Is 54 too old to get a doctorate degree?

Nurses Nurse Beth

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Dear Nurse Beth,

I am 54 years old and wondering if I'm too old to get either a DNP orPhD in nursing. I graduated with my ADN at the age of 40, my BSN at age 50 and my MSN in Nursing Education at 53. I'm currently a lecturer at a university, but I still feel like I don't know what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Dear Am I Too Old,

If your question is "Am I too old to have the intellectual capacity to complete my doctorate?", then no, You are definitely (repeat, definitely) not too old to do this.

If your question is " Am I too old to have it make a difference in my career?" the answer depends on how many more years you plan to work.

While you are not too old, part of the question is, what is your motivation? A burning desire? An item on your bucket list? Are you wanting to qualify for a higher position?

I would first figure what you want to do, and then decide if pursuing a doctorate aligns with your goals. A doctorate comes with high costs of time and money.

There was a time when I also struggled with deciding if I should go on to get my doctorate, but doing so would have meant giving up my writing career or at least putting it on hold.

It's always about choices.

I just had to choose from two paths that were both appealing to me. Would you regret not getting your doctorate, or be able to make peace with it? Good luck with your decision.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

Dear "Too Old"...

Is 54 too old to get a Doctor Degree? Lets examine what I am have in my life and then you decide. AT 17 I joined the US Army to get the GI Bill to go back to school. I served from Vietnam to 4 tours in Afghanistan, in 32 years I rose from Private and retired as a Major. Within my 32 years while being in the military at night I earned my BA in Political Science and my Masters in Business. After leaving active duty, but staying in the Army Reserves, I was hired as Federal Law Enforcement Officer (Civil Service) I was sent back to school and was trained to be a Special Agent, Interrogator, then was trained to give Polygraphs and served 20 years a a Special Agent. Two years before my second retirement as a Special Agent I used my Vacation Time to go back to school to learn to be a RN. After four years I graduated with Honors from University of Southern Maine as a RN (BSN). Then I returned back to graduate school and in three and a half years graduated with honors as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Then I returned back to school at 65 for my Doctor of Nursing Practice.... So in retrospect looking at my back ground compared to your background....I think you should pick up the pace quit being lazy and get that doctor degree.... =)

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
Thank you NurseBeth for a thoughtful and practical approach to a question that seems to get weighed down in rose colored glasses and or countertransference. Of course age should be a consideration, not the only one, but a consideration. I'm not sure if it is our current politically correct culture that espouses everyone can be a super model or flat out delusions when people disregard the fact that age is more than a number. There are quantitative studies indicating the effects on brain mass, processing abilities, strength etc. so to cheer people on to make emotional not practical decisions, especially later in life, doesn't make sense to me. I have to wonder if decisions based on flawed logic such as age being of no concern isn't a contributor to so many Americans being unable to retire due to financial reasons?

Agree Jules. You have to factor in age, health, ability to recoup the tuition as well as job market. Like NurseBeth I had considered it at 55 but for various reasons decided against it. Now at 59 am glad I decided against it

I considered the DNP and at my age, 57, I decided against it. It won't be necessary within the next 5 years, and I would not enjoy doing it. The cost is relatively small, but for the time invested, if I were working, I could instead make big bucks. So for me, no, not worth it.

If I were 10 years younger, then probably yes.

The deciding factor is that I would not enjoy it. I have arrived at the blessed age of not doing anything I don't have to do, that I do not enjoy.

If you love it, DO IT.

If you care about the money potential and awesome reputation, ask yourself "When should I retire?"

I know 2 woman who are just starting prereqs for nursing and they are almost 50. It's never to late to continue education. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply!

Do you mind if I ask why you got your DNP? I think I would choose a DNP over a PhD. Although I love teaching, I'm missing patient care.

Dear "Too Old"...

Is 54 too old to get a Doctor Degree? Lets examine what I am have in my life and then you decide. AT 17 I joined the US Army to get the GI Bill to go back to school. I served from Vietnam to 4 tours in Afghanistan, in 32 years I rose from Private and retired as a Major. Within my 32 years while being in the military at night I earned my BA in Political Science and my Masters in Business. After leaving active duty, but staying in the Army Reserves, I was hired as Federal Law Enforcement Officer (Civil Service) I was sent back to school and was trained to be a Special Agent, Interrogator, then was trained to give Polygraphs and served 20 years a a Special Agent. Two years before my second retirement as a Special Agent I used my Vacation Time to go back to school to learn to be a RN. After four years I graduated with Honors from University of Southern Maine as a RN (BSN). Then I returned back to graduate school and in three and a half years graduated with honors as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Then I returned back to school at 65 for my Doctor of Nursing Practice.... So in retrospect looking at my back ground compared to your background....I think you should pick up the pace quit being lazy and get that doctor degree.... =)

BEST COMMENT EVER!!! Thank you so much for this. I think I will at least get a CNS or NP. And then if it turns out a DNP is required I'll just continue on. Thanks for the motivation!

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream" C.S. LEWIS

That's my motto I live by, at 50 I decided to start on a new career, so I pursued my BSN. I'll be graduating from my nurse practitioner at 61, afterwards I am planning to start on my doctorate.

In my opinion you are too young to not do it.

Age is a number. Unless it's yours of course. I am a firm believer that if you want to advance your degree, it is your decision. Only you know what you can and cannot do. You set your own limits. I spent 15 years as a Paramedic then 20 as a journalist. Retirement was killing me so in my 60's I went to nursing school. I graduated and now I am working on my DNP. I know I can practice well into my 80's. It's your decision. What have you to lose? Time?

I love your attitude.

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