Alright, I am very new to this so please bare with me. I have gone back and forth for years now about going into nursing. Finally, after driving my family and boyfriend crazy about what I want to do with my life, I decided to finish my pre-reqs for the program this year and apply next fall. I have worked in the corporate world, real estate, a restaurant early on, and have always felt very unfulfilled with my jobs. I have always been drawn to nursing because I am a true mush ball and love helping, caring, :heartbeat being sensitive, and working hard. I am 26 now and will be 27 in June. After doing a lot of research about acceptance into programs, experiences, etc, I realize it is something I REALLY would love to get into. My question to anyone is do you think I am too old to JUST be starting pre-reqs? Seriously, I can't apply until Feb 15th, 2010 only to begin the program the next session. I'll be 30 by the time I'm done . And that is assuming I am not put on an insanely long waiting list. Anyone else starting at my age or older? If so how did it go? Pros/Cons?
Too old to start?? Is there even such a thing? I am currently 32 years old and just started the program 3 wks ago. Oh, did I mention I am a mom of 4 who put off continuing school until it was a good time for the kids, and my husbands career? I must say I am not the oldest one in my class by far, and I think some life experience will really help you get through the hard work you will have to put in to get through the program. I too have wanted to be a nurse for a long time, actually joined the navy at 17 so I could be a hospital corpsman and get the money to get my nursing degree, but life got in the way of that perfect plan! Anyways, who wants to be put through hell at 18 years old right?! Oh, I am currently an LVN and have met nurses of all ages and all of them have something different to bring to the table so to speak. If a nurse is what you want to be, then you should go for it... no matter what!
"In the next 15 years, the nursing shortage will be even worse then it is now and adding more nurses that match or even exceed the average age of nurses right now, is just going to make it worse. That is my point. And as insensitive and judgmental and immature as you all might think it is, it's true, and none of you can argue with that."
I understand what you are trying to say and I don't fault you for saying it; perhaps the way that you said it wasn't as clear as could have been. Sorry you got blasted; it happens.
Nursing is my 2nd career as well. My first career was workforce development which means that I helped to plan, implement, and did research on workforce readiness and I can 'argue that'. Your assumptions about the nursing workforce are flawed although anecdotally realistic. Twelve years ago the average age of nurses was 47 and to us in the field, this really spells trouble is brewing as most nurses leave the workforce at age 55. This is due in part to most RNs are (or were) married and had husbands that continued to work. Also add in the fact that many start having families and will leave the workforce or continue on a part time basis. The average age of RNs today is 44-45 which means very little has changed. Companies actually need a good age balance so that not all of their retirements happen at once. This happened to Honda when they started building cars here in the US, Their first 4000 employees' average age was in the low 20s and after 15 years they realized that these folk would all be exiting at the same time. That is a huge hole in the knowledge base to have hit within a few years, They immediately started higher workers of varied ages to soften the blow. If hospitals only hired 20 somethings they would find themselves in trouble.
Now I will open an issue that I am sure I will get roasted on. Prior to my workforce development occupation, I was in the staffing business and have hired litterallly thousands of people. Over the years I have found that many folks in your generation don't have as strong a work ethic as their elders. We, as parents gave you too much and didn't let you struggle enough to make your way in this world. We bought your first car and payed for your college education; we didn't do our children any favors in doing these things. We just wanted y'all to have an easier time than we did and we made it too easy. Of course this is a generality and many do not fit into this stereotype; however many do. Please understand that this paragraph wasn't pointed at you Tylersmom.
Those of us over 40 remember how tough it was to get a job in the late 70s and early 80s just as our fathers and grandfathers had a tough time in the 30s. Unfortunately, those times are coming again for many and even healthcare will not be exempt. Empolyers today are much smarter at behavioral interviewing and those that will be hired are those that have the 'can do' work ethic mind set.
I have wanted to be an RN for 35 years and I finally was at a point in my life that I could do that. I cashed in my pension plans, sold my house, and moved 1500 miles away to achieve this goal. I will achieve it and I hope you achieve yours as well.
First of all, I would like to congratulate you by making the right decision for yourself to become a nurse in the near future. As long you have the passion, courage, and very well confident of yourself engaging into nursing career, then, you are good to go. Now, your main question if you are too old to start? The answer is_ absolutely not at all! Your age is way young comparing to others like me who are currently in the nursing program. In the future, if you still decide to go into nursing program, expect to see yourself sitting next to much older classmates of yours. Based upon my experience, months before I started going into nursing program, I was a little concerned about my age that I might be the oldest one among all nursing students but when I went to our orientation day, I was very surprised to see the numbers of older students in the nursing program. From that point, I've realized that all my misconceptions about age in relation to education or career change were absolutely incorrect. So, I hope you did get my point of view and able to gain some positive inputs in regards to your personal concern. Good luck!
Nobody's too old to do anything they want to do. Hi, I'm xxxxx and I'm 36, I'm older than my instructors and I graduate in 2010. It's often said that regrets in life are for those things that you didn't do, not the things you've done. Go for it, if it's really what you want to do.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
Shame on you !!! Most of the 20 yrs old- 30 yr. old will burn out or change careers and won't last any longer than someone 40 starting school....that is a fact...I have seen it many times over the years...
By the way, there is no nursing shortage....Plenty of nurses, hospitals and corps. just keep us low staffed to make more $$$$$......We had over 25 RN's apply for 2 positions recently posted on our unit.....
With your thinking, I think you are wasting space....
I'm 26 and just started a program in January. We are NOT too old. This may sound mean, but I know other people are thinking it, and it's about time someone said it. I'm sure I"m gonna catch some flack for it, but here goes... Being 30 when you start nursing school is not too old. Being in your mid-to late 40's and into your 50's, that's too old to be starting nursing school. There is a huge nursing shortage and in the next 15-20 years, it's just going to get worse. I feel filling our already impacting nursing programs, with 40 and 50 somethings is a waste of space. They're gonna get their RN and then what? Work 15-20 years then retire? Give those spots to us 20 and 30 years olds that are going to be in the field for the next 30-40 years. That's what's going to help the shortage in the long run, not nurses that can only do the job for 20.
Ouch, that hurts.
I agree with one of the poster that at 20, I'd have been too immature (ahem, like some of my fellow nursing students) and taken the job for granted. 17 years and 4 children later, ages 21 down to 10 with one who almost died when he was but 1 month old, I feel far better prepared to serve the ill & suffering in our health facilities (if I could just master those fundamental bedmaking/bathing pts skills now--nevermind, that's another story ).
I plan to continue working until I can no longer think or move around the hospital floor...hmmm, that may be a long time from now as I'm pretty strong. I also agree with the poster who said that nursing instructors--preferably seasoned ones-- will be needed for a long time to come. I am considering this when I am convinced my hospital floor days are coming to an end.
Don't be silly, tylersmom, there's room for many of all ages & backgrounds. Press on in your quest to become a proficient & professional nurse, young one, and quit your whining.
I am wondering where most of you other 40 and 50 something students and new nurses are from? I finished AS in 2007 and was the only 50 something in my class. One very early 40's and several 30's in addition to the young ones in my class. I have not met anyone personally who was close to my age coming through school, but loads are on this board, so I am just curious as to where you all are located. I am in Tennessee
). 
msxyz
23 Posts
sammy you said it perfectly! thank you!