How old is too old to become a new RN?

wannabecnl · Jul 13, 2016

I'm a second-career nurse; I turned 40 during my first semester of nursing school and am now 46 with almost 4 years of experience. Here's a different challenge that surprised me: it's weird being the newbie in middle age. I have the nursing experience of a 24-26 year old, but I have the life/professional/personal/educational experience of my actual age, and sometimes the two don't come together. You will be expected to pay your dues, just like you had to in your first career. You are probably used to a certain level of authority and competence in your career, especially as you have been managing an office, and this can be tough when you essentially start over.

The thing that has troubled me the most, though, is that friends my age from high school and college are very settled and established in their careers, achieving big things and enjoying the fruit of 20+ years in their fields. If you recall Erickson's stages of psychosocial development, you and I are both in the midst of "generativity vs. stagnation;" my friends (and husband!) are all generating like crazy, while I'm still on the treadmill of the newer nurse trying to get my employer to realize I have a LOT to offer from those extra years doing other things!

I don't say these things to discourage you; I just wanted to put in my $0.02 with a different spin on what I have experienced as a second career nurse.

SassJess · Jul 13, 2016

I have been a dental assistant for the past 11 years and I'll be finishing my Bachelor of Nursing this December at the age of 35. For me, I just couldn't picture staying in dental for the rest of my career. Nursing school is hard, but I feel that having some life experience helps a lot. My grandmother finished her second Masters degree at the age of 80, so I don't think it's ever too late!

StarBrownRN · Jul 13, 2016

I went to nursing school with someone who was 70. So, to me, 58 isn't old. You have 10 years to retirement. And if you are in good shape, you should be ok. I say it's never too late...sort of.

Once you get to a certain age, you have to ask yourself not "can I?" but "should I?" Honestly, my 70 year old classmate was really nice, and it didn't bother me; they knew a lot of the meds, because they were taking them too. But a few folks were pissed because they felt this was wasting a slot in a competitive program on someone who will never actually practice.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · 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.

Holy cow! What's your secret?

Axgrinder · Jul 13, 2016

I went through a dental assistant program and worked as a certified dental assistant for several years (periodontics, general dentistry, oral surgery, and orthodontics) before I hit the road and went back to finish my nursing prerequisites, then go on to graduate. I certainly can't fault you for wanting to do so.

There is no law you have to retire at 65 (is that the current age now?) and you certainly don't have to work floor nursing either.

I'd say that is up to you to decide.

Some of the questions you should ask yourself that may help you settle on a decision may be: At what age do I plan to retire? Am I fit (any aching large joints that may protest to you being on your feet for extended periods of time)? Do I dislike what I'm doing enough to change career choices completely, or would a change to a new environment in my current field work just as well?

I wish you the best in whatever decision you come up with.

AlleycatLady, BSN · Jul 13, 2016

Do it!

Don't think about death just yet. Some people I've known who died said just before death that the only regrets they had was that they didn't do all the things they really wanted to do. So if you don't do it, this could be that thing you say you wish you had done. We are living much longer these days you know.

AlleycatLady, BSN · Jul 13, 2016

Some school let senior citizens go for free. At least the university I went to did that when I was there in the late 90's. They just didn't pay for books. Your age might be a good thing financially speaking. Do your research for sure on deals like this and you can do it.

Marshall1 · Jul 13, 2016

This lady graduated from college at 93...I personally don't think any age is too old to learn, change, grow

Woman, 93, Gets College Degree Online — With a Perfect GPA - NBC News

merli · Jul 13, 2016

If you want this then of course you should do it. Honestly many of the reasons others gave for not doing it are definitely valid.

One of the ones that I don't see as valid though, is that you're close to retirement-- that's at least a decade away! So certainly you should persue a job you're giving serious thought to if you want it.

A very real issue to consider is that so many hospitals are just not hiring nurses with an Associate's.

As a nurse who does not agree with this being a crucial factor in a great nurse, I do think it's important to know in order to not be sabotaged by that after all your hard work in getting your license.

I'll give myself as an example, after so many years, including many rounds of being a preceptor to new nurses, I know that with my Associate's I would probably not get the job if someone with a Bachelor's is applying as well- which is every day. I've been working a long time so it's a bit differrent for me. But, as a new nurse with an Associate's your job choices may not include working at the bedside in a hospital, if thats what you want anyway!

Maybe you could do searches on what jobs are available for nurses with an Associate's in your location. If you see "Bachelor's preferred", honestly I think its a definite that they want a Bachelors. By doing that you could get an idea of where it could take you, and what direction to take.

With an Associate's I'm pretty sure you could become a school nurse, which is such a great job! It may not pay high salaries, but it may be something you love! I do! :)

So, if that for example, and as only one example, is something you could envision, then by all means, if you want, see what the nuts and bolts of it would be for you and go for it!

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

This lady graduated from college at 93...I personally don't think any age is too old to learn, change, grow
Woman, 93, Gets College Degree Online â€” With a Perfect GPA - NBC News

Wonderful, but creative writing is a very different world than nursing. I don't think I could do either at age 93, though ...so good for her!

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

I think it would be hard. Not impossible, but hard. And your age might be a disadvantage. Just my honest take.

PANYNP · Jul 13, 2016

I went to nursing school with someone who was 70. So, to me, 58 isn't old. You have 10 years to retirement. And if you are in good shape, you should be ok. I say it's never too late...sort of.
Once you get to a certain age, you have to ask yourself not "can I?" but "should I?" Honestly, my 70 year old classmate was really nice, and it didn't bother me; they knew a lot of the meds, because they were taking them too. But a few folks were pissed because they felt this was wasting a slot in a competitive program on someone who will never actually practice.

"Wasting" a slot?!! Oh my! How do these mean girls know that the 70-year old will never practice?

Ageism - yeesh.