Too old for school?

[kittykitty49]

I have recently been accepted to OHSU school of nursing. I am excited and scared. I am currently 50 years old. Does anyone think that this is too late to be starting a nursing career? I have a friend that is currently attending ITT nursing school in Boise, Id. She will only attend school a couple of days a week and finish in less than two years. I will be in school for 3 years, by then, I will be almost 54. I am afraid at the University I will be surrounded by young people in their early 20s. At ITT tech, the age range seems to be for people in their 40s. I guess I am just worried that I will be the only "old" person in the class. I know it is foolish to worry about "fitting in" but I think we never outgrow the feeling of being the odd person.

[fede]

Wow!! That is great!!

[kittykitty49]

Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement. It helps a lot. I just spoke to the nursing supervisor at OHSU and she told me there is a wide age group this year. I am happy about that. :)

[OrionQuiltsRN]

Absolutely go for it! I got into my nursing program at 47, graduated with my RN at 49. I am now in an RN-BSN program. Nursing is great for people of all ages.

One-third of my nursing class was 40+. The youngest person in my class was only 20 at graduation. Having such a wide age-gap gave terrific perspective on most every topic. My class was also one-third male!! Believe me, having so many men in the group was wonderful.

Go for it! You will be so glad you did.

[Jenni811, RN]

Never to old! in my class (last yr) we had a 55 yr old man graduate with his BSN. He made it his goal in life to work, and send his three kids to school.

He was a single father who worked his butt off to put all his kids through college. After his youngest graduated college, he fulfilled his dream to be a nurse.

He is now a surgical nurse at the hospital i work at. See him from time to time and he is doing wonderful on the job, says he couldnt be happier.

[DDdove, LPN]

I do not think there is an age limit to becoming a nurse. However do I think that the younger generation who are just emerging to start their first career should have extra competition from those twice their age and already had a career? That is a discussion for another time.

If your going to be 54 how long do you expect to work? For 10 years and then retire?

I do not think many are retiring at 64 anymore:) Pensions and the like are gone and many lost their investments with the stock market or like me...I spent my retirement savings on my children's college education :) I will nurse as long as I can physically (so they do not have to care for me:eek:) then switch up to an administrative position or another less physical position.

[haunani, BSN, RN]

We had a few students in my class who were 50+... even 1 or 2 who were 60+. :)

[AOx1]

OP, I will assume that since you are posting on a forum that you are not, in fact, dead. If you are indeed not dead, it is never too late. I currently have four top performing students in my current group of students, two of whom are over 50. The others are 30+. NEVER give up. This is an achievable dream. Get your ducks in a row, get some easy crockpot recipes ready for crazy weeks, and gather your friends for support. Investigate options thoroughly, then jump in! My older students are often some of my best!

[Heidi the nurse, BSN, RN]

I went to school 20 years ago, but even back then we had several in my class that were in their late 40s and early 50s. I am going to be going back to school in the fall at the age of 48 - probably should have done it years ago, but being a single mom with 3 kids and a farm full of animals, the money just hasn't been there. My kids are finally old enough to be fairly self sufficient, and they say if you wait until you can afford it you never will go back to school.

Definitely go for it :)