Age

[rewob716]

I am strongly considering a career change into nursing. I have been a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years and am ready to move on. There is a bridge program at a school near me for medic to RN.

My question is about age, I just turned 44 so would be probably almost 46 before I finish. Does there seem to be newer older nurses? I do have emergency experience but don't wanna be fishing for a job after all that schooling. I know theres truly no way to tell, just looking for opinions. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Cali2015]

I hope no one minds my responding to this post because I am a female RN. I work on a college campus and I am responsible for the health clearances for all of our nursing students so I interact with them directly. We have seen an increase in male nursing students in their 40s 50s and even 60s. They have been a wonderful addition to our nursing program and they've been great in the clinical setting. You already have such a solid foundation of knowledge in your current profession so the transition to nursing would likely feel very natural for you.

I started reading this post because of the lead in about age. I started back to college at age 50 and graduated from the nursing program at age 53. Looking back in school I can say that my male colleagues were well received in the hospital and valued members of our nursing cohort.

[dedicated_2b_RN]

Hello all you young guys and I say this with all due respect

I am 70 years old have been plugging away at pre. Reqs since 1990 and now I am in PCT training because I need to work

I fit in the income catagories of not qualifying for any gov help I. Am still paying off my daughters student loans I am not stupid or lazy the reason it is taking me so lo tto become an RN is because I have other responsibilities and family obligations

I am not complaining or cry babying about just stating the truth so if you want to be an RN bad enough as I do

it can be done just get off your a-- and jam

[MedicalPartisan]

Do you need to put in 20 years as a firefighter for full pension?

A what now? Haha, my generation will never see a pension, unfortunately.

[iamnotanurse]

32 here

[C0deNurse]

You are just still have a lot of years left in you! My cohort as around 10 people over the age of 40.

[thatnurseBSN]

there was a female in my class that was in her 60s...

[billd.clipm]

I just started my last two years and I am 67. Any one older? Love to talk

Billy

[guest769224]

I just started my last two years and I am 67. Any one older? Love to talk

Billy

84 year old man in nursing school. Stated he wanted to try a new challenge 👍

He might end up as a patient sooner than he thinks!

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

My male cohort of about 15ish had mostly guys age 30 to 40. We didn't have any guys past 40. We had 1 or 2 ladies over 40.

[skyjockey1957]

Hi Bill, I posted on your other thread but I wanted to tell you proud of you at 67 years old going for a career change. I am 57 years old and I'm going to enroll in the fall for pre req to nursing. You are a inspiration.

[Brendan D.]

Age is just a number! Do what you love. That experience will do wonders for you in the nursing field. I've worked with a lot of nurses who were once paramedics and they went into their first job stronger then any new grad. Have fun!

[Pumpkinn]

There is a 40 year old in my nursing pre-requisite class! He seems totally happy, and honestly I never thought it was strange he was there. Lots of people decide to make career changes at your age, and that's ok! Do what makes you happy 😊. The fact you have a lot of experience in healthcare works in your favour, your so lucky! I have zero experience, I wish I did. Good luck and follow your dreams!