I just turned 41 and I'm about 90% sure that I am going back to school for nursing. The other 10% keeps telling me that I'm too old to do this :-(
I've thought about going back to school for nursing a lot for the last 10 years. But, being in another field completely, I thought it was just a crazy idea. Finally, I asked myself "What do you want to do for the next 20 years?" Ultimately, I want to get my BSN. I think that the fastest way for me to do this is LPN, LPN to RN, RN to BSN.
I do have 60 college credits of general education that would probably help out at least a little. I don't really want to go through the whole lottery/highly competitive process of an ADN program, that is why I am opting for the LPN to get me started right away. Does this sound crazy?
I'm in the Sacramento, CA area by the way. Any feedback/advice is greatly appreciated!
I will be 37 or 38 when I graduate (depending which program I attend). I even have thoughts of going for NP possibly later and I will be in my forties. So No! You are not too old
First of all, you are NEVER too old to learn! I started nursing school at 38 and got my ADN. I worked as a nurse for 9 years and decided to get my BSN, which I did online over 18 months (I am now 51). I am currently in an online graduate program so that I can get my Masters in Nursing Education. There are so many programs available now, so once you get that RN you can go as far as you want! I worked part time during nursing school, and full time while getting my BSN. I'm currently working full time while in grad school. The only thing I would suggest is that you enroll in an RN program as opposed to an LPN program. If this is what you want to do, then go for it! Good luck!
I started working on my prerequisites at age 50; finished them in a year by pushing hard. I started RN school this past January. I opted for the RN program due to my age vs. the LPN bridge route which often requires x amount of hours of working as an LPN in order to bridge. Though going the LPN route and then bridging isn't a bad idea.
No one is too old. Age is just a number. We had a man in my class who was 58 and he made better grades than any of the rest of us. He was ridiculously smart and dedicated because he knew nursing was what he wanted. You can do it if you really want to!
I was 35 when I graduated. It wasn't easy (goodbye social life), but worth it. You have to be realistic about it, but there's nothing wrong with aiming high. I was a college dropout mailman with a penchant for substance abuse and no study habits. Now I work at a large hospital that gets applications from nurses from all over the country. How realistic was that outcome? I made it happen by becoming the person I wanted to be, so can you.
No way are you too old! There are several 40+ students in my cohort. There's a really good mix of ages, and that's usually the trend. There is one particular woman in my cohort that I really like. She's sweet, she works so hard, and out of all the students, she's one of the ones who is the most concerned with doing things the right way. No cut corners, no whining, and no task is beneath her. I think life experience will give you a leg up to be honest.
How is that the fastest route? It is the fastest route to LPN. If you plan to be an RN BSN you may be betert served to just go straight through. If you get your LPN do you plan to work as an LPN? You will be working a LOT and getting your BSN then will take a fair amount of time. I am not saying what to do..but think about the time and what your actual goal is.
I'm currently tin my third month of PN school. I'd say half of the class is older than yourself. We even have a 58 year old attending. You are NOT too old! Good luck on your journey!
I turned 40 in June and I'm starting an ABSN in January. What I lack in youthful energy I more than make up for in maturity, life experience, work ethic, and realistic expectations.
1_fit_male_nurse2b
121 Posts
53 and starting block 1 in January.
Never too old to learn.