How Old Do You Have to Be to Be a Nurse: Are You Too Old & Are There Any Registered Nurse Age Requirements?

If you are considering becoming a nurse, there are several age-related considerations you need to account for before starting your educational journey.

If you are thinking about pursuing a nursing career later in life, either because you have been displaced from the workforce or simply because you want a change in your current career path, you may wonder whether you are too old to be a nurse. 

Similarly, if you are set on pursuing a career in the healthcare industry from the get-go, you may think about how old you have to be to be a nurse and how soon you can start studying for certification.

This guide to the registered nurse age requirements will answer these questions. We will also offer valuable advice regarding the recommended educational and career paths, so that you can make the most of your nursing journey, regardless of the age at which you decide to embark on it.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Be a Nurse?

Becoming a nurse requires you to be over 18 and have a high school diploma to enroll in the required educational programs. You cannot become a nurse or start studying in nursing programs as a minor since most US states prohibit those under 18 from partaking in clinicals. Realistically speaking, the earliest age at which you can start practicing as a certified nurse is 19.

At What Age Can You Start Nursing School?

The earliest that you can enroll in a nursing program and start studying is when you’re 18. This is due to two main reasons. 

Firstly, nursing programs generally require a high school diploma, GED certificate, or other educational equivalent to enroll. Secondly, even if you complete your education early on, you must be 18, as most states prohibit minors from participating in clinicals and practical field experiences. Considering that all nursing programs include such classes, you could attend them even if you are otherwise qualified.

However, if you want to start doing something for your future nursing career before age 18, you should consider volunteering at a local hospital or doctor’s office. The volunteer hours that you accrue, as well as the various base skills you will practice there, will help you in your subsequent nursing program, as well as in your career.

At What Age Can You Become a Nurse?

You can become a nurse in the US at 19 if you successfully enroll at 18. 

To start as early as possible, you would need to pursue the shortest available educational path: a 12- to 16-month PN Diploma Program. Once you complete the program and pass the required NCLEX-PN exam, you can start working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Find out how to become an LPN, from finding the right program to enrolling and graduating.

The shortest time to become a nurse also depends on your desired position and career expectations. Although it is the most accessible path and requires the shortest amount of learning among nursing programs, the LPN role can have several drawbacks. For instance, the average LPN salary is lower than the remuneration of other nurses, such as that of registered nurses (RNs). 

Read our nurse salary by state guide to compare the estimated wages of various nursing roles more extensively.

If you want to start working in an RN position, you will need at least an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a comparable diploma. Depending on the program, getting an ADN takes between 16 months and 2 years. Once you complete it and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you can start working as a registered nurse. You also have the option of earning a BSN degree. However, BSN programs last for 3 to 4 years. Thus, the earliest you can start working as an RN with a BSN is at age 21. However, your advanced degree will attract a higher salary and better positions. You can read our BSN salary guide and consult the list of the highest-paying BSN jobs to learn more about these benefits.

If you want to complete your education in as little time as possible and with a maximum of comfort and flexibility, enroll in one of the academic programs at Nightingale College:

• Our PN Diploma Program is a 1-year option that combines online learning with on-ground supervised field experience to prepare you to pass the NCLEX-PN and work as a licensed practical nurse.
• If you are an LPN or are considering becoming one first, we also provide a fast track to advancing to the RN position via the 16-month LPN-to-ASN Program, which allows you to continue your education at your own pace.
• Our 3-year BSN Program is for learners who want to start working as BSN-level registered nurses as soon as possible. Additionally, the hybrid system that combines online learning with on-ground supervised field experience increases the program's flexibility and accessibility.

Am I Too Old to Become a Nurse?

You are never too old to begin a career in nursing or to change your current job to one in a healthcare setting. In fact, the only hurdles depend on your expectations for your journey toward your desired nursing role.

If you have previously dedicated yourself to family life or another career, you can safely pursue a new career in nursing by following the same route as any other aspiring nurse. Age is not detrimental, especially since nursing is a lifelong vocational occupation. 

How Old is The Average Nurse?

You may often find nurses practicing well into their 40s and 50s, with the estimated median age for RNs being 46 years, according to a national nursing workforce survey.

Additionally, in 2022, nurses 55 years or older made up 31% of the entire RN workforce, as well as 30% of the LPN workforce. Although the number of older nurses has decreased since 2020, one thing is clear – the nursing industry has a place for you, regardless of the age at which you decide to pursue the career. This is especially true considering the nursing shortage currently affecting the US at the national and state levels.

At What Age Do Most People Start Nursing School?

Most nursing school students start their respective academic programs during their 20s, with over 54% of RN program learners being under 25 years old. Here are the percentages of RN program students by age, according to the most recent nursing schools survey from the National League for Nursing:

• Under 25 – 54%
• Ages 26 to 30 – 22.3%
• Ages 31 to 40 – 16.4%
• Ages 41 to 50 – 6%
• Ages 51 to 60 – 1.2%
• Ages 61 or older – 0.1%

While it is much rarer, you can be certain that you can pursue a nursing career even if you are part of the 24.7% of learners over 30. 

How Old Is a New Nurse, on Average?

Given that most learners start their programs before age 25, they will begin practicing as new nurses in their mid-to-late 20s and early 30s. However, the estimated age of a new nurse will depend on the level of education and role they wish to start with. For example, a learner who enrolls in a PN diploma program at 18 can begin practicing as a licensed practical nurse at 19. In contrast, learners who want to start as registered nurses may start practicing by age 20 or 21 (depending on the program), even if they enroll at 18.

Is It Too Late to Become a Nurse?

Nursing is open to aspiring nurses of all ages; in this sense, it is never too late to pursue the profession. However, the final answer to the question depends on your motivation, abilities, and priorities.

Is It Still Worth It to Go to Nursing School?

Whether it is worth attending nursing school and pursuing a healthcare career is up to you and your expectations for your desired position. One key consideration is the period you are willing to work as a nurse once you have completed your education, as well as the time you want to retire.

Deciding on these expectations can guide your career decision and your choice of program, ensuring that you spend as many years as possible practicing in your desired position.

Always remember that you can start with an entry-level position, return to school, and further your education later on once you become accustomed to the environment. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse?

Becoming a nurse can take anywhere from one to several years spent in school, depending on which program you choose. 

That is why you should establish the nursing level you aim to reach throughout your career. Although you can start practicing as a licensed practical nurse within one year and a registered nurse in as few as 2 years, higher-level positions will take more time in school. However, you can also start your work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in as few as 12 weeks of preparation. 

Still, if you want to reach the level of a nurse practitioner (NP), you will need to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a 2-year program. However, having a BSN is a prerequisite for pursuing an MSN, so the overall education period amounts to at least 5 years spent solely in nursing school.

Read more about how long nursing school is, depending on the position that you wish to reach.

How Old Is Too Old to Become a Nurse?

It is never too late to pursue a career in nursing, as there is no maximum age for enrolling in nursing school.

As you have seen, while the percentage of older nursing students is much lower than that of those who start studying in their 20s and 30s, some schools report having learners over 40 or even 50. These age groups represent an estimated 7.3% of all nursing students. Compared with the latest estimate of the total number of new learners in nursing programs by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, this would mean there were more than 18,648 students over the age of 40 who have started a program (or 3,321 students over the age of 50).

In other words, older learners are in the minority but still represent a part of the healthcare industry.

Nursing School Tips for Older Students

Although you can pursue nursing education at any age, the task may come with some specific hurdles that you should know in advance.

Issues such as managing often intense time commitments, such as two-hour clinical shifts, and extensive study sessions, dealing with high tuition costs, and dealing with the physical demands entailed by working on your feet for long periods can make your study time more difficult than it should be. Additionally, nursing school comes with notable lifestyle changes, and you will need to balance education with family and work commitments, as well as adapt to new technologies and environments. And, unfortunately, older students may also face social isolation from their younger peers.

However, nursing school should not be more difficult for older students. Here are some actionable tips for dealing with nursing school as an older student:

• Organization is key: Plan your work-life-study balance well before starting your studies and set clear schedules in preparation for the start of the program.
• Build a support system: Connect with your peers for support, rely on family and friends for emotional support, and, when in need, leverage coaching and mentorship systems and services provided by your nursing school. If available, join study groups or join nursing community events.
• Use active study methods: Switch between learning techniques such as watching lectures, taking practice quizzes, and using other teaching resources to prevent nursing school burnout.
• Study consistently and avoid cramming: Nursing school curricula are cumulative, making constant and consistent study essential for success. 
• Prioritize self-care: Always prioritize your health, sleep schedule, healthy diet, and regular exercise to manage stress and prevent burnout.
• Prepare for demanding periods: Prepare in advance for long, active shifts or study sessions by resting and acquiring all necessary items, such as comfortable shoes, compression socks, and comfortable scrubs. Additionally, make time for resting afterward.
• Leverage your experience: Apply your past career, life, or parenting experience and skills to clinical scenarios. Nursing involves critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities, all of which you surely have developed throughout your life.
• Look for nursing school scholarships for older students: Many nursing schools offer specific grants and scholarships for older nursing students to support underrepresented age groups, which can help with the financial burden of studying nursing.
• Focus on your “why”: Always keep in mind the reason you started nursing school and the motivation for becoming a nurse. Remembering your career and personal goals can help you through the toughest times.

 Discover more valuable tips in our guide to what nursing school is like. Additionally, you can find out how to be successful in nursing school regardless of age or priorities.

At Nightingale College, we aim to provide high-quality nursing education to learners from all walks of life, regardless of age, identity, or personal or professional commitments. Our academic programs adopt a blended distance-learning approach that combines online didactic coursework with on-ground, supervised experiential learning completed in one of the numerous Supervised On-Ground Field Experience (SOFE) Areas. 

As a learner at Nightingale College, you gain access to valuable learner resources and support services that support you throughout the program and enable excellence in the field. To guarantee maximum availability, flexibility, and accessibility, and to improve the acquisition of nursing skills, we also provide virtual labs and simulations using VR technology.

Learn more about our academic programs and the learner experience at Nightingale College.

Becoming a Nurse Later in Life With the Right Program

Although older nursing students may find it more challenging to complete the necessary programs for certification than their younger colleagues, they also bring much-needed knowledge and empathy to a profession that will need to provide care to the nation’s elderly population more and more.

One crucial part of becoming a nurse later in life or as early as possible is the program you enroll in. Chances are that you have many other familial, personal, or professional obligations. Additionally, a long pause in, or lack of, experience with higher education may discourage you from pursuing your desired career in the near future or at all.

That is why the academic programs at Nightingale College aim to provide learners of all ages and with all various backgrounds with high-quality and valuable education, but with maximum flexibility and accessibility:

• Our PN Diploma Program prepares you to pass the NCLEX-PN within 12 months of study in a hybrid system that combines online didactic instruction with on-ground supervised field experience, providing you with an entry into practical nurse practice.
•  If you want to advance your education later, you can attend the LPN-to-ASN Track, sit for the NCLEX-RN, and advance to the RN position within as few as 16 months.
• The BSN Program is recommended if you want to start practicing as an RN with the highest level of certification in the field. The flexible and accessible program can take less than 3 years to complete.

Enroll in the right economic program for you and start your nursing career!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Go to Nursing School at Any Age?

Yes, you can attend nursing school at any age, as there is no upper age limit for higher education. Enrolling in nursing school involves certain prerequisites in general education, which places some limitations on the minimum age at which you can start studying to become a nurse.

Read more about nursing school prerequisites.

Am I Too Old to Become a Nurse?

There are no age restrictions or age discrimination in the nursing profession, and you can never be too old to become a nurse. If you have the time, passion, dedication, and physical stamina necessary to go to nursing school, you can definitely pursue certification and become a nurse.

How Hard is Becoming a Nurse Later in Life?

Becoming a nurse later in life can come with hurdles specific to older students, such as work-life-education imbalances, needing to adapt to new technologies and environments, having a harder time with demanding periods or physical tasks, and being ignored or shunned by younger peers. However, if you can identify and accurately address these issues, difficulty in nursing school will not differ by age. Additionally, older nursing students can have advantages over younger learners, such as valuable professional and life experience, a stronger work ethic, a more stable support system and financial situation, and even access to nursing scholarships and grants for older students.