Nursing-A second carrer at 50!

1. Its never too late. Only you can answer this. How you approach your career will determine the answer to this question.

2. I've never run into it until I was a member here to be honest. Thats not saying I dont believe it goes on, but I have never personally witnessed it. My first job was on a med/surge unit that had as the majority of their staff.....very experienced nurses.......all late 50's. Maybe my unit/hospital was the exception, IDK.

3. I know in PA, new grads are somewhat favored. So, I'd say no, you wont have a problem with that.

4. Here. LOL. Talk to others, see where people have had bad experiences and be wise about picking your first job.

5. Not only cost effective but, I would say you'd want to. You can move into administrative positions with higher degrees. Some of the nurses I mentioned from my first job.........their one mistake was.......they got their assoc. RN and never bothered with school again. So, they were stuck being a clinical nurse like it or not. Higher degrees mean more options. It wont increase your clinical nurse pay though.

I had to respond only because, for me the career choices came down to picking between accounting and nursing too. For some reason, I went nursing. I dont regret it, but I understand there is shortly going to be an accounting shortage also. Not as bad as nursing shortage, but bad enough that you wont have to jump through hoops of fire to get a job in accounting. I sometimes have considered going back to school for accounting.

The employment picture in nursing seems to be changing along with the economic problems elsewhere. I've known some nurses who graduated after 50 and successfully began second careers.

I would imagine that employers would prefer new nurses to be younger, since younger people tend to catch on quicker. So, you might encounter some age discrimination as a new grad.

So much is dependent on your personal situation.

The employment picture in nursing seems to be changing along with the economic problems elsewhere. I've known some nurses who graduated after 50 and successfully began second careers.

I would imagine that employers would prefer new nurses to be younger, since younger people tend to catch on quicker. So, you might encounter some age discrimination as a new grad.

So much is dependent on your personal situation.

I disagree with this comment- in fact my experience has been that many employers prefer older nurses to twenty something nurses. We are more mature, know what we want, we are in it for the long haul, and we do not take more time to "catch on". That was pretty insulting. Everything is based on the individual. I was just hired as a new grad in a mother/baby unit and it was apparent that they had no problem with my age (I'm 40) All of kids are in school so there arent as many childcare issues and I am not having any more children. THis is a second career for me as I have a BS in HEalth Eduaction and was a middle school teacher. Several students in my class were at least 10 years older than me an have not had a problem finding jobs- GO FOR IT!

Sorry if I insulted you. I have 11 years on you, so you are just a youngster to me I'm getting regular junk mail from AARP...

50 is not too old! you're maturity and 'life knowledge' already have you ahead of alot of younger people who don't know what they want. if you're mind is made up - go for it!

my sister started her nursing career @ 49 & my mother, her teaching career @ 53.

congratratulations and the best of luck!

after being an lvn for 21 years - i have decided to go for my bsn...so if anyone knows a really good on-line school, please let me know!

:flwrhrts:

kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear

- mark twain

As to the OP, if she is in a hurry to graduate, she should get her ADN. If she has the financial luxury to pursue her advanced degrees, and loves school, then by all means get your PhD.

You haven't shared anything about your personal situation that would be a vital piece of the puzzle for us to give advise.

I would imagine that employers would prefer new nurses to be younger, since younger people tend to catch on quicker. So, you might encounter some age discrimination as a new grad.

I am young and I have found that employers prefer older settled persons as a new grad. They don't have pregnancy issues, small children, baby sitter issues, don't take off to party, etc...

As far as younger persons catching on faster, I think that's ridiculous. We have older nurses in the ED (male & female) who can run circles around me.

Well, that's reassuring that oldsters like me are still valued! I thought because people over 50 have more health problems, that employers prefered youngsters.

I agree never too late. Most nurses are in their 50s you will fit right in,

1. Is it too late for me to have a meaningful career in nursing?

2. Is age discrimination widespread?

3. Is employement for new, older graduate more difficult?

4. Is there a site with information as to best employers for older/new nurses?

5. Is it wothwhile/cost effective to pursue studying from:ADN,BSC to Masters or PHD, level in nursing at my age-

newly 50?

6. Is there statistic out there, about successes in nursing as a second career at age 50 plus?

1. Universities are becoming full of older students looking for a second career. Nursing being at the top.

2. I don't think there is age discrimination in nursing.

3. I don't think you would have any problem finding a job unless you live in a small rural area.

4. Same as above

5. I would see no advantage in persuing anything further than your ADN unless you looking to working past

retirement and working in management which even with a degree you'd have to work your way up the

ladder.

6. This (allnurses.com) is the perfect place to find statistics about nursing as a second career. Second career

nurses are here and very willing to be helpful. Just start a new thread in General Nursing "Calling all second

career nurses) etc... You in the right place and welcome to nursing!

Go for it and I speak from experience, graduated at 51. Did ADN and do some classes online towards my BSN which i have been told i don't have to rush to get or get at all. I started working on a IMCU step down unit with open heart pts that come to us right out of the unit. I love it and was told in my interview and at school that employers definetely like mature new RN's that have life experience behind them. I don't get flustered or silly like some of my fellow RN's on the floor. I work with a wide range of ages and enjoy every minute of it. You can go as far as you want with your education, i know a ex buddist monk who went back at 62 to nursing school..amazing. he is working in dialysis..

best of luck and just go with the flow in school...

I'm in my mid-40's, changing from a technology based career, and one year away from completing my BSN. Here are my observations to this point:

1. Is it too late for me to have a meaningful career in nursing?

I'm not qualified to comment on on the nursing aspect, but I can tell you it's never too late to make your work meaningful as long as you know what meaningful work is. Guy Kawasaki, one of the original Mac development team members, has a take on meaningful work: 1) Improves quality of life, or 2) Rights a historical wrong, or 3) Keeps a good thing from going away. I can tell you that even as a student nurse, my work is meaningful because I've been able to cover 2 of the 3 in the list. I expect my future work will continue to do so.

2. Is age discrimination widespread?

I don't know about discrimination, but there's a lot of criticism of the younger generation out there. Mostly undeserved and much based on less than adequate communication. The whole thing about being quick on the uptake at a younger age? Anecdotally, I can tell you when it comes to memorizing huge amounts of material (think pharmacotherapeutics) the youngsters have a decided advantage. When it comes to integrating knowledge in a meaningful way - let's say the more frames of reference you have, the more likely you are to be able to do this. The important thing to know is, "How you learn things". Once you have a handle on this, then you can make the necessary adjustments.

3. Is employment for new, older graduate more difficult?

Dunno, I'll let you know in about a year. But I can tell you that your clinicals are a great place to apply your experience in trying to understand all aspects of nursing including managerial, process approach to management, and interpersonal communication. Your previous experience, and in some instances deference to your age, will allow you to educate your peers, instructors, and nurse preceptors as well as learn from them. The result will be to grow your network so when time comes to go to work, you'll have info to work with. Treat clinicals as an opportunity to learn the craft and consider it a try-out and I'll bet it will help in your job search.

4. Is there a site with information as to best employers for older/new nurses? I'm interested in this myself; thanks for asking.

5. Is it worthwhile/cost effective to pursue studying from:ADN,BSC to Masters or PHD, level in nursing at my age-

newly 50?

I harken back to what a friend told me when I complained that I'd be over 30 before I attained my first degree. He said, "You can be over 30 with or without your degree. Take your pick." I intend to go on. I would recommend getting into a BSN program to start if at all possible. You'll find it'll take about the same amount of time if you already have a bachelors degree in something else. That said, do not apply to only one program. It's very competitive to get a seat in a school. Keep all of your options open ADN, BSN, public, private and so on.

6. Is there statistic out there, about successes in nursing as a second career at age 50 plus?

Neat question; I'll be watching for the responses.

I can also tell you, every day I go to class or clinicals, I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Good luck to you and I hope you attain your goals.