I can think of several reasons. 1) It's been a life long dream. 2) Their children are grown and out of the house. Now they have time to do something for their self. 3) Their financial situation has changed and they need to support themselves. 4) They or a loved one had a life altering health crisis where a nurse was invaluable support. Now they want to pass that care on to someone else in a similar situation.
I could go on for days.
When I was in my basic nursing program (ANS) and stupid as only an arrogant 28 year old can be, I wondered why a classmate of mine would be in school at the ancient age 56. Call her Mary. Mary went on before most of us to take a BSN. And while we were sweating over our Bachelors degrees, Mary was taking a Masters. And then another. She chose a field that most people would not even consider (working with profoundly mentally challenged adults) and even wrote a book on it. She was nationally known for her work and eventually, at 80 earned a PhD. And wrote another book. She loved it, found it meaningful and hated the word retirement. Good for her say I! In my 70's now, I'm in the middle of a doctorate; also I'd like to think I'm a bit smarter and wiser than I was at 28. And I'll never retire either.
I would think to enter nursing late in life may mean your current position is unfulfilling.
Nursing need’s special personalities to last in this field.
