Too Old to Enter Critical Care Nursing?

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Hi All,

I'm 35 and have been an RN for 10 years. I've done a few years of med-surg and some outpatient nursing/ care management. I've always had an interest in critical care, but admittedly, have felt slightly intimidated by it at times, thus have not yet entered this specialty. I know 35 is not old, but I wonder if it's a bit old to just be starting in critical care. I recall working with ICU nurses in their 40s and 50s, but I wonder whether they started younger than I would be. I'd appreciate any feedback about average age to start in ICU and whether there's a point at which you'd say 'find a different specialty.' Thanks so much!

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
med surg x 1 year, ER x 8 years and now 4 years in ICU. At my last job we had 2 nurses that were 70 and working in ICU. They rocked it. I'm wondering if you think ICU is too much for "old" people or what?

I want to be you when I grow up :) .... in my 40s BTW :p

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I started as a new nurse in ICU/IMU at age 44. 2 years in there, now in ER for a year, after 16 years as a paramedic.

Your only as old as you think you are (and sometimes your body reminds you also...).

The funny thing is people assume I have been a nurse forever because of my age (and I pretend I know what I am doing, but most don't think I am over 35).

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Since when is 35 old?

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Now 60 and just started working on my BSN. I know a lady that's 64 and just got her BSN. Now she's working on her masters.

Good for you and her... age is just a number, but I plan to retire at 64 or 65, so the MS degree is not in my plans.

I work with a woman in her 50's and is a NP, now working on her PhD... I guess she will be called "Dr. Nurse _______". ;)

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35 is not old. I just wondered whether it was older than most nurses to just be starting in a more intense/specialized nursing field such as ICU- I'm learning quickly it is not!! I had thought that nurses in their 40s and 50s working in the ICU had prob started in their 20s but I was wrong- and I'm glad!

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Thanks thmpr!

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No One of my favorite jobs was when I went to the ER at 40. It can be scary to start a new job but I am glad that I did. Go for it The experience that you get will be so helpful in your nursing career.

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I've been in MedSurg for 5yrs and a year in ICU now. Back in ward, we work as a team, following rounds and follow up with new orders(as we have ANs for bedside nursing). So my question is, how much can you take new knowledge/challenges(calculations of drugs, life support machines)? How good is your decision making in critical situation(as you're the only person accountable for whatever happen to your pt now)? Can your back bear the weight having to lift patients more frequently(it's all one to one bedside nursing care now)? Age? Definitely not.

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I was 30 and wanted to get my ADN in mid 80s our ICU had LPNs on staff so I transformed in. It actually helped me get through the program by keeping me focused on my studies and up to date on the newest meds and procedures. Go for it.

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I am 49 and about to enter a BSN program.. your comments are much appreciated!!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

The average age for a RN in the US is 47.

Over the next 20 years, the average age of the RN will increase and the size of the workforce will plateau as large numbers of RNs retire. Because demand for RNs is expected to increase during this time, a large and prolonged shortage of nurses is expected to hit the US in the latter half of the next decade.”

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Nursing Shortage

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I happily worked in critical care nursing until I tore my rotator cuff @ almost 70 years old. Always learning, always challenging, never boring, no regrets.

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