Is 31 too old to start a nursing career?

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 25, 2012

I'm 27 and I thought I was too old to go back to school for my BSN. This makes me realize how crazy I was for believing that. I got my BA in business in 2006 but needed a change. You're never too old to improve.

britney705 · May 25, 2012

No!! It's never too late go for it! I will be starting nursing school around the same age and I used to think just like you. Until I realized that I was starting my future at the perfect age because I was older I knew I was less prone to jumping into something that I didn't really have my heart into. So Good Luck!! :yeah:

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 25, 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?

lets see,I'm currently a cable tech getting into nursing career,it took me 4 years to complete my prereqs and get my AA,now, if I get in a BSN program I want to for spring 2013 I'll be done at age 37 oooook now I feel really old...31? really? are you kidding me? :) lol I moved to USA

8 yeas ago my first job in USA was at a fried chicken place making 7 bucks an hour...now I make, well, more than twice that...I know all about starting over....so no its never too young to start over lol.

Brookelin · May 25, 2012

I hope 31 isn't too old! I'm 31 and still have another three semesters before I can even apply to the BSN program. I'll be almost 35 before I graduate (and that's if I get accepted right away). I figured out my dream just a little late, but better late than never!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · May 25, 2012

I'm kind if like Brookelin. Started taking prereqs at 29 1/2. Ill be 32 next month and will apply to nursing school this year. I figure I'll be done by age 35. The thingbthat motivated me to go for it was looking at some of my friends who were close to 40 when I started. I looked At them and thought they look good, they're doing what they want with their lives and they are happy. I decided I had the right to pursue my dreams and knew that 40 would not be too old to enjoy the fruits of my new career. Along the way, I stopped working and my husband left me and guess what? I'm still here, pursuing my dream. Noone is stopping u but yourself. Go for it!

Annachu512, BSN, RN · May 25, 2012

Gosh no!! I'm 30 now and just finished my first sememster. Hell, if everything goes right and I get into grad school, I'll be 36-37 before all is said and done. Just think, with retirement ages being pushed, we can still get a good 30 years in before retiring. And I mean that in a kinda good way, more time to save up for it! :rotfl:

maddiem · May 25, 2012

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-many-much-709468.html

Check out the page above! There are plenty of people that are starting their career later in their life. You will not be wasting your time!

jdlabadia · May 25, 2012

Not old at all! I am in the same boat as you. I'm turning 29 in 2 months. This summer semester I'm just finishing my pre-requisites and applying to hopefully get in to the evening program in January of 2013 so I most likely won't be done with my A.A.S. until I'm 31. It's never too late to start and I feel like I just started my life all over again. I like to think of it as people find what they want to do with their lives at any age and it's never a bad time to do what you dream of.

llfox · May 25, 2012

Yes, 31 is too old, if you wish to retire by the time you are 35. :)

I am 45 turning 46 before my August ADN program starts this year. Oh well, I might as well get started. I worry too because my brain doesn't absorb and think as quick as it once did but then I sit in class for some of the prereqs and I'm dumbfounded how life has just 'taught' me some things that others are struggling with.

Good luck...not sure where I plan to go after ADN....we shall see.

prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2012

I was 28 when I started Lpn school. And so were 99% of my classmates. Only one person was about 19. I am now 33 and I'm in a bridge program. My goal is to become an NP and if it takes the rest of my life, so be it. It's my dream :). Go for what you want. My

sister is 40 and she just became an LPN. Also 9 had 2 classmates that were in their 60s. I also have some close to it now in my bridge program. Big hugs and shoot for the moon!

ixchel · May 25, 2012

Don't be hatin' on the 31 year olds. :nono:

:lol2:

A few undisputed facts that you may not know yet:

1. Women, like fine wine, improve with age.

B. Women live life as a journey and will arrive to their destinations only when they are ready and they should.

3. The older you are, and the more life experience you have under your belt, the easier school will be in some ways because you will know how to prioritize appropriately-- a life skill that takes your whole 20's to practice, and I'm sure well into your 30s and even 40s to perfect.

4. Passion increases when you come to ideas later on.

5. Maturity can only make you a better nurse.

I think that's it. I'll come back if it's not.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · May 25, 2012

I didn't break my hip until 33 so your still good