too old to become a nurse?

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I just turned 49. My youngest is 16, he's got two years left in HS. I have been in office administrative positions seemingly forever, and I want to become an RN. Everyone I tell looks at me as if I have lost my marbles. I want to do something that matters, not just collect a paycheck. Am I too old to have the education, money and time spent in school recouped? I figure I have at least 17 years (if I retire at 67). Too late to start a totally different career? Also, since time is of the essence, would an ADN be ok?

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NO! You are not too old... there are people in my nursing program your age... and many many others will tell you the exact same thing. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I say go for it. :)

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My mom graduated from nursing school at 50, almost 51. Hasn't regretted it for a moment. Go for it.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Don't listen to anyone that tells you any different. Go for it!!!!!

:anpom::anpom::anpom:

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I just turned 49. My youngest is 16, he's got two years left in HS. I have been in office administrative positions seemingly forever, and I want to become an RN. Everyone I tell looks at me as if I have lost my marbles. I want to do something that matters, not just collect a paycheck. Am I too old to have the education, money and time spent in school recouped? I figure I have at least 17 years (if I retire at 67). Too late to start a totally different career? Also, since time is of the essence, would an ADN be ok?

This sounds like my story, I turned 42 this year and I also have a 16 year old daugher with 2 years left in high school and I also have been in the administrative role for approx 20 years. I totally can relate with you about doing something that really matters where you can make a difference, not paper push and fetch coffee for the rest of my working career. I started talking pre- req this past summer and hopefully will enter a Nursing program in 2010 to get my ASN. I will be approx 45-46 when I start my new career. I also thought maybe it was too late but we are going to have to work until the golden age of retirement anyway, unless we hit the lotto LOL!, so why not do something different for the remaining 17 to 20 years. Ask yourself, if you don't do it, will you be satisfied and remain sane doing what you do now for 20 more years! NOT!... GO FOR IT! you can do it.

:up:

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My mom just graduated from an ADN program at 50, and she is planning on getting her masters AND she wants to be a personal trainer as well. We have a 59 year old in my NS class. I honestly think that for everything in life there is never truly a perfect time, so go for it now! You won't regret it.

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My aunt became an RN at 50...GO FOR IT!! :yeah:

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Specializes in CVICU, Burns, Trauma, BMT, Infection control.

Go for it! The only thing that slows me down with working at this age are the physical demands. If you're not in decent physical shape I'd start a walking program or something,it will make it easier on you because you sure walk/nearly run a lot working 12h shifts on the floors.

Good luck!!:yeah:

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I'm 28 and I just started nursing clinicals this past week, and I can tell you that the majority of my class is closer to your age than they are to mine! So it's definitely not out of the ordinary for people to go back to school for nursing after already having had a career and just wanting/needing a change.

I don't see any reason why age should hold you back.

Good luck!

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
:twocents: You're only as old as ya want to BE...LOL...As the others have stated "GO 4 IT!!!!!!!!"
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We have a fair # of nurses that have full pensions from their previous employer!!

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