Am I too old?

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Specializes in medical/telemetry/IR.

am I too old to start thinking of being a NP? I'm 43 and have my assoc degree RN.

It would take me 1yr to finish my BSN thereabouts

then 2 more years to get my NP?

would anyone still hire me at 46? I know your only as old as you feel, but wouldn't the younger applicant more than likely get the job?

I don't know. I guess I maybe having a nursing midlife crisis. I work hospital setting for 18 years now and frankly its exhausting. I find my job extremely stressful and demanding. I love my patients, coworkers. but just don't know how much longer I can keep pushing these stretchers. I mean I certainly don't see myself doing this when I'm 60.

When I go to our doc office we always see the NP-just went to one now and we talked about birth control for my dd. I feel I could do that. when we go see the ped endocrinolgist-I can see myself doing that.

please tell me you guys aren't exhausted after work as NP.

I just don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. kids are older.

guess the first step is to enroll back in school

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Specializes in General.

no 43, 53 or even 63 is not too old, look at this way if you do not start now on your np how old will you be in 2 years. I did not get my bsn untill i was 40, i just finished my np at 52 the biggest thing on my side when i interviewed was the years of experience i had. I would do this, sure there are some days i go home tired but not as tired as i was working the floor. I have no regrets except not doing it sooner. If you are serious I would start checking into programs now as most schools are not taking applications for the fall Good luck and just do it

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I am mentoring two now who are in their 50's and finishing up their NP studies in the next couple years.

You can do this if you want it. Do not allow this age obstacle to become a reality in preventing this.

Good luck.

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I just got my degree at 53.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Did a complete midlife career change and got my NP at 47. Employers loved my "maturity" and my years of life experience. Go for it!!!!!

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Wow. I think your experience and maturity is going to be valued a lot more than your giving yourself credit for!!

Go for it! I'm 36 right now, but Im already thinking about my future. I dont want to be working nights, holidays, so many weekends, working my ass off when Im 45-55-66+ But I do want to work! So Ive decided to go back to school for my PsychNP....less physically demanding as an NP (at least the one that is on call for us) and I enjoy psych.

Get enrolled, just make that first step! You will feel awesome about yourself :)

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Specializes in Emergency, MCCU, Surgical/ENT, Hep Trans.

To be honest...I believe I was hired for my age and experience as an ED RN. The admin was looking for "maturity" as he told me in the interview. And, he liked my resume, as I had only worked at two employers in 20 years. So, no, I believe your "experience" can only help you! Best of luck.

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Specializes in medical/telemetry/IR.

thanks for your replies,

sadly its my DH who thinks I'm too old!

I'm going to be working on my prerequisites first-think I need stats and a couple of other things. should be fun:yeah:

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I'm 26 but I work with a few NP's in your age range who changed careers or went to grad school later and they obviously didn't have a problem. As others have said, if anything your nursing experience and age is a huge plus. You can probably negotiate a higher salary as well. Good luck! And, for me anyway, being an NP is way better working conditions than I ever had at the bedside.

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I'm in my early 40's and just finished. I am a pretty fit, healthy woman but time has taken its toll on my knees and back. There is NO way I could pull a 12 hr. shift in the ED again. I am tired after a long day at work, but I'm not sore and the next day I feel fine...as opposed to how I used to feel after working a 12 hr shift in the ED.

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I am 58 and am going strong. The face lift at 53 helped! Age is no excuse not to go where you want to be.

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I just graduated with MSN at age 41. My twenty years of nursing experience helped greatly.. and I already have a job waiting. I think experience is definitely on our side.

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