Should I finish RN program at age 51?

Published

I am an LPN and have many years of nursing experience and was enrolled and carried a 3.75 in an RN program and had to drop out for various reasons and always wish I finished and I wonder am I too old ??? I was more than half way when I finished but by the time I finish now I will be 53. Am I nuts? What do others think?

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

You are not nuts and you are not alone. I'm 50 and just started back to grad school. Planning on going straight through to a PhD. The worst part is feeling much older than my classmates and more like a peer in my professors' age group. The best part is that I know all this hard work will pay off in the end. I am taking a heavy semester load so that I can finish the master's as soon as possible but I am not currently working so it is (pretty much) doable. (The qualifier is that, as much as I'm enjoying my classes, graduate level statistics is tough!)

As others have said, you will be 53 whether you finish your RN or not. If this is your goal, go for it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Absolutely do it!!!

Especially with your experience playing in your favor, you're never too late for this. Nursing is such a versatile profession that age is the last thing you should worry about! I know nurses who are well in their 70's and still love every minute of it!

Go for it!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Army Medic.

Nothing wrong with going for it - don't let age fool you.

In the Army, during my basic training, we had two guys who were close to 40 that ran circles around some of the 18 year olds.

Heck I'm 27 and feel self conscious about going to junior college right now - but as the months have gone by I find myself LOVING it.

There's nothing really stopping you, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sure, go ahead and finish. Why not?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How old will you be if you DON'T finish your RN? You'll still be 51, right? Why not be 51 AND have your RN, too?

Go for it -- the only limitations we have in this world are the ones we put on ourselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"A man is as old as the woman he feels" - Grouch Marx

Yes, go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sherri, I'm 50 and will be starting nursing school later this year. I'll be in master's program to be a nurse practitioner. If you want to do it, then go for it! I have found in my exploration of this field that there are a lot of folks who are not young 20 year olds who are in nursing school. Many people come to it as a second career or, like you, decide to advance in nursing after working for years at your current level. Go for it! I have to say when taking all my prerequisites that I met many lovely "young 'uns" and enjoyed getting to know them. I look forward to having nursing classmates of a wide variety of ages. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I was 45 when I started RN degree (ADN). 57 when I finished MSN. Age is not significant in my opinion.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics/long term care.

Never stop chasing your dreams. Never stop growing. My grandmother started community college after the age of 60(i dont remember how old but i know she was well over 60) to study ministry because she felt god had called her to minister to others. Sounds wacky, but the truth is, it made her happy to accomplish her goal. She graduated, and i'm proud of her for it. You'll be proud of yourself when you finish. I still remember that feeling of accomplishment i had when i finished nursing school. You're never to old for that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You're not crazy at all! I'm in my early 20s and most of the people in my class are 30-55 years old. While I certainly cannot imagine myself being in school @ 50, I do know that I love to learn..and I probably just feel this way now because I have yet to see the rewards of my hard work lol. You do WHATEVER you have your mind set to. It's NEVER too late! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Go for it!

I'm an unemployed new grad LPN at 48...I'll be almost 50 when I get my RN and then its onto BSN and MSN.

There are plenty of people our age in nursing school. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Do it!!!!!

You still have many years of working (should you choose) and the pay would be higher...

Go!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion