Am I too old?

nursingcare · Jun 5, 2005

I am finishing my prereqs and currently applying for a BSN program for a Spring '06 start. I am 49 years old. What are your thoughts?
Thank you.

I am 52 and I am in an RN Nursing Program at a Community College. Don't let age deter you from your goals. Go for it!

Trauma Columnist · Jun 5, 2005

Go for it!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 5, 2005

Since three of my part time staff are in their 70's, see you as having 10- 20 years to practice if in good health after graduation.

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

Will I face discrimination from other nurses?

HannasMom · Jun 5, 2005

HI!!! I'm 53 and I'm going back to school to get into the LPN to RN program. I have a few prereqs to complete before I can get into the program Fall 2006. I'll be very pleased though if I am done by the time I'm 55. If everything goes well I may also enter the RN to MSN program later. Right now I'm going to take one day at a time. You can do it!

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 5, 2005

If it is what you want and your body is able to handle the physical stress of the workload that usually comes with beginner-level nursing roles ... then, by all means, go for it. I wish you all the success in the world.

But don't let your desires blind you to the difficulties involved. Most beginner-level nursing roles are physically tough on the body. Some people are able to tolerate the physical (and mental) stress well into middle-age and older. Other people, however, find that the physical stress is more difficult to tolerate than they anticipated.

Similarly, I have seen many new nurses (of all ages, but particularly 2nd careerists) unprepared for the realities of working nights, weekends, and holidays. For some, it appears that they seemed to expect that they would step right out of school and into a position that is usually held by someone with several years of experience. They don't seem to have thought through the realities of "starting at the bottom" and having to take a beginner-level role before having some of those other options available.

Remember: careers like policemen, firemen, military, etc. usually have career/retirement structures that move people either "up or out" so that they either get promoted or retire by age 50. That's because not many people over 50 can physically handle the jobs. Nursing may not be quite so extreme, but there are some similarities there.

So ... go for it if you can handle it and are prepared for what it will require. But be honest with yourself in terms of your abilities and willingness to do what you will need to do to succeed.

Good luck,

llg

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

If it is what you want and your body is able to handle the physical stress of the workload that usually comes with beginner-level nursing roles ... then, by all means, go for it. I wish you all the success in the world.
But don't let your desires blind you to the difficulties involved. Most beginner-level nursing roles are physically tough on the body. Some people are able to tolerate the physical (and mental) stress well into middle-age and older. Other people, however, find that the physical stress is more difficult to tolerate than they anticipated.
Similarly, I have seen many new nurses (of all ages, but particularly 2nd careerists) unprepared for the realities of working nights, weekends, and holidays. For some, it appears that they seemed to expect that they would step right out of school and into a position that is usually held by someone with several years of experience. They don't seem to have thought through the realities of "starting at the bottom" and having to take a beginner-level role before having some of those other options available.
Remember: careers like policemen, firemen, military, etc. usually have career/retirement structures that move people either "up or out" so that they either get promoted or retire by age 50. That's because not many people over 50 can physically handle the jobs. Nursing may not be quite so extreme, but there are some similarities there.
So ... go for it if you can handle it and are prepared for what it will require. But be honest with yourself in terms of your abilities and willingness to do what you will need to do to succeed.
Good luck,
llg

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. It is the physical stress that worries me the most. I am doing all that I can to prepare for this before I even get into the BSN program. I hope I'm being realistic about it. I don't need/want to work full time - I just really want to do something important in a second career - I hope eventually to get into education and/or research.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 5, 2005

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. It is the physical stress that worries me the most. I am doing all that I can to prepare for this before I even get into the BSN program. I hope I'm being realistic about it. I don't need/want to work full time - I just really want to do something important in a second career - I hope eventually to get into education and/or research.

You bring up a good example. You may have to work full time for a while. The transition from student to professional is a tough one (for everyone) and many employers will not take a chance on a new graduate unless they are willing to make a full time committment to making that transition successfully. Even with some experience, some environments (like ICU's) may require a full time committment during at least part of the orientation period. It's is often difficult for people to learn to function in a new, complex environment if they are only there "every once in a while." In between working days, they lose too much of what they learned last time, thus complicating their orientations.

If you are not willing to make that committment, your job options may be limited. You need to be prepared for that possibility.

llg

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

You bring up a good example. You may have to work full time for a while. The transition from student to professional is a tough one (for everyone) and many employers will not take a chance on a new graduate unless they are willing to make a full time committment to making that transition successfully. Even with some experience, some environments (like ICU's) may require a full time committment during at least part of the orientation period. It's is often difficult for people to learn to function in a new, complex environment if they are only there "every once in a while." In between working days, they lose too much of what they learned last time, thus complicating their orientations.
If you are not willing to make that committment, your job options may be limited. You need to be prepared for that possibility.
llg

I am willing to do whatever it takes. I had heard that many hospitals try to use only part-time in order to avoid paying benefits. That would be OK with me because I don't HAVE to work full time. I'm also trying to be realistic as to how long I will be able to work full time in a hospital setting at my age. My main concern is getting hired in the first place, and then being accepted by other staff.

Mystery5 · Jun 5, 2005

I'm almost 48 myself, and I'm in better shape than anyone else I work with. I eat healthy, walk, run or bike daily, and live a very wholesome life. There are plenty of younger nurses who have a lot more health problems. Some of them are overweight, leading to higher incidence of joint or back injuries, less stamina, etc.

My points : 1) late 40's early 50's isn't that old, for goodness sakes, esp if you have maintained your health. 2) Fitness for a staff nurse position is based on general health of the individual, not age 3) You are an individual

BTW, there are plenty of older guys and gals I work with who are staff nurses. Also, many of my co-workers are out of shape, but still do an excellent job, so I don't think even that is much of a factor.

So, I say put it out of your mind. There is no time like the present!!!:)

Mysister · Jun 5, 2005

I'm almost 48 myself, and I'm in better shape than anyone else I work with. I eat healthy, walk, run or bike daily, and live a very wholesome life. There are plenty of younger nurses who have a lot more health problems. Some of them are overweight, leading to higher incidence of joint or back injuries, less stamina, etc.
My points : 1) late 40's early 50's isn't that old, for goodness sakes, esp if you have maintained your health. 2) Fitness for a staff nurse position is based on general health of the individual, not age 3) You are an individual
BTW, there are plenty of older guys and gals I work with who are staff nurses. Also, many of my co-workers are out of shape, but still do an excellent job, so I don't think even that is much of a factor.
So, I say put it out of your mind. There is no time like the present!!!:)

Thanks, I guess I have too much time on my hands right now so I am worrying. I finished the spring semester about 2 weeks ago (A&P II and Statistics) and don't start summer for another week. I've been working on my BSN application and worrying about everything as it all gets closer to becoming a reality.

I am healthy (except genetic hypertension, controlled with a dieuritc), normal weight, working on getting more fit. When I first started back to school I thought carrying the books would kill me, but I've gotten used to that.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement.