I am 51 and I am currently pursuing my BSN. However, I have not trecieved mush encouragement from my colleagues and peers. They seem to think I am too old. I was raised to believe one is never too old for education but I am beuing told I am wasting my time as it is not going to benefit men career wise and these naysayers don't see it as useful personally.
I intend to work as long as my mind and body will allow me and since I come from hardy stock, am physically fit and don't look my age AND can hold my own in ICU/CCU I say I have another 19 or 20 yrs to contribute and to learn.
Looking for different input, opinions and beliefs on this. What do you think????
So glad I found this thread. I have been a RN since 1982 but didn't work full time for that entire time. I decided I wanted my BSN and did it online graduating in 2007 at the age of 56. Graduated with Distinction too. I immed appplied to Grad school to become a NP and am about a year away from completing it. I am the oldest in the class and most profs are younger than I am. Preceptors are definitely much younger. Ageism is out there for sure. Another NP on this board who I used as a guide in helping me decide if NP was right for me tells me that older students in Grad school is in its infancy, so it does have an effect. I found that the preceptors base their epectations on my years s a nurse rather than the fact that I am in a specific course etc. One told me I could start seeing patients on my second day there and another told me he expected more of me because I had been a nurse for nearly 30 years!! Have never been a NP, so it put me at a disadvantage and definitely affected the quality of my education. I am transferring to an online program to hopefully stay out of the politics. I will have the ability to select my preceptors too. I would never not go to school due to my age, but I do think that it has to be considered when choosing the school. I expect a good education and need to find those schools that are accustomed to older students. I need to feel my faculty is supportive and able to help their students build on their assets and go forward. I also think I may be asking for too much. I still have hope though. I definitely have the drive and passion. Barinbass
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Barinbass-- I love to read about the interesting twists and turns our careers take over long periods of time-- as well as the experiences of older people getting into the field for the first time.
After noting in myself no desire to be complacent and continued thirst to learn new things, I realized that the old saws about "being slow to catch on to things" as you get older is more reflective of a personality type than an age. I've just made the decision that I'm not going to allow other people's prejudices to decide the course of my life, and deal with whatever difficulties arise on a case by case basis.
I agree with the others and am in the same boat - 47 and going for MSN. Don't let others discourage you - you need to separate your
self from them. Gosh if I'd listened to others I never would have been a nurse! And that was back in the mid 80's. Those of us with years of clinical experience are the ones who should be teaching nursing students!
I think those who are trying to discourage you are just jealous that you're able to fulfill your dream of becoming a MSN and they are stuck wherever they are for whatever reason. You Go Girl!
The way I look at it, you are going to be 50+ with or without a BSN (or more). Age should never be a consideration. If you feel like a BSN will enhance your nursing career in any way, then go for it. I've had students in their 60's so you would be a young chick compared to them! Good luck!
You are not doing it for them anyway. Get the education.
I was 45 when I STARTED my ADN program. Now I have a MSN and intend to keep working for several years. Education brought new experiences, new friends and new opportunities.
Specializes in NPD; Administration; M/S; Critical Care.
The discouragement you've received is probably due to those nurses who wish they had the courage to advance their own education/career outcomes. I concur with everyone here who says to 'go for it' and never stop learning!!!
In my first nursing degree class 21 years ago, the oldest lady in the class was 65 years young, and was at the top of our class, in terms of GPA. She was financially set r/t husband's great job, but had always wanted to be a nurse, so she did. She would invite the rest of us to her house for study sessions that would include her awesome fresh-baked cookies.....in this group, generational differences were celebrated.
I turned to online learning years later for my advanced degrees in nursing. It's an ideal venue for the adult learner, since everyone learns from other's experiences. You can shop around for CCNE-accredited programs that have a curriculum you find exciting (and avoid those with components you find undesirable, such as organic chemistry).
DianePhD, Can you suggest schools that seem to be experienced and comfortable with non traditional students in our 50s'? I am 59 now and have completed some of my MSN. I want to complete it online. Because I know that birthdate is asked on most if not all MSN applications and because one who called me to tell me about the schools he was recruiting for told me that some have age limits, I'd like to apply to thoise who will not consider age as a factor in deciding admission. Thanks Barinbass
DianePhD, Can you suggest schools that seem to be experienced and comfortable with non traditional students in our 50s'? I am 59 now and have completed some of my MSN. I want to complete it online. Because I know that birthdate is asked on most if not all MSN applications and because one who called me to tell me about the schools he was recruiting for told me that some have age limits, I'd like to apply to thoise who will not consider age as a factor in deciding admission. Thanks Barinbass
Barinbass
184 Posts
So glad I found this thread. I have been a RN since 1982 but didn't work full time for that entire time. I decided I wanted my BSN and did it online graduating in 2007 at the age of 56. Graduated with Distinction too. I immed appplied to Grad school to become a NP and am about a year away from completing it. I am the oldest in the class and most profs are younger than I am. Preceptors are definitely much younger. Ageism is out there for sure. Another NP on this board who I used as a guide in helping me decide if NP was right for me tells me that older students in Grad school is in its infancy, so it does have an effect. I found that the preceptors base their epectations on my years s a nurse rather than the fact that I am in a specific course etc. One told me I could start seeing patients on my second day there and another told me he expected more of me because I had been a nurse for nearly 30 years!! Have never been a NP, so it put me at a disadvantage and definitely affected the quality of my education. I am transferring to an online program to hopefully stay out of the politics. I will have the ability to select my preceptors too. I would never not go to school due to my age, but I do think that it has to be considered when choosing the school. I expect a good education and need to find those schools that are accustomed to older students. I need to feel my faculty is supportive and able to help their students build on their assets and go forward. I also think I may be asking for too much. I still have hope though. I definitely have the drive and passion. Barinbass