Am I Too Old?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hello everyone,

I am 48 and just graduated less than a week ago with as B.S. in Public Health. My goal was to finish that degree and apply to a Post Bac Nursing Program, but now I'm worried that I may be too old. I will 49 in a few months which means I would be 50 when I graduate from Nursing school. (that is if I'm accepted right away) This is what I have wanted for so long, but wondering if I should just let it go. What are some of your views on this?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

No, you are not too old.Go for it.

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Specializes in LAD.

No! We should live our lives to the fullest, and should always keep reaching for the stars;)

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As far as I know you can be 90 years old, and if you want to attend nursing school is up to you. If it'll make you happy, do it :)

Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

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I'm 40 and just starting my pre-reqs next month. This is such a great motivational thread! I will be referring to it often.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

My coworker graduated from nursing school with me at age 62, got hired right away at the affiliated hospital and is still thriving at age 64. Age is just a number. Old is a state if mind you allow yourself to be.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

I agree - you are not too old! I will be 41 when I finish my RN program, but I know a guy who retired from his lucrative career in Finance and went to nursing school because it had always been his dream. I know he was over 50! Go for it!

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I am never one to say no to any person's goals but they HAVE got to have some passion for whatever it is they want to do.May I suggest that you get a pen and paper and jot down the pros & cons for your goal. Look at it very critically and go from there. Hear other people's opinions and suggestions.

Whatever right decision you make will give you peace and that will make you go for it in the long haul, regardless of circumstances. All the best.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

you're only too old if you're dead. ;-)

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Specializes in Public Health.

I tell people this all the time; the time is going to pass whether you are doing what you want to do or doing what you think you "have to do". Might as well do what you want and be able to say you've tried.

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I graduated from nursing school at 60 and was hired at a major university-affiliated hospital three months later at the age of 61. Three years later I'm still going strong. Nursing can be both physically and emotionally taxing, but I have no problems working 12-hour night shifts. Now, in addition to working full time, I'm going to school for my masters.

From my perspective 50 is far from being "too old" to become a nurse.

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I know a dear sweet lady who retired from the Navy at 38 with a degree in criminal justice, worked in corrections for 20 years before retiring at 58 then went to nursing school. She is 67 now and has absolutely no regrets! She inspired me to go back and pursue my own dream as well. Lord willing, I start nursing school in the fall of '14 at the age of 43!

If you have the physical capabilities, the mental capacity, the emotional fortitude and the desire to do it then you are never to old to pursue a dream! A dream without a goal is only a wish, so stop wishing and get your pursuit on! Good luck!

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There are so many people who are in the process of changing their careers later in life. I'm 45 and hope to start back to school to pursue my course work so I can get into the nursing program. Where I work a woman was over 50 applying. I say it's never too late if you truly have the desire. I say go for it.

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