Does Age Really Matter in Taking a nursing Course?

[amygarside]

Is age really a factor if you should decide to get a nursing degree? Putting aside the financial issue, would being in the late 40s or early 50s a disadvantage in taking a nursing degree?

[amygarside]

This is a follow up to the question about age. I have been reading that there is a faster way for you to attain your nursing degree through the bridge program. What if you are not a nursing graduate would you still be able to attend this kind of nursing program?

[fmick]

In my class there was a local government layoff that caused us to have several older people in the college. In nursing we had a fellow that was 60 or so. He did fine. In LPN school we had an older few and they did not do so well. That came down to more of the gay program director wanting young blonde gals to be the nurses because she like that type of woman. She was later checked out by the state for giving men a hard time. I was asked by her friend, another instructor, what would I do after I was out of the class. I did not understand what she meant at the time. I failed shortly after. They made comments about people being too old. They can fail anyone they want. What they do is make it hard enough that everyone fails and then if anyone is under a certain level that they don't want, they just give points to the class to get everyone but them up enough to pass. We had the group ahead of us needing 20 class points. They had a better NCLEX RN ratio than we did. We had taken A sudents and had worse board results. They had Bs and A students and did better. Nursing school is so terrible. If I could go back and start all over again, I would never have went to the school that I did. I would not even go into nursing at all. Not what I thought it would be.

As for you and your age, it all depends on you. I have worked with 71 year old nurses that were thin and active and were like 30 year olds. You need to know that you can work the night shift if you get tired or in need of knee or hip replacements. It will buy you some time. It all sounds funny now but it really makes a difference. Good Luck and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something that you want to do. Sometimes doing it is all that matters.

[amygarside]

Thank you for your helpful tips about age. I agree that it is up to the person if he or she can handle all the pressures of being a nurse regardless of age.

[crystly448]

According to my opinion, in nursing course the age is a really big issue. But it also depends on the candidate's capabilities as well as his/her determination power because if a candidate decides to do or learn something then nothing is impossible for him/her.

[amygarside]

Thank you crystly448 for your reply. I appreciated the input.

[Frankreich]

It all depends on how much you can afford and how much time you have to work as a RN. The average student graduates from a community college nursing programs after 3 years of full time classes. A BSN is a four year degree and takes four full years or more. You also need to check and see if there is a need for nurses in your community as many new grad's are not finding work.

You need to do the math regarding the return on investment.

[malenurse354]

I don’t think age matters when it comes to taking a nursing course. I know a lot of success stories of nurses going back to school in their 50’s and 40’s, and despite the age, they were able to successfully build a nursing career!

[ianursing22]

Age is one of the factors in going back to school, but it still depends on an individual basis!Some can still carry the pressure in nursing despite the age, but some just can't; so before enrolling into nursing school, they should assess themselves very well first, since as we all know nursing is a very demanding course!

[myles48]

Age is very important factor in nursing. Because nursing job require extra energy and stamina to fulfill job requirements. So if you interested in this profession try to enroll in teen age. In some case you can enroll in later age but it will be difficult to continue.

[amygarside]

Age is very important factor in nursing. Because nursing job require extra energy and stamina to fulfill job requirements. So if you interested in this profession try to enroll in teen age. In some case you can enroll in later age but it will be difficult to continue.

Thanks for your opinion! I appreciate it very much!

[Laurendrell25]

Yes it may be depending upon the policy of college and higher education but it is possible in some ways like online. You can enroll yourself online.

[oldntiredRN]

I must add here, the nursing profession, culture, climate now a days , doesn't want a nurse if they are in 50's and have been a nurse for 32 years. I know this personally. Even if you dance to their demands- go back to school for hat BSN, they will find some other reason not to hire you, If you apply to jobs 40 50 miles away becasue your resume shows you have 32 years, you get asked, with the cast of suspicion, "why are you applying way over here?",If you have this work gap beause you have been looking and nothing has come up, they ask what you have been doing? You re do a resume according to the Unemployment councelors at the Department of Labor, the fools in HR see you(eye ball your age) and ask you for the rest of it.The jerks in nursing don't even follow their own lies. Why would anyoe want to be a nurse and tourture themselves like this. It's not the patients it's not the families, it's not the doctors, It's the Nursing leadership and they are all the same- it's the same crap a differnt day with these yah hoo's

[ollenburgerap]

I agree with old tired RN. I have been a nurse since 1977, and worked in specialty areas for 30 years. I never had to try for a job. When I applied, I was hired due to my background, experience, and work record. When I left the hospital, I had to work hard to find someplace to work. I'm fit and have an excellent health history. I truely believe my age of 55 was the reason. I'm sure they thought I was going to be ill all the time or drop dead. Well I am still hear, kicking butt in an ambulatory setting. to those who thought us old RNs are a risk---I say "shame on you for your predjudice". I'm a resource for many, have ties with the hospitals and know where to go for just about anything. I will work because I love nursing. you don't quit your role of being a mother, and it's the same for nurses-once a nurse, always a nurse.

[ollenburgerap]

This statement tells me alot about you. #1 you are a new nurse. #2 You are going to have problems at #3 your opinion doesn't matter.