Older Nurse as NP Student

Jules A, MSN · Apr 28, 2015

The oldest students in my class both PMH and FNP were late 40s early 50s. I guess it depends on how long someone plans to work. I'm going to be done early 60s so for me it wouldn't be worth it to start at 55.

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2015

I graduated with two individuals over 55 (one 57 and one 62).

Sent from my iPhone.

SweenyG · Apr 28, 2015

Thanks!

MrChicagoRN, RN · May 2, 2015

I'm older than the OP, considering PMHNP for my "retirement career".

Dont know, maybe I'm a bit nuts, but the desire is there...

elkpark · May 2, 2015

I knew at least one student in my graduate program who was older than 55, and a grandmother. There may have been others but, because the program was divided into adult and pediatric divisions, I didn't know the students in the adult specialties.

Barnstormin' PMHNP · May 2, 2015

I'll be 51 when I graduate and there two others in my psych cohort older than I. The FNP cohort has at least 5-6 that are 50 and over. Don't let age stop you for anything, keep that brain moving. As for me, I plan on working till I keel over, I'm in the minority I'm sure but I do love psych.

Jules A, MSN · May 3, 2015

Don't let age stop you for anything keep that brain moving. As for me, I plan on working till I keel over, I'm in the minority I'm sure but I do love psych.[/quote']
But age does stop us from many things. Even in my 50s there are many things I can no longer do such as running as fast or long, easily working 16 hour shifts in a row and getting out of a speeding ticket with a grin and hair flip. :)
Seriously though while I truly hope you remain as mentally sharp as I find you to be now until you do keel over please try to keep a plan B in mind. I know two psychiatrists who eventually had to be asked to leave. Both were amazing, well respected physicians in their day but had gotten rather feeble in their early 70s. One finally did not have their hospital privileges renewed and the other one had fellow docs start screening all charts for worrisome prescriptions and eventually found so many questionable med orders that resignation was requested.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · May 3, 2015

I'll be 50 when I graduate but I figured that seeing as I'll have to work until at least 65 that's 15 more years I'd rather not be running my butt off in the ICU, and breaking my back. My brain still works so why not? Have to keep moving forward and upward. I don't want to be like some of the nurses I've worked with in the past who didn't go back to school after their diploma, have no degree and will be stuck working where they are until they die. If they lost their job tomorrow they'll be virtually unemployable. In the meantime I went and got my BSN, a couple of certifications and am now in grad school. In the current financial climate you can't afford to be caught napping. Let's face it, in 5 years time you'll still be 5 years older. Wouldn't you prefer to be 5 years older with APRN after your name?

Barnstormin' PMHNP · May 3, 2015

That is too bad about the psychiatrists JulesA, that must have been very hard for them. My current preceptor is in his early 70's and he is very, very sharp. I do have a plan B and that is to go live with one of my kids and spoil my (future) grandchildren. Hopefully they will near a beach, a warm one!

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · May 4, 2015

I'll be 64 when I graduate. I'm a grandmother, and run after my grandkids all the time. I'm going to be 64 with or without the degree (God willing!), I'd rather have it. We older students have a lot of life left, and a lot of experience to share. I've seen several reports that 80 is becoming a more realistic retirement age than 60. I've always thought that I might like to spend a few years teaching, so that's always an option as well. We only go around once, gotta take the opportunities we really want and go for it!

Jules A, MSN · May 4, 2015

I've seen several reports that 80 is becoming a more realistic retirement age than 60.

But who is saying this? The hair color industry, the Viagra company or Betty White? We all know the unique individuals who are older than 70 and still functioning well but I would say as that increases to over 80 years old those numbers would be considerably lower. The information I have read seems to indicate that cognitive decline after age 60 becomes remarkable.

" With age comes increasing chances of being dependent. For instance, while 1 percent of those aged 65 to 74 years lived in a nursing home in 1990, nearly 1 in 4 aged 85 or older did. And among those who were not institutionalized in 1990-91, 9 percent aged 65 to 69 years, but 50 percent aged 85 or older, needed assistance performing everyday activities such as bathing, getting around inside the home, and preparing meals"

https://www.census.gov/population/socdemo/statbriefs/agebrief.html