What is too old for BSN?

Anne36, LPN · Jan 26, 2011

Its okay to vent! Well, if makes you feel better, Im 39 and just began the LPN program. I figure that I will be 44 before I get an RN. First of all, check and find out what the criteria will be gpa wise and otherwise to become accpeted and go from there. You still have many years ahead of you to have a career, so I dont think you are too old to try.

iPink, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2011

The beauty about nursing is you're never too young or old to work in the profession.

I'm 29 and will be 30 when I graduate from my BSN program. I just wished I had changed my career to nursing a long time ago, but glad I got the wake up call. There is 70 of us in my cohort and the age ranges from 23-40+.

You're going to have to retake those science classes anyways due to them being over due. So, take this as your second chance to buckle down and do well. It's going to be hard with 3 kids, but you can do it as long as you have a great support system. If you keep telling yourself you're "never going to get a degree, never going to get into nursing," then you'll never accomplish those goals. Dry your tears, register for the needed classes, and then apply to nursing school.

All the best to you.

marymoo24 · Jan 27, 2011

Well, I hope you're not too old, because I'm WAAAY older than you are, and am hoping to start my BScN this fall. I am in my mid-40s, and have finally realized what I should be doing... I say, go for it! You're never too old.

CHRISTINE HEARTS · Jan 27, 2011

Hi, well I think its never to late I just started nursing school last week:lol2:im 27...and let me tell you that there are people ranging from 21-60 in my class so there you go never to late to follow your dreams. Another thing that might make you feel better I was just 15 when I had my son and I would skip school and made alot of mistakes but the thought of being a nurse always was in the back of my head. Foward 11 years later im 27 and I have three kids and I feel that its time to follow my dreams it was meant for me to be in the program now and graduate in 2012. So don't give up take your classes over and make A's on them because it is competitive out there right now and hopefully one day you will be cheering someone on as well:).....you CAN DO IT JUST GO FOR IT AND DON'T GIVE UP:D

AlleycatLPN · Jan 27, 2011

I am 37 and applying for BSN.

christyness, BSN · Jan 27, 2011

I just hate to think I will be 30 applying to nursing school when I could of done this soooooo long ago if I would of just had my head on straight! I just want to cry! I feel like I'm never going to get into a school anywhere, I'm never going to get a degree, I'm never going to become a nurse and I'm never going to have a home to call my own because I screwed up so much in school.
Thanks for letting me vent

I know exactly what you mean by what I quote above, particularly the first sentence. I was TERRIFIED of going back to school, because I had spent a decade of my life (from 19 onward) beating myself up for screwing up my education back when I was 19.

But the past is the past and now is now. You can't change the past. You can only change now.

I started my pre-reqs when I was 29. I got into nursing school just before I turned 31, and I am 31 now in my second semester. I will be 32 when I graduate. And I won't be done... because I eventually want my BSN. And even then I won't be done, because I also eventually want my MSN. I might be in school until I'm 40, and that's perfectly fine by me, because it sure as hell beats being 40 and still being a waitress.

You have two choices - the same two choices I had:

1. Do nothing, give in to fear and negative self-talk and in ten years, you can beat yourself up even more for not having gone to school when you were 29, just like you're beating yourself up now for not going to school when you were 18 or 19.

or

2. You can do what you are able to do - go to school now and make the most of what life is, rather than grieving over what life could have been.

There are women in my class who are in their fifties. There are women in my class with four children. One of the women in my lab group has three children, and the oldest of them is three years old.

You CAN do this. You just have to decide that you WILL do this.

KGMM · Jan 27, 2011

Hi! You're certainly not to old! I'm 36 (about to be 37 in a few months) and just finished my pre-req's this fall and applied for the nursing program at my college and will get my associates, then I will continue on for my BSN while working as an RN...so I will be 38 when I get my RN and about 40 when I finally have my BSN. Then I intend to continue to become a NP....you're only as old as you let yourself feel. One great thing about nursing is that it isn't a field where the young necessarily have an advantage. If you take it seriously and do a good job and are willing to work your way up just like the younger students and RN's you're on a level playing field.

I am also married with a daughter, it's a great example for your kids too. It is showing them discipline in studying, the rewards of hard work and you stand in front of them as a role model who has accomplished a dream teaching them that dreams can and do come true if you work for them!!! :redbeathe:yeah:

Best of luck to you and don't be so hard on yourself, doing this with kids is tough but you can do it!!

Sugar-Phosphate · Jan 27, 2011

I am 26, and had a similar thought, I will be over 30 before I finish? Eugh. I did decide that working at walmart in retail or something was my alternative. No thanks, school here I come.

If you want it, then go for it. Think of it this way, you still have 25-35 years left of work, might as well make it a career you know and love! . . . or will know, but LOVE!

Cathylady · Jan 27, 2011

Once Ann Landers was asked this question: "My husband wants to go back to law school and it will take him 7 years to finish. He'll be 47 when done! I keep telling him that's too old to be a lawyer, please talk some sense into him Ann."

Ann's classic response was, "How old will your husband be in 7 years if he doesn't go to law school?"

Case Rested.

LOVE IT!!

k2gs · Jan 27, 2011

I'm nearly 31 and will be starting nursing school this fall. I started taking prereqs part time back when I was not quite 28. Three years and two kids later I'm finally finished and starting the next phase. I felt like I was never going to get there but if you want it badly enough you just have to start up again and keep your eye on the prize.

Side note: My uncle went back to school in his mid 40s to become an RN so you're definitely not too old!

gatormommy · Jan 27, 2011

Hey Texasnurse

I'm in a similar situation. I'm going to be 36 in May with a 5 year old and a 3 month old. I'm applying to an ASN program. I also want to be a CRNA. I was pretty bummed to find out I would have to take all my science classes over again to be accepted into a CRNA program. Those classes were hard.

Like you said to just be on the road to becoming an RN would be awesome. That would be one check off the list. I was also going to work as an RN and get my BSN. I figured this was best because you need at least a year experience to be considered for the MSN CRNA.

I asked my husband if he thought I was too old and he said I could be a 40-something CRNA or a 40-something manager of a deli, it's your choice. Frankly he is all for my goal of CRNA because he wants to retire.:)

So I would take those classes over and get the best grades possible and heck no you aren't too old to be in nursing school at any level. I think when we think about how much of our lives we've wasted and have nothing to show for it we get depressed and stop moving forward. But Texasnurse my dear, your path led you to wonderful children and that is NOT a waste of time. I just depends on what angle you view your life at. I also tell myself that this is all to make life more secure for my family.

So stay positive and have at it, Texasnurse:yeah: