How old is too old to become a new RN?

Career Columnist / Author · Jul 13, 2016

It's good to be both realistic, idealistic, and to know yourself well. Will you enjoy the process and challenge of going to school, even if your career turns out to be short lived? Do you have a burning desire to accomplish your life goal and become an RN? If so, don't let anything stop you.

But be prepared. Ageism is a reality in the employment world- read Ageism in Nursing. Are you prepared to strategize from Day One to succeed? You must start networking during your first clinical rotation. Make yourself known and memorable.

Have you researched the job market in your area? Are you willing to take a CNA position to help land an RN job down the road? Are you committed to doing whatever it takes? Read How to Land a Job in Nursing now, before you start school, to be mindful of what it takes to get hired.

Honestly- I would love to hear your story of success. It's inspiring to see someone achieve their goal, and I'm sure we all will applaud you, whatever your decision. Please keep us posted.

lissetgonzalez · Jul 13, 2016

Well I will say you really need to think about the disadvantages that it could have. You're not that far from retirement but it's all up to you. Good luck!

belljar1995, PhD, RN · Jul 13, 2016

If this is something that you want to do, then go for it. ! You only live once and as the saying goes.... regrets are often about the things we didn't do.... (or something like that!). The oral surgery track sounds interesting...I know that they have made some amazing progress in some techniques and the use of synethetic tissue...sounds like it could be a great field given your interest and experience. In my program we had people from ages 23-65, and everything in between and everyone made it through the RN phase and passed the nclex.

Mossback · Jul 13, 2016

There seem to be plenty of people telling you that you're too old to go into nursing. Based on my own experience, I don't think that's the case. I graduated from a BSN program at 60, passed the NCLEX, and was hired at a university-based medical center within eight weeks of getting my license. Six years later I'm still going strong, working 12-hour night shifts on a busy med/surg unit. Last year I got my master's degree in nursing while still working full time. In addition to a full nursing schedule, I'm currently working one day a week as a clinical instructor for a BSN program.

I'd encourage you to go for it. The insights and perspective gained during your life will help make you a better nurse.

RNmom127 · Jul 13, 2016

It's never too old. I say do it

Deb38 · Jul 13, 2016

Cathy,

If you have a desire in your heart to be a nurse, be a nurse. Follow what is in your heart, what path works for you both financially and emotionally. It will be difficult but what goals in life aren't? Anything you want in life is difficult! Will it be hard to find a job? Yes, it's always hard to find a job in ANY Field or area. The biggest factor to ask is what is it about nursing that attracts you, how will you get to that goal and what are you willing to do to get it. I've learned in my life that anything I wanted required hard work,but in the end it was worth it.

I am like you and changing careers after working in human resource management for 20+ years. I've heard so many opinions, that I finally had to stop listening to opinions and make decisions that were the best for me and my family. I researched, discerned and prayed for 2 years before deciding that I wanted to be a nurse.

I am fully aware of the challenges from working with nurses, and counseling with close nursing friends. Some who have encouraged me about this decision and others who have been negative. You have to listen to YOU and not others! YOU are responsible for your own goals, your own dreams and the outcome of your decision. Do your research, talk to schools, gather data about programs in your area. Consult with your husband, family for support and move forward. Be aware of the challenges of the profession but do not let your age stop you.

Best of luck to you and remember if you have the will, strength and passion for nursing you can accomplish it!

Blessings to you on this new journey.

Aphelps · Jul 13, 2016

I know that I lot of people on here are encouraging you to go for it, but you have to be realistic. Floor nursing in very hard on your body physically, and the older you get the harder it gets to be on your feet 12+ hours a day. I would stick to where you are, or if you want to advance your career go for hygienist.

LacyJanae · Jul 13, 2016

Hi CathyH,

I read your posted and one of the reasons I joined this group was specifically to reply to you.

I am currently finishing pre-reqs for nursing at a community college and will be in the nursing program this spring. I am 50 yrs old. In my opinion it is never too late to pursue a dream. Realistically I have considered everything that I feel will be involved in nursing for a variety of specialties and career choices within the profession, and I have done my research and asked many questions. I feel I am prepared mentally for what is out there. Here is my conclusion of this assessment.

Age is a number and a mindset, (as someone mentioned in one of the earlier posts) health is important. I am currently overweight and have high BP, so the first thing I have begun to do is get in shape and get the BP in check. I am committed to being at my best when I begin the program as I know, from what I have heard from current students, that the program can be both exhausting,grueling, and stressful, leaving little time for recreation, family, or friends. If you are starting the process with any health issues I would imagine it would be difficult. Of course only you would know what you can or cannot handle. If you have a college or program in mind, they may even be able to give you an example of their schedule so that you can get an idea of what to expect. I am in the school that offers the program so I was able to get the exact schedule.

My history is that I am a former Navy dental assistant, and during my Navy career, I went on to become a surgical assistant specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Depending on your location, and as an RN (meaning you do not need a bachelor's degree) you should be able to find work at any Oral surgeon's clinic, especially given your prior dental experience and office experience. I really don't think your age will matter, I feel that our experience counts for a lot. I have been told by Doctor's, Professors and nursing instructors who are aware of the current market of employment out there, that our experience (especially relevant experience) is taken into consideration. I happen to know that our experience, even as a dental assistant, has some relevance. It will, of course, be very applicable to the maxillofacial surgical specialty. I was able to work in that field years ago with only my Navy training and I was not an RN however, I do know that that has changed and Oral surgeons now require you to be a Nurse.

In a nutshell, (because I have to get back to studying, LOL) I would do it, if you feel that you are healthy, have enough stamina, and can live without much of a social life for awhile. :) If you have any questions that I can help you with feel free to ask. I will check back periodically. Many blessings and best of luck!

PS I think it's awesome that you are even considering a way to better yourself and another way to help others.

Kristiernbsn · Jul 13, 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 dont know how old you are, but I am 56 and I am not that old!! 60 is not that old. I'm in my senior year of a BSN program, having chosen to return to school after being a stay at home mom for 25 years. I got my LPN first, then started the BSN program. I'm a damned good nurse. I say if you want to be a nurse, go for it!! Start by talking to a recruiter at a college near you that offers nursing programs and you will find out that being a non-traditional student is the norm these days not the exception. You can do anything you put your mind to, despite what Debby here says. Best wishes!

Pokytrokyt · Jul 13, 2016

You're never to old to do something new.

I spent 35 years in IT management and sales before deciding I really wanted to spend my last 10 years of work doing something in healthcare. So at age 57 I started the accelerated BSN Program at Georgetown University.

After graduation, I spent 5 years doing inpatient Oncology, which includes a lot of Med-Surg. It's physical, but very doable once you learn good time management skills. I'm now in my second year of outpatient Oncology - less physically strenuous but complicated treatment protocols. The majority of my patients have breast cancer.

I'm a 64 year old guy, love my patients and plan to work till I'm 70. If I can do this, so can you!

RUmedic · Jul 13, 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.

If you feel that nursing is what you really want to do, it would then make sense to go back in to hospital and start again as CNA, so that hospital would help cover nursing school tuition when you enroll. This way you would emerge as an RN and practically debt free.

Having piles of educational loan debt at mid-age is not something I would want to bear. There's a surplus of nurses nationwide and finding employment is far from easy.

PANYNP · Jul 13, 2016

Oh, puh-leeze. If this is what you want to do, go ahead, apply, get accepted, and get started.

"Sixty is the new 40".

I'm a Boomer, age 61, and am starting my second Post-Master's for psych-mental health NP in August. I have been a nurse for 36 years, am a CNS, a GNP, and earned a PhD in Nursing in 1999. I am a full-time faculty member at a ranked university and practice as an NP. And I raised a family and have a happy marriage. You have to do what makes you happy, and supports your life needs.

I agree with others that Nursing involves hard physical labor at times, but not pursuing your passion for this reason would be a great loss to the profession.

There is an 86-year old RN who works per diem in our urban academic medical center's ED Obs, and she is called in so often that she works 40-48 hrs/week. Eight-hour shifts, because that's what she wants, and because she's so valuable, that's what she's given.

God willing, I plan to work until age 72. I want to be where the action is!

Follow your heart; don't be discouraged by those who are implying that you are physically or perhaps mentally unfit based on chronological age.