What would you tell to your younger self?

[jtoms]

Hi guys,

I'm 19 years old currently taking prerequisites courses for the adn program in a community college, I'm developing a big passion towards taking care of patients in and out of the hospital. I volunteer at a local hospital and it's one of my greatest experiences so far. What would you guys do if time has flipped back and you were 19 again?

[jtoms]

I think I've learned a lot from my high school days. Extraverted in heart, I didn't really care and think much, but I still maintained good grades in school. As I stepped into college, things have changed. Drastic changes that made me think that there are so much things to do besides just making friends and socializing. It could come in any form of commitment.

@classicdame, Balance is one of the values that I'm aiming for, can you give me an example of how you balanced school and personal life?

@monkeybug, What's CRNA? I'm not to familiar with my terms sorry =)

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Financial planning.

When I think of all the money I made, and squandered, I get depressed.

[xxkmpxx]

Pretty much what others said. I didn't take my classes seriously and had to pay more money to retake them later to get a's in them to get into my program. So do your BEST in class!

Volunteering is great, but I would also suggest getting your CNA license and work even part time if you are able to. It's great experience.

[xxkmpxx]

Financial planning.

When I think of all the money I made, and squandered, I get depressed.

This too!!! Save save save! Start a savings just got school. Just got into a program and I'm seriously stressing on the costs of books, uniforms, and tuition... And my school is a community college

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Save the money, absolutely. I rue the day I took a perfectly good hunk of money out of a retirement account to buy new carpeting thinking I would have lots of time to pay myself back. Gone, gone, gone...and that was decades ago and I could actually retire by now!

Words that fit so many situations: Don't put it off!

[DSkelton711]

I would still get married to the man I am married to still. As far as school and career, I would be a computer geek instead of a nurse.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

CRNA means Certified "Registered" Nurse Anesthetist. These are advanced practice nurses who function in a role similar to that of an Anesthesiologist or MD who practices Anesthesia.

Seeing as I just turned 20 about 2 months ago, I would probably still be studying for my Mid-terms for my fourth semester of Nursing school. Keep devoting yourself to your studies. Search for opportunities. Keep volunteering. Enjoy life as much as you can.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

What would you guys do if time has flipped back and you were 19 again?

Skip the drinking. You can have all the fun you want and more without booze.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

Enjoy the moment. Learn to laugh at yourself. Sing out loud now and then. Dance like no one is watching. Always be your own biggest cheerleader.

[coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN]

Stay away from credit cards! And my ex.....

[AnonRNC]

A 19-year-old who is asking "oldies" for advice probably does not need any; kudos to you!

1. If your family doesn't provide good role models, seek out a mentor - maybe a professor, an older co-worker, etc. to help talk you through decisions.

2. Get to know your TRUE self so that your decisions reflect your heart, not the influences of important people in your life - including family or a mentor.

3. Don't get into debt (MAYBE for school, but nothing else for sure!).

[SwansonRN]

Don't be competitive with other nursing students--you're all in it together. Stop caring so much what everyone thinks about you while you're at it. Have some fun, too!