Starting over age 40

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jun 14, 2016

Hi there, and welcome to Allnurses! We're glad you're here.

I encourage you to explore the forums. As you read through different threads, especially in the student forums, you'll find all kinds of non-traditional students going back to school in mid-life. I myself graduated from nursing school at 38 after years of being a stay-at-home mom. It was hard going back after being out of high school for 17 years, but oh, it was so exciting! Trust me, you can do this!

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

If this is your dream then I think you should go for it!! Was an LPN for 23 years, I finally went back for my Rn and found that most of my core non-nursing classes (math, English, chemistry, generals) had expired, so I had to start over. 5 semesters later I have my RN and am working for a local hospital system with a great reputation. I turned 47 just a few days ago....

If you want/need to work, you still have a good 20-25 years of being in the workforce. IMO thats long enough to warrant a change if that's what you want to do. And your kids are at perfect age to understand that mom has homework... I would sit at the kitchen table with mine each night and we'd all work on our homework at the same time... in fact, my son helped me with my math the first semester and by the second semester I was helping him with his. :whistling:

I had a couple of people in my cohort that were older then me and had no prior nursing experience.... don't let anything stop you, if it's what you want!!

Leonardo Del Toro, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I think its a noble thing to become a nurse at 40. I did it at 50 but it hasn't been easy at all. Not because of nursing but because of the job market. Is is not easy to get a nursing job as many people think. People decide to get into nursing because they think it will be easy finding jobs and that is no longer true. There is a nursing glut right now and nursing schools have been cranking out nurses like there is no tomorrow. Hospitals are closing and many positions have been slashed. There is no sign of change in a near future.

There are more jobs in SNF's (skilled nursing facilities) right now but they are not as well paid as hospitals. Age is a issue in nursing. The young and pretty nurses get the jobs right away and the old ones are rejects - sad but true.

If you love nursing and that doesn't scare you than go for it. Nursing is not easy but you'll always be able to find work. It might not be what you expected but in the end of the day is just work.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I think its a noble thing to become a nurse at 40. I did it at 50 but it hasn't been easy at all. Not because of nursing but because of the job market. Is is not easy to get a nursing job as many people think. People decide to get into nursing because they think it will be easy finding jobs and that is no longer true. There is a nursing glut right now and nursing schools have been cranking out nurses like there is no tomorrow. Hospitals are closing and many positions have been slashed. There is no sign of change in a near future.

I really think that depends on where you live. The hospital system I work for has 240 RN openings through out the state.

The other hospital systems are also posting for RN positions. And they both have great new grad residency programs to attract and retain their nurses.

I definitely look at your area and see what the market is like, or go to a nursing school and ask about the market trends and their placement rates.. most schools track the percentage of grads that find placement as an RN with 6 months and a one year.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I graduated with my ADN (my first college degree) at age 44.

My job experience prior to that was fast food management, banking, propane management (I sold propane and propane accessories!), and then 18 years as a bookkeeper for a commercial general contractor.

If you want to do it, go for it!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

Take one step at a time. Entry to a nursing program can be difficult. Have you consulted a school counselor?

You've raised 3 kids, you can do anything.

Good luck:up:

WhyNurse · Jun 14, 2016

Take one step at a time. Entry to a nursing program can be difficult. Have you consulted a school counselor?
You've raised 3 kids, you can do anything.
Good luck:up:

Do more research before making any decision.

It would be nice to turn your dream to reality - but sometime the two do not line up together...and we will be back to square one.

Sorry - I am not much of an encouragement here but surely think before you act.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Jun 14, 2016

I'm 36 and am taking my pre-requisites now. I've been home with my kids for the last 10 years and i want to make sure I have something enjoyable to focus on when they are off living their own lives. I chose nursing because I loved being a CNA when I was younger.

I'd look at nursing schools in your area, figure out which one(s) you'd like to attend. Get a list of their required classes and head to your community college to get them done. You might also want to meet with a guidance counselor to make sure your ducks are in a row.

Best of luck to you!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2016

Hi there and welcome to allnurses! You are not alone.. there are a LOT of us non-traditional nurses around here. I came to this site in 2010, when I decided to take the leap. This site helped me through pre-reqs, and then nursing school. They helped me find my first job, and have supported me in all my nursing endeavors. I was 39 when I started on this site, and am turning 44 this year! I have been a nurse for almost 2.5 years! :) You can do this.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2016

There are more jobs in SNF's (skilled nursing facilities) right now but they are not as well paid as hospitals. Age is a issue in nursing. The young and pretty nurses get the jobs right away and the old ones are rejects - sad but true.
If you love nursing and that doesn't scare you than go for it. Nursing is not easy but you'll always be able to find work. It might not be what you expected but in the end of the day is just work.

It did take me a few months to get my first job, which was in a SNF- but I disagree that they don't pay as well.. as a new grad I was getting a pretty good hourly salary- definitely as much (if not more) than the young kids going into hospital positions were getting.

rntonp1day · Jun 15, 2016

I turn 40 next month and was accepted into the RN program beginning in August. I am going all the way to nurse practitioner. There are many positions open in the state I live in. You asked to be advised, but my advice is not to ask for advice. If you want it, go get it. There are going to be naysayers all around. I was in a radiology program and changed to nursing because I want stability. The job market in radiology is slim, and by slim, I mean only prn jobs, part time jobs, etc. etc. That's why I left. I should've gone for nursing in the first place because that's what I wanted to do, but I was told many years ago that the HESI was very difficult. I let people who had no clue what they were talking about discourage me. I had all of my prereqs from being in the radiology program. When I got the courage to take the HESI, I made a 94 the first time and was accepted into the nursing school that I wanted to go to (the only one I applied to). Oh, and by the way, I have a 13 year old daughter, a 2 year old son, and a 2 month old daughter. Don't listen to those that say no or put doubts in your head. Do the research and look up the job market in your area. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. Don't ask for advice; just go for it!