Too late to be a nurse?

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Hello everyone,

Thank you for reading my questions. I am turning 59 in two weeks and really want to be a nurse. Practically speaking, is it possible for me to be too old to learn the skills I'll need? And too old to be hired somewhere? Thank you for any advice - your points of view are invaluable to me right now.

Thank you Ruby Vee. Thank you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Well, think of it this way: in three years, you are going to sixty-two anyway. Would you rather be sixty-two with or without a nursing degree?

The only thing I will caution you about is debt (and this goes for anyone regardless of age). Don't take out so much in student loans that you won't be able to pay them off.

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

I don't think 59 is to late to go to college, go for what you want. It is never to late to go back to college. There are a few older people in my class and they are doing it. I read on a bill board this 90 year old lady obtained her BSN online. I was like wow that is what I call determination. It doesn't matter what age you are as long as you are in good health and willing to be committed to nursing, then go for it. I worked with a nurse who went back to college at 45 and graduated when she was 50. It is doable, it just takes a lot of studying and praying. You never know unless you give it a try. I wish you the best of luck in your nursing journey.

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Hi Cathylady,

Thank you for your positive words! No I don't have the prerequisites yet, which adds 1 - 1.5 years more. I have been scouring the healthcare field for options, and spoke with an Admissions rep at Cal State. I am finding that a doctorate in Physical Therapy is more doable for me.

I wish I could say I can do this "without taking on much debt" but at this point in my life, just living at my current salary I am incurring debt. All the signs are pointing to going back to school, incurring debt, and graduating with a career that I will find fulfilling personally & physically. Yes, there will be debt. But it's unavoidable unless the grant aps come through.

I am single and have no family to help. Thanking God I live in America and can create a better life for myself - and others.

I wish you luck in your own decision about nursing. I would take the advice of all these folks who've responded to my question - Go for What You Love.

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I have been wondering the same thing myself. I will be 45 this year and have just started back to school working on my prerequisites . I love all of the positive responses to your question. Good luck!

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I am a 44 yr old, former healthcare and marketing professional who became burned out on "selling the image" of healthcare rather than getting in there and making a difference first hand. I posed your same question to my closest friend (who has been a nurse for 25+ years) two years ago when I was considering going back to school. She said, "Well, you could be turning 46 doing a job you don't love or you could be celebrating at 46 with a new nursing degree." Put it right in to perspective! I feel those of us who are choosing nursing as our second careers are very lucky. We have walked vastly different paths, we are in touch with what we feel is important, and we bring a wealth of life experiences that can only make us better nurses. I, frankly, am enjoying school much more the second time around! Bottom line: nursing is a goal that is attainable at whatever point in our lives we decide to take the bull by the horns! More power to you and best of luck!! (P.S. I am currently awaiting my acceptance letter for nursing school - being optimistic! - which is due to arrive any day now....)

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Go for it! I became an RN at 61 and hope to be a great nurse for decades. There are active nurses in their 80's. My suggestions include focus on your studies, stay goal oriented, get some experience between semesters like CNA or volunteer work and finally, forget about your age! When you've succeeded doing something/ anything you really value, you won't be thinking about your age, you'll feel overwhelmingly grateful. And you'll be a terrific nurse. Good luck :)

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Good luck - Something tells me you'll be accepted - Spoke with an incredible representative at the local college about this and he tells me that schools love the commitment "older" students make because it means we'll graduate! Which is the bottom line for these schools and a big motivator to accept us. Thanks for your words of encouragement.

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This post has made me feel shameful in thinking I was too old to start a nursing program at 35 :( one thing that kicked my butt into gear is hearing, on this site, that I could be 37 with a nursing degree or 37 without one. The time will pass anyway. May as well be doing what u truly want. Makes life that much more enjoyable. Great post!

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Dear 59, I too wonder about the age issue for myself. I am currently in an LPN program and graduate this year. I am doing well in my classes. For me it is much harder to study as an adult student. I spend ALOT of time studying. I don't regret this, being ever aware of what my competition will be. I currently work as an aide in a long term care facility, which is very physical. I feel nursing is a good fit for me. My colleagues give me positive feedback on my work. Can you ask the people who know you best if they think this would be a good fit for you? My kids are very proud of me. I don't know if I will go on to be an RN. I would like to work for a period of time, gain knowledge and experience, then decide. I honestly didn't know if I could handle the RN program. By the way, I am 53 and have attention deficit. This is what kept me from taking the leap years ago. I too have many of the life experiences many of the others have mentioned. This makes me compassionate and caring, although I always have been. Listen to your gut. As a woman, you already know how to do this. Look into it, gather information, and decide for yourself. SW Good Luck!

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Hi 59, I went back to reread some of the comments related to taking on debt. I heard just this week on the radio about student loans being forgiven for certain proffesions, nursing being one of them. I don't know if this I legitimate information. I'm pretty sketible about things sometimes. Look into it. Also, as I said before I am in school for LPN, If I continue with my education when I become imployed, my employer can help with tuition. These programs exist. Also, check out the job market in your area, or where you want to be. Is there a demand for certain types of nurses or health care proffessionals? You mentioned physical therapy. SW (again)

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Hi! I also agree it is never too late to do what you want to do! The mother of my dental hygienist became a nurese at 60 and just retired at 75. She said it was the best thing she ever did! I am also in nursing school at 47. I am doing the Accelerated BSN at Rutgers and am so happy so far that I did. If all goes well I will be done in August and licensed before my 48th birthday. I say do it! It is a lot of work but is well worth it! Best of luck!

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