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Is 58 Too Old to Go Back to School and Become an RN?

Nurse talking with patient in doctors office

Question:

Dear Donna, I?ve been an LPN for 33 years. I?m 58, and I?m thinking of going back to school to get my RN. Do you think my age would be a factor? I retired three years ago and miss nursing so much. I?m a healthy, young, spirited person. Do people go back to nursing school at this age? Ann

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Ann, For a ?healthy, young, spirited? nurse of 58 years, I say go for it! With life expectancy being what it is, you potentially have a lot of living and giving left to do. Plus, you say you love and miss nursing, so what's to think about? Believe it or not, many student nurses are older today, the oldest I?ve met is 70 years old. The average age of the working nurse is in the late 40s with many in their 50s, 60s, 70s and a few in their 80s, so you?ll fit right in. Read ?Age is a State of Mind? (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/StateofMind). Best wishes, Donna  

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