Am I too old to start a nursing career?

CathyMcD · Jul 23, 2010

Wow this was a great blog for me to find. I am 57 and just applied to nursing school so its nice to hear that some older people do make it in and succeed in finishing and getting jobs. I have had so many people be negative about me doing this that I was beginning to wonder if I had made a huge mistake. I am hoping I get in an accelerated program but am applying every where I can in my area. I already have a business degree but after being out of the business job market for several years when I tried to get back in all I got was overqualified (which I think really means too old). I looked at my options because like many I will probably being working till I die I decided to do something in the health field. I had always wanted to be a nurse but back then everyone told you go for the business degree - nurses don't make anything and are porrly treated. So the wheel has turned and here I am finally going back to school to do something I dreamed of doing 40 years ago. Wish me luck!

Jules A, MSN · Jul 23, 2010

There are many many nursing students your age and older.
The main thing to consider is your overall health. How is your back, your knees, physical stamina? Do you have issues with chronic pain? Can you handle high stress?
Good luck to you!

Yes and especially how well you handle stress. I've had no problems with new grads in their 40s but unfortunately, and remember this is just my experience, the ones in their 50s and older have had more difficulty in orientation with time management and multi-tasking.