Am I too old to become an NP?

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I'm 43 y/o and thinking of becoming an NP. I will be an NP by 50 y/o. uhhh! Is that too old to make all the hard work worth it? I would do Family Practice. That gives me 10-12 yrs to work, then it will be time to retire and travel. What do you think? Its not about the money I will be spending on school or the income I will earn. Just the time. 7yrs of school for 10-12 yrs out of school.

rnMomm and the rest of the forum participants:

I have just been accepted into an MSN-FNP program and I am 45. I will be 47/48 when I graduate!!! Big deal;) We look younger and are in better health than we were 100s of years ago. I do not want to just work until I am 65...what is that? And then just loaf around for 30 years and be a burden to the crumbling social financial system of the United States of America???...:twocents: I want to work as long as possible especially; if I enjoy what I am doing!! As other posters have stated, IT IS NOT TOO LATE !!!!!!!!!! WE ARE STILL YOUNG !!!!! 50 and 60 anymore is like being 30. And this is the time of our lives. I feel like I am re-inventing myself and I love it !!!! I wouldn't want to be 20 something ever again because I love the knowledge and experience that only time and maturity could provide:cheers:Embrace your journey and you will never regret obtaining you NP degree. I certainly am and there's no turning back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Oh please .... :icon_roll ... I started working as an RN this year @ 43, and I don't feel the least bit old and won't for a long while.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

51 years old here! I'm finishing up my BSN online and have applied to NP school for Jan. Too old? Heck no...just gettin' started!!!:lol2:

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I love it and how so very true !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

I love this thread. I feel so empowered now!:yeah:

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Specializes in ICU, ED, cardiac, surgery, cath lab..

Go for it!! As long as you are fully motivated and healthy, I see no limit as to how old you have to be to succeed.

On the other end of the spectrum, is there such a thing as being too YOUNG to start NP school? :) I will be 22 when intend to start.

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I graduated last year at 46. I don't know about you, but I am definitely NOT too old.

My question is about the length of your study...why is it going to take 7 years? It would be best if you could be done sooner than that so you can start earning and saving toward retirement.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.
I graduated last year at 46. I don't know about you, but I am definitely NOT too old.

My question is about the length of your study...why is it going to take 7 years? It would be best if you could be done sooner than that so you can start earning and saving toward retirement.

I'm leaning towards speeding up my schooling by cutting back work hours. Things will be tighter but I'm beginning to think that's the way to go. I would love some feedback on this. I don't know what to expect in terms of a salary but I do know I want to be working in my field before too much time goes by. Thanks for feedback!

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Just an FYI.....the average age of the NP is 40-49 see the full story at this link : 2009 National Salary and Workplace Survey Results on ADVANCE for NPs & PAs

This site talks about financial compensation. Coastal and Western States pay more as well as subspecialty areas......see this link for more information....Compensation for New Grads on ADVANCE for NPs & PAs

EMPOWERMENT TO THE MAX !!!!!!!!! IT'S GREAT TO BE 40 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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rnMomm, I was thinking similar things when I began the Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP last August. I wanted very much to be better prepared to do counseling/behavioral coaching and be there for clients I now care for in a somewhat different context. But I was 55 when I began the program -- part-time, as I have young adult offspring and work full-time. Would people view me as being strange, as not up to date, "too old"? Our program is part online, part in person. In my first classroom course, I was even older than the teacher! It will take me four years, part-time, to complete the program, so I'll be 59 upon graduation.

I found that I DID still have the necessary attributes to succeed in school, and that teachers and fellow students had no problem with my age. I do find it a little awkward wanting to socialize with classmates, and there being so few in their 50s. It is difficult for me that people tend to be so busy that even the middle-aged ones don't/can't make time for a classmate who needs some camaraderie (go for coffee, whatever). The trials of the sandwich generation!

Learning new computer skills wasn't tough at all -- I did have a good basic knowledge of computer use. Teachers and classmates alike seem to appreciate the different perspective that I can bring to our studies, from the experience of being in another generation and of having 34 years of nursing and life experience since I earned my BSN. I have sometimes heard people say they feel more comfortable with providers close in age to themselves or older, rather than younger. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other, but I don't think patients will care that you're in your 50s.

I am considering moving from upstate NY to an underserved area when I first graduate (to offer service, and to take part in a loan-repayment program). Then, when I'm more experienced, I'd love to come back to this area, and possibly have a mobile counseling practice, where I see clients in my office = an RV, or in their homes, obviating the difficulty many clients face keeping app'ts due to transportation or child care problems.

I've never regretted starting my studies when I did. It's not a physically strenuous specialty, so if I choose to and am able to work beyond 65, as I hope to, I should still be able to manage it.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Primary Care.

Yes, it is TOTALLY worth it -- the best decision you'll ever make!

I'm like you -- i'm not in it for the money. I chose my professions like many people choose their spouses:

The first was for money.... The second for love.:redbeathe

I am just starting an MSN program. I'm your age and I'm one of the young ones in the group.

One of my new classmates is 65...

Follow your passion... chase your dreams... You won't regret it...

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Specializes in Primary Care.

Wait a second!!! You're an RN!!? What in the heck are you talking about "7 years"?

I've been an RN for about 5 months and I'll be an NP 2 years and 9 months from today.

Let's talk...

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