Am I too old to become an RN??

[bananerz84]

Hi, I'm 32 years old going on 33 I'm a few months. I'm an LVN in California. I'd like to go back to school to "challenge" myself & get that RN title. I'm happy with my accomplishments so far and my work & hourly wages. But inside, i just want to get that extra piece of the pie since it's available for the taking.

The bridge LVN-RN or LVN-BSN are all available at the public colleges, they require the prerequisites, which at this point will take me over a year to get, that's not including the other extra year of school.

Since my aim is to get that RN title for my own accomplishments, i don't mind if it's ADN or BSN. At this point, i might as well go to a private school for my ADN, which will take less time than a public school.

But by the time I'm done, I'll be 35 years old. Am i too old to go back to school? Will i be too old to get the RN title by then?

Just thoughts, thanks for reading.

[bananerz84]

The age thing is going to be extremely personal. I don't think any one person can tell you whether you're too old or not- that's going to be a personal decision involving where you are in life and what your ultimate goals are. I'm 35. I don't think I'm too old to go back to school and get the next level degree (doctorate), but my goals don't require me to do so.

I will go against the grain and say that a private school isn't necessarily a bad idea, as long as it's one that is well respected, affordable, and not a predatory for-profit school. I think a lot of people automatically combine "private" with the "predatory for-profit". I attended a private school for my initial pre-licensure BSN degree, and it was actually less expensive than the public state schools at full price, I was given a 1/3 tuition scholarship for my high school academics, and the program has a very good local reputation.

I've done research on some private schools and overall i would not hesitate to start my RN schooling there. As i mentioned in another comment, my husband is very supportive and he wants to see me achieve my goals, in essence the public or private route is not a big issue. In the end it is a personal choice and im doing it. Thank You :)

[bananerz84]

I think that asking this question online means that you will be a good RN. Its called the nursing process and this is you gathering info in an attempt to make an informed decision. I do not think that you are too old, and I think if it is what you want and it works for you than do it! Good luck and I wish you well!!

Thank you :)

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

You are a kid relatively. Go for it, but take the cheaper option even if longer. You will not regret it. I think you will be a fine/great RN, but don't pay stupid money for it.

[cecile9155, BSN, RN]

I was 37 when I got my RN. Definitely not too old.

[MedSurgicalRN]

Nope! You're never too old to learn something new & better career choice👌🏽

[GermanCookie, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

-just kidding by the way.

I nearly choked on my drink!

I was 35 when I enrolled in nursing school.... and I certainly wasn't the oldest in my class. Not by a long shot.

[vanessaem, BSN, RN]

I started nursing at 36 and my friend started nursing at 53 so no you're not to old. Good luck in your future ventures. Cheers!

[Longleggedstar]

I am more curious to know why you would think 30 anything is too old to go back to school to become an RN. I strongly believe that once you figure that out, you'll be able to answer your own question

[NurseJ04]

35 is absolutely not too old. I just finished at 30. An old employer of mine said "You'll be 30 with or without the degree, so you might as well have it." I had several class mates in their mid 40s. Good luck!

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

What is being "too old?" what is being "too young?" Change your thinking on what you can't change and focus on what you can change. I know you will make the right decision :)

[Everline]

Seriously?

I was 47 when I graduated from nursing school. I was not too old. I have no idea about you.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

I was 44 when I passed the boards.

So, yes, you are very old.