Is 61 too old to start Pre-Nursing?

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  1. Is 61 too old to start Nursing School?

    • Yes, sit back and enjoy knitting.
    • No, go for it. We need grandmas in the field.
    • Don't know.

44 members have participated

Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

I say GO FOR IT!

I work ER with a nurse that's 72 and she keeps up no problem and absolutely loves her patients.

Please let us know how it's going! ;)

G019, BSN, RN

45 Posts

Specializes in Ortho.
I say GO FOR IT!

I work ER with a nurse that's 72 and she keeps up no problem and absolutely loves her patients.

Please let us know how it's going! ;)

I remember watching a video of an OR nurse who was celebrating her 90th birthday. I believe she still practices to this day. That lady was moving around faster than her colleagues half her age!

CanadianAbroad

176 Posts

Why are people acting like 61 is close to death and this person would be not able to do this? I worked with someone who was 60 and she could run circles around most of us. Don't let age stop you. If this is what you want, go for it! You are only 61. That is like the new 40. I can see how many here have preconceived notions on what a 61 year old may act like and is dangerous for our patients to think this way.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

What a person older than 61 can do or not do is not the question when that person can not get hired to do or not do anything. That was the point that some people addressed.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN

1,208 Posts

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
What a person older than 61 can do or not do is not the question when that person can not get hired to do or not do anything. That was the point that some people addressed.
Agreed.

I am 52 and can out-think and out-hustle almost every other nurse I work with. And yet... there is the ageism thing.

Many new grads still face a strong headwind in launching their careers without facing the bias against age which is so prevalent in our culture.

If the OP has the time and money to do this without reaping a financial reward on the back end, great. Otherwise, this has a higher-than-usual potential to end up a tragic mistake.

Just because you can doesn't make it wise. I'm just not a gambler.

middleagednurse

554 Posts

Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Don't do it. It will be expensive, and very difficult. You will never earn back the money you spend on your education. I understand having a dream but it's very unrealistic.

araew2129, ADN

351 Posts

Specializes in MSICU.

What about completing a LPN program and working in LTC? I agree with others that a lot depends on your own abilities and intentions, so this is perhaps a question only you can answer. But there are definitely other options to continue on with the education and skills and employment without the expense and stress of an RN program. Radiologist, dental hygienist, medical assistant, medical billing, phlebotomist are all options too.

lady8506

11 Posts

Go for it. My motto is always that this is the only life you've got. If you think nursing is your calling, or that it's going to make you happy to do it, then don't listen to the nay-sayers, just DO IT!

I am 38 with a bachelor's in biology. I would like to be a PA, so I am trying to start nursing school this Spring 2018. Even though I'm only 38 years young, I have already had people discourage me from trying to be a PA because of my age, or at least they think 38 is too old for anyone to start a new career endeavor. Maybe true for THEM, but not for ME.

lady8506

11 Posts

LOVE your optimistic attitude. I am also a positive person. It really rubs me the wrong way when someone says "can't". When it comes to pursuing a dream or a goal, that word isn't even in my vocabulary.

Can, cAN, CAN, CAAAAAAAANNN!!

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think it depends on your specific goals -- and whether or not you can afford the luxury of "gambling" with the money school will cost. There is a big difference between being in your mid-60's applying for your 1st job in nursing -- and being in your mid-60's and working in nursing as a respected expert with 40 years of nursing experience.

I am 62 years old and know that my body would not tolerate a the type of job/schedule that most new grads get. Do you have good reason to believe that you would be able to get a job that would be "easier" on the body?

I need a nurse who went through an Associate Degree program and then went back and got their BSN degree to help me with an assignment I have due by answering just 10 short questions. PLEASE!

Specializes in Peds.

I went to school with a lady who had worked for Health & Human Services in DC for 35 years.

She retired and decided she wanted to become a hospice nurse.

She was 62 when she graduated from our 2-year, community college program program!

If you want to do it I say go for it!

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