How old is too old?!?!?

cwhagat · May 21, 2009

Congratulations for following your dream. I returned to school at 51 to also follow my dream of being an RN. I graduate this August at the age of 54 and am so excited! I have had the full support of my husband and adult children. Good luck,

Hoss · May 21, 2009

My favorite story of my life is really about my 45 year old wife! Having decided to marry her and "the package" of 2 step children and a grandchild ....my conditions were that I will pay for the childrens nursing program (5 year BSN) if they show character and academic progress. Now, as a man of 61, my then 41 year old wife expressed sadness that her age had prevented her from attending a formal program of nursing, and that her 10 years as a certified care giver and reflexology therapist was pretty much all there was for her.

Until her kids (now MY kids!!) would come home that first semester and chat endlessly about the adventure that college presented them!! They bugged her so much about her experiences in care giving that her mumblings about "mabey I should go to college and TEACH them!" .....I jumped at the chance and told her that pursuing the "science" of nursing after practicing the "art" for 10 years would give her a great leg up towards a formal BSN degree. Night after night the chattering went on...and the next thing I know she took the plunge and joined the ranks of bright, young eager students.

She is now starting her 4th year and is just as enthusiastic about being on the final leg of this adventure as she was as a new student. I have watched with great pride and joy as she tackled everything from algebra to chemistry and grumbled mightily about both LOL......But she has persisted, she has grown in skill, professionalism and most importantly, in her desire to be the best damned nurse EVER....

The joint study sessions with her and the children (all are beginning the 4th year together) are the perfect blend of age, enthusiasm, experience, and youthful determination!! The age difference is NOT A FACTOR....I can assure you that being surrounded by 20 somethings can do wonders to a 45 year old ego...they look up to her, they follow her lead and they stand properly chastised when they fail to listen to good advice.

I encourage any man or woman who desires to serve their fellow men that age is not a barrier to furthering your education as a nurse...but rather an advantage to bring with you while you pursue your studies. Your experience, wisdom, and leadership are assets that will garner well for the older student.

Cheers!!

Hoss

AZ_LPN_8_26_13 · May 21, 2009

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?

You are never "too old" to do something like this.

I just turned 56 last month and I only have one co-req left to do in my pre-nursing. I'm already assured a spot in a local community college nursing program, but I have to wait to be placed which could be another year to year and a half. I started all of this when I was 54 y.o. I have a 3.669 GPA overall, and just got A's in microbiology and English 101 this past semester. I graduated from a four-year university with a BS in an unrelated field, but that was so long ago that I pretty much had to start over myself, so I know how that goes. Sometimes I think that I should have done this ten or fifteen years ago, but I'm here now and that's what counts.

Age and being "old" as people use the word nowdays here in our culture, is all a state of mind. I am far more focused on what I want and what I must do than I was when I was in college before. I have a lifetime of education and life experience to draw on. Best of luck to you.....

Mookie427 · May 21, 2009

I went to Nursing School at 47 when the market dried up for systems analysts. I had a masters in Biology, and even though they were over 25 yrs old and from foreign universities in Holland, 4 schools in Florida and 1 in NYC allowed such old credits. The majority did say over 10 and its over... I went to one of the schools in Florida in their accelerated BSN program and was the 2nd oldest of 44 students. The level of energy of the younger students waned compared to the older students. Dont ever say you are too old to do something, and dont let anyone tell you that either. (oh and yes, I am an American citizen by birth, even though i was born in another country, so as not to detract from those previous blogs of "FOREIGN" nurses).

rmstarkey · May 21, 2009

Hello there, I started nursing school at 49 years old. I have been in school since 2007. Do I think students could be too old ? I don't think so.They need more nurses ,now, than ever. In fact I read somewhere that there are more older nursing students now than ever before. We are going to get older, so why not get older with a great education under our belts. There are plenty of nursing jobs that we can do as we age. So, you do'nt worry about one single thing, and go it. :yeah:

Lexxie, LPN · May 21, 2009

I'm 39 and just completed my first semester of gen ed classes. I'm taking the gen ed courses part time but will do the nursing program full time. At that rate, it'll be 3 years before I graduate. In fact, I will graduate a month before my daughter graduates from high school, so we're gonna have a HUGE party LOL I like to think that I'm setting an example for my kids - that you CAN do anything, no matter how old you are when you start it.

MamaKitty13214 · May 21, 2009

Good for you! GO FOR IT!!! I was 40 when I started Nursing School (3rd career) and at least 1/3 of the class was 40 or over, with a few folks in their early 50s. A lot of us were in similar mid-life crisis/change/divorce boats dealing with personal stressors but wanting to do something worthwhile with our lives. Being a little older when entering this profession brings a whole different dimension to nursing practice because we've already worked through a lot of issues that younger colleagues are still struggling with. It is also really great to work with a variety of people and you continually learn from everyone you work with.

I am now 60 & currently work as a Case Manager at a Level I Trauma Center & don't see any potential for "retirement" anywhere down the road and that's OK. Life is an adventure and age is just a number. Best of luck to you!! :up: :yeah:

havepatients · May 21, 2009

It's all about attitude. I had always wanted to be an RN since working as a tech in an ER during my college years, but then along came marriage and children and I really wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom. So after 20 years of that (which I loved), I brushed the dust off that back-burner dream and started nursing pre-req's at 48 in spite of all my fears. Yes, it was the hardest thing I've ever done, yes, my brain was rusty, yes, I was the 2nd oldest one in my class, BUT....I WANTED TO BE A NURSE! I graduated in March 2007 with my RN, and now, 2 years later, I'm loving it! :yeah:

Every time I sign my name with RN after it, I smile. Working with patients is what I love, and being around a mostly younger work force keeps me feeling younger! I feel stronger because I work hard every day, and I'm so thankful that I chose to JUST DO IT instead of sitting around wondering if I should or could. You won't regret it. And the plus is that you'll find that your many life experiences and accumulation (hopefully) of common sense, wisdom, compassion, and patience will serve you well as a new "old" nurse! God bless you in your endeavours!

jsmetcalf · May 21, 2009

I started nursing school at 49 - finished at 52. Never too old! As a matter of fact, the average age in my class was 34 with many of us in my age group. We had all raised our children or had unsatisfactory first careers and sought to fulfill a lifelong dream. Incidentally, we "old" ones did the best in class! Go for it - you'll be glad you did!

jc3015 · May 21, 2009

I received my PN certificate at age 54, turned 55 a month later when I passed my NCLEX-PN. I start my ADN classes in August. I'd say that, if you really want to do it, 46 isn't too old. j

Alvindudley · May 21, 2009

hey! I just started at 50--yes I am the oldest in my class. I have my BS and M.Ed. in special ed but I am doing an accelerated BS/RN program. in 14 months! A average so far and very clinical--will start on a thoracic surgery floor next month. Go for it!!! :yeah:

Want to be aware · May 21, 2009

I am 49 and just finished LPN school in April

I have never been so popular with the "younger crowd" in my life. And the oldest lady in our class was 62! Age is just a number.