42 Years Old - Is it too late to become a nurse?

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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Hello Nurse Beth,

I am a 42 year old wife and mother of 3 children 9, 4, and 3 still at home and considering a career change. I have had a life changing experience which has pricked my heart to attend nursing school. I am really nervous. Can you give me an honest answer, is too late to change careers?

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41 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear 42 Years Young,

It is not too late. Many, many have done this who are older than you. It may be a little harder

but you can overcome that with determination.

I believe it's good to role model education for your children and to realize your dreams.

Better than having regrets ?

Specializes in Emergency Department.

Dead is too old. If you're not dead, then you have a choice as to whether or not it makes sense to go to nursing school, and therefore if you're too old.

I'll use myself as an example. I've been in healthcare a long time. I could decide that I want to be a physician. I'm not dead, and I'm not too old... however going to Med School doesn't make sense for me. Given my age, costs involved (including loan payoff), and wanting to retire at an age young enough to really enjoy it, going to Med School isn't going to work.

I went through the same process when weighing my options just a few years ago. In my case, for nursing school, I'm nowhere near close to being too old to go through it, if I had to start the process now.

However, once you're dead, you are clearly too old...

Specializes in Critical Care.

I started nursing school at 30& my mom said at the time that I'd be x years old when I finished... I replied I was going to turn that age either way, I might as well do what I want. I'm 42 now & have my ASN, BSN, & working on my MSN.

A few years ago, I encountered a 65yo new grad who went to school for nursing because she always wanted to be a nurse. It can be done.

that being said, it is HARD, I think its the hardest thing I have ever done to myself... you will need support. You'll want to do things with friends, kids, & family but will have to study & work. You can't do nursing school (even part time), half way.

Age has nothing to do with your success its dedication & desire. Think about what will drive you through the work & tough times... it helps!

First of all, at 42 you are still young! If nursing is what you want to do, go for it! And please don't listen to someone who tells you that it's too late.

By the way, we had a lady in my nursing program who was 47 with 3 kids, two of them grown. I have a lot of respect for her and so did everyone else in my class. She ended up graduating successfully and was voted the most valued member in our class ( literally- she got an award for that lol). Age has nothing to do with it- she was a great person and always took care of everyone around her, gave rides to other students, cooked for other students, etc. She was also a dedicated and hardworking nursing student- she took a great care of our clients during clinical rotations.

What matters is not your age, but what you want our of life.

I almost let my age deter me from starting nursing school at 42. It was estimated that I would be 47 when I graduated because of having to take every prerequisite known to man. I was inspired to change careers after caring for my Dad when he was diagnosed with cancer. He told me that the time would pass no matter what I was doing with it and that following a dream was a much more useful way to pass it than staying in the dying field of graphic design in print media.

It wasn't easy, but it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I will never regret following my dream. I would have definitely regretted letting my age stop me.

I'm 46 and just got accepted into a nursing program!!! Go for it, your never too old! I attained a 4.0 gpa in my prerequisites...I never could have done that in my early twenties. I'm just so much more focused now and can not wait to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse. Good luck to you, you CAN do this!

I'm 40 and just beginning my career in nursing. I don't have any problems keeping up with my much younger classmates, or with the nurses I worked alongside in my internship in the ED. Go for it. Your life experience is pretty useful in nursing.

I did this. You can too. I am 45 and finished each leg of this race in the top tier of my class. I graduated 3 years in a row--LPN, ADN, BSN, and now await the good word from MSN admissions. You have an advantage of looking at things in a seasoned, experienced way that will be a great asset for you.

Unlike your younger classmates, you likely won't be snapchatting yourself doing shots at 11am after the exams. Some things may make you feel like the mom of them all. Some will make you glad you didn't spend your earlier days doing that. It also makes you pray for your own kids who will or are In the thick of it too. In other ways, it will remind you that you are still young. That's always a good thing.

Those life-changing events can drag you down. Good for you in looking for a silver-lining. May you be encouraged and energized by it all.

I was 43 when I graduated. Hardest and most rewarding task I ever accomplished. I am now 45 and returned for my BSN. At 46 I will start my MSN NP program.

Yes it's hard but worth it.

Go for it. Your kids will see hard work pays off. My 16 yr old is a sophomore in high school and is taking a full load at college. He will walk both for his high school diploma and an associate in science. I asked him why and he said I inspired him to work harder

No! I'm 49 and graduated in December 2013 with a BS in Nursing. Best decision I've made. Working as a RN on a med/surg telemetry/step down floor can be hectic and stressful but I love it and multiple lateral opportunities exist.

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm 35, and wondered if I'm too old to become an RN. I want to begin taking my prerequisites this fall. I've actually wanted to be a nurse for several years, but I kept telling myself that this or that is more important, that it's a lot of money, and that I'll be too old once I graduate... then it recently dawned on me that if I'd begun school the first time I told myself that, I'd already have been a nurse for several years! So... I'm doing it. THIS FALL. Not next fall, not someday... I'm doing it.

I know it'll be tough, but I believe it'll be easier NOW than it would have been 10 years ago when I was mentally unprepared. I'm ready now, I have perspective , and I am going to do it.

My daughter is 13 and will be a high school freshman in the fall. She is also taking as many college classes as she can (dual and concurrent). She wants to graduate with an assoc. of science and enter nursing school as a HS senior. I'm currently a student (45) and will graduate next spring. Love this!

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