Is it too late to become a nurse?

bubbly79 · Sep 4, 2013

I'm 33 starting an LPN program, in a few weeks. I have read some students starting in Nursing programs much older than that.

Because you are still figuring things out, my suggestion to you is to get your feer wet as either a home attendant or CNA. Both require basic nursing skills, though.CNA's work in facilities with nurses and nurse managers which would be helpful to your end.

Also, read the boards, shadow a nurse, do your research. Read nursing organization websites for insights.

Nursing education is arduous and most time expensive and all consuming. The upside being a worthy investment in that there are many niches in nursing after you get your first few years of solid experience.

You could try for BMCC, LIU for evening/ weekendRN programs. You could try for Mildred Elley (sp?) for an evening LPN program.

In NYC there are many programs that would work with your schedule. You have to determine if you meet the basic requirements (and better), and if not, do a cost/benefit analysis of what path could get you to your goal quickest that works with your situation the best.

First, you should make certain where you want to be in healthcare, the role you want to fill, what you have to offer, and where that combination would fit best.

Just my .02 hope it helps to whittle it down for you.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 4, 2013

I think it would be best if you did some volunteer work in a hospital or long term care facility before investing in more education for a career you may or may not like. It always intrigues me when people say they "dreamed of being a nurse ever since they were a little girl ..." but yet, they choose to go into other fields. You have chosen on multiple ocassions to go into other fields instead of health care. You need to think through your reasons for avoiding health care in the past. Maybe those reasons were valid ones.

How flexible are you about re-locating to go to school? If you are not flexible and need to attend a local program ... you will have to contact those local programs and explore your options, find out which credits from your previous education would count towards their nursing degree, costs, etc.. To become a Registered Nurse (RN), you can either attend an Associates Degree program (ADN) or a Bachelor's Degree (BSN) program. People with Bachelor's Degrees usually have a big advantage getting jobs, but that can vary from community to community, so you might want to double-check your partiular community. Look at job adds for RN's for your local employers, talk with local nurses, etc. Do your local employers prefer to hire BSN graduates?

Becoming a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or Certified Nursing Assistant is also an option. Those folks earn less money, but their jobs require less education. You may want to enter the field that way, but it is not necessary to do so. You can start as an RN if you prefer. It's up to you. How much are you willing to invest in your education at this point? Would you be happy earning less money and/or having fewer job options? etc.

In summary:

1. Think through your reasons for NOT choosing nursing before. Are they still relevant? I also suggest doing some volunteer work to see how you like working in a health care facility.

2. Explore your local job market. What types of nursing postions are available? What level of education is prefered for the jobs available? (Are you willing to re-locate?)

3. Contact the local schools that offer the types of programs for the type of nursing you want to do. Find out their requirements and costs. (Are you willing to re-locate?)

4. Make your choice.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Sep 5, 2013

Had to laugh at your Title "Is it too late to become a nurse?" at 27 yrs old. I will be 47 this week and I have a year to go for my BSN. There are numerous threads on this site about people starting nursing school older than you. The avg. age of my ABSN cohort is late 20s- early 30s.

Nursing school is a long journey that should not be attempted on a whim. There are many pre-requisites that are needed to be taken (1-2 yrs) before applying to nursing school (2-2.5 yrs). NYC nursing schools are saturated with applicants so your GPA needs to be high (3.25-4.0) even to be considered.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/how-old-were-851421.html

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/30-club-lets-833181.html

chewychipsahoy · Sep 5, 2013

No, you're absolutely not too old to go back to school. It's optimal to do so when you're single, no kids, no morgage, etc. But it's going to be a long process.

Research the local programs. Volunteer. Fulfill the pre-reqs. Apply. Try to save a lot of money when you're working full-time, so you don't take out loans later or so that you have money to live off of if you go part-time because the program schedule might not be only at nights. From my experience, all of this might take you anywhere from 2-3 years.

Best wishes! If you have a goal, don't get distracted! And don't give up!

swalker123 · Sep 17, 2013

It's not to late, if you think you have still the time to go back school then why not. I have a cousin who live in California she was 40 years old then at that time when she proceed to nursing and passed the exam as well. She is now working at the hospital and enjoys doing it.

Divatologist, ADN · Sep 18, 2013

It's not too late at all. I'm 44 and this is my 1st year in the program. I suggest you try and find a job in a hospital or even at a hospital linked to a university. I am a CNA, but I work as a unit clerk. I work at a hospital and they have tuition reimburment. I work night shift. My boss is cool and lets me come in whenever I want and I still get my fulltime hours. Some schools are requiring you to have health insurance. I am single with no kids too. I don't qualify for any kind of aid or grants because they say I make too much money. I'm like really? LOL! I could have sworn I was on page struggle in the book of life. I'm makin it work though. I have worked hard long enough. You're never too old to learn. Look around for scholarships and I'm sure if you're working for the city, then you can get money for school. Good luck with what you decide to do!

Wannabeeinscrubs, ADN, LPN, RN · Sep 18, 2013

It's not too late. Most of the people in my class are in their 30's, the majority of us got married had kids and now that the youngest is in school, we are going back. (I am the oldest at 37)

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Sep 18, 2013

Hello all,
I'm a 27 year old single woman with no children living in NYC. Since I was a child I often dreamed of working in the medical field however after high school I decided to go to college for theater instead. After completing a 2 year degree and working at a theater for a few years I realized that it wasn't for me so I went and got a job in administration and went back to school part time nights for a BA in finance. After 2 semsters I started to hate it and didn't do that great. I'm soon starting a new job in law enforcement in 2 months that pays well, I'll be working for the city. This is not something that I want to do long term, only to make ends meet because the cost of living in NYC is high. But lately I've been thinking alot about becoming a nurse. I regret not going to medical school instead of going to school for theater instead years ago.
Is it too late to become a nurse now? I know this may be a silly question to some but I have no idea how to get my foot in the door. I have an AS degree already but would I have to get another AS degree all over again? I can't afford to quit my day because I have rent/ bills to pay so do they offer night nursing classes? Where do I start?
I appreciate all help and advice. Thanks.

I understand how you feel. I am 28 and live in Westchester w/ no children. I have wanted to be a nurse for years but life and illness got in the way. I got into a nursing program for the Fall but I could not afford the program. I also could not fathom adding more education loans on top of what I already have. I decided to go to a community college and earn my AAS. At first I thought that getting an AAS was beneath me because I already have a BS. However, I realized that I could complete my dream in a much cheaper fashion and still reach the end goal.

The first task I would give you is to ask yourself this question : Why do I want to be a nurse? Do I want to be a RN or a MD? Is nursing a field that I will be passionate about?

There are evening programs for nursing in the city. The first thing to do would be to register for the prerequisites such as AP1&2, Microbiology, Chemistry, etc. Many CUNYs ( such as Lehman my alma mater) offer classes in the evening and on weekends.

It might take a longer time, but if you are serious about being a RN, the time will be an investment on a wonderful future payment.

Good luck!

Wen902 · Sep 18, 2013

I just turned 48 and I'm waiting to hear if I've been accepted into a program. I am single, own a home and will be giving up a good job but I WANT to be a nurse. It's a huge risk and I'm scared to death but I'm going to keep moving forward. I have no idea how I will make things work but I will do the best I can. God willing I get accepted into the program and in two years will become an RN. Then it's on to get my BSN.

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Sep 18, 2013

I'm going to be 36 next month. Applied for Spring '14. It is NEVER too late!