How old is too old to pursue an MSN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am a 62-yr old psychiatric RN employed full-time. It has always been a dream of mine to pursue a psychiatric nurse practitioner degree (MSN, not DNP). I realize this may be wildly impractical, and that if I succeed in obtaining it, I might only be able to put it on my tombstone. I also must continue to work full-time. Any advice or comments, especially from older graduate students, would be most appreciated. Thanks so much.

If you can afford it and are ok with the possibility of not having the opportunity to work in this capacity for long or at all, totally up to you. Lots of people get advanced education for their personal satisfaction at any age. This is something you want to do, for you, so go ahead and enjoy yourself.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Easy answer is your never too old. Harder answer is can you afford it? If you need to continue working at your current position to make ends meet it might not be the best financial decision to take on more debt that you have little hope of paying off before you retire.

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Go for it. Regret is the worst thing to live with.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.
I am a 62-yr old psychiatric RN employed full-time. It has always been a dream of mine to pursue a psychiatric nurse practitioner degree (MSN, not DNP). I realize this may be wildly impractical, and that if I succeed in obtaining it, I might only be able to put it on my tombstone. I also must continue to work full-time. Any advice or comments, especially from older graduate students, would be most appreciated. Thanks so much.

Why does learning have a stop date??

When I was taking classes for my certification at a local university, all the instructors were in school either for their PH.D or FNP. The average age was 58.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I agree with the others if you can afford it and still are mentally sharp which I assume you are go for it! My only reservation is if you can't afford it and are planning to take out student loans. Be aware that if you can't pay them off before you retire you will end up having to pay them back with your social security on income based repayment.

I disagree with the notion that school is always a good investment and should be pursued regardless of financial realities. There are so many people that don't think about money and blindly spends thousands to get a degree and never think about the reality of paying student loans back. I know of new grads that have $100,000 plus in student loans because they wanted to live their dream and go to an expensive private school and or changed their minds after they graduated and went back for nursing because the prior degree didn't help them find a job that pays a living wage. This is a sad situation, but at least new grads if they are young have their whole lives ahead to pay them off. Some NP programs cost over $50,000. You may have to rethink retirement, scale back plans for travel, but if this is your dream and you are willing to make the financial sacrifice then go for it, just do it with your eyes wide open!

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I am a 62-yr old psychiatric RN employed full-time. It has always been a dream of mine to pursue a psychiatric nurse practitioner degree (MSN, not DNP). I realize this may be wildly impractical, and that if I succeed in obtaining it, I might only be able to put it on my tombstone. I also must continue to work full-time. Any advice or comments, especially from older graduate students, would be most appreciated. Thanks so much.

I don't think you're ever too old to pursue your dreams. My cousin who is an RN just got her NP in her mid 40s. It really depends on how much energy you want to put in to something I think. She said it was hard because she worked full time as an RN as well while going to school, but she did it. She loves being a NP now. :) Good luck to you!

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I got my NP in my late 40s. I'm in my 50s now, and occasionally toy with the idea of going back for my DNP. If you can afford it, then go for it. You will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the job.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

Well I know based on my own experience, I was unable to work fulltime for about half of my three year program. The last year I was doing about 30 hours a week in clinical not to mention my coursework. The last semester I had to totally quit working.

Another factor is you are probably at the top of the pay scale as a RN. In some states, this is more than you will make as a new NP. I had a co-worker who got her NP in her late 50's and went back to bedside nursing because she made more money.

But if it's something you really want to do, then you should do it. As they say, if there is a will, there is a way. Money cannot buy happines and I believe in living a life with no regrets.

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Specializes in Emergency, Correctional, Indigent Health.

I got my MSN ARNP when I was 55. I was working full time and took 6 hours a semester in a 42 semester hour program. It took me five years to finish, as I did get disgusted and dropped out for a year. ED nursing was getting to hard, and to dangerous. I knew I had to get into something I could stay with as I got older. I have never been so happy in what I do. You will never regret having gone. The hospital paid my tuition, hence the 6 semester hour limit. I am not even sure they are doing anything like that anymore, but it made the whole effort much easier on the purse strings. Go for it Girl...!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Supervisory, HEDIS, IT.

No one is ever too old to continue their education. If you have a thirst for knowledge, why not quench it :) (Sounds like a Gatorade ad)

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Couple things but first, my sis went back at 50ish for her CRNA because she knew she would no be able to do patient care in pacu through til retirement, she's 63 now and very happy. She's actually making much more money but the primary reason she went back to school was to have a job that she could physcially do for the remainder of her career.

Okay, of the older nurses who were slipping, about what percentage were also actively expanding their education? Outside of organic disease, does ongoing learning promote cognitive longevity?

About acquiring debt now versus when you're younger and have your whole life ahead of you to pay it back..realistically you may not have to pay all of yours back. Do you have a retirement plan that would cover any monthly loan payments in addition to your basic needs?

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To Brandy1017: Thank you for this thoughtful and intelligent response. I happened to be visiting one of my adult children this weekend who echoed these sentiments. The financial issues are compelling, and given my age, it is unlikely that I would reap any financial gain. I appreciate your input. I was somewhat naïve in not considering the financial aspect.

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