I graduated with my RN when I was 47, I graduated with my BSN when I was 56. I just graduated with my MSN and I am 59!!!! About to start a new career as a Psych NP. Age is nothing but a number.
Absolutely, I got my LPN at 46, my RN at 47, my BSN at 50, and just completed my MSN last year at 56 yrs old. Go for it!!!
I started my Nursing school journey at 46. I received my ASN at 48 and started working in the ICU. Two years later, I began travel nursing as an ICU RN. In November 2019, I started my BSN and finished in October 2020. In January 2021, I began the MSN in Nursing Education program. Five classes in, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which set me back a little. I graduated with my MSN in Nursing Education on May 25, 2023, and was 57. Never let anyone tell you you can't because of your age. It is never too late, and you are never too old!!
I become a nurse at 60 with my BSN. It was on my bucket list! Now I work for Hospice. Never give up on a dream!!
Of course! I went to nursing school at age 50 and am still at it 19 years later!
YES! I became a RN at age 40 and have been working as such for 27 years so go for it. I also added some specialities along the way so keep an eye out on different areas to move into.
I'll be 61 in a couple weeks and I'll graduate with my BSN Dec 15th. I'm healthy, active and strong. I love my patients (I've been a nurse extern/CNA for past year) and I'm excited to move forward with this new career. I actually have an interview tomorrow with a Labor & Delivery unit at my hospital. I even plan on getting my NP in women's health. Believe in yourself.
Signed up for my first prereq on my 40th bday....graduated with a BSN five years later, and that was 9 years ago. I have been a lot of things, including mom of 3...nursing -- not without challenges -- has been the most rewarding career I ever could have imagined. I'll graduate with my Masters in Nursing Ed this May...right before my 55th bday.
So....YES.
Of course, you can. Some of the best nurses are those with life experiences.
You can become a nurse at any age my former coworker was 50 when she went to school and she's getting ready to retire at 69 never to late
You most definitely can! I graduated with ADN at 40, BSN at 45 ... you can do it!
Absolutely! I became a RN at 44, going strong 11 years later!
For sure! I became a nurse at 42.
ABSOLUTELY!!! I got my BSN in my 40's with 4 kids at home and my husband on travel assignments, and my MSN in my 50's. If you have any thoughts about MSN/DNP, my suggestion would be to keep going within a year or two of the BSN instead of waiting a decade, like I did.
As my husband would remind me, "Do you want to be 40 WITH a degree or without a degree?? Either way, you'll still be 40."
You can do this! Go for it!!!
You can do it in 2-4 years. If you don’t do it, you will still be 2-4 yrs older….with nothing to show for it.
I was 36
LVN at 35 , RN at 45! of course you can.
I am in nursing school and I am 40! The only one looking at me any sort of way is myself.
I graduated with my adn at 44, my bsn at 46 and my pmhnp at 50. If I can do it so can you.
Yes. I’m 57 and doing it! 👍
Just graduated at 38 with a 2 year old & full time day job :) you 100% got this !!
Yes. I became an RN after age 40. I have no regrets. I knew I wanted to work in psych so that's where I started. I now do mental health intensive case managememt.
I started nursing school at age 37, got my LPN at 38, followed with my RN at 41. I finished my BSN last year at 42, and am now in the middle of a program to get my MSN as an Acute Care NP. You're never too old to start! Best of luck to you!
Yes, I graduated from nursing school when I was 40 -1/2. In many ways it’s an advantage (other work experience and life experience is always an asset). Just keep in mind you’re going from a world where you are at the top of your game, to losing your identity and confidence, feeling a little lost (for awhile). It’s a lot of work, it isn’t easy, I was working full time (pretty much) at the same time, but I really enjoyed the journey. You’ll always be able to get a job, you’ll have many options. Good luck!!
Absolutely you can and we would be glad to have you! I graduated nursing school just shy of 50 years old. There is a lot to be said about life experience….
There may be some gaps and for me it was technology. I was able to navigate my challenges with it and draw off the expertise of my younger peers. They were able to draw off my study skills. Nursing school is hard and you will find the people you will connect with and you will help each other through! Embrace the experiences! Good luck!!
Nursing is my second career. I went back to school after I retired from the Navy. I graduated at the age of fifty. That was ten years ago and I’m still going strong.
BSN @45 and MSN@ 54!
My second career was Nursing and in 2006 I got my degree at 46 years of age. I was able to transfer a lot of my previous college credits which helped reduce the time in school. If you are starting at the beginning, depending on the program you are looking at, I would recommend getting all of your electives completed first then you can focus on all of the nursing classes and clinicals. Coworkers and patients would tell me they were so glad to work with me because they felt comfortable with an experienced mature RN. (Haha) My previous career and life experience made me a better RN and able to comprehend and understand the profession. Nursing is a fantastic profession that gives you many opportunities and will make you a better person. One recommendation from someone ready to retire and 15-20 years goes by. If possible work for a system (like the VA system) because before you know it, you are ready to retire and the reality is Nursing (unlike Teaching) does not have strong representation to ensure well deserved pensions. That’s the reality once you retire. Wish you the best in your career choice!
My mother became a nurse at almost 50. It can be done!
Never too old to be a nurse. I get more enjoyment working as a nurse at age 66. Worked long and hard for my degree, to stop, now. Experts in life makes a well rounded nurse. Good luck! Go for it!👍
Yes!! Don’t let age hold you back! I was an MA x 15 years before I became can RN at 35.
And you could be president at age 80🤔
I graduated at 51; became a med/surg RN at a large hospital, became a charge nurse within 5 years, and until our recent reogranization, I became the nurse manager of a 36-bed medical floor. With the reorg, I am now looking for another job - but that is the great thing about nursing ... there are so many different types of nursing and job opportunities.
Absolutely! I started nursing school when I was 41. And there was a woman in my class who was 50!
Yes because what matters is your will and purpose. I just turned 40, I am graduating this December for my MSN and will be starting the FNP program afterwards.
It is never to late and the need is there more than ever! You can do this!
Can you? Sure. You absolutely can. Should you? Well....that's a whole other can of worms. I was 33. Personally, now at 52, if I had it to do over again, I would not.
40 is the exact age I became a bedside Critical Care RN. Have confidence in yourself and you'll be a rock star. Ask questions even if you think they're stupid. Oh, and I graduated with a guy that was 50 years old! We both laughed at how young we were and how many years of fun we had ahead.
I’m about to be 43 and I’m a new grad nurse in Tele-PCU. I’m working currently working on my MSN. Age ain’t nothing but a number.
I became an RN at 56, so why not?
Yes you can! I was a designer for 25 years then switched gears and graduated at 40 with my BSN from Hopkins! Reinvent yourself! Nurses are needed! ☺️
I am 82 and still working night. 12 hrs
Yes, you can, I became an LPN at 58, and an RN at 68. There are no age limits. Desire is in the pursuit, if you want it go get it! Don't let your age hold you back!
I’d say, better than 22! You’ll be more mature (hopefully) and often be received better by the patients.
Absolutely! I changed careers at 40. Went to nursing school and been doing it since. Go for it, if that really where your heart is. Nursing isn’t for the faint❤️
Just graduated with my RN at 43. I had been an LPN for 15 years and finally bridged over.
If you have the time and money to go to school full time, you should pick something else. I am in school for computer science. Can't wait to get out of bedside and nursing.
I began my career in 1984 with an Assiciate degree, BSN in 1987 and MSN in Informatics in 2021 at age 59. I have been a NICU nurse for a few months shy of 40 years.
Don’t
I went to school at 50, after I got my GED first. I graduated and began in a neuro/ telemetry unit. I'm now am house supervisor at a 25 bed critical care access hospital. I still fill in for call outs in the ICU or med surg. You can do it at any age!!
I got my RN when I was 53.
Yes!! I had a classmate when I took my BSN who was over 60.
A preceptor for me in nursing school was 53 years old and 2 years out of school. So, absolutely.
I am 62 years old with my BSN and am currently working as a psychiatric nurse. I love my job!
I went back to school to get my BSN when I was 50. I graduated when I was 52.
Yes!!! I started nursing school at age 49 1/2 and love it. I'm almost 71 and still at it.
Absolutely!!!
I got my adn at 45, my bsn at 47 and my pmhnp at 50…..if I can do it so can you
I was 45 when I became an RN and I am so glad that I did!!! Go for all your dreams and don't allow negative talk to stop you of goals you are able to achieve!! The payoff is fantastic and the opportunities are endless.
Absolutely! I just graduated at age 45. I got my LVN in my 20s and I feel like it was a slightly different experience than my RN.
Things that are trying about the nursing school experience at this age: your classmates may generally be younger than you, so they might stick together and you might feel a little left out. Balancing work/finances/family and classwork might cause you some stress issues. If you're not prepared for/ used to some of the things you will be exposed to in clinicals, you might experience some strong emotional reactions.
Why not? You can do anything with intent and discipline, plus life experience!
You can do anything you set your mind too
I just got my BSN in December at 61! I run circles around most of the nurses on my floor...keeps the brain and the body healthy if you eat well, exercise and avoid the drama!
WTH!? Of course you can!!
Pssssst- I just did!!
Issued License 10/23
Born 6/81😌
Ketchup Mustard!! We're waiting on ya✌️🏽🫶🏾
YES you can. Age is not a factor in nursing. For as long as you have your certification and healthy to make critical decisions, you will be able to. Do not underestimate yourself. Nurses are the epitome of excellence in the healthcare industry. You will be amazed how valuable you are. Good luck!
Absolutely!! Why not!?
Hell yes!!!!!!!
Yes you can! I went back to school at 36 and got notice I passed my NCLEX just a month before my 40th birthday. I wondered that too but a friend pointed out to me that I would be working those 25 years till retirement so I might as well be doing it as a nurse. Good Luck🍀
Absolutely! I became a nurse in 2022 at age 47! I've now been in practice for a year and a half and I will be going back to school when my youngest goes off to college in the fall!
Absolutely!
I did! Graduated at 40, and have done mother baby, hospice, psych, and quality assurance since then. So glad I did this. Got my ADN at 40, my BSN at 44, and then an MBA in 2023, the last two mostly paid for by my hospital.
I became a nurse at 50
Just got my NP at 63. Go for it!
I will be graduating nursing school at almost 53! So absolutely you can.
ABSOLUTELY!! I taught nursing at university level of 20 years in both graduate and undergraduate levels and so many of my basic students were 40 and over. I have had students in their 60's go on to begin their own businesses because they felt that working in a hospital was too physically strenuous for them. They go to diabetics' homes to teach Insulin administration and good dietary practice, work in physicians' offices and have run smoking cessation programs for corporations. I didn't get my BSN until I was 38, then went on for two graduate degrees. Go for it! If you love it, age is not a barrier.
I became a nurse at age 42. I had been interested as a child, then, of course, things happen in life. Became a counselor eventually, then home with children for a number of years (the youngest was born with a brain injury and cerebral palsy). When I was ready to go back to work, I realized I wanted to go into nursing and here I am. It is unfortunate that there are work environments that are not supportive to nurses which is a contributor to burnout (it's almost really never about the patients, but who you work for and who you work with). Nearly everyone will have to start at the bedside, but the good news is you can work in nursing in some capacity or another as long as you have your mind (you can give allergy shots in your 80's).
Absolutely!
Never a better time! I started my first prerequisite classes at 40. I knew what I wanted and worked very hard to achieve LPN, then bridge to RN. Not an easy road but so worth the hard work! You've got this🙌
Yes! Yes! And Yes 👍🏽
I started nursing school at 40. I fit in great with my fellow students who were all ages and when I started on my unit met more people who started nursing later in life.
Yes!!
You have received lots of great feedback, hope you decide to go for it. I just graduated with my MSN in Ed at a young 57. If u want it u can achieve it. Good luck and God bless.
You sure can!!! I just became a nurse at 43. If it on your heart go for it!!! Don’t be afraid to step out on faith!!
Yes, definitely I just graduate myself and I am 40 ! Age is no a limitation so if you want to do it 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻and I just pass my NCLEX on the first try ☺️
Yes of course
Of course! I went to nursing school and graduated just before my 49th birthday. Granted, I was the oldest kid in my class, but not by as much as you’d think. There were several of us in our 40’s in my cohort.
I did!
I did and glad to have done so! There is no age limit, in this field.
Yes, be determined you’ll be in a class of young student nurses. BUT you have life experience.
Please don’t do it , it’s not worth the money and it only gets worse as the years pass.
Definitely.I had a co worker who became a nurse over 40 years old.I precepted a male father who ,after he was laid off work he decided to go back to school and became a nurse .He also had a son in nursing school graduating almost the same time he did.
Absolutely
Yes you can, you’re never too old for nursing
Absolutely, there is nothing stopping except yourself. You can do it ; other people that have done it does not have two heads lol.
