Want to be a nurse!! but Im 50 !!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 21, 2014

No, this won't kill you. I had classmates as old or older than you and they did just fine. The typical prerequisites are Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, General Psychology, General Nutrition, English Writing, Public Speaking, and the like. Often General Chemistry is a prerequisite to these courses as is a math course. Usually it takes about 3-4 semesters of full-time studenting to go through all the prerequisites. Once you're qualified to apply, I suggest you start applying. You might not get in the first time, but be ready to work HARD if you still have a couple of outstanding Gen Ed courses to do before if you're accepted. There are GPA requirements and the like to ensure that you have a reasonably decent chance of passing the program and often there's an entrance exam known as the TEAS, which is also fairly predictive as well.

Being a Nursing Student not something to enter into lightly, but if you really want to do it, by all means, you owe it to yourself to do the best job you can to see if you're able to do it. Once you're in, it becomes harder, in a different way.

I literally just graduated from Nursing School. It was easily one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm glad I did it, and I'm ready to move on, but I'm going to miss it. Should I have done this a long time ago? Yes. Do I beat myself up for not doing this earlier? No. As happened to you, life happened and I learned a LOT along the way and I really wasn't ready to be a nurse back then anyway. I am now.

You're younger than dead. That means you're not too old to go for it!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 21, 2014

Good day, IslandGirl#1:

I started my pursuit of a RN-based nursing career last June; I turned 50 the previous May, and I'm now age 51. The prerequisite classes vary by college/nursing program. While they do vary, they typically do include a common core of anatomy and physiology I (AP1) and II (AP2) (which must be taken at the same school) and microbiology with a lab. Outside of those core sciences is where you get the variation of what else is required.

Homework varies per class/professor. For some classes, it can be light with just one to a handful of papers (properly written with citations), and a handful of hours per week for study time. For other classes (typically your hard core sciences such as AP1, AP2, Microbiology), you often need to be able to set aside 8 to 12 hours per week per class for studying.

While I've had professors tell me grades don't equate to being a good nurse (and I do believe them), a lot of schools require you to have a very high grade point average (GPA) at least through the prerequisites especially the common core (AP1, AP2, Microbiology). What is a high enough GPA varies by school, but being above 3.0 (typically all "B"'s) is common with requirements for having a 4.0 ("A"'s in every single class) not unheard of depending on location and school. The college I'm attending uses a point system; an "A" in AP1 is worth 8 points, 16 points for an "A" in AP2, 24 points for an "A" in Microbiology. They have points for other classes as well; typically in the 2 to 4 point range. You also get points for your GPA as long as it is above a certain level; a 4.0 GPA would equal 16 points. If you can imagine, that puts a lot of pressure to maintain a 4.0 GPA even if the school states you can get into their nursing program with a GPA greater than 2.7 (which would translate to mostly B's with some C's).

In terms of planning, when they state "completed within 4 semesters after prerequisites have been completed," as akulahawk shared, it can take 3 to 4 semesters to complete the prerequisites (my core was completed in 3; I still have one prerequisite to take). A school can have anywhere from two two four semesters in a calendar year. The school I'm attending has four (which would require going to school all year around), but because of how the summer semesters are set up (one 12 week set and two 6 weeks sets), it is common for those going to our school to think in terms of three semesters per calendar year. Simply put, if you could go to school full time 12 months of the year, you would be looking at approximately 1 year for the prerequisites, and then 1 to 2 years (depending on whether they having nursing classes in the summer) for the associate degree in nursing.

50 is young; if all goes well, I'll be 54 when I take my nursing boards. There are people in their 60's just becoming nurses. As akulahawk shared, it is not an issue of dying to get through the program.

Thank you.

P.S. https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html is extremely helpful. The other tidbit in terms of time planning is that I've found it very helpful to treat all science with a lab class (AP1, AP2, Microbiology, Chemistry, etc.) as two separate three credit classes rather than one class worth four credits.

aeris99 · May 21, 2014

You're younger than dead. That means you're not too old to go for it!

Best advice ever! :)

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 21, 2014

The prereqs will generally take about 2 semesters to complete. I did all of the prereqs and coreqs to get them out of the way. I had to take an accuplacer test to see where I was at in English and Math and to see if I needed any remedial courses which I did. I have been taking Algebra I and II the last 2 semesters to get me ready for college algebra which I am taking this summer. I was able to go straight into college writing but some people have to take a remedial one before going there. My prereqs consist of A&P I and II, Psych 101, English Comp, College Algebra, and a student success class.. Then my coreqs were Advanced Physiology, Sociology, and Micro. Those had to be competed by the time I graduated. But I am done with them and only have to focus on my nursing courses now. I know of several people that took Advanced Physiology while in nursing school and it hurt them trying to do that class and nursing classes.

The A&P's and Micro will be a lot of work. English Comp was writing a ton of papers. I think we did 8 for the semester. So it all depends how much time you can devote to stuff. I do not work but am a single mom to an 8 year old. He is in judo and we travel a lot for it. So it can kinda seem like a job at times. I am 38 and I was in the middle of the road age wise. There were many people older than me, some in their 50's. So you are not the only one.

RunBabyRN · May 21, 2014

Definitely not too old! I had classmates at least your age in my program. These guys have you covered on the prereqs. I'd encourage you to pursue it! Just be aware that GPA is EVERYTHING when it comes to applying to programs. It's a very competitive field. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many classes right out of the gate.

SeattleJess · May 21, 2014

Hi, all you spring chickens. I'll be 62 when I take my boards. IslandGirl#1, I believe the hardest obstacle either of us will face is probably the self-generated fear thoughts about being too old! ("No one in my class will talk to me because I'll remind them of their grannies," etc.)

My research into nursing has shown me that nursing is a highly varied career that you can do to the grave. Don't let fear or self-doubt stop you from having the life of your dreams, I say.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · May 23, 2014

Your age isn't the problem, but your expectations might be. The "give back to the community" and "provide a service that is needed so badly" concerns me. Regardless of what you read, or what the schools may advertise, there is no shortage of nurses. I don't know anything about nursing jobs in Hawaii, but most areas are simply over-saturated with nurses and it can be hard to get a job, especially straight out of nursing school. Please take time to research your area before you plunk down money for school. Also, you really need to look at nursing as a job, not a "giving back to the community" thing; you might get burned out quickly once you see what nursing is really about. You need to go ahead and apply at the school you plan to go to, because there might be a wait-list; there usually is. The school will help you decide what pre-reqs you need. Good luck.

MissRN2013 · May 23, 2014

Your age is most definitely not a problem!! You're going to get older whether you do this or not! I say go for it if you've always wanted to do it! But here's my advice, try to find a BSN program, or a community college that has a partnership with a BSN program. It might be extra challenging to find a job when you graduate with an associates degree alone, especially four years from now (two years of pre-reqs and two years for nursing school is usually what it is). Whatever you decide I wish you luck in making the right decision!! You get out of nursing school what you put into it so once you get the hang of it, it'll be a breeze (almost ) Good luck!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 23, 2014

You'll be fine! I'm 45 & my classmate is almost 51. We're both top students in our class. Go for it!!!

We only have 2 more semesters before we're done with nursing school. Even though we're old enough to be many of our classmates' mom, it's been a great experience. :)

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 25, 2014

Explain "most areas"...do you have data to back this up?

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · May 25, 2014

I was 47 when I started pre reqs, will be 51 when I take my boards next Spring/Summer. I'm the oldest in my class by a couple years, but no one judges me, at least not to my face. I'm buds with some 40 somethings and some 20 somethings and some in between. It takes courage but it's exhilarating too.