I am a married mother of 4 boys. I've been a homemaker for the last 10 years (with the occasional seasonal job). After terrible incidents at daycares, my hubby and I decided that it'd be best for me to care for the young ones at home (cheaper, too).
Meanwhile, I've been taking courses over the years in hopes of becoming an RN after my boys are older.
Soon... my boys will be living their own lives and I wanted to be able to pick up where I left off years ago.
QUESTION: Do you think it will be very difficult for a 40 year old to get an RN position?
No I don't think so, I was 55 when I graduated from my BSN program and then took the NCLEX for licensing. Had 3 job offers and now work as a Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist for a major medical center in Central California (past 5 years). To go back to school and become an RN over 50 was the best decision I ever made.
I graduated at 45 3 years ago. Keep in mind that being an "older" person as a new nurse can be a good thing too. We approach people differently than the younger ones do and that can be helpful with some patients and many supervisors realize that so they look for a good age balance in their staffing too.
I graduated nursing school at 44 (after 13 years of being a stay at home mom with no work experience), took 6 months to land my dream job at my preferred hospital. 3 years later I couldn't be happier.
I graduated in 2014 at the age of 49 with a BSN! I also have a BS & MBA. I left my career in business to raise my family. I started back to school when my son was in kindergarten. I took 1 class at a time. After I graduated I interviewed with the largest teaching hospital in my area. I was offered a position before I had even passed my nclex. I do not think my age hurt me in any way in obtaining the position. They knew they were getting a responsible adult. I started on the night shift (horrible shift but continued to allow one of us to always be home with the kids) but I didn't quite fit in on the night shift. We were all new grads but I was 20 years older than my peers. After 1 1/2 years I posted into my current dream job. I work 2 days a week 12 hour shifts & every 3rd holiday & 3rd weekend. My peers are my age but have 10-20 years more seniority & experience then I do. i still learn a lot every day. My patients think I have all that experience too because of my age. That will happen to you too. In fact some patients request an older nurse. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat but I wish I had done it when I was your age. Good luck to you!
mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN
3,320 Posts
No. Half my class was closer to 40 than 20. We all got jobs. I was 47.
Good Luck!