37 year old procrastinator - Considering a nursing career

Nurses Nurse Beth

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Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a 37yr old procrastinator, who is full of regrets and is wondering if it's too late to start nursing school. I beg of you to bear with me as I'm full of questions and having never attended college a day in my life. To start, I have a GED and have been skating through the work force on vocational certificates and experience for the past 20 years.

Now I'm unemployed and I'm finding it harder and harder to get a job without a degree. I've decided to go to college but I'm afraid that by the time I'm done with school, my age will be a road block in attaining employment. Am I too old? That's my first question.

Secondly, for a person of my age seeking higher education, what's the best course of action to take to start a nursing career? What I mean is, where should I start? Should I go for the LPN cert, the AAS in Nursing or just the full on Bachelor's degree in nursing? What do you think would be the fastest and/or more efficient and effective road to take towards my goal of becoming a nurse?

I have no idea on how to even begin the process. I've read about prerequisites, and remedial classes. There's also entrance exams and not being accepted in a nursing program. I feel so lost and overwhelmed that I just want to kick myself for not having done this years ago. What should I do? I live in NY (NYC) and things seem super complicated here. Can you help me figure out what to do?

Dear Overwhelmed,

No, you are not too old by any means. As far as being lost, we were all lost when we started.

The first thing to do is start. Apply to your community college and start taking general education classes. Call them tomorrow. Make an appointment.

General education courses are classes that everyone has to take such as English and Math. Your college will give you a placement test to determine which English class to best place you in. Don't worry, it just helps you get started.

You may want to start taking only one or two classes to get acclimated. Many colleges offer night classes to help adult students.

A little further down the road, you can learn about nursing pre-requisites, but you have time. You will be talking to other students, and a counselor (often you learn more from other students). Basically, nursing pre-requisites are science classes such as Anatomy and Physiology.

You have time to decide whether to pursue an LPN, ADN, or BSN. It will depend on your long-term goals and how well you adapt to school. Career-wise, an LPN is the most limiting option, then an ADN, and then your BSN.

Don't kick yourself and don't compare yourself to others. The past is the past, but the future is whatever you make it. I will cheer you on, friend!

Nurse Beth

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I'm starting an accelerated program at Johns Hopkins in January - 22 months.

I'll be 34 years old with a 2 and a half year old and a husband. Not saying it will be a breeze and it's hard to go back to school but age is not such a big deal.

Do factor in time for pre reqs though - it's taken me 8 months to do mine and take the GRE.

Best of luck!

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I was a 23-year-old factory worker with no education beyond a high school diploma in 2004. My job was in jeopardy so I took a risk by quitting to enroll in a 12-month LVN program that required no prerequisite coursework. I had a mortgage and other obligations, which meant I could only be out of work for one year.

In 12 months I had a new career. I've since earned my ASN degree, RN license, and BSN degree. Now I am enrolled in an online MSN program.

For someone with no college credits to his/her name, a fast-track 12-month LPN/LVN program could be what the doctor ordered.

You are amazing.

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I'm starting an accelerated program at Johns Hopkins in January - 22 months.

I'll be 34 years old with a 2 and a half year old and a husband. Not saying it will be a breeze and it's hard to go back to school but age is not such a big deal.

Do factor in time for pre reqs though - it's taken me 8 months to do mine and take the GRE.

Best of luck!

I started my nursing career at age 30. In those days there were fewer options than today. No online courses, no part-time courses. You pretty much had to make sacrifices and go to school full-time. So I am happy to see there are many more options today. I support anyone who chooses this path at any age. It will be challenging, yes, but with determination and support you will succeed. All the best to you.
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You WILL get a job coming out of Hopkins, for sure. You'll probably get a job at Hopkins.

The best of luck to you!!

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I went to nursing school when I was 40, you're not too old. However, do NOT go into debt to get a nursing degree. I repeat, do NOT go into debt. I graduated from a very highly ranked nursing school and incurred a ridiculous amount of debt, and spent almost a year trying to get a job after graduation. I've heard NYC is tough for RNs (esp new grads). Keep in mind the job market for nursing your area and research that thoroughly before you declare your major in nursing. The advice to get a job in health care as a patient care tech is good because it's a great way to feel out whether you want to do this work.

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I graduated nursing school at the age of 51 years old. It was a booger because my brain didn't function or retain as well as it had the last time I attended school. So no, your are not too old to start. But, do not wait.

Do your pre-req's. Do WELL on them. Your GPA can be what makes or breaks you. Start your dedication, because once in Nursing Program, you have no life. Join Nursing associations. If you have to work, start as CNA, and move up from there.

That is all based on my experience. Good Luck!

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There are always agencies - usually begging for help. worth checking out.

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Hi, I would l just like to say that I'm about yoru age and in a similar boat. I have been to college, and I have taken most science classes (I even have a degree), but I have not worked in the field and am finding that after 10+ years, the coursework no longer counts...

I also live in NYC so I understand like you, that the programs here seem fairly confusing (I'm finding a lot of prerequisites with information that mostly applies to recent college grads, people straight out of HS, or people who already have some experience in Nursing).

But please don't think you're too old, never! Best of luck to you and if you figure any of this out, please let us know :)

Erin

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Congratulations on taking the first step!

37 is not too old to start over. A very dear friend of mine graduated nursing school last year in her 50s and now has a fulfilling career in home health.

As some others have suggested, look into a placeholder like PCA or CNA just to get some money coming in. Wishing you luck in everything!

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To Overwhelmed- I was also in your shoes but at the age of 50! I had always regretted not getting my nursing degree. I started by getting my LPN - so now I am working as an LPN at a local hospital & just started an LPN to BSN program at the age of 54. I will graduate when I am 56!! When I attended an informational meeting before starting an LPN program I asked them whether I would get hired at my age when I was done & they said absolutely- that my age was an asset!! So all you have to do is start! Good Luck!!

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