Too late to be a nurse?

Jaykalkyn, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

I truly believe that you're never too old to learn so I would say go for it. I am 40 years old and in the first semester of a two year nursing program. This is my second career; 17 years in accounting was enough for me. Now, I can't speak for any issues with hiring but I wouldn't let age stop me from pursuing my goals.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 22, 2014

My take on it is this: you're younger than dead, so if you want to be a nurse, do it. I can't speak to hiring issues either, but if you want to be a nurse and you never go for it, you'll never know if you'd ever get a nursing job...

Nolli · Mar 22, 2014

I have seen people old enough to be my grandmother do it and I'm a nontraditional student myself. I am of the opinion that it is never too late to learn something new. Like Jay I have not seen or heard of issues with hiring so I can't speak to that aspect, but you can get into and graduate from a nursing program at 59.

woodland123 · Mar 22, 2014

Thank you all for your comments - Jaykalkyn, your honesty about the question of a hiring issue at that age is helpful to remember. Akulahawk, I love "you're younger than dead" and agree that I will only regret what I don't try. Nolli, I'll be more like 62 when I get my Associates degree...but I believe that if I don't pursue this desire I will be making a big mistake. Thanks you guys!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

Good day, JeanneRawlings:

Before I started my path to become a nurse (this semester is my last one of prerequisites; I start nursing school this August), I talked to an auto mechanic who became an LPN in their 60's (I'm 50 going on 51); and he had no trouble getting work. He shared with me that while he loved being an LPN, the one thing he would have changed had he known he would have loved nursing so much is to have gone straight for the RN.

Don't let age be a deterrent to you.

Thank you.

heystargirl · Mar 22, 2014

Life is too short to settle for doing one thing you only kind of like, especially when you'd much rather be doing something else that you know you'd LOVE! There are a few women in my cohort (I'm in an ADN program) who are over 50, and they bring so much life experience and perspective. One of the ladies and her adult daughter are in the program together! If you truly want to do it, go for it. "If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits." - Don Ward

Retired APRN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 22, 2014

If you have the physical stamina, go for it! You may have to work a little harder than your younger classmates at memorizing things, but you will have a huge advantage in terms of life experiences that have taught you perseverance, kindness, prioritizing and time management - especially if you've raised a family.

Again, getting hired might be an issue, but it is for pretty much all nursing graduates these days.

I say: if you love it, go for it! :up:

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

Would you regret NOT doing it at age 69? 79? 89? If you would, you should go for it.

itsmejuli · Mar 22, 2014

I just wouldn't take on any debt to do it

northmississippi · Mar 22, 2014

i would do lpn first then a rn bridge, that way you will have something you can use for work after only a year, work for a year to get all that paid off, then do rn and work part time on weekends for something. You will have the know how of an lpn, and the know why of an RN. Its fun to be in nursing school but demanding.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

My classmate was 62 when she graduated and got a job right after graduation. Yes, it's possible if you want it bad enough, and no you are not too old.