How old is too old to become a new RN?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

I was thinking of oral surgery. I worked as a CNA part time for awhile while still working in the dental office, so I am fully aware that nursing is hard work. I would have kept at it but I could not keep working 7 days a week so I gave up the CNA job. Med/Surg or ICU interest me too.

Oral surgery positions would be limited, but you may have the background to give you an edge. Most offices would want OR experience. You have enough connections to scope that out now.

Med-surg and ICU are those backbreaking positions we are referring to.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

CathyH · Jul 12, 2016

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.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

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.

Per diem is usually something you can do after gaining experience. Most new grads aren't hired that way.

As far as the 40 openings ...there are different ways to look at that. The place could be grossly understaffed and chaotic with high turnover and high ratios. In south Texas, it was easy to get hired as a new grad. The down side was I had eight patients and an LVN to cover with eight patients. Finding work in southern California was a little tougher (even with experience), but I only have five patients (or less) and no LVN to cover.

I've also noticed that hospitals tend to "run" the same jobs forever whether they're actually available at the moment, or not.

Please keep in mind that I'm a "worst case scenario" type of person ...always looking for things that could go wrong and trying to prevent them.

djh123 · Jul 12, 2016

I got my BSN at 54. It should've been 1-3 years earlier, but there were bumps along the way. I've heard of people getting a nursing degree at 60 or older. As some others are saying, I think it depends somewhat on money, on how long you'll be in school (you mentioned ADN, so that takes a bit less time), and how much you want to do it. It may not apply to you and your situation, but I've said - sometimes have had to say - "Better late than never" about a lot of things in life, not just getting the nursing degree.

California92 · Jul 12, 2016

Cathy,

My advice to you would be to reach out to your local hospitals and speak to their HR department. You want to make sure that they even hire people with an ADN degree. From what I've heard and have seen... depending where you live they prefer an BSN vs an ADN. Honestly you are never too old to go back to school. Just do research, talk to people at your local community college, talk to other ASN's, etc. Hope this helps and wish you the best of luck :)

LuvScience · Jul 12, 2016

Since you have been working towards paying off bills and saving money, it sounds like you are in a relativity good position to go back to school now if you choose to. However, I do not recommend doing so. IMHO anyone in their late 50(s) with a well established and decent paying career is better off saving for retirement rather than changing careers. Other posters have mentioned the potential downsides of becoming a nurse near age 60 so I won't repeat them. If you simply miss working with patients and desire to better yourself then my suggestion is to find fulfillment through volunteer work and/or new hobbies.

Good luck with your decision.

Guest957596 · Jul 12, 2016

I do not want to be a debbie downer but it sounds that you would be close to 60 by the time you are done. It is not easy to find a job for new grads and your age will be a disadvantage. Also, think about the money - will you have to take out a loan? What is your expectation for working as a nurse?
I know somebody who went to get a masters in nursing when she was in her 50s but she was already a nurse for decades. You would be a brand new nurse.
What is it that draws you back to school?
My honest feedback is that I have a hard time to imagine you being successful but perhaps I am wrong.

I agree that if you need to take out loans it might be a problem. And the job market for nurses where you live is an issue to be considered. Having said that, I just finished an ASN program , passed NCLEX, and was hired into a New Grad program right away. I didn't need financial aid, thank God. I'm in Northeast Florida where the job market is pretty good. I'm 58.

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malamud69, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

Too old??? Death...otherwise go for it!

Guest957596 · Jul 12, 2016

I personally think there is no age that is too high to become a Nurse. That is just MHO at age 34. I do believe that situations can be less than advantageous to become a Nurse, such as serious age related diseases that cause severe pain. (An extreme situation) Or if you are currently in massive debt and intend to borrow more in order to make this dream come true.
You could choose a community college for education and graduate debt free. You are never too old to follow your path to happiness. Age is just a number, your health is not. :)

"It is never too old to be what you might have been" George Eliot

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nutella, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

one other thought - if you are drawn to provide care but decide not to go ahead with nursing school - you can always look into volunteering for hospice for example.

GourmandG · Jul 12, 2016

Hi CathyH,

First of all, I think it's great that you want to pursue your life long dream of being a nurse! I admire your courage for being willing to go back to school after so many years off, knowing what you want and being willing to go for it.

With that being said, here are several things to consider:

-If you are pursuing your ADN through community college: My college has a lottery system meaning after I've completed the list of requirements (prerequisite classes, acceptable GPA, TEAS score, application etc) I don't immediately get in. I'm put in a pool with other applicants and only so many of us gets accepted each semester. I was fortunate enough to have gotten in on my first try but my classmate wasn't as lucky and had to try 7 times before getting into the program! Are you willing to wait? Do you have to repeat any courses because they expired? Do you need to repeat a course to bring up your GPA? Go to the school that you are interested in and speak with a guidance counselor whom can tell you which classes you need in order to qualify for the ADN. Check out different ones as their requirement will differ. Apply at more than one at the same time. Knowing the time frame will aid in your decision. A lot of people are under the assumption that an ADN only takes 2 years but if you are going the community college route, this is the length of time for the actual program, excluding the years of prerequisite courses. Don't forget you still have to pass the NCLEX! I read someone else's post just the other day that it was her 10th attempt!

-Research employment opportunities in your area. Go inside the hospital and see if you can speak to a hiring manager whom can give you more information. Since ageism is supposed to be illegal, he won't be able to give you an honest answer but perhaps you can observe the nursing staff to get a better sense of what age range they are willing to hire. The mature nurses that you see, are they new hires? Or have they been there forever and nearing retirement?

-Consider volunteering in order to network and get your foot in the door. Check out the hospital's volunteer opportunities on their website. I saw one where one can volunteer by helping the patients get ready in the morning / get ready for bed (washing face, brushing hair and teeth, restroom etc) which will satisfy your desire to work directly with patients. Tell them you are considering leaving your existing career for nursing school and ask if it is possible to shadow an RN for an entire shift. After that, you may decide against it! :)

-However, I do caution attempting a new career at this late stage. If completing an ADN is something that you hold close to your heart and you're doing it for yourself (even if you don't get a job in the field), by all means, go for it! But if you are doing it for the money, it may not be worth it due to the reality that you may not be hired. New grads very rarely get hired right after graduating. The majority move out of state to get 1-2 years experience before moving back home. Is this something you would be willing to do? New hires also tend to get stuck with the shifts that nobody wants. How are you at working a 12 hour night shift? And the only place that would hire you is 2 hours away?

-Let's say it's been a year since graduating and you still haven't found a job. Are you able to manage on one income? If you can't get your old job back, how likely will you be at getting a new job? How will the lost of your seasoned income vs entry level income effect your family?

-You mentioned not having the opportunity to go back to patient care after managing an office...why is this? Have a conversation with your employer. If it is due to being away from chair side for too long, use your years of service to pull favor and see if there are any refresher classes/ certifications that you can complete to get back to assisting chair side again. Is it possible to shadow someone in the office? Search for dental assisting openings in your area to see what the requirements are and go from there. Maybe you can help chair side if they are busy but keep your current position?

-Also do some job searches, use salary.com and other online tools to get an idea of what the RNs are getting paid in your area. Some states pay better than others. If and when you do get a job as an RN, will you even make as much as you currently do with your 21 years of service? Some hospitals will only hire if one has a BSN and there will also be continuing education to keep up your nursing skills.

Lastly, I apologize for the long reply. I feel as though you haven't done enough research based on your comments regarding your nurse friend whom told you about those 40 openings and wanting to work per diem / as a traveling nurse. Pretend that you are already a nurse and start looking for jobs in order to see the minimum qualifications. I put a lot of time and thought into my answers and sincerely hope I have assisted you with your decision. If in your situation, I personally would stay at the current job for job security, seniority, benefits and retirement purposes and volunteer at the hospital for the patient interaction. You've worked hard so you are meant to take it easy. Don't invite unnecessary stress. I'm not saying you can't do it. I just wanted to ensure you have the facts in order to make an informed decision. The only decision that matters is the one that is right for you and your situation. Good luck!

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

I look at everything in terms of percentages and probabilities.

I think the probability of you having a successful and rewarding nursing career beginning in your late 50's is relatively low. But low probability isn't no probability so if you really want to and you're inclined to take risks, go for it.