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?

I just finished nursing school in May and I am 42. I was the oldest person in my class at graduation (there were 2 people older than me start the program but did not finish). Go for it.

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THAT EXCITES ME!! I finished LPN last June and have worked a year in an LTC. In our area, NO Hospitals hire LPN's except acute care. I am WORKING ON getting my RN, but wondered the same thing. I LOVE that you get to work in Surgical trauma ICU =). I AM SO EXCITED to start back. I am struggling tho, with knowing about where /how to go. I also wondered if hospitals considser online classes less worth than others? ANY input??

CONGRATS!!

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Your post made my day! Thank you! I start nursing school next month and I'll be 49 when I graduate. It's great to have role models out there, ESPECIALLY at my age!

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Many of the nurrses that i work with go onto their upper level degrees are a latter age. I do not say that 40 is to old to go to school. It is actually very young and since I am 34 and pursuing my RN am I then to old? NO I am not. For me I think that since we have had that life experience we will prosper. Dont worry about the other persons opinion. Especially if she is younger than you. As young people we have a tendency to say the wrong things(which I have done in my 20's). I say go for it!:nurse:

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Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

Mark Twain

I am a nursing student, started school at 49 to become a registered psychiatric nurse, doing an accelerated (into 2) 3 yr diploma program. I will be 51 when I graduate and as others have stated, I not only bring education to the table but life experience. If anyone was making my age an issue when I went back to school it was me. It has been a wonderful experience so far, sometimes funny at clinical placements because the other nurses or patients assume I'm the instructor because of my age. :lol2:I plan to continue my education over time to aquire my BSN and work for another 15 years or more. I feel fantastic knowing it will be doing something I want to do. I remember, back when I was considering a career change and going back to school, I asked myself what I would be doing in 3 or 4 years if I didn't do it and what would I be doing if I did? For me it has been well worth the challenges. Wishing you all the best and lots of encouragement. ;)

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OOOh that is exactly the field of Nursing that I want to go into. Depending on your area you can make decent money. But also you can help patients with addiction and mental issues etc. Do you volunteer at a facility to get some experience. They do require a little experience for that field. I plan to do some volunteer work or work at the facility that where my sister in law is a music therapist is at.

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First of all, I don't think a school cares how old you are. You are paying tuition just like anyone else. As for a hospital hiring an older new grad, they may care or maybe not. Think about it. Older people bring with them a lot of life experience and maturity you do not typically get from your 23 year old new grad. Not that I am saying they are immature, but some certainly are. Another positive aspect to hiring an older grad is most likely, their children are grown or at the very least in school. So no maternity leave, etc. OR just no risk of them having a child and quitting for 10 years.

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Specializes in My goal is to be an Oncology Nurse.....

Hi!

I'm 33 and start Nursing school this fall. I'm really excited and looking foward to be challenged intellectually!! My class is divided between the kids and the adults. I feel that it is better for older adults to go into Nursing because we have more of an idea as to how the world works and are a little bit more mature mentally and can handle it better. ;)

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Hi!

I'm 33 and start Nursing school this fall. I'm really excited and looking foward to be challenged intellectually!! My class is divided between the kids and the adults. I feel that it is better for older adults to go into Nursing because we have more of an idea as to how the world works and are a little bit more mature mentally and can handle it better. ;)

Why do they separate the class like that? Even if you are young you probably can still (handle it). Also it is being just like that other person said to the first posting that they were to old to got back top school.

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I just turn 41 and completed my Bachelors in nursing with honours at the top of my grad class. Upon entering nursing school I was told that it would be difficult to manage the courses with 2 kids and a husband -by my 'faculty advisor'. I am looking forward to start working as I have successfully passed my CRNE and I have been told by all of my faculty clinical teachers that I will be an excellent nurse.

The gist of the matter is age is just a number and once one is healthy I say ignore the naysayers about age and go for it!!!!!

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Specializes in geriatric LTC and loving it.

Hey All...I was 50 plus when I returned to school to become a nurse. I graduated from an associates program this May, took the NCLEX and passed with just 75 questions in July and have been accepted to begin an online RN to bachelors program that one of our state's fine 4-yr colleges offers starting in August.

When that's done I plan to go on to pursue the masters in nursing to specialize in geriatric mental health issues.

I've already had a couple of employers in my geographic area tell me they want to see me for job opportunities when I complete that degree.

I plan to work into my 70's

Thank you very much!

The director at my school said they've had students older than me!

I turned 56 yo in March. :nurse:

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

I graduate next May (2011) and when I take, and pass, the NCLEX in June, 2011, I'll be 67. I'm a CNA now and never have a problem finding work, and don't expect to have any problem as an RN. I work per diem, don't require health insurance, never call out, show up when scheduled, and do whatever is required on my shift. Employers love older nurses for all of those reasons. I work long-term care, home health care, and psychiatric care, specializing in Alzheimer's and other dementias: all areas that younger nurses and aides shun. How long will I work? As long as I want, as long as it interests me, and as long as I continue to love life.

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