How old is too old to become a new RN?

medical_zebra · Jul 28, 2016

Veteranarian going to nurse? Something wrong here. That's like an MD going to nursing school- going backwards.
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Not really. She is a very intelligent individual with extreme zest for life and tons of energy. She has many interests and wants to pursue them all. Nursing will be her 4th career. She did mention an issue with the lack of commitment from other coworkers as well as it being difficult to carry on with her own practice and the hours were insane. It was also hard to put furbabies down. She obviously knew that was part of the job, but after so many years it becomes emotionally exhausting. She wanted more human to human interaction and human physiology is fascinating to her. I think she is actually going for nurse technology.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Jul 28, 2016

65 is 9 years away for her, but who says 65 is retirement?

For full benefits of social security, the retirement age has been creeping up. Yet, there is nothing that says you have to retire at that age.

hramach · Nov 12, 2017

Hi, I just posted that I was 57 and planning on beginning my pre reqs for ADN in Spring 2018 while I keep my full time teaching job. I really admire the person who wants to begin her ADN at her age. I am getting conflicting advice on how difficult it might be when one is beginning at close to 60.

But if the finances are in order, and you are able to keep your full time job while you do your pre reqs and ADN, it is still worthwhile as a lot of my friends have assured me. It might depend on the individual and their health. I find it more tiring and aging to be sedentary.

Of course, I plan to talk with a nursing academic adviser at my local community college in the next couple of months. I will also find out the cost. And I know that there is an evening/weekend program at the local cc. So, thinking pragmatically about it and being open to changing one's mind after taking a few pre reqs might be the way to go. Yes, age is just a number, but we also need to know what we want at any stage in our lives and what we are willing to do to get there.

hramach · Nov 12, 2017

For full benefits of social security, the retirement age has been creeping up. Yet, there is nothing that says you have to retire at that age.

Some of would want ideally want to work at least part-time until we die happily, fulfilled...

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2017

It is something that I have been wanting to do since my kids were little. My husband was career military so we moved a lot and I spent many months working full time raising my kids alone while he was away fulfilling his military obligations. I have been working the past 12 years to get bills paid off so I would not have to take out loans and could quit working to focus on nursing school. So, no, I would not take out loans. I have been a dental assistant for the past 21 years. I am now managing the office which means I don't get to work chairside any more. I do mostly paperwork and administrative duties. I miss patient care and there is really no opportunity to go back to assisting once you have managed an office. I feel stale in my current occupation and I have always enjoyed learning. Thank you for your honest opinion.

Before I became a nurse I worked as a secretary in a variety of mostly pleasant but somewhat boring jobs. I wanted to do more and use my brain and be more challenged. Well nursing is definitely challenging, but way too stressful and physically challenging and how I wish I could afford to go back to being a secretary. I would never complain again about being bored!

Maybe for you it would be different. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you really want to do it and can afford it without taking out loans then go for it. Just think long and hard if you would be really happy and if you have the connections to get an oral surgery RN job. If you do try to go to the cheapest school say the local public community tech school.

I came from a working class family and never expected college was for me. I was smart so I was pressured to do pre-college classes in high school but also took business & secretarial training for practical reasons. I worked full time for an insurance company for two years before going back to school. I meandered thru college taking liberal arts classes working part time and going to school part time, but eventually realized a BA/BS degree would not help me get a better job than a secretary. At that point I buckled down and went to nursing school.

Don't get me wrong, I loved those early years and going to college was fun and nursing school came easy for me. But in the long wrong I could have saved a lot of money if I hadn't done that. Or perhaps I could have gone on some incredible vacations or have my home paid off or enough money in the bank so I could retire early. For many years I questioned if nursing school was worth it when I was paying off my high interest student loans which I occurred in nursing school. Prior to that I could afford to take classes part time without loans and lived with roommates so I didn't feel poor.

Are you sure you really need to be a nurse to feel fulfilled in life? Can't you find other things to enjoy like vacations or hobbies or family/friend get-togethers.

Pokytrokyt · Nov 12, 2017

I decided to bag a long career in IT to make a difference in other people's lives before I retired. At age 57 started an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program at Georgetown Univ. Finished at age 59. I'm now 65, working as an oncology nurse at a hospital in DC.

You're NEVER too old to do something new. Go for it!

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2017

It isn't that someone is "too old" to go to school, or too old to learn, but ageism is alive and well in the workplace. Nursing can be hard work, with lots of pulling, pushing, lifting, running around like crazy, and leaves even young nurses exhausted. That said, it is like every other job~ if there is a dire need, you would get hired; if there isn't a dire need, they will select someone younger. If there ever is a lay-off, the older ones are most often the first to go. Good luck whatever you do.