RN BSN to PMHNP at age 55?

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Yes...I'm getting up there, but really want and really NEED to pursue my dream.

RN/BSN for 20 years, various specialties and also education - some of that spent at home with the 3 kids at the time.

I have an enormous interest in and huge passion for the psych population. Some of it is personal - an ex-husband dx'd BP1 way too late, and a lot of fallout there personally for me, all in my 40's/early 50's. Nephew - same deal. Good friend, same thing. You get the gist, it all became personal...and therefore a passion.

So the deal is I HAVE to work well into my late 60's -70's. Hope my health holds up to do so and I believe it will. Other than the some past trauma issues from of dealing with aftermaths of my ex's untreated BP and losing everything and more, my body and mind are in good shape.

Schooling will be financed by loans. Hoping to get hired in an underserved facility that meets federal loan repayment program requirements.

Anyone out there who has done this later in life who can comment on their experience? Is employment in a qualified facility hard to secure (I would think others would be beating the doors down for those jobs even if they are not the most desirable). Am I too OLD to be hired after graduation? Is ageism a problem out there? I know I can get through the schooling, no problem, but will age be an obstacle (yes I know that's illegal but it happens all the time anyway, LOL) for employability?

Thanks - anything is appreciated :)

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Follow your dream. In 10 years time you'll still going to be 10 years older. I will be 50 when I graduate and I'll be working in critical care which is my passion. It's the body that ages, not the mind. I've heard that financially psych is the best track too. Good luck.

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I say go for it! I am a Student PMHNP and many of my classmates are your age and older. Working as an NP is much less physical than working as an RN. As far as getting hired into a facility qualified for loan repayment, you should network ASAP. Most Psych NPs work in outpatient settings.

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PMHNP has the oldest average age of practice amongst all APRN tracts, go for it!

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Thank you so much for your thoughtful answers everyone!

I don't have ANY PsychRN experience...but certainly have decades of personal experience with a lot of it with BP1, BP2 and Schizophrenia with loved ones - and helped them get help - would the lack of RN psych experience be a big factor in hiring after graduating and does the personal passion help?

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Be able to explain why you're pursuing PMHNP rather than advanced practice in what you already have professional experience in, personal passion is always expected in interviews

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Thanks so much again for the very helpful input.

One more question and I think I will have this all down in my head to make a better decision:

The for-profit online grad schools - like U Phoenix, Western Governors ( I'm just naming the schools as examples for ease - have no idea which ones do have PMHNP programs) - do those PMHNP grads have any obstacle to being hired...in other words, are those programs kind of a waste of money - and in no way do I intent to be rude if any out there have attended them). I just see so much on these boards about how "questionable" some of them are. I have a 3.2 undergrad and it was a long time ago...

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Have you considered just getting an RN position in psych and seeing how you like that? That would give you an opportunity to see whether what the psychiatrists and psych NPs are doing is something that actually appeals to you, and you'd be earning a living at the same time (plus getting some valuable psychiatric experience).

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I would love to, and am actively pursuing that route; however, it's a very tough market where I live and almost all facilities that have openings are requiring 2+ years of psych experience. I am trying anyway though and am networking my tail off!

My big concern is my age as well. I need to do this the quickest route possible - don't have that luxury of youth and time to build..but I'm trying for that anyway as it is a passion.

:)

If anyone has any input on my question of attending one of the FOR-profit schools, vs. the super-competitive schools (I'm worried aboout my 3.2 undergrad GPA being too low) and whether or not that is a huge factor for hiring, please feel free to comment.

Thanks so much again everyone :)

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Personally I'd leave the for-profit schools alone, and target a good in-state bricks and mortar school. For-profits are expensive, usually require you to arrange your own clinical placements, and are not so easy to get personal interaction from when you need help with something. I think it looks better on your resume if you went to a reputable state school. That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

I have never heard of any for-profit schools offering PMHNP programs. They generally offer FNP and MSN in leadership/education, and maybe a few offer AGNP, but haven't seen any that offer PMHNP.

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I know there is a lot of focus on the job market in your area, etc, which is always good to think about when pursuing higher education, but I really want to tell you that 55 is not old and you can do anything you want to at any age you want to. :) I wish you all the luck in the world - more people need to follow their dreams!

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