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?

You have to be dedicated. If you really want it, you can do it. It is not easy but it is definitely doable if you set your mind to it. I swear I think that they try to make it as difficult as possible to weed people out. The tests are different than you are used to. All nclex style but, if you have the desire and are pretty smart (not a genius, mind you) you can do it. :nurse:

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Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

many schools, including cop training school, look for people that can talk and handle people (real world experience) and know how to talk to patients, clients, whatever the label is these days.

Some of the nurses with degree's have no experience talking with patients. They are full of book knowledge, with no practical experience.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

That is not true. MANY nurses with degrees have practical knowledge and extensive work histories...I am one. We are not all fresh out of high school. What are you basing your perception on?

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I think the reference to those that go to college, right after high school and don't work in college. I am an older student and my perspective now is much different than it was 15 years ago when I was in my first undergrad program.

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Just graduated from nursing school, 3 weeks before my 67th birthday. You can do anything you set your mind to. Good luck.

Glad to hear you graduated!! You are AWESOME... and an inspiration to me. Congratulations!!! :)

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So I am applying to LPN school at age 62 does this appear to be too old? I certainly don't want to go to admissions and be embarrassed. I do have a B.S. and Masters degree that does show that I have the academic ability. What are you thoughts?:D

Hi Greg..

I was wondering if you found a school yet? Have you considered, or looked for, a 'fast track' BSN RN program, since you already have degrees? There are some of those types of schools out there, I believe...

Every state is probably different, but in NM, the LPN pay is about equal to Paramedic pay... roughly $15 - 25 /hr. RNs, either ADN or BSN start around $23 and go up to $45 /hr, and probably more.

You said it wasn't about the money, but... if you are looking for a Nursing Program, maybe consider RN... either ADN or BSN... Just my :twocents:

Barbara :)

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Barbara,

Thanks for replying to my message. I did take and pass the TEAS 5 exam for admission to the LPN program. Now I have to wait and see if I am accepted. At this point my application will go to the Pinellas Technical Institute here in Florida for the LPN program. However, I will take your suggestion and explore the RN program. I am a educational diagnostician by profession and feel that the nursing field would relate directly to some of my skills.

Thanks again,

Gregg

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Barbara,

Thanks for replying to my message. I did take and pass the TEAS 5 exam for admission to the LPN program. Now I have to wait and see if I am accepted. At this point my application will go to the Pinellas Technical Institute here in Florida for the LPN program. However, I will take your suggestion and explore the RN program. I am a educational diagnostician by profession and feel that the nursing field would relate directly to some of my skills.

Thanks again,

Gregg

Hi Gregg, Great! Good luck with that, and please post how things are going for you! It sounds like, with your educational background, you will be a great student, and your interest in Nursing is admirable. I mostly visit the 'Distance Learning' forum, since I am interested in Excelsior College. However, this thread was especially appealing to me, since I am older than many of the new students. Right now, I'm waiting for my transcript review to be completed, and looking into the remainder of pre reqs I still need.

I've been a Paramedic since 1989, had kicked around the idea of Nursing in the mid-90's... and now started getting serious about it just recently. You're right... it's not about the money, but the figures I quoted in my last message were from personal knowledge, and even taking a Supervisor position where I am is only another $1.25/hr. What I like about the field of Nursing, aside from the actual patient care, is the flexibility to work in so many different areas. Unlimited potential... that's how it seems to me. So I've been trying to get off the fence, and just GO FOR IT!

Barbara

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I am 54. Went to LPN at 51...I WOULD NOT DO LPN, unless you just want Long Term care or maybe home health. Or Dr. office. Your opportunitys are SO MUCH BETTER with an RN and I wish I had known THEN what I know NOW. I am working on bridging, but the cost is prohibitive to us right now.

DOES ANYONE THINK that I will be too old to be hired by the time I finish at a hospital? I really want to get some general, overall experience. ANY thoughts or places to find out would be SO appreciated.

I did my first "pre req" a two WEEK intercession Gen Psych class. Passed with an A. Just financial prohibitive to keep going.

Thanks!

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My grandmother is 72 years young and is still a working LVN! You don't have to stop just because you hit retirement age!!

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Congrats to you! I have been a nurse for 30 yrs and love it. Now after 3 spine surgeries and facing another I am going back to school to get my MSN. I thought I was too old but after reading all these posts I feel encouraged and even more motivated. I am starting Walden Univ. RN-MSN program and am very excited.

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Starting a Nursing Career at a older age

I am 50 years old and I am thinking about being a nurse. I have been unemployed since 2007. I was attending business school online but see no future. I need something with employment potential.Am I too old to start this?

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