How old is too old?!?!?

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Hi everyone. I am 46 years old (or young, however you want to look at it) and decided last year that it was time to go back and finish something I started back in 1984. Now, none of my credits are any good so I'm truly starting over. I was all excited last fall and took my Psych 101 - aced it. Then chickened out and decided I was too old for nursing school. I still went ahead and took a full load this semester - aced all four classes. This has been a dream I've buried for a long time. Any thoughts on older students getting accepted to a program and then even being able to find a job after graduation? Or just any encouragement...discouragement?

Specializes in Psych/med surg.

I started taking my pre-reqs and I am 39. I thought I was too old to go back but there seems to be a lot of older students in my chemistry class. I don't think it matters, just do what you want to do. You only live once, you might as well live life the way you want it. I already have a bachelors degree in computer science but I refuse to live life everyday in a cubicle, life is too short to be miserable and that is why I am pursuing a nursing career.

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No you're not too old. I'm 36 and just finished my pre-reqs and applied. I think that there are advantages to being older than the normal college age. I know without a doubt this is what I want to do, I've been cleaning up bodily fluids for 12 years and with 3 kids so that doesn't phase me a bit, and there isn't much life can throw at me at this point that will keep me from getting where I am going.

Good for you for going back. You will always be glad you did, I think.

-natasha

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I'd say go for it! I am 28, but theres a couple of 40+ years old (young) in my science class and both of them are amazing!

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You would not be asking that question if you went to my school. Most of the people around me are in their 30's and 40's. I think it is great and I have so much respect for people who go to school at that age. My mom is 46 and is working on her degree in Psychology and she is always telling me how hard it is. I think it's good for her!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I decided last year to take the plunge and go back to school, I'm 40 and home school my kids right now too. You are never to old to chase those dreams - I feel like I am 20 again, I love it, lol.

I thought my credits were too old (20yrs) but I looked into a private school (I don't have time to wait 3 yrs to get into a CC program), and since I had no sciences, they took them all - 27 credits! I was going to go into their ASN program but if I take stats and another english I can get into their BSN program. Life is good!

You can do whatever you put your mind to Amy Married to Art!!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
The way I see it, I'll be 31 in 3 years no matter what. Either I'll be 31 embarking on my career in Nursing wielding a license or, I'll be 31 thinking to myself "maybe I should have gone back to school 3 years ago..."

Just do it.

This is exactly the point I was going to make!

I went back to nursing school at the age of 47 and had to take a year off for a pesky cancer diagnosis. I am 51 now, and will graduate on Wednesday... yay me!

But when I was starting to think about changing careers and going back to school, I worried that I'd be too old, older than the rest of the class, older than the teachers, older than the cleaning crew, old...old...old. I even pointed out to everyone that I would be FIVE-O when I graduated. My youngest sister, a beautiful woman in her 30's, shut me up when she said "You're going to be FIVE-O anyway. You might as well be a nurse instead of wondering why you aren't". She was right, of course.

I just love my sister. And she'd say "DO IT!!!"

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I go to school with ladies that are around your age and maybe older. You are not too old. Go for it! If nursing is your dream then don't give it up for anything including age. It is a huge committment and hey, you might have the advantage of having older kids. I started when I was 32 and now at 34 have one year left and that is only because it was my first time and I had to get my pre-reqs done. I hope that you go for it. You never know what you can do till you try. If you love nursing you can do it! That thought has driven me through some hard semesters. But, I do love it and I'm not giving up till I graduate or they kick me out! :stdnrsrck:

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i have a great quote for you...

it is never too late...to be what you might have been. -george eliot

i have this hanging on my wall it helps when i try to figure out if i waited to long to start my career dreams. i think you are never to old to go for your dreams. go for it!!! :innerconf

jenn kristin ;)

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You are only to old if your dead, or suffer from demetia. Good for you!!! I'm in my 30's and about to start Nursing school. I say, who cares!!!! Follow your dream. Ageism is a problem in our society, so many people are intimidated about going back to school especially when you have teenages in your class. Go for it, you will be surprised how many people are your age and even older. My lab partner was a smart 17 year old and she was adorable and made me laugh, we had a great time and took alot of classes together. Cheers to new beginnings and experiences.

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I'm 58, and just got admitted to a BSN program. Pre-reqs took me five semesters, but I got straight A's and had a great time doing it.

I went to college the first time as a mere lad, graduated, then worked for 35 years before deciding to pursue nursing as a second career. At least so far, going back to school has been one of the best decisions of my life

As is perhaps obvious, i definitely don't think 46 is too old.

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Mossback, you are my hero or heroine because you've followed your dream and I did not. I am 55 and have my Master's degree in computer science but would exchange it in a heartbeat for an ADN. I do have one question for you, are you a male or female?

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Since this is your dream I think that you won't be "fulfilled" until you achieve it. I'm turning 28 on monday and I've been chasing the "nurse" dream for about 6 years now. I've taken classes online and on campus. I ended up dropping out a few times because I didn't put school as my priority but I can't let the dream go. So now in the Spring 2010 I'm starting with more of my pre-reqs and I'll be 30 when I enter nursing school.

When I look to the future I know its worth it, even if I was entering at 50 because its my dream come true.

Good luck and don't give up on your dream until you reach it.

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.

We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. ~Samuel Ullman

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