Do you think it is too late to go into nursing?

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Hi All,

I am looking for honest opinions. I am turning 37 this year and seriously considering applying for nursing school for fall 2008 (I will be 38 then). DO you think that I would be too old to be successful in school? I know that there is a high dropout rate in nursing school but I'm more concerned that since I would be older than most of the students, that maybe the professors would be a little harder on me, KWIM? I am also concerned that considering my age it may not be "worth it" since employers would look at me and think "she only has 20 yrs before retirement", KWIM? I guess I am looking for people who were like me, older with little kids, spouse, all the bills, and concerned that it would be a good decision yet has the desire to do the job. Anyone out there like me?

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I don't think it's a problem at all. Plenty of nurses started nursing in their 30s and 40s. The oldest person in our graduating class was my friend's mother:). Instructors weren't hard on her, employers treated her well... She is very happy with her decision.

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Hi All,

I am looking for honest opinions. I am turning 37 this year and seriously considering applying for nursing school for fall 2008 (I will be 38 then). DO you think that I would be too old to be successful in school? I know that there is a high dropout rate in nursing school but I'm more concerned that since I would be older than most of the students, that maybe the professors would be a little harder on me, KWIM? I am also concerned that considering my age it may not be "worth it" since employers would look at me and think "she only has 20 yrs before retirement", KWIM? I guess I am looking for people who were like me, older with little kids, spouse, all the bills, and concerned that it would be a good decision yet has the desire to do the job. Anyone out there like me?

No, you are NOT too old at all. I am 47, have a 9 year old son left at home (the oldest just got married) and was just accepted to an ADN program :monkeydance: Let me tell you..... I am as energetic as the little monkey ;)

You will bring experience with you that most young people haven't developed yet and generally older students take things a bit more serious, too.

GO FOR YOUR DREAM!!!!!!

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You are not too old! Me and my good friend just got in the RN program for this fall and she is 48 years old. The instructors treat her the same way they treat me. If anything they will have respect for you since you are dedicated.

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Specializes in long term care.

I was 42 when I went to NS. I was probably treated better than the younger ones in my class because I was more mature and took things they were trying to teach us more seriously. I have also had a job since the day I graduated. The nurse shortage is a reality. Trust me, you will have a job.

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My NS class has one guy who said he's 52, another lady who looks about his age, and several who are in their 40s. I'm 28 and I'm in the middle. We've got a lot of young kids too, but I feel neither old nor young in my classes.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I am 38 and will start an ADN program this Fall. I also have young kids at home. I had the same concerns as you at first, but so many people from this site have told me that they started nursing school in their 40's. I think it is a good decision.

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I graduated 1 1/2 years ago from an ADN program, I am 45 years old now, working in the ER. It is great. Nursing school was in most ways easier for me then for my younger classmates, because I had life experience. I have three kids, and had to make some sacrifices to go to school, so I made the most of lecture and clinicals, where as some of the younger students we getting over hangovers, planning dates, showed up late for class,etc. The thing that got some older students in trouble was acting like they knew everything. My advise is to go for it!!! It will be a whole new chapter in your life.

Huachuca

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I'm 45, and starting this fall. Although I was usually the oldest in class for all the pre-req's, I was not treated any differently, either by staff or students.

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I am the same age as you and hope to get into an ADN program for January. I think it is common in nursing to have people going for a 2nd career, especially moms whose kids are older and they find they now have the time to devote to their dream. Heck, my own mom did that, and was a nurse for 10 years before retiring.

I was a nursing student when I was college straight out of high school, and I switched majors my senior year because I wasn't emotionally ready for the commitment. I was terrified of killing someone with a dosage error or something. Now at 36, I think life and motherhood have made me a lot more confident in my abilities. I know nursing school is hard, and I remember helping my mom study when I was in high school. But I also know that I can do it and be a great nurse.

Instructors will most likely admire your drive and maturity.

You will be 40 in 2 years anyway- whether or not you go to school. Why not be 40 and a nurse?

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

As others have said, absolutely not!!!

I don't think your age will hurt at all, in school or in finding employment.

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Specializes in LTC, Medical Day Care.

I think that all of us have to battle the negative self-talk monster...:mad: I can give you 100 reasons why I think I cannot do something. We always say "were too old"..I said to myself..ok too old for nursing school..so then what? Spend 20 more years working for a less than par salary..saying" gosh I should have went to school when I thought about it." Either way, we are going to be working..I think we owe it to ourselves to have the fulfillment we want and not to mention much, much better pay!!!!:wink2:

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