Fifty-Seven, Bored, and at a Crossroads - Am I too old to return to school?

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Dear Nurse Beth,

Bored and at a Crossroads.

I am 57 years old. Nursing is my second career. I have a BSN and a BA in English. When I graduated from the nursing school about 11 years ago, I was turned away by the hospitals because, being fresh out of school, I was told that I did not have the required experience. It could also have been my age – I was in my 40s at the time. The only area that offered me employment was in long term care – specifically nursing home.

This is the only area I have worked, and in which I have advanced from bedside to management position. For the past seven years, I have been working as a nurse manager/supervisor. I feel bored and unhappy. I do not want to see myself doing this for another 7-10 years. I feel the desire to go back to school to either move up from my current position, or move away from my current field entirely. I am considering Adult/gerontological NP, MS in Nursing Management, or Psych NP. I am also considering the costs, my age, as well my prospects of obtaining employment after graduating at the age of about 60 - 61years old. I plan to work beyond age 65.

I have not made any moves yet because I keep asking myself:

Am I not too old to go back to school?

Is it worth it to take a school loan at this age; and looking at my background, what would be the most appropriate area to advance into?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Bored and Unhappy,

Age alone is one indicator of true age, but there are 57 year olds who are closer to 45 in true age, and others who are closer to 65. We all try to predict how long we'll remain in the work force by our health, our genes, our parents' longevity, our level of passion, fitness level, and so forth.

You plan to work until about age 67, which is very reasonable for many. You are not necessarily too old to to return to school, once you've weighed the pros and cons of your particular situation. 

To consider if it makes financial sense, estimate the number of years you intend to work as an NP and multiply by your expected annual salary. Deduct your student loans and all school-related costs. There's variables that you can't predict, of course, but you'll get a ball-park figure.

The market for NPs is saturated in some areas, while in demand in others. Research your area. If you are living in a saturated area and not willing to re-locate to land your first job, it could be a challenge. If you can work in a rural area, you may qualify for HRSA and Nurse Corps loan re-payment.

Demand for specialities varies by location as well. There may be a demand for Psychiatric NPs but not for Adult-Gerontology (AGACNP) NPs.

As far as getting a Masters in Leadership, that may help qualify you for a Director's position, given your background. 

Getting a Masters in nursing education could prepare you to work in academia, say a BSN program. There's at least 2 advantages to that-academia in general is friendlier to older faculty than some other settings, enabling you to work as long as you'd like. You may be able to find a position where you could work remotely and have a lot of flexibility.

Finally, consider options other than returning to school that would enable you to move away from your current position. You may qualify for a position in case management with your background, for example.

Be sure to check out the Advanced Practice forum  here on site ?

Best wishes in your decision,

Nurse Beth

I agree with Nurse Beth in weighing out the costs, and especially looking around to see if anything you would want to get more education in would be valued AND provide an opportunity in your location.

I am looking at options to age gently in nursing. I hate to not use my nursing, but there are a lot of jobs that appear like they should be flexible and more aging friendly, but I am not sure they are. 

And I ask myself, if I relocate in the next few years (I am 56y) when will a new employer consider me too much of a risk due to aging to hire? This past week I had a patient reference my youth compared to an event in the community I might not remember. She was way off on guessing my age. 

Wearing a mask makes it hard for them to see the early signs of jowls. LOL. But agism can be a thing, especially if your boss in their 30's. Will the nursing shortage allow the older nurse to work as long as they want? I don't know. Then I also ask more frequently now, do I really want to work until 67y at a 36-40 hour a week job. Doesn't part time seem more attractive eventually?

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