40+ and Considering Nursing School

SouthpawRN · May 26, 2017

I'm in my latter 40's and in school now so you are definitely not old and life experience, motivation, and maturity do count for a lot. I am the oldest one in my class and old enough to be Dad to 3/4 of the class Who weren't even born when I graduated with my first Bachelors.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · May 26, 2017

The time will pass regardless. Might as well spend it working towards something you want!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 26, 2017

I finished my ABSN program a month before my 48th birthday. There are many members who chose nursing as a second career and went through nursing school in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Sour Lemon · May 26, 2017

You're not too old, but there are things to consider.

How will you fund your education and is it worth the investment at this point in your life? I have an ADN and think about obtaining a BSN from time to time ...but I also have small children whose college funds I want to contribute to as well as retirement that I need to save for.

How realistic is it to assume you'll get accepted into the RN program right away? These programs can be competitive and some even have waiting lists.

What kind of pay and opportunity can you expect as a new graduate in your area? How does it compare to what you're making in your current field?

How do the physical demands compare and how healthy are you, in general? Nursing can be labor-intensive (especially jobs readily available to new grads), and I've noticed a substantial difference in how I feel as I grow older (I'm also in my early 40s).

How will school and building a new career affect the time you have with your children?

Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm happy that I went to nursing school, although I was older (mid thirties). I didn't have kids then, though ...and no prior degree- just a low-paying, dead-end job.

allnurses Guide · May 26, 2017

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

Rionoir, ADN, RN · May 26, 2017

I'm 40 and I'm not even close to being the oldest in any of my classes. Nursing seems to be a career that draws many people in later in life. I don't think you are resigned to night shifts either, maybe for certain positions, but not for anything and everything.

Jesikaha · May 26, 2017

I just turned 40 a couple weeks ago. There's moments I feel like I'm too old to start a new career, then I remember I don't like my job and will probably never been happy doing what I'm doing, so why not. I was enrolled in an ADN program 18 years ago but failed out second semester. I was pregnant during the semester. When it came time to apply for the next semester I found out I was 16 weeks pregnant while on the pill and breastfeeding. God had other plans for me. I've put my dreams on hold ever since and have regretted it daily. When my son cut off his fingers a couple years ago and we spent a week in the hospital I decided I'm going back, it's what I'm passionate about. Come hell or high water, I'm doing this, for me. You've got this. Look into the Accelerated BSN program for those who already have their bachelors.

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · May 27, 2017

80% of the people in my cohort are over the age of 40. It is never too late.

Aheffro1 · May 28, 2017

I'm 43, took prerequisites for a year and a half, and was just accepted to an ADN program at a local community college. There were around 180 applicants and they selected 52. I am still in shock and thrilled that I was selected. I'm a stay at home mom of a 3 year old and never did that great in school. After being laid off from my accounting job I decided to finally take the leap and do what I have always wanted to do. It was scary going back to school and I was often the oldest in my class, but it just motivated me to try harder and succeed. Don't let your age hold you back from living your life. You only live once so if you know what will make you happy you should go for it. Good luck!

accionursingbook · May 30, 2017

Look up "flight nurse almost md" on YouTube. His channel will inspire you.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Jun 1, 2017

With that said, my concern (fear?) is that I am TOO old! In my early 40s, I seem to have the maturity and life perspective for nursing, but the energy might not be as adundent. Plus I have two children in elementary school that I love to pieces, so life is busy as-is. I would finish school in my mid-40s and then I assume I'd work night shift for a few years as well. Has anyone been in my scenario before - making a career change later in life? Do you have any tips or any regrets? I realize everyone's perspective is theirs...so I guess I am looking for others who can give encouragement and have "been there". :) Thank you so much for your sage advice!

I was 45 when I graduated nursing school. I started out on day shift for 1 year then moved to NOC shift which I did for 3 years before moving to a mid-shift. With a new job, I went back to night shift but quickly moved back to mids and then days where I expect to remain forever. EDs generally have high turnover/attrition so it's fairly quick to find preferable shifts and I know some people who have started on days.

Tips? Not really... just work hard and stay focused on your end goal.

Regrets? One... that I didn't make the career change much sooner than I did.

I've been there... my kid was in 1st grade when I started nursing school and my first 2.5 years of nursing required me to drive out of town for 3 days every week for work so I missed a lot of precious time with her. It has been worth it, though.