Too old to do NP program?

Jules A, MSN · Jul 8, 2015

How old are you now? I'll get blasted for insinuating that age matters but imo it does. I think in most cases it is actually more cost effective in the long run to do the short track BSN since you already have your bachelors even though universities are more expensive than community college. Unfortunately I'm not sure if those programs are still being offered. The new push seems to be grab the captive audience and make people get their masters without letting them out of the universities clutches.

I'm a huge fan of working as a nurse to foster your gut instincts and see a variety of presentations and medications prior to becoming a prescriber since our NP schools are imo seriously lacking as compared to the medical model or PA programs. It sounds however that since you want to be a NP this might not be a bad track especially if they actually grant your BSN so you can work some while you continue with your masters. Good luck!

IsabelK · Jul 8, 2015

I was in my mid thirties when I graduated from the ASN program. Got my BSN in 2008, MSN/ANP in 2011, DNP in 2015. There was a 61 year old in my ASN class. There was a 50 year old in my MSN cohort. There was a 68 year old in my DNP cohort. I precepted a 61 year old PA student. I've also had students I've precepts as young as 24. Oh, I'm 45 now.

Are you too old? Only you can answer that.

OHNBJL · Jul 8, 2015

Go the BSN route. Get the nursing degree and some experience. No. Your not to old!! You've just begun. Age is an advantage for life's experiences. Good luck!!

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Jul 8, 2015

It is likely that you will be able to apply a good number of courses from your psych degree which might enable you to get your BSN in 2 years, or close to it. I went to nursing school in my 40's, and became a NP in my 50's. While I did go full-time for my BSN (in 2 years because I had other degrees that got me out of the first 2 years) I didn't get into any debt. I had a good career before nursing and used my savings to get through the BSN without any debt. Things were tight, but we made it and the two years flew by. I worked for a while as an RN and then decided to go back for my MSN/NP. I did this part time in just over two years. I worked throughout the program so again I did not get into any debt. I have to say though, as the program progressed it became increasingly hard to work and I really had to cut my hours by the last two semesters because of conflicting clinical schedules.

At the end of the day, it can be done with a little planning and belt tightening. Even if I had had to go into a moderate amount of debt, we were prepared to do that if we had to. It is worth it!

I actually think it helped me in my job search that I was "more mature". I had a lot of life and work experience that meant I had a lot more confidence than some of my younger counterparts in school.

Good luck to you and don't let your age define your potential!

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Jul 8, 2015

I think your age and experience will be helpful to you.

Find a accelerated second degree BSN program near you. Most are a year or two full time. Get an RN job and then start Np school! You will not be too old :)

med_life_for_me · Jul 8, 2015

Just turned 33 and I would like to get experience....the crazy thing ...I can't imagine going straight to NP without any nursing experience. I do notice in job postings that a lot of the nursing positions require 2-4 years experience for RN so how does a new grad have opportunities? That is another thing I worry about...spending all of that money, then getting caught in the catch 22.

I've worked in the corporate setting for a little under 3 years so I haven't had a lot of traditional work experience. I'm very entrepreneurial in spirit and very driven so I would like to take that and work as an independent NP at some point.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 8, 2015

Just turned 33 and I would like to get experience....the crazy thing ...I can't imagine going straight to NP without any nursing experience. I do notice in job postings that a lot of the nursing positions require 2-4 years experience for RN so how does a new grad have opportunities? That is another thing I worry about...spending all of that money, then getting caught in the catch 22.
I've worked in the corporate setting for a little under 3 years so I haven't had a lot of traditional work experience. I'm very entrepreneurial in spirit and very driven so I would like to take that and work as an independent NP at some point.

You are a baby girl! No worries you have plenty of time. Different geographic areas have different opportunities but new grads able to get hired it just might not be your dream job right out of school. I advise students to start networking and use their clinical experiences as extended job interviews. If you find a unit you clique with get some face time with the power players.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2015

Just turned 33 .

lol are you kidding me:banghead:, I wish I was that YOUNG and yes you are young..I completed my BSN last year at age 38 just completed my first 6 months as a new nurse, no hospital experience, I was in telecommunications and cable tv industry. I am also going to pursue further education, I am already looking at programs, no need to wait. You need to go the BSN route, you already have a degree. That should take you 5-7 semesters depending of if the program you look at has summers full-time. After you get your BSN, it will be easier to find work and while working as an RN you can apply to an BSN to NP program, I'm incline to go with a DNP. A BSN with a Psychology degree is like a gold mine in nursing, you won't have a problem finding work. There was 2 persons with psych degrees in my class. By the time you complete the NP program you will have about 2-3 years experience as a nurse. I think all of this is very doable to have your NP well before the age of 40. Good luck.

Red Kryptonite · Jul 8, 2015

Where do people get this idea that you have to achieve everything before 35 or you're a failure? I mean....what do we do after 35? Decline, shrivel, and die?

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2015

Where do people get this idea that you have to achieve everything before 35 or you're a failure? I mean....what do we do after 35? Decline, shrivel, and die?

Its the mid 30's crisis, until they realize 40 is not that old then they turn 50 and have a mid life crisis. I think everyone goes through that.

IsabelK · Jul 8, 2015

33? Go to nursing school and get some experience. You have time...

33 was when I started nursing school. 38 was the BSN, 41 the MSN, 45 the DNP.

Everyone here is right...your bachelor's will help you and you likely have at some of the nursing program prereqs and reqs. Life experience is wonderful; most nursing schools love it because if you're just a little older than the traditional student, it's seen as an asset. When I was in nursing school one little old gentleman (and I do mean little--he was about 5 feet) looked at my partner and I for the day and asked if she was 10. She was the 21 year old. Looked about 10. The majority of my classmates in any given program where generally not in their 20s. They were generally in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want. Be aware that new grad positions are sometimes in places you might not initially have thought to work (like really small community hospitals, rural areas, etc). That's ok. They are not bad places to start. I learned a lot in one because I saw it all--COPD, ortho surgery, CHF, cancer, hospice in the hospital for pain management, C Diff, TB, drunk people who swung IV poles at you, lots of different things (ok, not kids, nononono!).