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Is a Soon-to-Be Retired Librarian, Who Is 65 Years Old, Too Old to Go to Nursing School?

Nurse comforting patient in hospital bed

Question:

I am a healthy, active woman who will be 65 years old next month. I am retiring after 18 years as a librarian. I have thought about nursing since I was young but for many reasons did not pursue that career. I now have the opportunity to do so.

I have found very little on the subject when searching online. Do you have any suggestions for resources that provide guidance, information or support for achieving my goal?

Librarian Who Wants To Be A Nurse

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Librarian Who Wants To Be A Nurse,

The oldest student nurse I have met to date was 70 years old. There are many women and men like yourself coming into the profession after retiring from another career or two. With everyone living and working longer these days, you?re never too old to start a career in nursing. One is surely never too old to follow her dreams. The profession of nursing offers more varied opportunities today than ever before. I say don?t think about it any longer, just do it. And just for the record, I have known several other librarians who also became nurses.

Best wishes,
Donna