I am in a similar situation, I am 51 now and want to get my AGPNP starting in the fall. However, I am only looking at programs that are 2 yrs or less in length. If I don't get in to these, I will put my NP aspirations aside. So what I would suggest is research programs and apply, then sit down and do the numbers. You have more years left in you as an NP than running around in the ED. Just my opinion.