Nursing school at age 50

SC4Nurse2B · Jul 30, 2012

Yeah, more people like me! I am 48. I am starting an ADN program this fall. I will be 50 when I graduate. Loved the prereq's. People came to me for advice on how to study better because I was getting A's in all my classes. (I am sure that will change. :/) Go for it! Us older gals make great students, we have already seen all types of people. Good luck!

Gchr · Jul 30, 2012

I just recently went back to school and I am 51. It is a challenge, but if you want something bad enough, you find a way. The one big advantage at this age is that between my wife and I, we have either been or are on most of the medications that we study!

I am doing well in pharmacology as a result. LOL

sparkyr · Jul 30, 2012

I'm 45 and just starting the pre-reqs for either my RN or ARNP/RN combo. You are not alone! :)

I'm completing my CNA right now to really learn what I'm getting myself into with nursing degree. We're in clinicals and I've found that my age is a benefit. Not only did I ace the classes, I've found that I'm not as flustered as the younger folks when learning new skills on the job. I've also found that patients look at you like "you're more qualified" - maybe they assume you've been doing this for 30 years.

The CNA work is hard physically, but what I've found more important is the ability to juggle a millions things without forgetting anything. Age and life experience have definitely helped with that.

tinburma · Jul 31, 2012

Hello Maddy50,

I've been taking the key courses for part-time RN program in a community college in NYC. If everything is going well, I'll finish it in 2015, at the age of 50. I'm working full-time CNA job in a nursing home. Yesterday, I met with a man who is one of my patient's nephew. He told me his interesting life. After serving 22 yrs as a marine, he retired at the age of 42 and started studying nursing. Then he worked as a night-shift nurse in a hospital, and continued studying to become a nurse practitioner. Now, he has been working as a NP (Pediatrics), and a nursing instructor as well in Maine. He is 60. He told me not to think "I am old." and encouraged me to keep going until I become a NP or PA. His words were like a good tonic for me. I hope for you, too.

I don't think age should be an isue as long as one is competent for the position. In my opinion, attutude and hard work were key factors to go forward.

Good luck, and have a better future!

lastchance56 · Jul 31, 2012

Well it's good to see I'm not alone in the boat! I am 55, will be entering the 3 year program at OHSU, Oregon. That means I'll graduate at 58. I too was apprehensive about the physicality and emotional strain of nursing. However, when you are laid off after 23 years, and your main job skill is middle management at a call center, there's not a lot of jobs in my city for that skill set.

I decided to work with a counselor to see where I stood credit-wise and take a few aptitude and interest tests. I had wanted to be a nurse or doctor when I was a child but life didn't work out that way. Now, due to the economy, I am able to pursue that dream.

I did do the CNA course and clinicals so have had a bit of trial by fire. I realizes I can and so want to. Not only will I have more immediate satisfaction of helping people, but a decent living besides. I found that about 1/3 to 1/2 of the students in my science pre-reqs were like me: laid off and a saturated job market for the skills they have. They too are wanting to make a difference and see the medical field as meeting that desire.

One other thing. I will be d***** if I ever get into another work place like the old job and let people treat me that way. With a nursing degree, I can and will WALK if I am being degraded, verbally abused, etc. by management and/or coworkers. These new skills will give me confidence in being able to find work at other locations. That ability is icing on the cake.

And before others chime in about workplaces: yes I've heard the horror stories of how other nurses and doctors treat you. But I don't believe that is true in all workplaces and by all people. I believe my Higher Power will direct me to where I'm supposed to be and help me adapt. Good luck to all of you second-tme arounders!

marialsnd · Jul 31, 2012

I just turned 40 and am starting my BSN courses in a few weeks. It's definitely different being back in school at my age, but I find that except for being "Mom" to some of my classmates, they treat just like any other student in class. I feel like my life experiences, especially my 15+ years in EMS will benefit me in school. There's something to be said for being an older student who because of experiences in life is going to nursing school vs. someone younger who may have a glamorized view of what is actually involved in a nursing career. I know that some of my upcoming classmates have never actually worked in healthcare except for the time they spent in their CNA courses, which are an admission requirement.

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2012

Maddy, go for it! If this is what you want then do it. I am 48 and I just graduated from nursing school and taking my boards soon. When I started school I was 40, at that time I did not have a college degree, always wanted to go back to school but I let fear get in the way, because I am afraid of failure I did not do it sooner thinking how after 20 plus years since graduating high school and because I had to work soon after, I was not going to do well on the CPT. I turned 40 and it was like a mid-life changing -- something like a crisis but positive. I said to myself "I am going to take the CPT and let it be what it will be", I scored over 90% in all areas except math; which is a language into itself. Took the remediation needed and the pre-requisites needed for nursing. Along the way I got sick with rheumatoid arthritis, but once I started I never gave up, I said to myself this disease is not going to stop me. It took me a little longer than most, took the pre-requisites one class at a time, so here I am 2012 and I am a proud nursing graduate, soon to add RN after my name :nurse: I would have been 48 anyway, but now I have a degree.

At Lastchance56, I agree with you, I want to do patient care, but in a place where patient safety is first; which is why as much as I would like to start the med-surge floor, I do not want to as the patient ratio is unsafe practice. Dr. Phil says you train people how to treat you, I am professional and respectful, but I expect the same. I am sure, like LastChance, that not all places treat their staff like a monkey can do the job. We are professionals and we need to treat each other as such. When I read "old nurses eat their young", I cringe because I do not see myself allowing this. It starts with each other, so that we can expect management to do the same.

I just got laid off (another set-back) from a job where I was employed close to 25 years. I hope the years I can show I worked in this office, will show my future employer my commitment and dependability. This is another set back that will NOT interfere with the joy of graduating as a nurse, I re-live my graduation every day and how proud my parents are of me. I just got ACLS certified and I have such an accomplishment feeling.

Finally, I do not feel as if I am 48 years old with RA and all, I feel younger (can lose 50 pounds that I have accumulated since I started nursing school LOL). Go for it Maddy, there are over 200 specialties in nursing, you are bound to find something that you want. I have always like critical care and I hope to land my dream job, but if not, I am ready to pay my dues and end there.

I am sorry for the long post... I suppose I could have just said do it! But we all have our stories and I hope mine is a glimpse of what you can accomplish in this wonderful profession. We belong to a class all by itself

PS... I am already signed up for the one class pre-requisite that I need to get into the bachelor's program.

latern · Jul 31, 2012

Hi, after many years in the health care field I am considering going back to school to become an RN. I am 50 and in very good health, how ever I worry that because of my age insturctors, and nurses training me will automatically have doubts on my ability to do the job. I also worry about getting hired as a new nurse because of my age. I would really appreciate honest opinions and concerns. It is something I would really like to do and hope that my age will not be an issue.
thank you maddy50

I'm 53 and just graduated the LPN program . I've been accepted into the RN for this fall. Don't let age hold you back. My age/experience has made everything about this journey easier...from managing time and maintaining motivation to finding a job and blending into the workforce. You already have life skills that younger students are struggling to learn. You probably aren't juggling raising toddlers with study time and you already know your strengths and limitations when it comes to choosing what social stuff to let happen without you. And what of the the truism that "Older nurses eat their young"...you have too much personal experience to let someone bully you and chances are they won't even try! Your years of experience make you a valuable employee...you already know what to expect and how to be a good worker and coworker... you can draw on your years of experience to meet almost every challenge in dealing with people.Besides, what if you DON"T do this... that was my bottom line...do you want to wait another 5 years and still be facing the decision? Or give up without trying? Good luck with whatever you decide and let us know how it goes for you!

Ruthe314 · Aug 1, 2012

I'm 48 and just finishing the second quarter of a three year program. I've worked in healthcare for 9 years as a phlebotomist and knew first hand how tough a job I'd have once I graduated - so I agree with the folks who are saying beware. Make sure you're energetic and have a good back! Also realize that you bring a wealth of wisdom to the table and, most likely, none of the crap that clouds your mind when you're younger.

Just be ready to work really hard and be very very frustrated! This is NO walk in the park. I pretty much eat, sleep, dream, walk and talk nursing school. One of the best predictors of success is support at home. Believe me, you will not have time to clean house, shop or cook. Make sure you have someone to do all that for you. Your job will be to STUDY!

Good luck, it's worth it!!

Suzonne · Aug 1, 2012

I am 51 and soon to be 52 and just starting my Nursing school in 2 weeks! Have been working as an EMT on an ambulance for the last year and a half with young men all the same age as my own son! Have loved every minute of it and age has never held me back nor should it hold you back! My dad is an ER Doc and still works full-time five days a week at 80 and still loves it. So age is just a number. What counts is how you feel inside so do what you love and go after your dream! :)

beachybutt · Aug 1, 2012

Hi there!

Nursing is my second career and I'm approaching age 30. When I started nursing school this past January (and during my pre-requisites), I was so excited to see a wide range of ages in my class. I'm placed in the middle. While a good half of my class is between age 19-23, I have gravitated toward the students who are older than me. They are very smart, focused, mature and I enjoy being around people with these qualities. I have made some great friends who are incredibly motivated because they are also starting a new career and understand what has brought us to this decision. We all take nursing school seriously, because we have worked so hard to arrive here and want to succeed! We have this and a lot more in common...like balancing priorities: school and work, paying bills, family, etc.

I think when you start nursing school (whatever age that may be), you find other students with some of the same fears, but can be there to support you along the way. You are there for YOU!...To learn and soak up as much knowledge as possible. You're certainly not there to please everyone else. Age should not stop you from following your dream of becoming a nurse :nurse:Keep your eyes on the prize and you will do great!

I wish you the very best!!! :heartbeat

carme76 · Aug 1, 2012

I just turned 54 about a week ago. I just completed my LPN program and I am starting my ADN this Fall. It makes feel so much better to know that I am not alone