Too old to go into nursing??

WinterLilac · Apr 8, 2016

Go for it!!! :yes: My mum did her 18month LPN (EN in Australia) and finished it when she was 65 years old. She had absolutely no problem getting work because she was enthusiastic and thorough. She took great pride in being an LPN and ensured she did everything by the book and to the benefit of the patient. You will be so proud of yourself for doing the course and the time is going to pass anyway so you might as well spend it educating yourself to get a profession. Let your teachers know you are nervous and ask if you could check in with them regularly for their feedback, advice and direction. You may need to do a short course on using Micrsoft Word and writing essays but once you get the hang of it you'll be fine. Also, as you progress through the course you may discover a specialty of nursing you are interested in as there are so many to choose from. Good luck!!!

Cream and sugar LPN · Apr 8, 2016

RN or LPN?

I do not have experience with your particular program but I can help put your mind at ease regarding age. I was the second oldest student in my LPN program. I graduated at 40. The oldest started at 47. After we all got to know each other we both took on a leadership role within our group of 20somethings.

It's somewhat a struggle to find your first nursing job. Some people are lucky but for most it takes time. You WILL have to apply everywhere. You do have to be persistent. It is what it is.

Libby1987 · Apr 8, 2016

43 for me was young. In fact I went back to nursing at 43 after 10 years off as a SAHM. Now almost 10 yrs back in and I have about 15 years left to practice my trade. Your chronological age wouldn't be a major factor as far as entering nursing but your physical age could be.

What I would be focusing on is the job market, ability to make the payments on a large loan and paying too much on a for profit program.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 8, 2016

At 43, you potentially have 20+ years of working ahead of you. You can have a great career in that time frame.

Also, if 43 was too old for change we wouldn't have Wendy's (Dave Thomas was very old when he started the franchise), Game of Thrones (the first book was published in 1996 when George RR Martin was 48 years old) and many people have gone to even more intense training (such as med school and residency) at later ages.

43 is the new 33.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Apr 8, 2016

I think as long as you take care of yourself and don't come across as "old" which I don't think at 43 you will. I'm graduating in May and I am 40. But you would never guess I'm 40. I have some very good genes, but I also take care of myself. Moisturizer is seriously my best friend. My hair is cut nicely and I have good stamina. I run and work out.

I also already have a job when I graduate and pass NCLEX. If this school is a for profit school, you may run into problems finding a job. Most hospitals want you to graduate from a nationally accredited school. Most of those schools are not. They will tell you they are, but they lie. Their admissions officers are used car salesman who will lie to you about their product to make the sale. Remember that. They are shady salespeople.

Do your own research and make a smart decision when deciding on a school. This is an investment in your future. It makes no sense to pay more for your education than you will get back in pay. Nursing wages are decent, but you aren't making so much that taking on the debt of what a house is worth. You would have an additional house payment each month. That's a lot of money.

VANurse2010 · Apr 8, 2016

I think as long as you take care of yourself and don't come across as "old" which I don't think at 43 you will. I'm graduating in May and I am 40. But you would never guess I'm 40. I have some very good genes, but I also take care of myself. Moisturizer is seriously my best friend. My hair is cut nicely and I have good stamina. I run and work out.
I also already have a job when I graduate and pass NCLEX. If this school is a for profit school, you may run into problems finding a job. Most hospitals want you to graduate from a nationally accredited school. Most of those schools are not. They will tell you they are, but they lie. Their admissions officers are used car salesman who will lie to you about their product to make the sale. Remember that. They are shady salespeople.
Do your own research and make a smart decision when deciding on a school. This is an investment in your future. It makes no sense to pay more for your education than you will get back in pay. Nursing wages are decent, but you aren't making so much that taking on the debt of what a house is worth. You would have an additional house payment each month. That's a lot of money.

I don't know much about their nursing program, but Drexel is a reputable university in general.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2016

Hello everyone!
When I enter the program I will be one month shy of 41 and when I graduate I will be 43 (YIKES!).

How old will you be in two years if you DON'T go to nursing school?

You have an amazing opportunity in front of you. Go for it.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 8, 2016

How much money?

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 8, 2016

Yes, how much money? Is there a community college or state school available?

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Apr 9, 2016

I got pretty much what I expected when I went through Drexel's ACE program (1 yr). When I took the NCLEX, I was sure I passed (I checked with the Pearson trick anyway). Drexel focuses a lot on the test.

For clinical time, I felt a little "unprepared". I'm not sure how the 24 mo program would differ from the 1 year program. I think more clinical time could have been better (but really hard to fit into the schedule). Some schools offer a "capstone" or final practicum where they pretty much learn how to do hospital nursing (the other clinical stuff seemed more theory).

I graduated when I was 36, so a little younger, but not significantly. You've still got 20+ years of work to look forward to! And with nursing, it is really easy to get flexible jobs (think working a day or two every few weeks into retirement just for more spending money).

Getting a job isn't always easy. I'd seriously advise finding a new-grad position in a hospital that includes a good amount of training. (My hospital has a year-long program, with 3 months of training for med-surg and more for ED and ICU). They are becoming more common.

A Bachelor's will make it easier to get a job in a hospital, but other things like previous experience will help, too (especially medical stuff). There are jobs out there. But, Philly has a pretty high amount of new grads getting pushed out annually, so first jobs may require more distance. There are hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area, but also, hospitals in NJ, DE and MD (each state requires a separate license since PA is not a compact state).

After your initial job, there's so many different nursing areas you can work. So, if one type of job isn't what you want, you can try other stuff.

Yes, Drexel is expensive.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2016

So you can turn 43 without a shiny, new hard earned nursing degree or you can turn 43 and be doing something amazing. Why not go with the latter?

FTR- I was 39 when I got into nursing school, and 41 when I graduated. I had similar misgivings.. I don't regret doing it for one second!