Is 54 too old as a new RN?

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2019

Dont know what to tell you,you are up there in years for 12 hour shifts on a busy floor,but there might but jobs in other areas ,experience counts though.You are basically 12 years from retirement,good luck.

futurenurses · Mar 25, 2019

Listen... Im 46 and wanting to start nursing school so your way ahead of me. I dont think you are too old to do anything!! By the time I am done with school I will be probably 49 or 50 (Im 46 now) so if you cant get a job then Im out of luck and I refuse to believe that 50 is too old to be a nurse. Besides isnt 50 the new 40? Im not giving up on my dream and you shouldnt either!!! Good luck!

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 25, 2019

All that "Don't give up on your dreams" talk sounds great, but you have to be realistic. Your chances of being happy with the type of job you can get as a 54-year-old new grad varies in relation to a lot of factors. Here are a few to think about.

1. What type of job do you want?

2. What is the job market like in your town for that type of job? Are employers begging for people to fill those positions? Or is there a lot of competition for only few existing jobs of that type?

3. Does the education and previous experience you will be getting match what employers want for that type of job? (E.g. If employers prefer BSN's, is that what you will graduate with? Do you have any other past experience that relates to that type of job -- experience that will help you stand out in relation to the other likely applicants?)

4. How old to you look? Are you in appropriate physical shape for that type of job? (E.g. If you are looking for a busy med/surg job, do you look like you are in good enough shape to be on your feet for a 12-hour busy shift and work rotating shifts?)

5. When potential employers meet you, do you appear to be someone who will succeed in that job and stay in it for more than a year?

etc. Those are some of the questions you need to answer for yourself to realistically assess your job prospects.

While it is nice to say "Age doesn't matter," very few people get much beyond 50 without noticing that their bodies aren't the same as they were when they were younger. Employers know that.

WannabRN-GA, ADN · Mar 26, 2019

4 hours ago, futurenurses said:
Listen... Im 46 and wanting to start nursing school so your way ahead of me. I dont think you are too old to do anything!! By the time I am done with school I will be probably 49 or 50 (Im 46 now) so if you cant get a job then Im out of luck and I refuse to believe that 50 is too old to be a nurse. Besides isnt 50 the new 40? Im not giving up on my dream and you shouldnt either!!! Good luck!

Thank you! I don't feel old nor do I look my age. I have decided I am going to retest again and when I get my license I will find a job. Once I do, I will definately post an update. Thank you so much for the positive words.

JoyD · May 5, 2019

I'm your age, a new grad and working 3 twelves on a med surge floor. I found a hospital job sooner than my younger counterparts. Use your maturity as an asset. You already know if you can do this physically. I haven't been having any problems physically doing my job. I'm having new grad growing pains but nothing out of the ordinary. Biggest challenges, I found, is where you live and if they only prefer BSN. I'm outside a big city and the hospitals all want a BSN grad but I found a smaller hospital to take me while I finish my BSN. I know eventually I will leave the floor for my ultimate goal but nurses of all ages do that as well. Wishing you the best!

WannabRN-GA, ADN · May 5, 2019

7 hours ago, JoyD said:
I'm your age, a new grad and working 3 twelves on a med surge floor. I found a hospital job sooner than my younger counterparts. Use your maturity as an asset. You already know if you can do this physically. I haven't been having any problems physically doing my job. I'm having new grad growing pains but nothing out of the ordinary. Biggest challenges, I found, is where you live and if they only prefer BSN. I'm outside a big city and the hospitals all want a BSN grad but I found a smaller hospital to take me while I finish my BSN. I know eventually I will leave the floor for my ultimate goal but nurses of all ages do that as well. Wishing you the best!

I appreciate that JoyD. There is hope. Looking forward to my RN journey. Again thank you for the encouraging words.