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I have been a CNA for more than 12 years. Before that I was an Executive Assistant. Before that I was a military wife and mother for 20+ years. I've always loved the healthcare field, so when I was 52 I enrolled in an RN program. My GPA was 3.75. Thirteen months later I had to drop out of the program for financial reasons. Well, to make a long story short, I just graduated from an LPN program with honors, and anticipate taking the NCLEX next month. I am healthy, and I run circles around most of the students in our class - most in their late 30's and early 40's. I worked 20-30 hours per week while in the program, and most nights was up until 3:00 or 4:00 AM studying, plus don't forget clinicals. I am now 62, but one month after taking the NCLEX (and hopefully passing), I will be 63. I am ready to be a nurse, even if it's just an LPN. But I have to admit, I don't know for how long. I would like to get others opinion on this subject. Do you know of another nurse that started their career very late in life? Were they successful? If so, for how long? Is it more difficult to get hired as a new nurse at my age? My husband of 40 years has been very, very supportive, but sometimes I wonder if I'm just being silly trying to begin a new career, especially nursing, at 62. Thanks for reading and I welcome and value your honest (no, you won't hurt my feelings) opinion. Amy
I think that you should definitely go for it if it is what you're passionate about. The only thing I'll add (no disrespect of course) is that you make sure you're not only in decent shape but strong enough to help lift, for example, a patient. I think that would be their only concern in regards to age. Other than that, you took all the same courses and earned the same title as those younger than you.
https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/nursing-school-at-762419.html
"my oldest student was 63. she had been married for forty years to a man who told her she was stupid and worthless and never let her do anything she wanted to do, least of all nursing school. and when the old b****** died she took the insurance money and went to nursing school, bless her.
she was a typical student in some ways, except although she was new to nursing she was not new to life. in that she was years and years ahead of the 18-year-old chickies fresh out of high school who were her classmates. she had experienced the vicissitudes of life over decades, had raised kids, and so much else, so she could identify stressors and situations in patients, and they trusted her to listen to them more than someone whose hair wasn't already well along on its way to white.
another friend went to med school at 32. when people said, "you'll be forty by the time you finish!" she said, "i'll be forty anyway." good attitude.
good luck!"
Heck no you're not to old! If you just finished school I'd keep rolling into the next level. You'll have so many practical skills down & will be ahead of most students. Anyone who's done lower level nursing knows exactly what they're getting into and you'll learn faster because you've got context for how this plays out in real work environment.
There will NEVER be enough RN's.....never! I plan on always working at least part-time because I love it. A BSN gives you unlimited options. I'm starting an accelerated program at 59 and I work circles around my young colleagues.
People going to school when they're older often make for better employees because they're committed to a career change and have great life experience and communication skills.
ItsThatJenGirl, CNA
1,978 Posts
Get it, girl.