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! Nurses Nurse Beth Nursing Q/A

You are reading page 2 of 42 Years Old - Is it too late to become a nurse?

I became a nurse at age 47! No it's not too late! Best decision I ever made was to change careers and become a nurse.

I'm 43 and almost 1 year out since I graduated and passed boards. I wasn't even the oldest in my class. It is NOT too late. I like to think my previous work history and life experience gave me a different perspective and I brought that perspective to class and clinicals.

It is not too late to become a Nurse if this is your passion. I enrolled in the three year nursing program at 40 after a life change and raised two young daughters . I loved my nursing and had a great career , my daughters say I inspired them to seek higher education ( this makes me proud) Trust me, there is nothing more rewarding I don't think than being a Nurse . It's something you not only love but fall in love with if that's possible . Wishing you all the best if this be your choice of profession. RC

I started pre-reqs at 49 and graduated with a BSN at 54. It was the hardest thing I've ever done but so worth it. The bummer is the student loan debt ($64K 🙁). It's been tough to find my niche and 2 years in I'm still trying to figure it out. There are many types of Nursing Jobs I won't do, such as anything trauma related. My last job in the OR I was labeled "the adult learner" and it was clearly to steep of a learning curve for me and quite a toxic environment. Nursing is exhausting and affects one physically, mentally and emotionally. There is a culture of bullying in nursing that I also didn't know about until it was to late. Sometimes I wish I would have become an OT instead but I have faith I will find a place for myself in nursing, and I'm to old to get another degree in something completely different! Good Luck!

It's not too late. I started nursing school at 47 yrs old, received my ADN and worked continuously for 17years and loved every minute of it.

I am 48 and just graduated nursing school in December and passed my NCLEX in February. I was a teacher then stay at home mom for many years for changing careers. I have a PCU job beginning in July, but I feel age made it difficult to get my job. Age isn't the biggest challenge I had though. My kids were teenagers with one driving before I went to nursing school. It was difficult as I had no control over my schedule. My kids were used to me being home so it was a drastic change. If you have help at home with the kids activities and study time I think it would be possible.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health.

Passed the NCLEX at age 61, got hired for my first nursing position a few months later on a busy inner city observation unit and am still there 18 months later. Also attending online RN to BSN classes and have 4 classes until completion. Am contemplating switching to an RN to MSN program instead. I'll be 63 this October. It's never too late!

It's never too late. I am 50 and I just completed my prerequisites which I started when I was 48. Yes there are difficult courses but even the 20 yrs old classmate found it difficult. 40 is not too old. Think about it, you'll be earning a nurse's salary when you're 44 which is just around the corner.

I recommend carefully researching options. There are many RN programs designed for bachelor's degreed people in something other than nursing. Some of these are surprisingly quick but I can't advise about quality. RN is absolutely preferred-more employment opportunities, flexibility, higher earning potential, much broader skill set, more autonomy and BTW, why not cash in on your degree and EMT experience? Many classes are now online if you prefer that. Did I mention student loan buy back and sign on bonuses? All that said, one of the very best clinical, most natural nurse I've ever known is an LPN. After 20+ yrs of nursing, she's almost finished an RN program (she's highly valued as an employee but she wants to make more money and have more options).

Best of luck!

I am going back to school to become a Psychiatric MD. I currently work in a institution and I love it. I can afford to do it. I will stop working at the same age I planned to stop working as an RN (retirement). I will be able to put away more money as an MD for retirement. My husband and I have inherited enough money to cover the cost and I don't have to pay for the current place we live in. My kids will be cared for by my family, when I am not around. I figure I may as well do it. I don't mind going back to school, the length of time is not deterring me from doing it, and I can afford to stop working as an RN to do it. Things are lining up for me to do it so I am going for it. Things may line up for you so go for it. Funny thing is I wasn't the greatest student in my younger years but now as an older student my grades are much better. I just finished the RN to BSN in 5 semesters with all A's and B's, while raising my two children and working full-time.

Specializes in Wound care; CMSRN.

I started at 57 and it took me 5 years to get my ADN. I drove 100 miles round trip every day to school or clinicals. I also worked. I did not have 3 small children although some of my classmates were single moms and they managed. You can do it but it is no cakewalk for most people. In fact, we probably lost 25% of our applicants from the time we started our prerequisites up til graduation. We had a variety of ages and career changes in my class.

Right now I'm in my second year at an IHS hospital working off my loans and learning the hands on end of being an RN. At my age I will continue to work for IHS until I retire at 75 (assuming my physical plant holds out:() because the benefits are awesome and the working conditions at this hospital are good. I'm taking on wound care nursing as a specialty and intend to get certified as soon as I accumulate enough clinical hours and a BSN.

When you consider that retirement age is 20+ years away, 42 is certainly NOT too old to try something new.

+ Add a Comment