Going to RN program at age 40--crazy?

I am 46 and just starting out. Maybe I should be locked up for my own good.....

Seriously, there are many, many threads on this. I am in school with more than one person in their 50s and 60s, so I have no idea what is too old. If you think you are 40 and too old, then perhaps you are!

I'm 41, already have a BA and am ready for a new career. I know my life experience will make this easier vs. being right out of high school. I'm retaking my chemistry, microbiology (the schools I would like to attend only want them 7 years old) and also taking A & P I, II to get it out of the way- I'll be working full time while attending an evening and weekend program. You SO can do this. Look at it this way- You and I can't collect social security until we are 70, so we've got about 30 years ahead of us. I know I will enjoy nursing better than what I'm doing now.

Good Luck!:wink2:

I've been an RN for a little over 2 years. Graduated school at 53.

you are by no means too old to be a nurse. i also have a close friend who happens to be 40 and is pursing a nursing degree. he's a male. at nursing orientation this year, there were numerous people in the lecture hall that were clearly in their 30, 40's and even 50s. my sister in law is 36 and will be going back to school to get her rn degree in 2011. those are just a few examples.

i think middle aged nurses can bring to the profession what their younger counterparts cannot, namely wisdom that comes with age and emotional maturity that takes time to develop.

you are not too old.

be happy, accept yourself, and you'll make a great nurse.

No way!

40 is FAR from "old," and I tend to think that there really is no age limit on learning, self-improvement and service to others---all of these come with the territory while studying to become/becoming an RN.

I'm 33, also have a Bachelor's in an unrelated field, have a 20 month old, a just-turned-4 year old and a traveling husband! So, if you're crazy, then so am I! Best of luck to you!!!!

Well if it is, maybe we could share a room at the asylum? I'm 42 and having a blast.

Do it if it is in your heart.

You are never too old to learn. I went back for my RN at age 38 with a 10 year old son with Asperger's autism, daughter starting high school, another starting kindergarden and 3 part-time jobs! I loved it so much I went back and got my BSN. I now have a nice office job and a part-time teaching job as well in the evenings. I feel that as an older student, I was more focused. Also, at our age, there aren't a lot of scholarships so paying the whole tab for school makes you want to achieve your goals. Go for it! You are in great company!

Nope. You aren't crazy. Go for it. My mom got her nursing degree at age 50. She hasn't regretted it for a second. I was and am so proud of her. She has always been a wonderful role model.

Only you can decide that.

Being the devil's advocate, maybe some people are too old to start over after 40.

Being a new graduate is humbling enough when you are an inexperienced 22 year old. How about when you have been a success in your previous career and now you are entry-level?

I would recommend shadowing some nurses to get a good idea about exactly what nurses do.

Is this what you really want to do? Is there enough determination and drive to get you through school, or a half-hearted effort.

I became an LPN at age 38 and an RN at age 40. If I had tried to do this in my twenties I don't believe it would have worked out at that age. I think my life experiences and older age are reasons why I was able to graduate and graduate with honors despite being a mom to 4 and having to work. I have another 30 years of working in front of me. :) Go for it if it's something you will enjoy.

As long as you are willing to learn, no age is too old. I read some-where that in Iowa the average age of our nurses is 44yrs old. At 40, you have many years to be productive as a nurse. My grandmother was 40yrs old when she started nsg back in 1962..... She became a nurse, and i followed her footsteps at age 34.....

I just started a nursing program this year and I am 39. Many people in my class are older than me. Some are in their 50's and I even think we might have a couple in their 60's. As an age, 40 is not too old. It is more of a personal decision of where you are in your life and where do you want to be. 40 is young!!