In my late 40's, is it worth it to go back to school to become an RN?

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Hi.

I am in my late 40's and have been a CNA for over 20 years. I have always had the desire to go back to school for the RN degree. I have been raising children and working part time for 28 years. I always knew that I did not want to stay working as a CNA for the long term.

Would like to hear from others who went back to school for the RN degree later in life. I am planning on obtaining the associate degree first, and then the BSN later. By that point, I will be in my mid-50's. The trend seems to be for nurses to have their BSN. Would you do it again? What are some things to consider?

THANK YOU to all of you for your replies.

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Specializes in Emergency/ICU.

If you have the time, the energy, and the brain cells - go for it! Only you can determine if the time and energy committment is worth the payoff of obtaining your lifelong goal.

I became an RN at 43 (now 46), and I have 1 class left for the BSN. I love being a nurse, but my goals don't include working past age 55, especially in my specialty, ER. That could change. I have coworkers who are very fit and energetic in their mid to late 60's who are still loving their jobs. Their wisdom is valued in my workplace.

I wish you the best in your journey!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi and welcome. I became an LPN at 32, ADN at 34 and yes I would definitely do it again!

I went back to school when I was 42 and finished a BSN at 44, MSN at 45, first post-MSN certificate at 46 and second one at 51.

Since I have to work till I die, I always felt that education at any age is not wasted....

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Never too late if its what you really want. Having the benefit of maturity on your side is a great help in achieving what you set out to do. Good luck if you decide to do it.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

If you're sure what you want to do, do it! You'll spend X number of years on school and be 50-something when you finish, but if you don't go to school, you'll still be 50-something in X number of years!

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If you're sure what you want to do, do it! You'll spend X number of years on school and be 50-something when you finish, but if you don't go to school, you'll still be 50-something in X number of years!

When I was 40ish, I was trying to decide, too. My husband said the exact same thing to me: in 10 years, you will either still be wishing you had done it, or you will be X years old with a nursing degree!

I just had my last BSN class on Monday. I took the same route with the associates degree first, and it took me a little over 8 years, been a nurse for 5. School is challenging sometimes, but I never regretted it!

My hospital still hires lots of ADN nurses, but some areas this may not be as common. That would be something to look into. If you have the stamina and the desire, I say go for it!

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I'll be 43 when I start my ADN program and I'll finish at 44. I'll be 44 in a year and a half either way.

If you do a cost benefit analysis, the cost of a community college for a RN is going to be made back in higher wages in Avery short time frame. I actually have lived school do far and am glad I did it.

I say say sign up for a class and see how it goes. There are plenty of non-nursing classes you'll need to take along the way, so take one and get your feet wet.

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I'm turning 40 in a a couple of months and anxiously awaiting to see if I got in to nursing school right now. I have 3 kids. I've always wanted to be in the medical field but kept putting it off. I regret not dong this sooner. If I don't do it now, I'll just keep regretting it then I'll start school at 50. So better to start now. And I'm doing the same as you- getting my ADN now so I can start working then BSN soon after. Good luck to you!!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

Do it. I was a teacher and lost my job. I needed to work with two school aged kids and relatively new house. (I had kids late, too). Went back to school to get my ADN at 45. I am already in an RN-BSN online program-to finish next year when I will be 51. I have been a nurse for 2 years now. You will make a great nurse because you will appreciate what your CNA does and you will not be afraid of hard work :) I see about half the new grads are "non-traditional" ages

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, 4everpeace:

I started my prerequisites for a RN program last June when I was 50. I'll be starting the RN program this coming fall; I'll be 51. If Jesus continues to bless me in this direction, I will graduate with my ADN sometime in May 2016, then the NCLEX boards... I'll be 53. I do plan to get my BSN as well. Don't let your age be a barrier.

Thank you.

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Yes.... It's never too late to learn and always go for your dream... I think after 20 yrs of working your more looking towards the self actualization aspect of things so I would highly recommend that you motivate yourself to do it... I myself is a career changer with two toddlers 33 yrs old that decided to pursue my dream of becoming an rn

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I'll graduate with my ADN in December and will turn 48 two weeks later.

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