Going to Nursing School at an Older Age

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have been planning to go to nursing school (direct entry MSN) & have been progressing in that direction. The other day I was having a conversation with a coworker (a non-practicing nurse!) and she said, now at your age (I am in my 40s) you have 10, maybe 20 years of nursing, but if a younger candidate gets your seat they can practice nursing for like 40 years, so why should you get a seat? It's more beneficial to train a younger nurse. I was rather tacken aback by the question & said something to the effect the more nurses the better and it is illegal to discriminate based on age, and she said the nursing shortage is a myth and age discrimination happens, no matter what! While I always believe education is throughout one's life and one should pursue one's aspirations, it got me thinking. (In some countries where their are no age discrimination laws this does happen). Is it really socially more desirable to prefer younger candidates? And does this factor into admissions decisions?

20 years old, lol. In and out of the frying pan before you know it.

40 years old is in the prime and wise too. Give me an experienced nurse ANY day!

Older students kick buns comparatively, on the average.

When you walk into a class of older students, you know competition is ahead of you.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

As I'm sure most of you would attest to, nursing is primarily about relationships, advocacy, leadership, AND the ability to be self aware, and humble when you need to. At 20 years old, while some people ARE mature, given life experiences, you often lack the ability to regulate yourself. I know I did. I was a manager at a young age, and while I might have been efficient, and organized, my leadership skills mostly sucked. I can admit that now, as I am much older and wiser. Because leading is about teaching others how to lead themselves. I did not realize this at that time.

Furthermore, you could probably have a well-trained monkey hook up an IV (yes....very well trained :)), but if you understand yourself even a little bit, AND the needs of others, you will succeed as a nurse, and be fulfilled. In addition, the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity is A huge plus for older nurses. I cannot tell you how many times I saw other younger students freeze or become very anxious in challenging situations.

Overall, there is room for young and older nurses. Everyone has something unique to offer.

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It's sad that some people have turned this thread into a bash younger nurses/nursing students forum.

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It's sad that some people have turned this thread into a bash younger nurses/nursing students forum.

Yes, but I'm puzzled as to why younger students are even on this thread. The name of this thread is "Going to Nursing School at a Later Age." It is for older students. For youngers to post comments objecting to older students' thoughts, who are just trying to find the silver lining to going to school later in life, is not moving the thread in the direction it was intended. Going to school is hard enough, but when you're older it can also be intimidating and wrought with immense self-doubt, (try it someday and you'll see what I mean) so any and all support is most welcome. :)

I say we should all find a threads on this site where we can be helpful and encouraging to one another.

Afterall, we're all on the same journey to become a nurse, and tripping each other on along the way won't help any of us.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

No one is bashing younger nurses on this thread. But, being 21, there are certain insights that you would not have yet. The same goes for someone who is in their 30's vs someone in their 40's or 50's. Wisdom develops as you age. That's the point of many of the comments being made. And going to nursing school at 21 is a completely different experience. That's why this thread is called "Going to Nursing School at An Older Age". I've been working for as long as you have been alive, as I'm sure many of these people have. So that makes me a little more insightful about certain things.

Furthermore, this fact does not necessarily make me a better nurse either.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
I work with a 78yo nurse who has no plans on retiring any time soon....so there is your 30+ years on the job for ya!

Yes, this will be me ... :D

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Hey, it is never too late to reach for new goals in life.

There are plenty of 40+ women in my classes at school and they are doing just as well (and in some cases better) than some of the younger students.

Don't let what that woman said discourage you. More and more people are coming back to school later in life, and they are still able to get jobs too.

I say go for it, and good luck with everything. ^_^

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Many of the "younger" candidates aren't going to stay in nursing for 40 years. Even if they stay in nursing, they will probably move on from bedside nursing. I was 42 when I got my LPN and 47 when I got my RN. I probably have at least 20 years to work.

Most of my classmates were 30's, 40's - some 50's. Schools don't care as long as you have the $$$ and the grades. I had no issue with getting a job either.

Right now there is not a nursing shortage, but we do need good people to be nurses.

Thank you for letting me know that its never to late. I am 44 yrs old and this will be a challenge for me but I know at the end its all worth it. i have been already in the medical field for 14 yrs with so much experience and know i want my degree!!!!:)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm glad this post is on here, it's nice to know I'm not alone. I will be starting just before my 42 birthday, and my daughter will be applying before I graduate.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

And there is a nursing shortage. The problem at the moment is government funding cuts everywhere, and overworked nurses. This recession is nothing new, it happened before. At least by the time most of you have finished school, they will all be screaming for nurses again. For sure. Because the reality is, people are becoming sicker, and getting older. These funding cuts are a short-sighted measure that will only happen for so long. Everywhere is short staffed. When I was in school 2 years ago, there was no issue for nurses getting hired. As the global economy worsened, so did the climate for nurses. But it will come back. Don't let the present day situation deter you. Good luck. :)

PS: I'm still very happy with my degree, regardless of the fact that I may not work as soon as I had planned. It wasn't a waste by any means.

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Hello, I'm the OP & I would like to thank everybody who responded. It is certainly encouraging to know there are many who have gone to nursin schools at around my age, & have gotten jobs & been appreciated.

I feel some younger nurses have been offended by some posts. It was never my intention to make this a young vs older nurses issue. In fact, I enjoyed feedback from younger nurses; after all, ifI make it I would probably be interviewed by a younger nurse, work with younger nurses so it is good to know how they feel. I strongly feel we can bring our individual strengths without disparaging anyone, or trying to say one group has abilities the other doesn't.

Again, thanx to all responders.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Geriatrics(LTC), Pediatricts,.

I think the majority of us have the same or similar consensus, that no matter what your age, there is a place for everyone in the nursing field. There are plenty of jobs, and there are pros and cons to every situation. Younger nurses will in time gain the experiences of us older relics, while us older ones already have that experience. Nursing school isn't a breeze, it does take a lot of hard work, but it's worth it in the end. No matter if you are a youngun fresh out of HS and you know you want to go into nursing, or if you are an older person in your second career choice for any given reason. Specificaly for the older folks wanting to go to nursing school, go for it! When I went to my state board exam, I met a group of folks who, all of them, made up their class, and the youngest one was 71! Yes, they all were in their 70's. They all had jobs lined up, doing private duty or camp nurse type jobs, they didn't expect they'd be working for any longer than ten or maybe fifteen years, but it was a dream of theirs, and they went for it. So, GO FOR IT! If the school you apply to isn't as accommodating to older students, or your academics aren't in the A+ range, then find a school that will accept you. Then when you graduate and have your degree, and you go to find your first job as a nurse, if that facility doesn't hire you based on age, you can either take them to court for age discrimination, that would only make hard feelings and a work environment where they are only going to make it harder on you, or you could keep looking till you find the facility that will hire the older person. I think you'll find you won't have any problems finding a job when you graduate, nurses are in high demand all over.

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