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.

[CeciBean, ASN, RN]

My good heavens, no! You have developed the maturity that I feel is lacking in many new grads, plus look at all the experience you already have! I went back to school when I was older than you, after I already had three kids and had been out of the work force for a number of years, and the average age of my class was 32.5 years old. This was at a public school, and we had a number of LPN/LVN students. You need to stop thinking about your age. You'll probably be working for quite a few years yet!

I would advise you, however, to think very carefully about going ahead and getting that BSN. You can do it in steps if you like. Get your ADN first, which will take less time, and then work on your BSN. You can take many of your classes for both online, and much of your work experience translates into credit toward that degree. I didn't have those advantages available to me until the very end of my career, and by that time it was hardly worth it. You are much younger than I was when I started and should take advantage of all the opportunities you have available to you. You'll be glad you did.

[Daydem]

I became an RN at 36. Started the nursing program when I was 34. I'm 49 now and taking my final class this summer to obtain my BSN.

[deleern]

It's only to late if you don't do it.... I went back to school to come a nurse at 45 . No nursing background just went for it.. graduated at 48. And have been an RN for 10 years....

[Sharzie35]

No WAY! I'm 35, have two kids, a military husband, and I'm starting back to school this coming year - kicking myself for not doing it before I had kids but it was bc I had kids that I got interested in nursing. I know of MANY other women who have started a 2nd career in nursing in there 30's. If you never try you'll never know.

[Barmherzigkeit]

Go for it! I'm 57 and started an accelerated BSN program this summer. Before spending $$ on a private school, do look at state universities and community colleges. I'm at a state university and love it.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

Became an LPN a couple months after turning 39.

Became an RN a month after turning 44.

Got my BSN a month after turning 47.

You are going to be 35 no matter what. You can turn 35 and not be an RN OR you can turn 35 and be an RN. Either way, you'll still be 35. If you want to do it...do it. Don't listen to those who say its too old.

[MommaLVN-TX, ASN]

I am 45 LVN and in school for my RN. You are never to old. You only quit learning once your dead. Go for it!

[Just Jojo]

Hello everyone. This is JoJo again.

I posted earlier in this discussion and wanted to add a quick comment or two.

First, I really did consider the original post might have been a click magnet, that is, posted to maximize the number of eyes that see ads that pop on the screen as people reply. But I would dispel that notion, as I have seen the same ads on my screen for the past four years!

Only one sentence about me, so you have a point of reference from me as a poster: Second-career nurse, got my Medicare card in the mail last week, four classes from Bachelors Degree.

I don't stand in anybody's shoes but my own, and I can say it was very hard getting into nursing school and very hard getting out! Once in the working world, there have been challenges I never thought I would have to face, many coming from co-workers. Yep, I speak my truth.

The initial poster was trying to hear from a number of sources; some of which she could draw from based on where she is in this world. Some of the responses to her were harsh and, as I have seen in my nursing career, made by folks who are impulsive and thoughtless. Apparently they spoke standing in their own shoes....

In the end, I hope the original poster was able to get a feel for just what mix of people she would encounter out in the workforce. They will be the same ones who posted here....