What age is "too old" to switch from RN to APRN?

[WestCoastSunRN]

Hi all. I'm early 40's, been a nurse for awhile -- almost all of it critical care. My plan was always to return to school for my masters so I could retire out of a physically-less-demanding but intellectually stimulating hands-on patient care role.

I've recently landed a critical care "dream job". I'm super stoked about all the professional growth this opportunity affords as it's in a new specialty for me with lots of new learning curves. I know I could stay busy learning this new specialty and working on new certifications, and just enjoying the work for awhile. I like the flexibility, the 12 hour shifts, the pay, the challenge.... its all good.

But it's very stressful and very physical and I'm not getting any younger. So I keep thinking about advanced practice and wonder how long I have to pursue that route. While I had planned to work and go to school at the same time, I'd like to put school on the back-burner for awhile and get into a groove with this new job and just be able to focus on it.

But how long is too long for me to put off school? How old is "too old" to become an NP?

[Dgrant580]

You are never too old to go for it. I was a middle school band director at age 48 I decided to return to school to become a nurse and evidently a nurse practitioner. I'm 61 now and having been practicing as a nurse practitioner for 4 years. It was the most important decision I have made in my life.

I am considering by age 65 to have a doctorate in nursing

[Jules A, MSN]

I was amused that someone in another thread thought it worthwhile to add a Regan video in support of never letting age stop you. My guess is they are probably so young they didn't remember the outcome of that situation, lol. I finally watched it and its actually very cute but still not a good example if someone is trying to support that we are entitled and everyone will be able to work into their 70s.

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/is-35-too-1086550-page6.html#post9324554

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

This is a very timely thread as I turned 50 yesterday and spent the whole weekend in the ICU (not as a patient, I hasten to add!)!

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

@Jelly Donut: I didn't realize I had reached the "really old" time of my life. Thanks for enlightening me, ha ha!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

@JellyDonut (love your username btw) 60 is just not that old anymore as long as you are healthy. In my line of work (nephrology) many of my pts are much younger than me and due to health issues can't work. The one idea I take away from nursing is that if you are healthy it means so much more than how much $$ you have in the bank or the initials behind your name.

I'm 58, healthy, active and am so lucky to have a job where I do have a degree of flexibility and lots of autonomy. Although I loved, loved, loved the ER, I love the autonomy more.

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

I was 40 when I graduated CRNA school. If was very rough. There was I think 4 older than I when we started, only one left when we graduated. They didn't make it past the first few semesters....between the course load, family commitments at that time of life, etc, it was hard on them. I know in this field I will be able to work till I'm probably 70, but the fact that I am this age and just starting to sock away to retirement, let alone pay off loans...is daunting. Education is always the right decision, but lots of thought has to go into it. Good luck!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Agree and with CRNA education, working while in school isn't an option so loans have to be factored in as well as how long you will work afterwards. I did my APRN piecemeal: an MSN in Leadership and Management at 47, post MSN adult CNS at 48 and Peds CNS at 53. However, I was able to pay cash and plan to work till I'm 70 and my earning potential was an additional 30% more than I made as an RN.

[MiaLyse, APRN]

Yes, the one thing I have going for me is zero debt. I paid cash for all my education. Worked many extra hours to be able to do this but so worth it. I still am going back and forth given my age and retirement. I will be working past retirement age as well.

Agree and with CRNA education, working while in school isn't an option so loans have to be factored in as well as how long you will work afterwards. I did my APRN piecemeal: an MSN in Leadership and Management at 47, post MSN adult CNS at 48 and Peds CNS at 53. However, I was able to pay cash and plan to work till I'm 70 and my earning potential was an additional 30% more than I made as an RN.

[danielle2000, MSN, RN]

I am 49 years old graduated last year in October. I feel you are never too old to do anything unless you limit yourself. I have worked as a LVN for 4 years and as a RN staff in the NICU for 16 years. I grew dissatisfied how our profession has been watered down to a mere servant. Even, though I love caring for my patients acute care facilities have worn me down mentally and physically. I decided going to NP school was the answer. I love people and love giving my patients the tools and guidance to empower their health. I always felt I would make a bigger impact as an advanced practice nurse than on the floor. I have no intention retiring anytime soon. This new role has rejuvenated my belief in nursing. I have a purpose and I want to be damn good at it. Age is only a formality. The rest is mind over matter. :-)

[Jules A, MSN]

I have a purpose and I want to be damn good at it. Age is only a formality. The rest is mind over matter. :-)

But please keep in mind that for now you are blessed and able. Having a positive attitude certainly shapes someone's perception of what is happening in their life but not everything is "mind over matter". This becomes clear when someone develops a debilitating illness or suffers from a catastrophic accident. I have a friend, an avid runner, who planned to run into her 70s and yet with no discernable risk factors had a CVA at 57. She was forced to retire and despite long term PT has difficultly walking let alone running. We had another runner friend who was diagnosed with MS and is in a wheel chair now. This is not the norm thank goodness however as we get older and experience all that life can toss our way I think hoping for the best but planning for the worst is a sound strategy.

[MiaLyse, APRN]

I started thinking like this as I am 51 and will be 52 when I start the Post Masters NP program. However, things can happen at any time in our lives. I decided that we are not guaranteed anything in life and to not let fear of the future make the decision for me. If accepted this April, I will begin the program this coming fall. The program looks like it will take about 2 to 2.5 years to complete.

I feel, as the previous author does, that I can have a much larger impact in psychiatry in an advanced role.

But please keep in mind that for now you are blessed and able. Having a positive attitude certainly shapes someone's perception of what is happening in their life but not everything is "mind over matter". This becomes clear when someone develops a debilitating illness or suffers from a catastrophic accident. I have a friend, an avid runner, who planned to run into her 70s and yet with no discernable risk factors had a CVA at 57. She was forced to retire and despite long term PT has difficultly walking let alone running. We had another runner friend who was diagnosed with MS and is in a wheel chair now. This is not the norm thank goodness however as we get older and experience all that life can toss our way I think hoping for the best but planning for the worst is a sound strategy.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Tomorrow is never promised but you can't live with the fear that you WON'T live till tomorrow.

Plan for the future but be realistic: if you have a debilitating illness or injury, have Plan B in the wings.