Becoming a Nurse After 40

[PacoUSA]

Just thought I'd start a thread about this, because I am probably not the only one out there that feels this way.

So I will be one of those individuals that starts a career in nursing after the age of 40, and I sometimes feel envious of those nurses that are around my age that already have 20 or so years in the profession. So by the time we are 50, they will have @ 30 years while I will only have less than 10. The way I calculate it, I will probably only be able to give 35 years max into the profession, and will be at an age older than most other nurses retire (I don't want to retire at 65, I want to keep going into my 70's). I find myself sometimes wishing I had followed my fleeting instinct to do nursing during my first undergrad years. People try to tell me that I should be proud of the years I spent in another profession (which I am) before I embarked in nursing but the more I spend with nursing, the more I feel regret that I did not start with this profession earlier. I try to resolve my feelings by convincing myself that I can always blend my prior career into nursing (something many people cannot do) and that will give me an edge, which means I will not be delegated to floor nursing for the rest of my working years. I do want to work as a staff nurse for at least 5 years to get the raw experience of nursing, I have no desire even to supervise other nurses right now. Been there with management, done that, and happy to just do my job and make money for now. I think also that in becoming a nurse after 40 not many people will peg you as being a new nurse right away ... but then again, people do say I don't look my age

I just brainstormed the paragraph above so forgive me if it sounds like jibberish .. hopefully you all understood my point. Just want to get new perspectives on this, thanks!

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

... there is a lot of prejudice against new nurses over 40. I hope this will change over time with the baby boomers moving into retirement age.

That is really disturbing. I would like to know why that is. I certainly hope this is not as prevalent as you say.

[blueyesue]

The way I calculate it, I will probably only be able to give 35 years max into the profession

:) So, you will be giving 35 years into nursing? (If you are 40 that is basically your whole life minus 5 years). I say that is a good chunk of time.

ETA: I can say that because I will be 40 when I graduate. I like what another person said in this thread: You will be that age anyway, why not do it.

[jpw4200]

sunnycalifRN-

I'm encouraged by your post!! Thanks for sharing! I am getting ready to start an ABSN program, not sure where yet...still waiting to hear from one school. How did you find your school experience? I'm a little nervous that it might be more than I bargained for. My prereqs went great, but I took them nice and slowly. I'd love to hear any tips for older students that you might have! Also, how did you find the job market for a second career new nurse?

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I find myself sometimes wishing I had followed my fleeting instinct to do nursing during my first undergrad years

Wish in one hand.....

[jpw4200]

FLmomof5-

Thanks for posting...it really encouraged me! I am in 40s and will be starting an ABSN program this year. I, too, feel a lot younger than I am! I was encouraged to hear that age hasn't been a factor in being a new nurse; I am a little nervous that because I won't "look" new, people would have unrealistic expectations of my new skill set. You know....when your 2 year old looks like a four year old and people think they are delayed? :)

Anyway- would love to hear an update if you have one, or insight on anything that has been difficult or different.

Thanks!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

40 is a little old to start nursing. It is physically demanding and we all start declining at 30.

I am 60, can make 8 hours... but feel pretty beat up after. I have(younger) friends that are already on disability .

38 percent of nurses report back problems. There are many more types of injuries on this job.

Despite having the dream of nursing... the reality is ...it is BRUTAL work. Starting in your 40's , even if you only need to work 5 years to learn "raw" nursing ( an interesting choice of words as it is WILL rub you raw) is not a wise idea.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Being too old to enter nursing is relative. Some people in their 40s can run circles around their 20-something counterparts. Yes, the body starts to decline for everyone, but not everyone is going to decline at the same rate. If the desire and the energy is there, who cares what age anyone is when they start nursing?

40 is a little old to start nursing. It is physically demanding and we all start declining at 30.

I am 60, can make 8 hours... but feel pretty beat up after. I have(younger) friends that are already on disability .

38 percent of nurses report back problems. There are many more types of injuries on this job.

Despite having the dream of nursing... the reality is ...it is BRUTAL work. Starting in your 40's , even if you only need to work 5 years to learn "raw" nursing ( an interesting choice of words as it is WILL rub you raw) is not a wise idea.

[oliverh79]

Since you have thought about this enough, you probably know that the job of a staff nurse involves being on your feet the whole day long and can be physically exhausting even for the youngest professionals. If you are up for it physically and ready to start at the bottom of the profession's rung, then by all means go ahead and fulfill your dream. It's better achieved late than never.

Have you also given a thought to how you plan to become a nurse? The shortest route to becoming a registered nurse is completing an Associate's degree in Nursing. It will take you roughly two years to finish this degree and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, which you need to pass to obtain your RN license.

[I love dogs]

I'm so thankful I found this thread. It's so...inspiring to read that I'm not alone in my feelings. Too often, I look around and see young nurses who have more nursing work experience than I do and the shoulda/woulda/coulda's would come flooding in.

Thanks everyone. :)

[jpw4200]

oliverh79-

Thanks for your comments. I have definitely given my path to RN some thought...I am going to go the accelerated BSN route since I already have a degree in finance. I have been accepted to a program that starts in May, and still waiting to hear from another that starts in the fall....both are 15 month programs that are pretty intensive and go year round. I just finished all of my prerequisite classes, and really loved the science courses....I was a finance major the first time around.

As far as the physical part...I am in pretty good shape still and have lots of energy. I am very physically active and am used to being on my feet a lot, so hopefully nursing won't be too big of a shock to my system!

I've also been volunteering at our local Children's Hospital 10-12 hours a week, mostly doing the same job that the techs do...I really love it, and don't mind being at the bottom of the ladder; I think in anything it is really important to start at the bottom so that you appreciate those around you.

Your comments/questions are great for me to think about! Thanks!

[I love my cat!]

If Nursing is what you want to do-go for it. I bet over half of my class was over the age of 40. My aunt is 74 and she is still Nursing. Yup. One of the best on the floor, too.

You do not have to stay on the floor to be a Nurse, either. There are so many other areas of Nursing that you can practice. In addition, if you do have any physical limitations, BY LAW, a workplace must make reasonable accommodations for you! Look up requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Full of information!

Good luck and go for it!

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Since you have thought about this enough, you probably know that the job of a staff nurse involves being on your feet the whole day long and can be physically exhausting even for the youngest professionals. If you are up for it physically and ready to start at the bottom of the profession’s rung, then by all means go ahead and fulfill your dream. It’s better achieved late than never.

Have you also given a thought to how you plan to become a nurse? The shortest route to becoming a registered nurse is completing an Associate’s degree in Nursing. It will take you roughly two years to finish this degree and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, which you need to pass to obtain your RN license.

Actually, the shortest route happens to be an accelerated BSN (that is if one have a prior bachelors degree). I am actually in an ABSN right now and am 2 months shy of graduation. If all goes as planned, I should be licensed by late August. So yeah, I know the drill The most interesting thing is that I am in a demanding DEU clinical program in which I am instructed 1:1 by a preceptor, so I am running around on my feet most all day and when I leave 12 hours later I am so much less tired than I would be working 8 hours at a desk job that I used to have. I don't plan on being a staff nurse for the rest of my career, definitely for at least five years or long enough have a good grasp on clinical practice. I have a prior professional degree which I plan to use within nursing to advance into other areas. I don't intend on retiring until I am at least 75 so I am planning my career moves to fall in place with that goal (i.e., less demanding tasks with increasing age). I have seen many older nurses shining at this age, and why can't I aim to be like that also?