Is 61 too old to start Pre-Nursing?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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  1. Is 61 too old to start Nursing School?

    • 19
      Yes, sit back and enjoy knitting.
    • 22
      No, go for it. We need grandmas in the field.
    • 3
      Don't know.

44 members have participated

Hi, everyone!

I am interested in changing careers. I just finished the CNA courses this summer. I really liked it and thinking I might want to do more.

BUT, I am 61 years old. You that have been through Nursing school, please be honest with me. I am a good student, but I don't want to spend time and money if it is unrealistic.

I have registered for A&P I and II in the Fall. Good/bad? Please submit your comments and do not be afraid to be brutally honest. I only need these classes to be able to apply, as I already have a BS

Thank you.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

How long do you intend to work?

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

I think your odds of being hired as a new-grad nurse in your mid-60's are very low.

If you'd be doing it for the knowledge or experience, go for it.

If it would be to earn a living, I wouldn't.

I think the area you'd go into makes a difference (for example telehealth vs. a busy medsurg floor), but I can't answer your poll because I don't think just because if you don't go to nursing school means that your only other options are to sit back and knit or whatever else you see as activities for being "too old".

Maybe you might try being a unit secretary or work as a CNA first, and see how you like things before making a commitment?

Hi,

if you think you would enjoy it,

if you think you are physically fit (well you do CNA... so I assume you do)

and if your head is sharp

are you gonna run into any hardship - during school, financial, health...any?

nothing can hold you apart from your passion!

I would totally go for it.

I am an immigrant (the effin immigrant who should not be in the nursing school - as I been told... and here I am :)

so I had to study in another language, take it from 0, deal with people who had issues with my accent and so on.

So not just many would say it was hard...it was like horse obstacle race.

Waste majority of people have to study and they have hard time with it.(I did not have to thanks God!). Many people have an emotional issue with - I got bad grade... how come... because the questions - test your thinking and your knowledge. Not just your memorization. So you get unlikely scenarios, or nonsense options to pick from... - your thinking remember, that is what is tested. And sometimes correct answer isn't there. Do not get upset. Some other people have an issue with the fact - there is not one correct answer... there is more ways how to "skin a cat"! There is unhealthy competition sometimes, but if you would like it and you feel fit... GO FOR IT.

My coworker is over 70 y. old...

While you apply to school, work as CNA... and keep your eyes and ears open and decide if you would really like to do the job.

Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

My brutal, honest opinion is NFW. (No F-ing Way). My feet won't go the distance of 12-18 hour days no more, no more!

It's one thing to be an experienced nurse with options of less demanding jobs that pay you for your brain. A new grad has no knowledge base to pay for. You are just an expense with a very short employment life-span.

Specializes in Ortho.

Like one poster said, if you feel physically capable of doing the work go for it. You've earned your CNA recently correct? Why not seek an opinion from your instructor or other nurses in your area. They can give you a better idea on the employment outlook for older adults in your area. Good luck!

As others have asked: How long do you intend to work?

I started nursing school at the age of 53, and graduated at 55. I had a job before I graduated. I have applied for and gotten two other nursing jobs. If you are in good health and can walk and move, then you should be fine. Not long ago, I worked with a nurse who is ten years younger than me. However, she is morbidly obese, and can't walk. While I am reasonably fit. I muck a horse stall daily, and carry 50 pound bags of feed and hay bales and heavy bags of shavings. So, age is just a number, in my opinion.

As another counseled you, don't take A&P I and II together. That is a big mistake. Like you, I already had a BS degree, getting into nursing school wasn't that hard.

Be prepared to study hard! Good luck and let us know what you decide to do!

Do it, If that's your dream then live it. No matter how long or how short. Better then looking back on it with regrets. I say if you can, then why not?

If you have the desire you should go for it because if not, you may have regrets. You don't have to do hospital nursing. There are so many options for an RN. You can also go for an LPN and work in a subacute facility/long term care or even in an assisted living facility. If you're alive and breathing it's not too late.

Who knows if you will get in or not ( regardless of your age)but if it's your desire you should at least try and see how the pre-requisites go.

Best wishes to you!

Im so happy to see your post! I'm turning 50 this fall and am applying to nursing school. I'm a physical therapist assistant and also have my B.S. in Social Work ( both degrees over 20 years ago) but I'm going for it. I'm so glad that someone in her 50's did it and an NP to boot!

Realistically, you don't have to reveal your age to any employers (except Texas, where sometimes they want your I.D. and s.s. # before you fill out your application, it seems shameful). Not sure about anywhere else. If you have the mind for it, go for it.

My brutal, honest opinion is NFW. (No F-ing Way). My feet won't go the distance of 12-18 hour days no more, no more!

It's one thing to be an experienced nurse with options of less demanding jobs that pay you for your brain. A new grad has no knowledge base to pay for. You are just an expense with a very short employment life-span.

Sorry, but to say that someone is just an 'expense' is just ridiculous. She can contribute plenty, and give 10 years to the workforce.

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