How old is too old to become a new RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am 56, and have been a dental assistant for the last 21 years. At my age, am I too old to pursue earning an ADN? I am concerned about employment opportunities at the age of 58 when I graduate. I would appreciate any honest feedback from experienced nurses. Thanks😃

When I was in nursing school there was a student that graduated at 59. I thought that was really old at the time

Now I'm going on 63 this year, been a nurse for almost 30 years. I wanted to be a nurse so bad I could taste it. Best decision I ever made. I say go for it. My body is worn out, I hurt a lot. But I'm currently doing pediatric home care. I take care of two kids. One I am busy with all night, suctioning, changing braces, etc. The other is 3 nights a week, I watch movies, answer email, snack. It's ooretty easy. One of the other nurses I work with is almost 80.

I wish you the best of luck. If you really want it you can. You just have to make it work for you.

Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.
Please do not let any of these negative comments get you down. I am appalled at the age discrimination comments. With a few more years and jobs behind you, you are a better candidate for management than new young grads. Clinical is not all hard labor. In fact, most facilities have procedures for teaming or use of lifts for heavy patient lifting. I am just so appalled at the number of people who want to discourage you on so many levels!

Community colleges is where most nursing school is done. They are not always free but are much less than special nursing schools or universities. In my area, they run about 1500 per semester and the ADN programs are 4 to 7 semesters. That is not a "mountain of debt."

The programs are rigorous, stupidly so in my opinion. The material is much more volume and much more difficulty crammed into the same timeframe as 30-40 years ago, and those programs need serious overhaul to make this kind of education available to everyone, not just the very rich or very poor...but also to those who need to work.

I suggest you check into the prereqs you will need for admissions. Science credits will usually expire after 7-10 years and may need repeated. Programs vary in requirements. For instance, some require chemistry and math, some do not. All will require anatomy and physiology, probably microbiology, usually psychology and usually nutrition. But psych will carry over, it doesn't age off...mine was 20 years old and it transferred. You probably had that for your dental program.

Don't let ANY of that intimidate you. However, I suggest you compare a 4 year BSN program to a year or so of prereqs and an ADN program. Many of my classmates wished they had gone the BSN route and it wasn't so compressed as ADN programs.

You might consider getting a job at a hospital that has tuition assistance. Then you can try on the employer - they often require you work there for 3-5 years or pay them back. Could be job security.

Most of all, if you feel up to it, do not let age be a factor. There is no magic retirement age. I plan to work until my 70's. There are unfit people at any age, more today than ever before, who probably couldn't handle it, so don't let their weakness and shortcomings and self doubt define you.

I was in my 50's during nursing school and did not find any if it, including clinical, to be physically demanding. Mentally, yes. Sleep deprivation, yes. I also worked fulltime.

Nursing homes and hospitals have more physical demands, but doctors offices do not. Walk in clinics do not. You don't have to tie yourself to bedside in this career.

You will deal with young "know it alls" and that will include many of your instructors. I don't know what it is about this profession but it brings out some of the worst, meanest, back-stabbingest people I have witnessed in my life.

It is true, piss off one instructor, and five more will be mean for no reason. At least I hear of this often, and witnessed it firsthand. Every one of my classmate friends could tell a similar story. Although I believe there are better schools than mine. Mine prided themselves so much in nclex pass rate they stopped teaching as much as they just threw barriers in your way so if you could self teach yourself and pass their hurdles you were likely to pass the nclex.

Thats another very misleading thing. Don't pick a school purely on their nclex pass rate. Those with very high pass rates just fail a lot more students. Who cares if a pass rate is 93 or 97 or 100. Anything in the 90s is excellent. Unless you have always been in the bottom 10 percent of your class, those numbers should not intimidate you. This number has a different meaning if the testing class was 30 people or 300 people. Compare their enrollment number or max class size to graduating class size. How many people are they failing to keep their nclex pass rate high? 100 percent pass rate probably means 50 percent of applicants don't pass the program. Nothing to be proud of, and you can't call that education. It's simply filtering, culling.

Nursing school is nothing like the real deal. It's a whole different animal, you will learn more on the job. School is full of protocol and idealism. Each facility has its own standards that won't likely match anything classroom. Nursing school is how you get your license. It isn't necessarily how you will do the job.

A friend of mine said her mother in law went back nursing school at 58. That was 10 years ago. She loves her job as an LPN in a nursing home. She had no schooling prior to that.

Let me know if you want to talk by phone. Don't let people discourage you. Best wishes!

One point of contention: A school with a high NCLEX pass rate SHOULD be a consideration.

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Specializes in BSN, RN-BC, NREMT, EMT-P, TCRN.
Everyone seems to be either "its hard work, better think twice" or "just don't do it.." OR the "follow your dreams, etc." camps. I'd say, you're not too old if you realize your limitations. First: school's going to be harder. Despite your background, you'll need some refreshing b4 you start (unless your CNA required Microbio and AP 1/2, and some basic math/algebra, etc.). That will add to your 2 years. Also, you need to know that even with desire and strength of will: You really can't do what the kids do. At least not for any length of time. 4 or 5 (or sometimes even 6) 12 hour shifts a week will become very difficult after a while. BUT, there are aspects of the field you can absolutely work in if you're willing. Procedural medicine at an outpatient clinic (or inpatient at some hospitals) is typically set hours, going home on time and you usually get your lunch (and to go to the bathroom!). This involves surgery, oncology, etc. Working as a TCM (Telephonic case manager) or FCM (Field case mgr) is also fine work. You clearly have the skill set for that already so you may feel you want something much different. But believe it or not, TCM/FCM is more satisfying than people realize. You could do most of these jobs well into your 60's and 70's. And that's just a few positions that come to mind. It's a very big field. Experience is better and helps in all these jobs but oh well, you're not the only person to change fields later in their career.

Some folks have recommended a public community college. I agree w/ that recommendation. Your entire tuition may run only 10-12k. And you can typically work while going. Clinicals in school can be a challenge but not nearly as difficult as some folks are making out. PLUS, your CNA exposure will help you tremendously.

Jsuk, I went back to school in my 40's. It was hard but not terrible. AND, I was by no means the oldest person in the Nursing program. Nor the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. oldest. The folks older than me also did just fine.

I think you should do what you want. If you're bored with your work and want to learn something new, I think you'll find it very refreshing. And exciting. And rejuvenating. And bursting into tears stressful. Also jsuk, the kids in the program accepted me pretty well. On the whole, it was fun. VERY stressful but still fun. But again, you should go back to school knowing that there could be some limitations on the work you'll want to choose when you graduate. Good luck with whatever you choose and let us know how things go!

Jsuk? Please don't use text acronyms. I believe this is spelled out in the Terms of Service. Just so you know.

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HOW Old ?

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I started ADN program at 54, passed boards at 56. Having been an office worker, the walking / standing was one of the barriers, sleep became another. Never missed a clinical day, was never late. You need teamwork to succeed, and establishing a connection with younger folks was a challenge. Your other concern may be the BSN / MSN requirements that are starting to appear on job openings. Research, because you may find you need more than a two year commitment, but some places will hire if you are in an advanced program. TALK with some nurses working in your area of interest to learn the reality vs belief of the job pressures & duties.. BTW I am a male and there were occasional speed bumps because of that issue.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Depends on how you feel. Do you feel like a 56 years old? Do you move slow and immobile? If you are still active and you like to stay active, no age is too old. I am 48 but I feel like 25. People say I look like in 30. I am planning on going back to school to get my nurse practitioner degree. I have been a nurse for 11 years. It is not easy to be a nurse, if you can pick some easier specialty to go into, it will be much better for your body. The 1st year is the hardest because you need to get experience in the hospital but it will get better. Once you get your foot in, you will be fine. Believe me, you can do it if you put your mind into it.

I have been told by a friend who is a nurse in oncology that there are 40 openings for nurses at the hospital in our area. There are a lot of traveling nurses that come here to fill those spots. I thought about working per diem also. Thanks for your input.

Sometimes jobs are advertised or openings exist, but there is no plan to actually hire people to fill them.

Or some jobs are reserved for only current employees to take.

I don't know that you are too old, but do check out the job market where you want to work. Are you open to things like working in a jail, prison, doctor's office, school, long-term care facility or skilled nursing facility, home health, mental hospital, Public Health (usually hired by a city, county, or state), or anywhere but a medical/surgical hospital? It might be easier to find work other than in a hospital. The Federal government also employs nurses in various departments/agencies.

Something to think about - some surgeons hire their own nurse or dental hygienist to assist them in oral surgery when it has to be done in a hospital. If you could find a position like that, would you take it or still want to do Nursing? Just something to think about.

Why can't you work chairside after being a manager?

You will likely work til at least your full retirement age. I think, per Social Security, you would need to not file to receive your full retirement amount til age 67 or 68. Check SS website on that for correct information.

My point is that you have a good 10 or more years still to work, so I guess spending a couple of those years getting fitted for a new career would be worth it. And nothing says you would have to stop working even after ten years. A lot of people keep working at least part-time even if they are past full retirement age.

Best wishes whichever way you choose to go.

Specializes in Psych,LTC,.

You are too old when you lack capacity to pass boards.

Age is protected area so far as employment. But things might always be what they should.

Might be worth considering in a career change later in life. It might be a little more difficult to find a job. You probably will find one, it just may be more difficult.

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

There is obviously a large split between people who say this is not a good idea and people who say anything is possible. I would encourage you to consider that the majority of people who say this is not a good idea are experienced nurses, and the majority who are saying anything is possible are people who have recently attempted or are attempting what you are contemplating, and have not yet felt the full impact of their decision. I wonder if all these 55+ year old students and new grads will be working as nurses and as enthusiastic about it in ten years. Perhaps some of them will- it is certainly true that anything is possible.

One thing that not as many people mentioned is the full financial weight of the decision. Unless you will be able to work full time during school (which is unlikely, unless your employer is very flexible and you are very, very fit and able- even as a twentysomething, I struggled to work half-time during nursing school, and peers who were working full time often stood up in the aisles through lectures to avoid falling asleep at their desks), you must consider not only the cost of tuition but also the lost income from your schooling years.

Entirely leaving aside whether or not you will find fulfillment in nursing, you should look at: how much total tuition will cost at the program you are considering, how much income you will lose during your years of school, and what the difference is between your likely starting salary as a new graduate nurse and what you make now. Calculate how many years it will take to recoup those financial losses, and consider the age you will be when you begin making a profit on this new career. Consider that many new grads do not start working immediately after graduation- allow at least six months to pass boards and be hired, and know that it may take longer or require a move to another area to find new grad programs willing to hire you.

Are your retirement and savings account well ahead of where they needs to be now in order for you to retire comfortably, so you can take a several year brake from contributing to them? Will you be required to take on educational debt to achieve this goal, and if so, will that debt represent a burden to yourself or your family if you are unable to repay it by obtaining a higher paying job later? Nursing has a high burnout and injury rate, and though nobody has a crystal ball for what health challenges the future holds, the floor nurses in their sixties and seventies I know are VERY MUCH the exception, not the rule- and most of them are experienced nurses at the end of their careers who have the professional and knowledge capital to bargain with coworkers and management to avoid the heaviest labor. New grads are not granted the same privileges, and though age discrimination is illegal, it is still ABSOLUTELY true that given equally inexperienced young and old applicants, many managers will choose the younger employee, and that many older employees who do find work in youth-dominated fields face discrimination from their coworkers, especially if they lack experience.

The only way I would say moving from an established career to nursing in one's late fifties/early sixties is a good idea is if:

1. You are already comfortably set for retirement and can afford several years of not contributing to those savings without going off-track,

2. You have a financial cushion in the form of enough savings or a well-earning spouse whose salary is enough to support you both during school and after, if necessary,

3. You are in excellent physical health and already very active, and foresee still being able to work 1-2 years of night shifts on a floor unit 4 years from now,

4. You are enthusiastic and optimistic about the prospect of working enough years after retirement to recoup the cost of school and earnings lost during school.

5. You have a realistic grasp of the fact that even if in the best case scenario, you are able to do all those things, there are multiple reasons that you might not achieve the best case scenario, and are at peace with the possibility of starting this path and NOT ending in a profitable and satisfying career as a nurse- which is in fact the outcome for a large number of people who attempt to become nurses at any age.

Dreams are all very well but there are a lot of ways to achieve the dream of helping people that are lower financial risk than embarking on a new career less than a decade from the age most people retire. If this is a financially sound choice for you and you really want to do it, go for it. If it's not financially sound, and I think for most people who are already making a good income it is not financially sound, I would strongly encourage you to seek ways to rediscover the satisfaction in your current career and work with people in ways that don't involve thousands of dollars in debt and lost income in what should be the period where you reap the rewards of experience and expertise in your field, not begin again as a high-risk newbie.

I started the RN path at 47 and, no, I don't think you will be too old. Y ou sound like a solid planner with a long held dream. Make a plan, work your plan and don't give up.

Hi Cathy,

I saw your post and it resonated with me as I am a new grad with a new job and I will be 58 years old this January. I found that from the moment I decided to return to school and pursue an ADN/RN degree that there was a lot of help and encouragement available to me. I am a retired person from a very successful first career but was not ready to "coast into retirement." Nursing school was hard, but finding a job was not. I am very excited and happy with my new life and wouldn't trade it for anything. I may be older than most new nurses but I am also mentally and physically tough. I don't think any of my classmates would question my dedication or ability to do my job. Decide what you want and follow your dream! You can do it!

Go for it. I'm starting a med-surg position as a new grad at age 60 next week. I worked 12 hour shifts as a nurse extern on that unit last summer, and I handled it well. I had the experience to learn how to manage my energy, taking breaks to sit when possible and making sure to stay hydrated. I was often in better shape than some of the youngest students or nurses by the end of my extern and clinical shifts. I take good care of myself on my days off. Will I be able to do this under 70? I don't know, but I'm going to enjoy the time I have. The life experience I have has served me well so far.

I am 54 and have just been accepted into a bachelor nursing program starting in January. I decided to go back to school after having a career and raising my children. I just finished all of my prerequisites and corequisites which were hard because I hadn't been to school in over 30 years. I felt that every class was hard because it had been so long since I had learned them or used them. English, algebra, all of the science classes and don't forget about chemistry. But I just took it one step at a time, one class time, one semester at a time. For me the hardest part was memorizing the information and then remembering it all. I should graduate when I'm 57 with my BSN. I do worry if I will be hired but I try and remind myself that I have worried every semester about every class and I still did well. I am in a blessed situation at this time in my life that I do not have to work but now I want to fulfil my own dreams which is to be a nurse and to help others. I am hoping that my passion will help me get a job after I graduate. I won't accumulate any debt because I am doing this at the community college which is very affordable.

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