Is 52 to old for starting nursing program

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 23, 2005

Hello, My name is Debbie.
I have been a single mom for many many years, and my last daughter is entering her senior year in high school today.
I have always held jobs that just paid the bills and allowed me to be home when the kids were there.
I would like to start school next fall. (2006) in a RN program, which will last 2 years.
Am I being silly or do you think at my age (I will be 55) when I recieve my degree that I will find work available to me?
Thanks for all your comments in advance
Debbie

Not at all. There are many who decide to undertake this career choice in this stage of life.

Do you know in what you might be interested? What made you decide to go into nursing?

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 23, 2005

You are never too old for anything that you wish to do................. :)

soiwanttobeanurse · Aug 23, 2005

Not at all. There are many who decide to undertake this career choice in this stage of life.
Do you know in what you might be interested? What made you decide to go into nursing?
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I always thought I would make a great brain surgeon.

But, I would love to work in labor/delivery. Wouldn't everyone!!!!

I would like to work in critical care/ICU or as a Surgical/Medical nurse.

I have always wanted to be in the Medical Field. But, being a full time single mom, puts the added stress of also being the bread winner. I have been given the opportunity to move into one of my moms homes, sell my home and pay less than what my mortgage is, and this will enable me to work a job (not sales anymore) where I don't need the high salary, I will have less working hours, less stress and anything else you can think of, and be able to maintain the college studies necessary to accomplish my desire for nursing. Plus the added fact, that I always feel that I have to be the best, so A's are necessary for my well being.

Thanks for your advise and for listening to me

Deb

live4today, RN · Aug 23, 2005

:balloons: Hello Deb! Welcome to Allnurses!

If you are still breathing, you are alive enough to pursue your dreams. It aint over 'til it's over, so go for it if that is what your heart longs to do! I wish you well in your nursing endeavors and in all other areas of your life! :)

krisssy · Aug 23, 2005

I am 58 years old. I have not practiced nursing since 1971 although I received a BSN in 1969. In the winter of 2006, I will be starting a psychiatric nurse practitioner's program. I did take a refresher med surg course first. I am not too old. I probably won't even start working until I am in my 60's. I don't care. It is not a matter of age. It is a matter of really wanting to do something and putting your heart and soul into it. My aunt retired at 80 years old. It was after she retired that she started to get illnesses. We have to keep going. Personally I feel mentally and ohysically healthier when I am studying and working towards something. . Let's keep in touch and tell everyone how we are making out. When will you start? Krisssy

soiwanttobeanurse · Aug 23, 2005

I am 58 years old. I have not practiced nursing since 1971 although I received a BSN in 1969. In the winter of 2006, I will be starting a psychiatric nurse practitioner's program. I did take a refresher med surg course first. I am not too old. I probably won't even start working until I am in my 60's. I don't care. It is not a matter of age. It is a matter of really wanting to do something and putting your heart and soul into it. My aunt retired at 80 years old. It was after she retired that she started to get illnesses. We have to keep going. Personally I feel mentally and ohysically healthier when I am studying and working towards something. . Let's keep in touch and tell everyone how we are making out. When will you start? Krisssy

I will not be starting till fall of 2006.

I don't think that I am too old, my concern was whether or not human resource would consider me too old.

Thank for your support.

I love you

Deb

kastas, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2005

I will not be starting till fall of 2006.
I don't think that I am too old, my concern was whether or not human resource would consider me too old.
Thank for your support.
I love you
Deb

I doubt they would could consider your age. You will still be considered a new grad and they can hire you on much cheaper than a seasoned nurse. That seems to be all my hospital looks at. It's all a money game, not an age game.

As far as school goes, I had 3 women in my nursing class (1997) that were each in their 60's. We had several in their 40's the majority of us were nontraditional students.

Good luck. If you set your mind to it you can do anything.

jsteine1 · Aug 23, 2005

Hello, My name is Debbie.
I have been a single mom for many many years, and my last daughter is entering her senior year in high school today.
I have always held jobs that just paid the bills and allowed me to be home when the kids were there.
I would like to start school next fall. (2006) in a RN program, which will last 2 years.
Am I being silly or do you think at my age (I will be 55) when I recieve my degree that I will find work available to me?
Thanks for all your comments in advance
Debbie

Never too old to live your dreams. Go for it!

sunnyjohn · Aug 23, 2005

50 is the new 30. That would make you 32 years old.

Is 32 too old to start a nursing program?

Certainly not!

All kidding aside, I say go for it!

With Social Security and the economy being what they are, we will all have to work until we die. Might as well be doing a job you like that pays a decent salary! :rotfl:

krisssy · Aug 23, 2005

I doubt they would could consider your age. You will still be considered a new grad and they can hire you on much cheaper than a seasoned nurse. That seems to be all my hospital looks at. It's all a money game, not an age game.
As far as school goes, I had 3 women in my nursing class (1997) that were each in their 60's. We had several in their 40's the majority of us were nontraditional students.
Good luck. If you set your mind to it you can do anything.

Hello again. After my refresher med surg course, I was 56 and I was immediately offered a night job at the hospital where I did my clinicals. I had excellent references from my instructors.

They wanted an insurance that I would stay after they spent their time and effort into training me. They liked the idea that I had a masters in another area and that I had life experience. I wanted psych, but they wanted me to start in orth. The hospitals where you do your clinicals try to hire their students if they like them. I didn't take the job , becsause I had to have surgery at the time. But I didn't feel any age discrimination at that hospital. When I went for interviews, the smaller hospitals said they were less fast paced and seemed more interested. I was offered a job at a LTC faclity which also offered a refresher course. I was also offered a job at a large teaching hospital if I took their refresher course. Well now two years later, i am recovering from my surgery and excited avout starting my psychiatric nurse Practitioners program. Krisssy

SandraJean · Sep 17, 2005

It is so good to see all the encouragement to do what you dream of, regardless of your age! :) I am 46 years old and haven't worked in the hospital setting for about 18 years, although I have done a little bit of nursing in the community over the years. Mostly, I've been raising a family. :uhoh21: I took the RN refresher course a year ago, and can't seem to get the idea of going back to hospital nursing out of my head, but I am scared and wonder, am I getting too old for this? So, thanks for letting me see this encouragement. I am still scared, but every bit helps.

By the way, good luck with your dreams.