[Coloradogrl]

I am going to finshing my BSN when I am 26 and am hoping to continue my education. I am hoping to work in the ICU for a couple of years but would like to maybe go to school to be a NP or CRNA. But my Aunt who is a RN told me that I would be TOO YOUNG and not get any respect
I was wondering what anyone thinks about this....any comments welcome~

[elkpark]

In the sequence you describe, you will be around 30 by the time you finish grad school. 30 is not "too young." Besides, you will earn respect for your knowledge and skills, not how long you've been alive ...

[Coloradogrl]

That is what I figured but she was just very set on that I would be to young and it got me thinking

[ChristineN]

Of course you won't be too young! I too wish to get an advanced degree in nursing (CNM), and figure that I could have such as young as 25. Yet, by then I'll have four years nursing experience which should be enough to earn respect of both patients and co-workers.

[Jessy_RN]

You won't be too young. By who's standards anyways?

Go for it and good luck.

[nursemelani]

Better to do it now, before you have kids, than later, when you have to balance work/school/kids/husband.

[Danielle4]

You are not too young at all.

I have a sister in law who has been and RN for over 10 years and she is now 32 and looks a lot younger and believe me she demands respect from people. I know a few people that have smarted off to her saying she looks young, but she knows what she is doing so in the end it is a non-issue.

I know I look young for my age too and sometimes people comment that, but it has never affected anything that I have done. (My last job in the lab everyone was twice my age and I did not have any problems).

It is all attitude! you have to have confidence in yourself. Besides isn't the saying you have to earn respect?

Go for your goal. I actually admire people that figure out what they really want to do with their life when they are younger.

[cgfnp]

Agree with other posters.... and one more thing... I'm 29 and a NP and no problems there. But I'm much too young to feel this damn old. (shameless plug for Garth, no pun intended)

[sirI]

Originally Posted by Coloradogrl

I am going to finshing my BSN when I am 26 and am hoping to continue my education. I am hoping to work in the ICU for a couple of years but would like to maybe go to school to be a NP or CRNA. But my Aunt who is a RN told me that I would be TOO YOUNG and not get any respect
I was wondering what anyone thinks about this....any comments welcome~

Hello, Coloradogrl,:Melody:

No, not too young at all.

I was barely 21 when I grad and became RN. Then, just turned 30 when I became NP.

Respect is earned all along the way, during your education in the way you react to your peers, your instructors, the members of the health care team. By your ability to take criticism, positive and negative, and use it to hone your skills and at the same time, build character. You make a name for yourself from the very beginning. Age can be a factor with many, but, when you act in a professional manner, are knowledgeable, respect authority, and, possess a self-assured demeanor without the
"air" of self-righteous superiority, you will have truly earned the respect of others.

You go for it and never look back.

[MaleAPRN]

You're never too young. I felt old when I became an NP at 32! Now I'm 36 and will be finishing CRNA school this September. One of my fellow SRNA's is 23! He's the youngest! But, he looks older than me! LOL. You're not too YOUNG! Go for it!

Vince.