Is 31 too old to start a nursing career?

jgtdolphin · May 27, 2012

I am 44 and will start the practical nursing diploma program in the fall. I will graduate in 2014 at age 46! I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. With the support of my family, I am going to fulfil that dream. We have one son going into third year of college, a daughter going into first year and a son who will be in grade 11 (home school). You are never too old to fulfil a dream. Make the choice...start working on any requirements...and go for it. :)
Kimberley in Ontario

I too have wanted to be a nurse since I was little(4yrs old). I am 36 right now, and will be in the LPN program( or hopefully the RN program, waiting for letters) in the fall. FInances caused me to drop out of college after 1 yr, and I put my dream on hold, because I was more focused on settling down & starting a family. So after 15 + yrs, I decided to finally go after my dream. I have loved working in the medical field, but would be happier as a RN. My goal is to earn my degree before I turn 40, but I'll take it no matter what my age is.

I have found it a lot easier to focus on school now, and am surprised I managed a 4.0

Best of luck to everyone, and I don't think age is relevant at all. Do what makes you happy:)

nurs1ng · May 28, 2012

30+ is never too old!!

nurs1ng · May 28, 2012

I too have wanted to be a nurse since I was little(4yrs old). I am 36 right now, and will be in the LPN program( or hopefully the RN program, waiting for letters) in the fall. FInances caused me to drop out of college after 1 yr, and I put my dream on hold, because I was more focused on settling down & starting a family. So after 15 + yrs, I decided to finally go after my dream. I have loved working in the medical field, but would be happier as a RN. My goal is to earn my degree before I turn 40, but I'll take it no matter what my age is.
I have found it a lot easier to focus on school now, and am surprised I managed a 4.0
Best of luck to everyone, and I don't think age is relevant at all. Do what makes you happy:)

i'm glad to hear that u followed ur dream =)

newtinmpls, BSN, RN · May 28, 2012

I'm a year into my BSN-DNP and I just turned 50. Too old is an excuse, not a reason.

Dian

NICKII0216 · May 28, 2012

No way, at least I hope not!

I am start pre-reqs in the fall (god willing) I won't be able to enroll in a program until Summer of 2014 (I have ALOT of pre-reqs plus my employer is paying for me to get an Masters in Management, yeah, I know, lucky me heh...). I'll be 29 when I start and 30 when I finish, but 30 isn't old AT ALL.

Rhonduh · May 28, 2012

I hope to start the LPN program on the fall and i turn 40 at the end of June . 40 is the new 20! :lol2:

AndiesGirl · May 28, 2012

You're never too old if you are passionate about it!! I'm working on my BSN and will graduate when I am 30. So nope, not too old.

dannygurl84 · May 29, 2012

I turned 48 in April. In March, I received my acceptance letter into an ADN program. I will be 50 when I graduate. I am even contemplating going on for the BSN. Sweetie, you are never too old. Your years have made you who you are today. I started college right out of high school in 1982(I was a terrible student). I quit college and joined the military. At 45, my son suffered a collapsed lung and was in the hospital for almost a week. The atmosphere in the hospital, to me, was wonderful. Loved the smell, the activity, the nurses. I decided it was now or never. I am a better student now. It means more to me. Were the last 25 years a waste? Not at all. They made me who I am now. So please don't look at your past and think it is a waste. Never. I loved reading everyone's experiences here. Good luck and God bless to you!

Thank u so much! God bless u too! :)