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 Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.
Please go for it. I don't care how old you are you can still go to nursing school and work as a nurse at your age. There are plenty of nurses your age working. Also, there are plenty of nursing students your age as well. Do not get discouraged from some of the things that ppl are posting. In nursing there are so many areas that doesn't require lots physical work. Go for your nursing degree. :)

I see how you a pre-nursing student. These nurses her age that are working have likely been a nurse for 20, 30, even 40 years and are probably going to retire soon. Yes, there are areas of nursing that don't require a lot of physical work. But guess what, these positions are usually filled by nurses who have a ton of experience in the trenches of patient care (med surg, ICU, telemetry, etc).

No one is trying to discourage her. We are trying to warn her of what's ahead if she decides to pursue nursing. Maybe you should refrain from giving such life altering advice when you yourself aren't even a nurse. You don't have the experience to even be giving such advice.

NO you are never too old.

I just thought of something. Check out indeed.com and look at types of RN positions. I know everyone feels that hospital med/surf.nursing could be difficult with an older age( again, depends on the person) but there are many other areas. Home care- you visit one client at a time etc. Also, what about applying for an LPN program. They are only 1 year. You could see if you really like nursing and decide from there. You could work as an LPN and be content too. They work in Long term care facilities, doc offices and also do home care but they will be assigned to one client for an entire shift vs the RN visiting multiple patients per day.

This is a great idea!

I absolutely think you should pursue nursing. However, you will have to adjust to the modern college. And that is 80% of your success in school, learning how to do school. Learn how to use computer resources properly. Learn how to study for what the professors want you to study. Learn how to work with the other students, and use the tools they use. This will make your life much easier.

I graduated this past May (2017) with an associates in nursing from a community college, at age 69. In August I took, and passed, the NCLEX. I am currently employed as an RN and have another job offer on the table for a residency program. I would offer you this advice: first, you are not too old, second, split your A&P's if it is not too late to do so. If it is too late then take advantage of tutoring. Once you get into nursing school make sure you get in a study group. Balance your time, there will come a day when you will begin to think of yourself only as a nursing student. Nursing studies will begin to encompass your thoughts most of the day, everyday. But stick with it, the most successful students were those who identified themselves as being a nurse early in their schooling. I wish you the best of everything in your new endeavor. Age discrimination exists, for sure, but be tenacious. Keep pulling and don't look back, no matter how old you are.

50 and looking forward to the next. It only gets better young people! Last week I took the ACT. The end of this week I'm taking the Hesi. A few days after that I'm turning 50! I've been on the administrative/insurance side of medicine for 30 years and have always had a calling to be a nurse. A calling that has never gone away. I started the core classes last Jan (2017) and will finish up this spring. Applying for the 2018 Fall ASN program. I work at a hospital now on a very busy floor as a Unit Sec/Monitor Tech. I run circles around some of my sweet coworkers. They are always telling me to slow down. I can't slow down. I love taking care of others. The reward and honor that comes with taking care of another human being at their most vulnerable is a privilege. I've made it this far with a current GPA of 3.62. I won't stop until I walk across that stage to receive that degree in front of my son and grandbabies. Never ever give up on your dream!

If you just want to go to nursing school because you want experience, learn and gain the skills, you should be able to do so. Diploma in nursing or practical nursing. Practical nursing does have a quicker route, but i hear there is alot of training and more work as an LPN. You can still enjoy knitting too.

I reread what you wrote and you said you enjoyed CNA, and would want something more. Maybe you can do patient care tech per diem / on-call as a job for your retirement .

I dont know much about the other job age requirements like medical assisting but I just wanted to say lots of people work or volunteer during retirement time.

Also, alittle support : although most members express their opinions with honesty and maybe even facts, the delivery is very blunt. ( looks like nursing school maybe kicked their butt) ; or its just a stick up there.

You gotta proofread to casually ask a question, while you just chillin trying to chat or get advice with some people who share the same interest. Some people won't even answer a questions, instead they'll say something slick like " your didn't spell prerequisites correctly" or "you should consider another major" ( which ones??? ) I don't know what kind of help this is but confusing response, which causes individuals to question their self worth...

*And if I'm reported, the person who reports me just gives themselves up. Half the nasty things people write should be reported as not helpful, but abuse...some nurses are nice but some are nice, and i know it's difficult when your starting out and is a beginner at learning the process of becoming a nursing student.

I say do your own research, and get volunteer experience and if the prerequisites intrigue you, and you can see yourself interpreting and doing clinical work, why not? ( this goes for all prenursing ) !

Do it. Don't let anyone stop you. So what, you're 61. I'm 38. She's 22. If you like it, do it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning. I'm not sure what the oldest age was in my class but 50s. And they brought so much wisdom. Please don't second guess yourself. It's hard. Time consuming. But so rewarding!! Good luck. I'd love to know how you're doing!!!!

I am done with my pre-recs and am entering nursing school in the fall in a very competitive program. I am taking a English comp class this summer with a gentlemen who is well in his 60s who is going to college for English. By the way, I am 62 and starting a second career. Unfortunately, I live in an area where the cost of living must have gone over 300% the past few years because we are now a popular place to be. Get prepared to see those "old" people start those programs. By the way those "old" people have even "older parents" and they get to pay for their health care programs in health care facilities (such as dementia). So they helping their children with their children and are helping their parents receive adequate health care. It is like being in the middle of a sandwich. People who also enter this program actually may be more invested in the process than those who are 22. Most of us have been CNAs before because it is hard to get into a program without being one so we are used to doing the hard stuff..

I wish everyone luck with whatever they are doing. When you start walking in someone else's shoes, then you might gain some understanding about their choice in life. And I said to the sweet CNA whose mother said she should help the older CNA's who might need help because they are older, I can take care of my own patients and if I need help (which people should do) I will ask.

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