Is 31 too old to start a nursing career?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · May 24, 2012

In 1987 I was enrolled in college for my freshman year..wanted to be a nurse more than anything. Life circumstances occured and I wasn't able to finish. Flash forward years later..I'm 32 years old, a 9 year old and a newborn baby still had the desire to become a nurse. Had the same thoughts as you..I'm too old to start now. But the desire never went away. I watched the years go by and realized I'm continuing to get older regardless, why not bite the bullet and fulfill my dream. March '07 started my journey, I started LPN school at the ripe 'old' age of 38 graduated at 39. After a couple of years of working as an LPN I still had that burning desire to get my RN, hemmed..hawed..found every reason I couldn't do it now..too old, blah blah blah. Had the hubby remind me of what was said during the LPN schooling debate..you are going to be getting older, in X amount of years you will be X age without your degree or in X amount of years you can be X age WITH your degree.

So, at the age of 42 I started back and began my LPN to RN courses. I'll graduate in a year with my ADN. From there, I'm going to continue and do my RN to BSN. I'll be 44 starting that journey. I finally realized the years are going to pass no matter what. I would rather fill those years doing the things I need to do in order to get to my goal. I don't want to be on my death bed regretting never attempting/meeting any of my dreams or goals.

You ARE NOT TOO OLD TO GO TO SCHOOL!!

leenak · May 24, 2012

There was a guy who was 19 posting the other day if it was too late...

Obviously, I think you got your answer. I'm like the above IndyElmer where I've been thinking about the career change for many, many years and I just thought that I couldn't do it.

Patti_RN · May 24, 2012

Think about the things you've done with your life in the last ten years... no matter what those experiences were, you learned from them and they made your life richer. You are the person you are today because of those experiences, and are more prepared for success now than you were straight out of high school.

As everyone else commented, nursing school is full of students in their 30's, 40's and 50's. I have a friend who is going back to get his PhD next year and he won't graduate until he's 60! He wants a career change rather than retirement; he'd rather teach than play golf.

You've said you're more mature now. Think how much more you'll get out of the program and how much your life experience will bring to the classroom. Your maturity will help you deal with difficult people. You'll be better able to see 'the big picture' rather than trying to learn different pieces and not know how they fit together. These are skills and advantages that come with age and experience.

Good luck!

Stephalump · May 24, 2012

I know I'm not too old but I just keep tearing myself down with those coulda shoulda wouldas.

Well, the first rule of getting older and wiser is that this behavior isn't gonna fly.

Take the time to have one last sad, regretful what-if session, then throw away the destructive should-wouldas and make some room for the gonna-wannas.

You absolutely cannot change the past. All you can do is find the positives in your choices and work on the future. Good luck!

buttercupp85 · May 24, 2012

I know exactly how you feel. Been there myself! I am 27 years old and for a while was bummed that I'll be 30 when I graduate and let's just say the timeline I set for my life didn't really happen the way I saw it in my head. And I'm on the alternate list for my nursing school I want, so if I don't get in I'll be 31 when I earn my BSN.

But, with education I'm releasing it's never too late. I realized a little later in life that I was interested in nursing and then it took me some time to start pursuing it!

but we're still young and it's not too late.

jm08168 · May 24, 2012

I like this post. Very positive. I was feeling too old myself

LindaBright, MSN · May 24, 2012

"

you're going to be 31 in three years no matter what. you can either be 31 and starting a career you really enjoy, or you can be 31 and doing something else. the only person who can tell you you're too old is yourself."

i love that. there is no age limit on starting a career that you love. there are always circumstances behind not discovering a "calling" or being able to follow that call, but those don't define the person, especially the nurse. also, most nurse educators favor older students, for just the reasons you said - more focus, more drive, more life experience, etc.

go for it, and good luck!!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 24, 2012

Right now I'm 28 and when I finish I will be 31. I just feel like I should of been started my career. I'm so tired of beating myself up. I started back in "04" but I just didn't finish. I'm doing really good and im more focused now since I'm older. Any advice out there?

When I was contemplating changing careers, I told my mom, "I really want to be a nurse, but I would be 32 before I would graduate." She responded, "How old will you be in 4 years if you DON'T go to nursing school?"

I thought, "well, DUH."

Thanks, Mom. :)

IowaDiva · May 24, 2012

Oh, Honey! It is definitely not too late. I'm taking my 150-hour CNA class and am excited to start my prerequisites this fall. I turned 49 last week. I had to raise my kids (still have a 10-year-old at home) before I could do what I've wanted to do for quite a while. Apparently, I wasn't ready when I was in my early 20s. I am ready now. I know I can do this. Just had to clean the cobwebs out of my brain first! :rolleyes: You will do great!!

dedicated2Help · May 24, 2012

Just read this and I'm curious to know what area you are from? Some colleges allow you to begin the BSN program if you already have a B.S. in a different area. May i ask why a LVN opposed to the RN?

dannygurl84 · May 24, 2012

Just read this and I'm curious to know what area you are from? Some colleges allow you to begin the BSN program if you already have a B.S. in a different area. May i ask why a LVN opposed to the RN?

I'm from Louisiana. I don't have a B.S, I'm doing my BSN now and I'm going for my RN.

cally527, RN · May 24, 2012

I will be 35 in a few days and I am hoping to start an ADN program in the fall. You are never to old if it is something you want to do but doing something you hate/don't want to be doing can make you old before your time!