Am I Too Old?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello everyone,

I am 48 and just graduated less than a week ago with as B.S. in Public Health. My goal was to finish that degree and apply to a Post Bac Nursing Program, but now I'm worried that I may be too old. I will 49 in a few months which means I would be 50 when I graduate from Nursing school. (that is if I'm accepted right away) This is what I have wanted for so long, but wondering if I should just let it go. What are some of your views on this?

Now seeing the response about the woman who went back to school age of 58 makes me feel real GOOD!!!

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I'm inspired even more!!!

I graduated from nursing school at 60 and was hired at a major university-affiliated hospital three months later at the age of 61. Three years later I'm still going strong. Nursing can be both physically and emotionally taxing, but I have no problems working 12-hour night shifts. Now, in addition to working full time, I'm going to school for my masters.

From my perspective 50 is far from being "too old" to become a nurse.

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You will be using this for more than 10 years. The minimum retirement age for S.S. is at least 65. Most will not be able to receive full benefits until 67 and up. Also, realize that you may have to take anything that comes as far as a job at first - depending on your job market. This may mean outside of a facility that has others to help with heavy lifting or transfers. If you can tolerate the beating on your body, then go for it. I am 44 (I think). Just graduated ASN, in for my BSN about 2016. I will have to take a big long look about whether or not I will pursue my MSN or not. I am not sure if it will be financially viable. I have dumped all my cookies into this goal of mine. Age doesn't have much to do with it. It's about your physical and financial situation.

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Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Just graduated with BSN at 58. If I can, so can you.

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Just graduated with BSN at 58. If I can so can you.[/quote']

Congrats!

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At your age, you are certainly not too old to handle the classroom and clinical rotations of nursing school. I speak from experience on this. If you are in reasonable shape, you will also be able to cope easily with the physical demands of nursing as a profession. I'm older than you and still volunteer as an EMT/firefigher with my local fireco, generally a more physically demanding (though not more stressful) environment than that of most nursing jobs. So if nursing is what you want to do, age should not be a barrier in most regards.

I qualify the above because age can be (and often is) a barrier to actually finding a nursing job. While the prevalence of "ageism" varies widely by geographic region and even at the institutional level, it exists to some degree nearly everywhere. Why this should be is a mystery to me but it is reality. Again, I speak from experience.

My advice would be to thoroughly explore the ageism aspect of nursing employment before putting the time, energy and money into becoming an RN. If you can relocate, and don't mind living and working in more rural or economically depressed areas, your employment opportunities will increase dramatically and age will be less of a factor in finding a nursing job.

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Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Thanks Purple, it was a long haul but glad I did it.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I say go for it! I know we have at least 2 or 3 people of the same age or older in my class (of 23). Follow your heart, and do what makes you happy! :)

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I started nursing school as a second career in an ADN program when I was 55. This was the best thing I have ever done in my life. I'm just a late bloomer! I will graduate with my BSN in May. Several of my classmates were 50 also. I never went to hospital to work. I realized it would be too much for me at age 58. I think some people older than me would have done okay with it though. There are so many different clinical settings for nursing though! With your degree in public health .. that is great. My friend (and former classmate), who was 50 when she graduated, went to work in acute neuro rehab unit (stroke, TBI) at graduation. I'm sure her masters in psychology helped her get the job in the incredibly tight job market at the time. She just got a new job as a case manager for another hospital in their rehab unit. There is a great need for nurses in many clinical settings. 50 is young!! I say go for it!! I think you will have many choices of paths to take when you graduate.

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My dad did paramedic school at age 60. Nothing is impossible!! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

One of the grads from my LPN school was almost 70. She was awesome.

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Hi im 45 and a lpn im going back to school for my BSN and I felt and still feel sometimes like im too old but I say what the heck your going to always have some kind of debt. Im going to follow my heart. There are soo many options once your finished you'll be surprised

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