Age Factor

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I am 52 yrs. old and am considering a career change to nursing was wondering if my age would be a factor in nursing school acceptance.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

No. Although admission criteria varies widely among schools, age requirements are not usually among them. For what it's worth, I'll be 51 at my graduation next May.

If nursing is what you want to do, then by all means go for it! The profession needs you!

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Not that I can tell...

I applied at 54 and was accepted.

I'll start, in less than a month, at 55; and, if all goes well, I'll take the NCLEX after Aug '09.

So... hit the books and study hard and...

Good luck,

Mark

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Specializes in ER, PCU, ICU.

I wouldn't think so.

There's a new RN at our hospital who just turned 56. He's a retired school teacher who lost his wife of 25 years and wanted something "productive" to do with his time. His experience in the hospital led him to nursing.

Whatever your reason(s), age shouldn't be a consideration.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Age is NOT a consideration...some of the best nurses I know have more than a few grey hairs.....It's what's in the heart, not what's on my birth certificate.

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I am 54 and will graduate next spring!!

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Specializes in Coronary Rehab Unit.
For what it's worth, I'll be 51 at my graduation next May.

If nursing is what you want to do, then by all means go for it! The profession needs you!

I'm with Don - I'll be 51 as well when I graduate next March ....
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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I just turned 52 in December and graduated this month from an ADN program...I haven't found my age to be a noticeable issue. In interviewing for jobs recently, I was passed over for 2 specialty areas I applied to (NICU and postpartum), but was it my age? The fact I'm an ADN instead of a BSN? Or they had more qualified applicants? They didn't like my eye color?

Who knows? I ended up getting accepted in to a med/surg Fellowship that several of my fellow classmates were passed over for. One was definately in her 40's, the other two in their 30's. Until they found out *I* was offered a position, they thought it was their age, lol.

Best wishes!! Follow your heart!

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Specializes in LTC.

Count me in. Will graduate from my LVN program in Sept. (making me 46 at this point.) I'll be in my 50's when it's all over (RN, BSN).:up:

Best,

Michael

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Out of 24 matriculants we had 4 over age 40 (51, 46, 43, 43) and a whole host of 30-somethings and a few wet-behind-the-ears mid-20's.

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I don't think they are allowed to discriminate based on age...legally.

I think that age actually works in your favor.

Most of us "elders" are more committed to making the most of our opportunities and usually have better skills, particularly in dealing with people.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I graduated two years ago at age 53!

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