Age Demographics from your Programs..

First of all--thank you for your service, sir. I would say the average age of my class is late 20s-early 30s. I think our youngest students are currently 25 (several of them), and our oldest is in the early 40s?

Keep in mind by the time you get to application, most programs will be DNP (36 months instead of 28 for a masters). So, you may be 58 years old when graduating school. Then once you pass boards, it can take a few more months to credential at a hospital before you can even start working!

I'm not sure how admission committees to CRNA programs view age...there's a recent article where a former student of a program is suing the school for age discrimination, she was 45 when admitted to the program (if you're interested: Washington MO woman files ageism lawsuit against SIUE | Belleville News-Democrat).

I will say--school is rough. If you plan on working until you're 70+, it might be worth it. BUT, 3 years of no salary, and studying/working (40-50 hrs/week of clinical AND class, anyone?) your butt off is no joke! I personally wouldn't go through the rigorous schooling & hours to work for less than 10 years. But that's just me. If you have a die-hard passion for anesthesia, it could be worth it to you!

You've had an interesting and full career so far, very accomplished! I've heard device sales reps make great money and have an overall good career outlook.

I know age is a sensitive subject so I'll just give facts so it doesn't sound like subjective information.

We started our CRNA program with 4 people over the age of 40, one even turned 50 during the first year. We lost 4 students in the first year. 3 out of the 4 people we lost were over the age of 40. There are various reasons this happened. There is still one who is early 40's who is doing well.

The class is between 25 to 35 years old with a mean of probably 29.

Just the facts listed for our specific class.

Our class is mid-20s on average with a range of 24-late 30s (not sure of exact age of one person) at the start of the program, I believe. I say if it's a subject you enjoy and your finances allow for it, you might as well try! Going back to school has been such a refreshing change in the pace of my life, starting from the application process. I've met a lot of great people and had I not gotten into school, I don't think I would've regretted the process.

As for your worry regarding being a competitive applicant, I will be very honest with you and say that I have not heard of classes with anyone in that age range. However, my own experience is but a small sample size from attending open houses and interviews from just one application cycle, so take that how you will. Many schools have admissions offices that are very receptive to questions if you call/email, and I doubt they will mislead you as to the age range of their classes if you ask them directly. Best of luck!

I would urge you to think long and hard about this decision. I have been a clinical instructor for several programs for more than 20 years. I have seen several dozen students enter the programs in their late 40s. Sadly, most of them wash out, and it has never been because of academics. Academically they have been some of the strongest. They have washed because of everything else in their life.

When in your mid 20s to mid 30s, you are very flexible, very adaptive. This is good, because most all CRNA programs are inflexible. Breathtakingly inflexible. As you get older, no fault of your own, you become far less inflexible. Maybe you need money, maybe the kids are taking up your time, maybe you moved for school, maybe you are driving far because you didn't move, maybe your parents get sick and need help, maybe you get sick and need help, and on and on and on. When younger, it is far easier to deal with these. When older, the inflexibility of aging just does not blend well with the inflexibility of most programs. It is a bad combination. And I believe stats on the high attrition rates for "older" students would bare this out.

Additionally, while it is illegal to age discriminate, one must ask themselves how employable they will be entering a stressful and dynamic work environment for the first time in their mid 50s. Most employers will happily higher people of that age if they have the 20-25 years of sage experience to go with it. You will not. You will have all the normal issues facing a new grad of any age, but then you will have that same inflexibility and neediness of someone older. There is very little upside for the employer, and too much downside. If presented with several candidates, you may fall on the list.

Not trying to be cruel, or squash your dreams. Not at all. But before you move, quit your job, spend 100-200K, stress your family, etc, you need to really know why you are doing that, and do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. It has been my experience that they do not.

Good Luck.

BigPappa nailed it. Truth. Ageism is real. "Breathtakingly inflexible" is brutally honest.

Speaking as a CRNA who was once a medical sales rep, I urge you to take the time to really think about why you would make this late career shift - both in terms of motivations and long-term life plans. The corporate grind is not easy, for sure, but I didn't realize how good I had it as a rep until I was well along the path to becoming a CRNA. Admittedly, I was a rep during the glory days of great compensation. But with 17 years of experience, you are an expert. Consider how it will feel to be a novice learner again in a program that consumes your life for up to three years. Humbling, frustrating, exhausting.

That said, my program had a few older students - late 40's and one at/near 50. They did very well. More importantly, they all have current licensure, so I assume they are still practicing.

If you are set on ending your run in the corporate world, why not create a multi-step plan? Return to nursing, see what's changed in the decades that you've been away from direct patient care, and use that time to look into the CRNA role and programs that interest you.

Just don't close the door completely on Corporate America until you are absolutely, 100% certain of your next steps.

Oohrah and best of luck!