Will I be too old for nursing school?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

My mother went to nursing school at the age of 51 and worked as a nurse until she retired at age 68. The average age of the majority of nursing students is the mid-40's. There is no age discrimination in nursing. They'll take every body that comes forward.

krazy_coconuts · Sep 17, 2007

Not too old at all! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at all of the "non traditional" students you will find in nursing school. I've got a fifty-something retired FBI agent in my class, and I being 27 am one of the "young ones". GO FOR IT!!

MB37 · Sep 17, 2007

Yep, I'm 28 and that's about average for my class. We have everyone from 19 year olds to at least two that have said they're in their 50s. You'll be fine.

lilcajunnurse · Sep 17, 2007

I'm 39 and have applied to Rn school and will be starting in Jan '08. You are never too old to go to school. If you are an LPN in 5 years, you can still be a LPN or a new RN. It is your choice. I made my mind up and I don't care if everyone else is 19...how do you feel about a 22 yr.old making more than you. LOL. I do all the work of an Rn but I get paid my LPN salary.

sunnydaydream · Sep 17, 2007

Never too old! My best buddy in school is 45 and he brings a lot to offer to the class, clinical, and program. He's actually the top student of the program. Personally, it seems that an older person brings a lot to offer and they are a little more disciplined.

mattsmom64 · Sep 17, 2007

Nope, you're not too old....I'm 43 and am in my last semester of nursing school. I would say that more than half of my class is over 30.....Go for it!

3rdgenRN2B · Sep 17, 2007

I keep reading all these posts about people much older than you going back to school. You still have lots of years of working ahead of you so no, it's not too late. I know it sounds trit, but age is nothing more than a number...

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 17, 2007

As you can see on this website, there are a lot of people older than you are who are currently becoming nurses. It is very possible at your age.

However, I will say the same thing to you that I say to everyone else. Before you make that big investment in your education, be sure that you are prepared to deal with the realities of a nursing career. Many people (regardless of their age) envision nursing careers that are very different from the reality they face after graduation. So, they leave the profession after a year or two and never fully use the education they worked so hard for.

In particular, some "older" new grads and/or moms with kids find that they really don't want to work 12-hour shifts in a hospital ... work night shifts ... work weekends ... work holidays ... work full time ... etc. And yet, as a new grad, those might be the only types of job they can get. They don't like the hours and struggle with finding suitable child care for those work hours. So, they can't find a job that suits their family needs. Other older new grads have physical problems with the physical labor and stress involved with 12-hour shifts.

Of course -- that's not true of everybody and not true of every region of the country. Assess yourself honestly and thoroughly assess your local job market before making a big investment. What types of nursing jobs are available for new graduate nurses in your area? Are those types of jobs going to work well for you? Don't just dream about "ideal" jobs that tend to go to people with experience. Pay attention to the average job of the average new grad. If that type of job is OK with you, then go for it. If not, think twice.

MSBYRD0915 · Sep 17, 2007

Definetly Not Too Old

krenee · Sep 17, 2007

I'm 38, just started nursing school. I'm not the oldest; there are many older than me. No one thinks anything of it anymore. I can tell you that me at 19 could NEVER have done this. I wasn't mature enough. (Now that's just me, not ALL 19 year olds, so don't flame me!) I'm also thrilled with my life in general because I feel like I get it all, I got to stay home with my kids until they were in school, but I can still work for 20 years or more if I choose, and devote that time to my career. Then I can hopefully retire with a nice nest egg, since we don't need my salary to live, and hopefully we'll be smart with it and not blow it all (tempting!).

Now I will say take care of yourself, I have chronic low back pain as it is, so I have to be careful. I exercise, try to eat right and take vitamins, and go to the chiropractor (which I've been slacking on but can't afford to!)

But the short answer is GO FOR IT! You won't be sorry.

Kelly

graceomalleyRN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

Hi,

I am 41 and will start the nursing program at my current university next Fall, God willing. BEST OF LUCK!!!