didn't start school til age 50

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Hi,

Are there any RNs out there that didn't start school til age 50 or after? I'm hoping to start classes in the fall and am a little nervous since I am older now I don't have the memory I used to have and a few more aches and pain, so I'm wondering if anyone else didn't start school until 50 or after? Also my plan for now is to get my A.S. at our local community college and wanted to see if anyone out there was able to complete their A.S. in nursing in 18 months or if it will definitely take at least 24 months? Thank you all ahead of time for your responses.

Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

Graduated Dec '12 at age 60. Been working full time in a hospital since. I have stayed in shape, no reason why not if you have the desire and your health....what the heck!

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Been taking prereqs for the past year, and starting LVN training in a local CC in 14 days. Oh, and by the way - 50 y.o. male.

----- Dave

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I'll be starting my 3rd semester in a couple of weeks, and will be graduating with my Associate Degree next May.....at 48 years old. It's not easy, but you can do it!! I'm thoroughly enjoying it!!

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Good for all you! Never stop reaching for your dreams!

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't know why people think just because you are in your 50's or 60's, that you suddenly become stupid and can't learn or do anything! I am in my late 50's, been a nurse for many years, and am currently looking into other fields. I simply like to learn and expand my brain-power. From my experience, the "older" nurses tend to perform better; calmer, more dependable, more well-rounded. We have issues with ageism at my facility, and I don't understand that at all. The younger nurses seem to ignore us, until they need help with something, then they ask us older ones!

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

It will be harder then say when you were 25 or 35 but that is so doable. What will be hard is to get a job. Age in any other time might not have been a problem, today anything is a problem and age is not immune in the least. Jobs are so hard out there right now that one has to really think about it. If you really...really love nursing OK, but if you doing just because you want a job and security I would do more research. I don't want to discourage you but nursing is not a recession proof profession anymore or never was. Don't think just in terms of bedside nursing. Be open to any other option, for whoever gives you an opportunity. Remember you only have about one year to get a bedside nurse job...after that your chances decline rapidly because they know you'll need too much training, one they are not willing to give to even young and fresh out of school nurses. I'm playing the devil's advocate here...but someone has to do it.

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I will be 44 when I graduate from my ASN program, it will have taken me 4 years. I will immediately begin my BSN program, I've already gotten in (and if all goes well, will still be in when it's time to start). I have a 3.9+ GPA, don't find it all to be as hard as some of the younger people do. That life experience that was mentioned? Yes, I think it must be helping us out :). I am not the oldest in my program, and don't mind being one of the older students...somebody has to show those stone-faced, serious kids how to lighten up - might as well be me.

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I am encouraged to read about older women going back to school as I am considering it. I have not been in school for many years and not sure where to begin. I do not have a degree and feel sure none of my college credits would apply. I am 55 and wanting to change careers. Wondering if age makes a difference in the nursing profession as it often does in corporate America. I need to work and wonder if I should go the LVN route first and then do the RN. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

Your post reminded me of a friend I worked with. She was an older woman, fifty-something, who recently finished nursing school and went to work in a hospital, Med/Surg I believe. We had such a good time laughing when I asked how she was treated as a new grad by the other nurses. She said that no one dared to intimidate her. On the contrary, all the nurses treated her with the utmost respect and often deferred to her judgment because they all assumed that she had at least 30 years of nursing experience under her belt. She was often mistaken for the nursing supervisor or DON too. She also said that patients very respective and were least likely to "pull crap" with her. She said that after six months on the job, she was practically running the place. I think only she and the DON knew that she was a new grad.

She eventually left bedside care, got a MSN and is now a nursing professor. I write this to stress, that while starting school may seen daunting now, your maturity may prove to be your greatest asset yet. You'll do just fine. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm only 21, so I can't really speak for myself.. But I can say, through all my pre-reqs, I seeked out the older students to study with. I felt they were more mature, dedicated, and had better study skills and I learned a lot from them. Don't let your age discourage you!

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Specializes in Hospice.
Your post reminded me of a friend I worked with. She was an older woman, fifty-something, who recently finished nursing school and went to work in a hospital, Med/Surg I believe. We had such a good time laughing when I asked how she was treated as a new grad by the other nurses. She said that no one dared to intimidate her. On the contrary, all the nurses treated her with the utmost respect and often deferred to her judgment because they all assumed that she had at least 30 years of nursing experience under her belt. She was often mistaken for the nursing supervisor or DON too. She also said that patients very respective and were least likely to "pull crap" with her. She said that after six months on the job, she was practically running the place. I think only she and the DON knew that she was a new grad.

She eventually left bedside care, got a MSN and is now a nursing professor. I write this to stress, that while starting school may seen daunting now, your maturity may prove to be your greatest asset yet. You'll do just fine. Good luck to you.

that is AWESOME!

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Specializes in Hospice.
I am encouraged to read about older women going back to school as I am considering it. I have not been in school for many years and not sure where to begin. I do not have a degree and feel sure none of my college credits would apply. I am 55 and wanting to change careers. Wondering if age makes a difference in the nursing profession as it often does in corporate America. I need to work and wonder if I should go the LVN route first and then do the RN. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.

I am 49, will be 50 six days before I start my RN program. It took me three tries to get in. Once I was an alternate, once I was denied (due to my GPA, which I then busted my butt to bring up in my sciences to a 4.0) then finally, third time was the charm. You can do it, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Go straight for the RN.

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