working nurses that started late in life

Nurses General Nursing

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Do we have nurses online that began their career later in life? What would you do different? Would you stay in the nursing career or do something else?

I am 51 years old and have been accepted into the Ga. Perimeter nursing program this fall. Of course I'm terrified of being able to complete the 2 years of training at my age. I have been considering switching to a 2 year Diagnostic Medical Sonography program but then I won't have any guarantee of getting into the program. Since it is not a broader range of study like nursing it seems less stressful, however only 30 students are taken per year. I am at a loss at to what to do. I would love to hear from other nurses that started later in life.

Thanks for your time and responses.

I celebrated my 57th birthday two days before graduation this past December, so it CAN be done! I won't tell you that nursing school was easy nor that my first job on a telemetry unit is either... however, nursing is already the most rewarding thing I've done in my life. Follow your heart, and best wishes :)

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

I was 44 when I graduated and am 51 now.

I don't think that there's anything to be terrified about. If anything, I consider the maturity of middle age to be an asset and said students to be much better than the 20-somethings.

I would also challenge all the "you have to be in great shape" posts. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate my conditioning as a 5 and I do pretty well. Further, I see many nurses around the hospital whose physical conditioning is very poor and they seem to get by. I realistically plan to do my job until I'm 70.

My only regret about entering nursing in my mid-40's is that I didn't do it 20 years earlier.

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I graduated at 51, 2 yrs. ago. There were about 4 or 5 of us in our 50s. I am working full time now and the physical part of it is not a problem for me. I would like to be working in acute care. With a little experience under my belt I have started to reapply to hospitals... But, with my Bachelor's degree earned in 1985 on my resume, recruiters can tell how old I am. I am willing to bet this puts me at disadvantage from the get go.

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Specializes in Ortho.

I went back at 27 for ADN, BSN at 29, FNP currently at 36. Older students are better students. More disciplined and invested. I think you'll do fine. Just make sure nursing is something you want to di

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

If you want to do it and are willing to work really hard 'til you graduate, yes, you can do it. I got my BSN at 54. As to what I'd do differently and/or would I stay in nursing - I'm kind of torn. On the one hand, as another commenter said, it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. On the other hand, it's hard, the documentation demands have only gotten worse at my job, I'm staying late all the time, and - of course this is somewhat irrelevant, since I decided for multiple reasons to change careers - in my last job in my previous career I was making more than 50% more than I am now. But I keep showing up at work... :banhappy:

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You know, there's no age to professional nursing growth. I know people who began nursing after retiring from a different profession. I also know nurses who started their masters in their 40s and 50s. I mean it's just like any other profession. There is no age requirement or cap as to when you want to pursue your education.

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
I was 44 when I graduated and am 51 now.

I would also challenge all the "you have to be in great shape" posts. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate my conditioning as a 5 and I do pretty well. Further, I see many nurses around the hospital whose physical conditioning is very poor and they seem to get by. I realistically plan to do my job until I'm 70.

I have found a difference in endurance as I get older. When in my 20s, I could do a double shift and not feel any more tired than I was after 8 hours. In my 40s, I could do the double, but I was tired when I finished! Now, I'm 60, and I do regular 10 to 12-hour shifts, but I feel it. How will I be when I reach 70?

Since I work private duty home care, I can decrease my hours gradually if needed. I can also choose clients who are less of a challenge physically. I plan to keep working at least another 10 years, Lord willing, but will probably go to part time at some point.

OP, how long will you have to depend on the income?

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Went back to nursing at 50. Am now 61. I do ok, but the drama, mean co-workers and nasty/demanding patients get to me. Make 70-75K part-time, but desire a better life. Nursing is cruel. Slowing down, getting out. So no graphed program sounds better. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

Have to agree with everything posted above. I'm 60 now, have been a nurse for about 13 years (keep forgetting). I can still run circles around most of the younguns due to better work ethic. Have started working on my BSN. I know a 64 y/o who just got her BSN. I used to do martial arts too. Love it. Had to quit for nursing school because I'm a total immersion kind of person and I couldn't give all to both, so I chose saving lives. Don't regret it at all, just wish it wasn't so mean sometimes. Have been in great places and horrible places. Good place now.

Remember, there isn't a shortage of nurses, there is a shortage of nurses willing to work at the bedside with facilities demanding nurses do more, with less.

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I started Nursing in my mid 30's went thru the program and had 4 months to graduate but was in a car wreck. Had a skull fracture and other injuries. Due to an extended recovery time I entered back in the Nursing program in when I was 42 years old. There were 6 of us over 40 in that class. We all made it by helping and supporting each other. It was harder on my body and mind at that age but it can be done. Worked as a floor nurse, in a LTC facility and then as an Emergency Room nurse for 11 years, while working as a Nurse part - time in other areas. Have been a College Health Nurse for 10 years now. I found the main thing in becoming a Nurse at an older age is that continued education, new skills and net working helps a lot. Nursing gives you a lot of opportunities other jobs may not provide. I am not getting ready to take more classes to become certified as an Infusion Nurse so as I retire in 2 years I can continue to provide a much needed service to patients. Don't stop learning is the main thing I recommend. Good Luck!

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This is topic is timely for me as I am 51 years old and hoping to start a BSN program this Fall. I have 12 marathons under my belt, the most recent in October of 2014 and I'm also an avid snowboarder...an activity I took up at age 48. My point being that I believe that I'm in great physical condition and hoping I won't be overlooked by potential employers due to age. Further, I don't think it's just me. In general, it seems that 50 really is the new 30. So many people my age are doing things their parents' generation wouldn't even have considered.

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I became a RN at 51. I am not in great shape as some have said we need to be. I'm doing just fine. I started with an ADN in 2009, my BSN in 2013 and am now halfway thru my MSN. It's doable but you have to sacrifice a lot to get through school.

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