58 years old - Am I too old to start nursing school??

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If a person is older, like I am, 55, and wants to become a nurse. Some of the nurses here are saying that it is harder for older people to get a job because of training expenses. So, would it be better to first become a CNA, Then immediately an acute care CNA, then immediately an LVN/LPN. That way we will have alot of hands on experience. Also, do you all think that at 55, I would be able to get an job as a LVN/LPN and an assisted living/Nursing Home, fairly easy. I would like to become an LVN/LPN and work in an assisted Living/Nursing Home, or even Home Health, Hospice. Does anyone have any advise for me, like what track I should take at my age, I don't really want o become an RN because of the length of schooling and the stress. And it seems it is difficult to find a job.

Thank you, love this post and what you said is what I have believed going into this process at age 55. I will graduate next May having just turned 60. I'm healthy, have no kids at home and ready to work!

One of the issues to consider is if you have to take out loans to finance your education, you may have to be paying them off when you retire and are on a fixed income which could seriously affect your quality of life. You can also consider working part time. It is also a good idea to see your doctor, to get a physical to make sure you are OK to work and perform all the tasks.

Older New Nurses --- stand tall, put that chin out, square those shoulders & remember --- We have stuff that those young nurses don't have & that is Life Experience. We will stay our ground, keep our job. We don't call in unless we REALLY are sick or we REALLY have emergency. We don't pop around job to job just because we are fussy & "it isn't fun". We know work is work -- sometimes we get to love our job, sometimes not. We don't expect to love everyone, but we know how to get along with everyone because we don't sweat the small stuff. We don't go running to the boss whining about this & that - we work. We are stable, we are reliable, we are dependable & we work weekends!!!! Please do not let the Bull-Crap of "ageism" suck you in --- Stand Your Ground & Let your interviewers know you are valuable BECAUSE of your age!!! And one more plus --- at 53 you won't have to worry about me being on maternity leave! Wisdom balances out young impetuous workers every time.

HELL NO!!! I am 50 and just got my lisence. If you want it, you go for it girl!!!

I graduated when I was 46. During school, I received a lot of censure for attempting to accomplish this goal. I counter with these ideas: There is a place in nursing for EVERYone.Utilization review, case management, public health, administration, informatics and telephone advice nursing are often sedentary jobs. Furthermore, the wisdom that comes with our extra years can be translated to further assist patients, if one chooses that aspect of nursing. Lastly, I have found people in need will often request to speak with older nurses, likely because of the underlying belief that older equals more experience. My caveat to all of this is that your body may dictate what you do. I am trying to claw my way to ICU and am at the telemetry level. My body reminds me every day that I have a limited time using it in this manner. If this is your passion, then never give up! Never surrender!

Not only are you not too old, Hell no, you're not too old! I'm 58 also (and male, to boot), and graduate with my BSN (Fast Track) in 31 days 21 hours 32 minutes. If you want it, you can do it. Get a grip, make up your mind, and full steam ahead (and no, steam power is not a reference to age)! It ain't easy, it ain't quick, and it does involve an on-going trip outside your comfort zone. You will have plenty of times ahead to question your own sanity, and you will definitely not be one of the gang, but if you want it, I think you will find the reward equal to the effort. Good luck!

I am 58 and I have been an LPN since 1981. I work acute care- Womens Care and working on getting my RN due to hospital wanting to be magnet. It is very hard at my age to work and study. After a major MVA 3 years ago even working is a struggle. To go to school later in life is hard, but think it shouldnt exclude someone wanting to do it and can do it. But sadly a good nurse may be passed over by a hospital due to age, yet a 30ish is hired then 3 years later starts having kids and quits or goes prn. Who would have been the better hire?

Dear 58 year old "future nurse". I entered nursing school at age 51 and graduated right after turning 54, with my BSN. I know what it is to have strong desires at a time of life when people around you are saying "just relax and retire" and enjoy life. I also know what it is to develop health issues during nursing school, under the huge amount of stress and pressure to be successful and not waste of a lot of money. I developed high blood pressure my first semester, however, I am happy to announce that once I graduated, I no longer had high blood pressure and went off the one med I had been placed on. I can honestly say that in my past 2 1/2 years of nursing ( I am currently 58), has been the most challenging, rewarding, and meaningful time of my life. I build my own schedule, work 36 hours/week, and work hard to maintain a healthy balance of family life vs work. I had to learn that lesson in nursing school as well. I "learned" not to be so stressed, as I made time for family, I continued to work hard to achieve that BSN. So, 58 year old, go for it!! There is a lot of life to live. Do take care of yourself and make time always for family and friends. I wish you success in all you do!!!!

Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

If you think that your health problems are just temporary (like due to stress & not enough sleep), then I wouldn't let that stop you. And as someone else said, if your financial situation is good or at least OK (i.e. you're not going to come out of nursing school with a lot of debt and not that many years -although that's quite variable - to pay it off), then I wouldn't let that stop you either, but those are 2 big things to think about.

If neither one of them is a show-stopper, then go for it!

It's a rewarding but rough job. It is physically demanding, mentally challenging and emotionally draining. I did floor nursing for 27 years, and left it at age 62. It took a toll on my knees. You are starting out not in optimal health. You should weigh the huge school commitment in terms of time, cost and how it will affect your life, against the number of years you will be able to do the job. Hospitals are not heading towards bountiful staffing ..... They are looking to staff with the least number of nurses. Add in a sick call and there goes your shift. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Wow. Where to start? I am 69 years old. I started an ADN program in a rural community college at age 62, graduating at age 64. It took me 9 months to find a job and I had some rough starts. I encountered rampant ageism in school and on the job, though not quite as blatant as I'm hearing on this thread. Frankly, many of the comments here disgust me, but I applaud the few who see through the ageism.

There seems to be a badge of pride in working 12 hour shifts without a drink of water or nutritious meal and a breather. It's like saying "I'm so bad, I can go 12 hours without having to pee, eat, sip water, or clear my head and rest my feet for a minute." I call that a grade-A recipe for burnout, and yet nurses keep doing it and bragging about how tough they are. The really tough -- and smart ones -- know when to call BS and speak up. They demand to have coverage for meal breaks and breaks to take care of basic bodily functions -- to get a drink of water, sit down for a minute, have a moment of quiet to clear the head, and jot a note to get organized.

Do not for a minute let anyone tell you that you are too old. Most of the candidates for US President this year are older than you are. Do you think they will have a "cake" job? Flying all over the world, managing conflicts and wars, dealing with disasters of every imaginable kind both day and night, plus the constant battering of the press and political opponents? Really. Come on, people. Get a grip and show a little respect for the knowledge, wisdom, and experience that aging brings. And have a little much-needed humility.

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