Going to Nursing School at an Older Age

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

At 47, I am starting NS in another 2 months. I hope to be working in some capacity until I'm 80. I don't believe either schools or hospitals (and other care facilities) look at how long you'll be working as a nurse. They just want to see that you are competent and caring and capable of doing the job now and for the next few years. It is expensive to bring a student nurse completely up to speed and it takes a few years to recoup those costs, but it doesn't take 30 or 40 years. I've seen people in their late 50s and 60s begin their nursing careers around here. Frankly, if I were 22, I would be worried about the older people taking away my chances.

moma8gma1 · Jul 28, 2010

And what about a new nurse who gets into the field and discovers an intense dislike for the work? Doesn't matter how old he/she is if they quit. (Granted, he/she should have figured that out BEFORE going through nursing school.) I'm in Sacramento, CA, and i've heard that the drop-out rate for a local CC's program is 20%. I asked why, and was told that basically those drop-outs discovered nursing was not for them. (I wish they'd figured that out before they'd taken a spot in the program!)

worldtraveler · Jul 28, 2010

I heard the same thing (from my own father believe it or not) when I started Nursing school when I was 44 and it didn't deter me one iota. He said "You'll be the oldest person in your class" . Well 20 + years earlier, by my College SAT scores, I didnt stand a chance of getting into any school, nursing or otherwise. Fast Forward 20+ years, I was one of 7 students who finished(out of a starting class of 30) and graduated with Honors. It gave me great pleasure to send my father a Large Picture showing me receiving my Diploma and my Honors Certificate. I'm living walking proof it can be done. Go for it and don't give it a second thought! :up: As a friend told me back then, ask yourself how old you will be if you don't pursue your dream and go to school and for most of us mortals, it will be the same age if we do attend school. One thing I am glad of is that my Nursing school put very little emphasis on SAT Scores and I wish 20 years earlier they hadn't either(was a different school) btw. I never faced any job discrimination due to my age and in fact I believe in more then one case, age was a big factor in obtaining cases (home health) as more then a few times, patients' & their families felt more secure to see a mature nurse show up on the job. Don't let how many working years you have left influence your decision on whether or not to attend school. A while back I saw in the news where a guy close to 60 started & finished Law school.

jake620 · Jul 28, 2010

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?

If you want to be a nurse than you should go for it even if you are 40 something. I just turned 40 last month and I will begin an accelerated BSN program next month. Our cohort has a fair group of 35+. Also, a friend who I meet through my prereq classes turned 50 this year and he was just accepted into a state school accelerated BSN. The profession needs quality people of all ages. Follow your heart! All the best to you.:)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

I just graduated, and I'm 37 this year. Go for it. Employers will want you, because although you are new to nursing, you have insight and maturity, and organizational skills that 25 year olds lack, just by virtue of being on this earth longer. You would also have a greater self awareness. And, older students typically find the workload more manageable, because they know how to study, versus getting caught up in small details.

More importantly, if nursing is your goal, then don't let anyone deter you. People often love to give advice, and be negative, because they are insecure, unsure, or maybe just misinformed.

And before anyone says anything, I am in no way trying to dis younger nurses. You are all great, and many young people are mature. However, there are things that you learn at 30, 40, 50, 60..... life experience is very valuable.

Good luck!

kty1 · Jul 28, 2010

In November, 2007, I thought I would try to change careers and get into nursing school. The application date was June, 2008. I took some pre-reqs that were necessary for consideration - A&P, Micro. A&P II was online. I had to dissect a pig in my kitchen! I applied and made it into a very competitive evening program. Perfect, as I had to work full-time along with school and clinicals.
I graduated with honors this past May, took the NCLEX in June - loved seeing that blue screen after 75 questions.
Applied for a local internship program. Had one interview. I start in two weeks in the Surgical Trauma Unit ICU.
What a great 55th birthday present:yeah:
BTW, my previous job experience included nothing even remotely related to the healthcare field.

So happy to hear your wonderful story. Wanted to say, however that aging DOES ALLOWS YOU TO ACQUIRE LIFE EXPEREINCES THAT ONE TAKES INTO ANY JOB. THUS, YOU WILL BE USING THOSE SKILLS TOWARDS THIS NEW JOB (NOT NECESSARILY YOUR ACTUAL PAST PAID JOB ITSELF). THAT'S WHY IT'S CALL LIFE EXPERIENCES.

Good luck to you in your new job!!!:)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

I'm happy for you as well. I'm sure you've worked very hard. Congratulations on your new job. Thanks for sharing.

mnmcbm · Jul 28, 2010

One thing that concerns me is whether physically I am "up" to a nursing career. I am in fairly decent shape but a little over weight. And it seems that I have a new ache or pain every other month. They come and go and I can only assume they are normal aging. But it does concern me.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2010

Well there are many areas of nursing to consider: doctor's offices, clinics, research, schools, community health, palliative care, etc. I'm sure there is somwhere that you would find meets your needs and makes you happy. Not all hospital work is physically taxing. Depends where you are.

mnmcbm · Jul 28, 2010

Thanks! That is what I figured. There is always someplace an RN can work. Some more physically taxing than others. I am a pretty energetic person though so I totally see myself in a hospital setting at first. But it does help that there are more relaxed options for our future!

Kirsty J. · Jul 28, 2010

Yes, I agree. That is a bunch of horse pooh! I think nurses who start their education at an older age have a lot to offer including, but not limited to, life experience, wisdom and emotional/mental strength. I am 41 and will be starting a nursing program next year. I am inspired by women and men who are older than me doing the same thing. There is a woman in my class who is 60 and she told me that she and her friend (also in her 60s) were doing it together until they were done. This woman had a lot to offer in class discussion and brought up a lot of interesting topics that I would not have necessarily thought about. In this day and age, it is not uncommon to have several careers in one's lifetime. Often, as was the case for me, I did not know what I wanted to do for a career when I was 18 years old. I chose business based on other people's input and not what was right for me. I think this was because I did not know myself as well as I do now. Now, at this point, I want to give back to people in need. I want to be part of the medical and hopefully the healing process. Next time, someone who asks you this kind of question, perhaps you can also ask them "And why would they give a seat to a 20 year old who may drop out of the program after quickly realizing that they are not suited to the nursing profession?" or "Gosh, I'm sorry you have such a narrow view of what type of person may be a good nurse or not" or "Well, I believe I have a lot to offer in this profession and I would think for most people, age is not an issue" or "well, I have a secret to tell you.... " and whisper in her ear, "Age discrimination works wonderfully in this field because when I walk into a patient's room, who do you think they are going to trust more? The fresh-faced 20 year old, straight out of nursing school, or the 40, 50 or 60 something straight out of nursing school?" There are a lot of benefits to being an older student as opposed to a younger one and it is about time people realized that.

oneazspirit · Jul 28, 2010

I am a 50+ nursing student. Do not tell me that I am taking someone's place. I have every right to study and become a nurse as anyone does. Should I just die now? Wake up. The baby boomers are alive, vibrant and well!!!!! We can work and study same as anyone. Just cause you're young doesn't mean you'll stay in nursing forever. Doesn't mean you'll be a better nurse either.