Going to Nursing School at an Older Age

Published

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?

Hi..i am in nursing school and i will soon be 56..i graduate in December. You are never too old to do what you want to do ! Wishing you all the luck !:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you should absolutely go for it! If want to do it and you are ready for the challenge then all you have to do is do it; believe me, if you have good grades and wonderful recommendations you will get a seat. Schools usually like to have a fairly diverse student population so they do accept some older students.

I applied to an accelerated nursing school when I was 40 and was accepted, so I started the next year when I was 41. I was in the top 5 oldest students in the class, but so what? I did my work and studied hard and graduated with honors in just one year! Did I mention that I had just given birth to my daughter a year before, so not only was I an old student, but I was an ancient new mother!

After graduation, I took the NCLEX and finished it in probably under an hour after answering only 75 questions, then I applied for a job at a community hospital and was hired! The unit is fairly busy, but not like the trauma unit I worked on during clinicals; I didn't like that pace so I decided to work in a community hospital.

I feel like I bring a wealth of experience with me as I am new to this game, but not the game. I mostly work with older patients and I feel like I can relate to them more because I am older myself. There are so many areas of nursing that you can do just about anything. And BTW, who says you only have 20 more years to work? I had clinical instructors and educators who were pretty old.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I finished a placement in the OR last fall. We had a 69 year old semi-retired RN come in once in a while to cover shifts. She is a nurse for maybe 45 years or so now. The point is, she still loves the job, and she makes good money as a senior level nurse. She can now choose when she wants to work.

Also, the OR is a sweet job, for those of you who like OR. Not too much stress, you're one on one, everything is clean and organized, and I enjoyed working with the docs. I would work OR again in a heartbeat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just took my entrance exam yesterday to go to Nursing School as an LPN (to start), I will be 52 in November! Total change of career for me but I am excited! I got 95% on the exam and haven't studied or gone to school in over 30 years.. so I felt pretty proud of myself. I also finished the 3 hours test in 2 hours.. not rushing, I just didn't need any more time.

I am also looking forward to helping people when they are sick and had surgery, and as much as I know it'll be stressful at times, all jobs can be like that... and political too.... yep, they are all like that too! But it'll be so nice to get a paycheck that I didn't have to write myself!!! Yes I am leaving business ownership to do this!!! I am a real believer in follow your dreams, whichever way they take you, and just go for it... Or you will just always feel like, shoulda, woulda, coulda!!! Don't let anyone talk you out of it if it's what you really want to do!!! Good Luck all.. I am starting Sept 27th... IF I can get my equivelant of High School Diploma from the school in England that i *graduated* from... not what they normally do, so it's going to be a challenge!!!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA going for LPN.

Hello Everyone....

I just turned 44 years old this past June. My plans include the PN program at Fortis Institute this coming September. I've often wondered if it's all for naught at my age, but it's truely where my heart is. If I don't pursue my dreams, than I know I will definitely regret it later. I'm going for the gusto no matter what anyone says or thinks !!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

age , simply has little to do with it . There is no mandatory retirement . I started at Kettering Medical arts college in Dayton Ohio at the age of 55 , I took a year and 6 mos, of prerequisites at our local community college and with a 3.7 gpa I was immediately accepted , this is a nationally well known medical college , not only that , I applied for a PCT support position( Nurses aid )at a large level one trauma hospital and was immediately hired , I thought it would be good experience while I am in school. most of my young nursing student friends can't get a job as a PCT , I know women in their 20's and 30's that can't get into Kettering . I am told that alot of schools and hospitals would rather have the older student /employee , face it . We are settled down . no pregnancy leave , children are usually old enough to not cause time off of work , and we relate to patients better generally . And we are usually very good students that complete assignments on time . I have 12 children only 6 at home anymore , I know how to work hard . Never let age , be it young or old , stop you from doing what you want , the value is in the person

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, I am 53 yrs old and starting nursing school in January 2011. I have been a police officer over 25 yrs and I just wanted to do something different with my life. Learning new things is an ongoing process until the day you die. Never give up your dreams. You can succeed in whatever you put your mind to. I do expect nursing school to be challenging and I am looking forward to it. If you do not use your brain, you will lose it just like everything else.:idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Liver, lung and kidney transplants.

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. You can only practice 20 years???? First of all 20 years is a loonnngg time. Just think of all the good you can do, all the money you can earn, and all the satisfaction you will have in your life. And you don't have to retire at 60 you can work forever, with a MSN you can teach future nurses, we need professors so badly. Probably half of all students don't even make it through nursing school, and I would bet a lot of these candidates are younger. I went back to school at 30, got my BSN at 43, my MSN at 53, and I'm going back at 60 for my DNP, because when I "retire" from nursing I am planning to teach. I think we need to think about having to work way past traditional retirement time because of the economic times we are in. You are not "taking" anyone's place, you are fulfilling your dreams. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If being a nurse is what you want to do, then go for it. Unless there's a rule that says you have to retire at a certain age, then the only limit on how long you'll be nursing is you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

I'll be 45 when I'm done with the BSN program. I'll be close to 50 probably when I'm finally done with my ultimate dream of being a NP. I know many nurses who are in their 70's and 80's who are totally alert, and on their toes. Even at a later age, there are always not so demanding jobs for the nursing profession. Don't ever let age be a determination of you getting to your goal. You're going to be 70 at some point in your life, why not be 70 and doing a job you love to do????

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

I'm 52 years old, and am back in school, an online program, for my LPN to RN. So, age is only a number, I still have 20 some good years of work left in me. As far as the nursing shortage being a myth, yeah right! Tell that to my employer! We don't have enough nurses to keep up with the demand. Same as the two nursing homes in my town, the hospital, and the Dr's offices. Not to mention the other medical offices and the ARC.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am glad that your co-worker is not in HR! The nursing shortage would be more severe with such a philosophy.

Most of the students in my nursing class were ages 30 - 65 and all of us excelerated very well with A/B averages. We asked questions in class, did our homework, had the best Major Nursing Care Plans, excelled in clinicals, and enjoyed the program.

There were a few "young ones" who were in the program because their mothers made them join and one really wanted to be a rocker. You can surmise the results.

Graduation was wonderful with all of the academic honors going to the 40+ students. My first job was two months after I passed the NCLEX. We are all working and I am in management now.

Good Luck to you and enjoy the experience; it is incredible!

Nurse Smiley :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion