my point was, you'll be 47 or 48 whether or not you get your bsn. do you want to spend that time working on a bsn or not? if you work until you're 65, will you get your money's worth out of that bsn? it depends on what you want to do and how you want to spend your time. my husband is nearing retirement age, has always wanted his bsn and never wanted to go to school for it. right now he's really frustrated that he doesn't have his bsn -- but nothing that i can think of would make him want to spend the time and energy working on one.