Going to Nursing School at an Older Age

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have been planning to go to nursing school (direct entry MSN) & have been progressing in that direction. The other day I was having a conversation with a coworker (a non-practicing nurse!) and she said, now at your age (I am in my 40s) you have 10, maybe 20 years of nursing, but if a younger candidate gets your seat they can practice nursing for like 40 years, so why should you get a seat? It's more beneficial to train a younger nurse. I was rather tacken aback by the question & said something to the effect the more nurses the better and it is illegal to discriminate based on age, and she said the nursing shortage is a myth and age discrimination happens, no matter what! While I always believe education is throughout one's life and one should pursue one's aspirations, it got me thinking. (In some countries where their are no age discrimination laws this does happen). Is it really socially more desirable to prefer younger candidates? And does this factor into admissions decisions?

That person you had that convo with just tried to steal your joy bcause she has none. No dreams, no aspirations, no desire to do better! So, ofcourse, she'll say something to discourage you from going after your dream. That was a poisonous statement, and it affected you to the point that you are questioning your decision to go after your dream or reach a goal!! Shrug it off and go for it! Future R.N.

Specializes in Oncology, Med/Surg.

I graduated from nursing school 3 days before my 49th. birthday. I'm now 61 years old. I have worked full time on a med/surg unit for the past 12 years. When I first began my practice, it used to make me chuckle when a patient would say, "Oh I'm glad to have a nurse who has more experience instead of a younger nurse who's just starting out". I never let on I was a new-bee! If nursing is your dream, please, don't let others discourage you. I always wanted to be a nurse and my high school guidance counselor told me I wasn't that good in math and I'd never be able to pass the algebra and chemistry requirements to be a nurse. Unfortunately, I believed him and did not pursue my dream until much later in life. I did just fine in algebra and chemistry by the way! Continue with your dream of becoming a nurse. Don't wake up one day and say, "Oh I wish I had..."!

What I see from younger nurses is they get married, have their babies and want to work part-time or they quit to raise their children. An older nurse has already raised her babies and can devote herself to her career. There is a shortage of positions for new nurses right now because the older nurses are keeping their jobs and working longer than they expected to due to the economy. Best of luck to you!

You shouldn't let age limit you! Age is a state of mind and it is relative. We never know what each day holds for any of us. I have knows older folks who have a good attitude and who take care of themselves. These older people seem younger to me than some of the younger folks who have a bad attitude and who don't take care of themselves. Not to mention the experience that an older applicant brings!

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

I was 32 when I became an LPN and will hopefully be an RN at 38 or 39 :D

:nurse:

As long as her GPA/test scores are high, has some volunteer experience, and has a solid application, then she wouldn't be taking that spot from anyone. Now, if she were below par, then yes, I would think that she would be taking something away from another student.

I think you think I disagree with you....I do not.

Your coworker is looking at the situation too simplistically! If all things were equal, then her point would be valid - society's investment in a younger nursing student would provide more return than an older nursing student could produce. But as we all hopefully know, not everything is equal. The dropout rate for new nurses is astronomically high - something like 1/3 of newly minted nurses leave the profession within 5 years. As an older and more experienced student, it's more likely that you have a well thought out plan and will remain in the profession for the remainder of your working years. Beyond that, as an older and more experienced nurse graduate, you're more likely to be able to bring that other experience and knowledge to the workplace benefiting both your patients and the work organization.

Don't let anyone let you feel less worthy to be a nursing student. Not only do you have just as much right, you're probably going to turn out to be a better nurse than some fresh out of highschool kid whose slot your coworker is accusing you of taking.

And I can't help but notice that your critical coworker is a non-practicing nurse. She apparently is exactly the kind of "waste of an educational slot" that she's afraid that you might become. I can't help but smile in the irony of that!

I'm a 51 yo woman who started medical school in 2007. (making me 48 at that time) I completed Medical Assisting and passed my board exam and am titled a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). I went on to get the title of Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) passing my national exam on that as well. I've recently gone through the STNA "course" but haven't taken the state exam and not sure I even want to go that route.

My point is: I have sent out tons of resumes both online and snail mail. Nothing. I'm unemployed and can't get my feet in the medical door.

So you tell me...is it my age, lack of experience, what?

Good luck to the OP with your employment search! :)

Thanx for all the responses, it is certainly refreshing to know nursing schools aren't biased against older applicants & there is room for mature and younger nurses alike.

Just one note: my coworker isn't a bad person, although her comment was thoughtless and discouraging it is what she probably genuinely feels. Also she left active nursing d/t back injury suffered during home health nursing & that may have tainted her view.

Specializes in Mental Health.

I just graduated this spring with a BSN at 41 y/o. I had zero experience in healthcare before starting the program. I owned a dry cleaning business for 11 years prior to going back to school. I'll be getting a job offer in the next week from my first interview at a LTC facility and have two more interviews set up at hospitals in the next 3 weeks. :)

When I applied and interviewed for the nursing program at 38 after a year of pre req's, they really liked the life experience I brought to the table. I think nursing is a profession that's very acceptable of "late bloomers". My great aunt became a nurse in her 50's and worked into her mid 80's.. It's NEVER too late. I'm so happy I made the decision and went for it. I am now a licensed RN! So excited to start my new career.

I think your age will be an advantage for you to get into a program. Diversity in nursing programs is very desirable and that includes age.

Best of luck to you, AmaurosisFugax, don't be deterred by your "one foot in the grave" co worker.. :)

That is a bunch of crap bundled up in torn apart diaper and put out there by someone high on negativity!!

The experience that an older person brings to the arena is priceless. Many nurses often switch jobs, 2-5 years. So what difference does it make? Are you serious, a company will choose immaturity and inexperience, thinking that they will train them and that person will stay with that company because of that? Please.

Specializes in Psych.

Oh, brother...I remember not too long ago when women were trying to get into law/medical/business/etc. schools and were told, "you know you would be taking a spot that could go to a MAN". One case that comes to mind is Geraldine Ferraro...one of only 2 women in her law school class...who then went on to run for the second highest office in the country. Because of folks like her brazenly (gasp!) challenging what society 'ought' to be doing, young women today have the luxury to take for granted that they have a real chance at any dream they set their sights on.

To the person who said they would never hire the 70 year old...that's no less disturbing than someone saying they would never hire a 20 year...because she's just going to get married and have kids and an employer would end up losing their investment in her.

It took the Boomers to redefine what it means to be female...and it looks like it'll be up to them once again to pave the way so that the next generations won't have limited views of what it means to be 70, 80, 90, 100, and beyond.

I think it is fine to change careers at any age. Just don't go into a lot of debt if you are in your late 40s or 50s. That leaves you paying student loans till you are nearly 80. Peoples incomes tend to decline as they reach senior citizen hood (not to mention health problems) and the loans could become a serious burden.

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