Becoming a nurse at 40?

its_meee · Jul 6, 2011

I started college last year when I was 37 years old. I'm now 38 and in my second year of college and I LOVE it! I will graduate when I'm 42 with my BSN in nursing and I couldn't be happier about it. Sure, I wish I would've realized that I wanted to be a nurse earlier in life, but not everyone's life takes the same path. Do I worry about being a 42 year old new grad looking for work? Yes, sometimes. However, I feel that being a great nurse has nothing to do with age. I'm determined to do my very best and be proud of my accomplishments. If nursing is what you want to do, then go for it!!!!

michellejl · Jul 6, 2011

My boyfriend's mom is 46 and just graduated from nursing school; she works in ICU and she couldn't be happier! She has 2 kids in high school & college. She says nursing school was really hard, but she loves being a nurse! I think she also likes that since she works nights she only works 2-3 days a week so she has time to recover, spend time with the family, etc.

Best of luck to you!!

allnurses Guide · Jul 7, 2011

I'll be 41 when I graduate in December. I think about my age as well and have a plan of attack.

1. Keep the weight off.

2. Five years max of floor nursing while pursuing an advanced nursing degree.

3. Go into education or full time office work after advanced degree obtained.

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2011

When I graduate next August, I will be 46.

A couple of really great things about nursing:

1. You don't necessarily have to spend twenty years doing the MedSurg grind, there are, literally scores of specialties. If you like MedSurg, that's fine, a lot of people do; but if you don't, you don't have to stay there.

2. You can work full time three days a week.

Combined, these offer many opportunities for limiting wear and tear.

Good luck!

Mike

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 7, 2011

By the time I complete the ABSN program to which I am applying, I will be 40 (that is if I get accepted for the 2012 start). Althought I've read many threads on changing careers to nursing and older people going into nursing, I'm still a little apprehesive about the amount of time I will have to actually practice nursing. I've met older nurses that see as youthful as some of the younger nurses, but I've also experienced the opposite first hand. My mom is 58 and has been a nurse for 36 years, but her health is failing as a result of wear and tear on her body from many years of nursing. Will that happen to me?
I would like to hear from some older nurses who recently got in nursing (or anyone who has an opinion on the matter). What helped you to be comfortable with your decision? What advice could you offer me? Also, do any of you have small children? How did they influence your decision to become a nurse?

And how old will you be in that same amount of time if you DON'T become a nurse?

I was 38 when I graduated, and while my floor-nursing days were probably numbered from the beginning, I managed to hang on through the middle of last year. I probably lasted that long only because I took a couple of detours into management; however, I'm at the point where I'll never be healthy enough to do floor work again, even if I wanted to, and so I'm back in administration. It's OK, and I'm good at it although I sometimes miss the direct-care aspect of nursing.

But in your shoes, there's no need to borrow trouble, not when you have no idea as yet how your body will handle the physical work. I think we've all known nurses who must've been related to the Energizer Bunny, because they keep going and going and going. Just because your mom's health isn't what it was when she was younger, doesn't mean that your body will break down the same way or at the same pace; you may be lucky enough to find a comfortable niche early on and be able to continue well into late middle age and beyond.

I wish you the best! :heartbeat

Bob_N_VA · Jul 7, 2011

I started the program at 53, will be 56 when I finish. You'll feel like a noob for a while after you start, but that won't last forever and your patients will think you been doing it all your life. Im also a bit concerned about how my body will stand up to the wear and tear. I'm used to office work, but at home I rarely sit down for that long a time. Now a 12 hour shift might be a bit more than I'm used to it, but you only do those 3x a week on average.

The great thing about coming into nursing at a later age is that we are very focused and highly motivated and it shows. I have lots of older folks in my class (I'm the oldest btw) and nobody is doing it just for the paycheck. If money were the only motivation, you would get burned out very quickly. For whatever reasons most of us have, we are all focused on helping others. Good luck.

Justanotherday · Jul 7, 2011

I will be 46 when I become an RN. I have older children, and my youngest are 6 and 9 which we homeschool. They are a big part of why I chose nursing. Right now I work retail because there aren't many options working evenings or weekends, but nursing will allow me to continue to work around our school schedule so they will be home with their dad. I can work part time when they are young, and transition to full time when they are older.

I will be attending an evening/weekend nursing program.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Jul 7, 2011

I'll be 39 when I graduate in 2013 and like someone else said - I'd still be 39!!! I'd like to do diabetes education or L&D/clinic work but I do realize I'll probably have to put my time in on med/surg for a while...

FineAgain · Aug 2, 2011

I'm 53 and a junior in a BSN program. Go for it, it is the best feeling ever. And those wonderful men and women I go to school with -- I am old enough to be their mother, but they never treat me as if I am any older than they are. I love school!

Java Mama · Aug 3, 2011

Hi,

I start my first semester in 2 weeks (I'm 44), so I will be 46 when I graduate. You are never too old to start. :)

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2011

I'm 53 and a junior in a BSN program. Go for it, it is the best feeling ever. And those wonderful men and women I go to school with -- I am old enough to be their mother, but they never treat me as if I am any older than they are. I love school!

I feel exactly the same way. I'll be 49 when I'm done. You'll start noticing that people age really differently when they hit their 40s. My sister is 54, has been a nurse for 30 years and is in great health, no wear and tear, has been a floor nurse and nurse manager and enjoys being active on the job. I try to take good care of myself with exercise and eating mostly good food. I want to be a floor nurse for most of my career. I believe it will keep me young.

I had kids older and waited until the youngest was in k-garten before starting school. I know a few other moms that purposely waited until their kids were a little more self-sufficient before beginning school. I started by taking one biology class and built up from there. I am excited to have a career that I can enjoy well into my 60s and maybe even 70s.