Too young/ early in life to be in Nursing Program?

Virgilio · Jan 6, 2013

OMG, don't listen to these people. There are so many people your same age in pre-med, pre-law and applied physics which are equally academically challenging. There are people your same age who are in the military and working as corpsmen/medics, or civilian firefighters cops or EMTs which are equally emotionally draining jobs. These people go to school then work every day and they started at your age.

This is your time to do what you are going to do.

It sounds like the people you described are being wretched vultures who are propping themselves up at your expense. I'm now 38, but I went to paramedic school at age 19. I remember hearing some of that in school but I ignored it and was eventually hired at the most desirable 911 job in the area. I mostly remember people saying things like " I wish I was in my twenties and didn't have to support a family." or "I wish I could go anywhere in the country I wanted."

That being said the most challenging part of my job was that I was 20 and all of the other medics were 36 or older and there was a big generation gap. Let me tell you right now there is no amount of working at a crappy Walmart job that will prepare you for what you will experience in the ER. You don't HAVE to have children to work in Peds. You don't have to have cancer in your family to work in oncology. Anyone who thinks they have an advantage over you is a fool, you have many more years ahead of you than they do.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2013

There is nothing wrong with your age, your living circumstances nor the fact that you have no car. Many would give their right arm to be in the place you are. I know *I* would. I'm 43, married with 2 kids and a full time job, a mortgage and bills to pay for cars etc.

I actually look at my younger classmates and wish I had, had my head on as straight as they do at that age! Kudos to you. My class has students from age 18 (which is TWO years younger than my daughter haha) up to 48. I don't think any of the 'older' students look down on the younger ones in my class. Well all seem to take them under our wing and encourage them. Actually I'm "Momma" Pixie to quite a few of my classmates, I'm their 'in school' mom. :) I'm always their cheerleader when they get down on themselves.

Don't let those haters get you down my friend! they are probably just envious that you are living the circumstances they wish they had. I always tell the younger ones in class...stay with your parents while you can so you can concentrate on school, don't work if you don't have to! Once you get through school and have your degree, you can worry about a car, your own place etc. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and seem to be appreciative of what you do have. You are very smart to recognize that if you have the option to not work during school its the best choice. Keep your head up kiddo!

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2013

Hi all,
I'm currently a sophomore in a BSN program. I will be 20 years old this march. I went straight from high school to my college and started prerecs, got accepted into NS first try and now I'm almost done with my first year of nursing school. I'm currently volunteering, but the only "real" job that I've ever had is fast food. I still live with my parents for now, to save money. We aren't rich by any means but they try their best to support me. I choose not to work during the school year because I know myself that it would be difficult for me to keep up with the program if I worked. I don't have my own car because I can't afford one... I use one of my parent's. Sometimes they have to give me rides to school and it's embarrassing because everyone else has their own cars and are on their own.
I can't afford a car because I don't work except for summers but that's what I chose to do because It's how I'm getting through the program.
My question is... am I too young/inexperienced to be in Nursing school? Most of my classmates are older than me, very many with cars and their own homes and children etc, and here i am still at home with my parents helping me get through school so that I can be a nurse. I know for a fact that some of them look down on me because I'm not "independent" and my parents are helping me get through this.
I even heard a few older students talking and I guess they didn't realize that I was there, but they said that they wouldn't let people straight out of high school get into nursing school... they should get out for a few years and be more experienced and then go and be a nurse. How true is this?
Will I not be as good as a nurse because I am young? Because I don't have much life experience? Isn't the fact that I can pass nursing school what really counts? I've talked to my friends and parents and they say that it's best to get it done while you're young. But I'm insecure and I feel like I'm out of place... and I'm starting to wonder if maybe they're right.

To heck with what the older students think. They just might be a little jealous that you know what you want to do and are doing it while you are young. And kudos to you for realizing your financial situation and what you can and cannot afford. When you are done school, you will have plenty of opportunity to buy a car, save up money for a house, etc. You will be ahead of the game because you won't have any financial obligations holding you back, except maybe some school loans.

How old you are will have nothing to do with how good of a nurse you will be. I have known young and older nurses that were great and some that were terrible. I'm not even sure how your classmates would know if life experience helps you in nursing if they are in nursing school themselves. It just reeks of jealousy.

Stay the course and keep your head up. Do the best you can. One day you will look back at this and realize how much better off you were following the course you are on now. Take the advice of your parents and friends as they are the ones that really have your best interest in mind. Ignore your classmates because that's exactly what they are, people you go to school with.

Good Luck.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Jan 6, 2013

Oh that's silly!! IMHO they may feel a little resentment because instead of wasting years of your life doing whatever or "getting experience," you've jumped right into your career.

My school used to be most attractive to older career switching students, but looking at the walls of the graduated classes I easy to see that the classes have become much younger (and that the use of makeup and hair spray has greatly improved).

I'm 22, soon to be 23, as I'm in a upper percentile as far as age in my class. Sure I feel a little envious of the fact that had I started nursing immediately out of high school, I would already be a nurse instead of just starting nursing school, but I don't think that my many younger classmates should "get experience."

Good luck in school!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 6, 2013

Do you know what the educational system calls those "more mature" students? They call them "non-traditional students." Going to college right after high school and graduating with a Bachelor's Degree at 21 or 22 is the traditional, standard way of doing it. People have done it that way for generations -- and are still doing it that way in every academic field.

Just because some people did not know what they wanted to be when they grew up when they were your age does not mean that it is wrong for you to know. Those older, non-traditional students bring some life experience into nursing school that you don't have. But you will be entering the profession at an earlier age and have the advantage of being able to progress further in your career over the years at a good pace. You won't have to rush into grad school etc. because time is running out. You also won't be over-burdened by the huge debt that some of those people have because they started school already in debt from their first degree -- or are paying for rent and mortgages, etc.

You are smart to be doing it the way you are -- and it will eventually pay off for you.

I have worked with hundreds of 22 year old new grads -- and they are not too young. I was one myself once. Unless you are particularly immature for your age (which it doesn't sound like are), don't worry about it.

llg (BSN at 22, MSN at 26, PhD at 41)

mycaligal · Jan 6, 2013

I wish I had followed my first mind when I was yonger and started nursing school. I'm now a 33 year old single mother of 2, working a full time schedule and finishing up my pre-reqs. So my days consist of getting my kids off to school, going to work on a modified scheduled (Thank God) so that I can make it to school on time, and coming home to helping my kids with their homework, then getting them feed and off to bed and afterwards completing my homework so I can maintain a decent GPA. Kudos to you for being determined and getting started early. I applaud you and good luck.

Skips, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2013

I don't think you're too young/inexperienced to be in nursing school. Everyone is inexperienced in the nursing field when they begin nursing school! (: I was 21 when I first started nursing school, and I felt too old. My program is varied. We have people fresh out of high school all the way to people in their 40s. It's not a big deal.

I don't work, either...and sometimes I get rides to school because my husband and I share a car. I've even had to get a ride from my dad-in-law before to school. I am 22 years old, married, with a child! I wasn't embarrassed. (: There's no need to be embarrassed! I promise!

I think you should worry about getting your work done and doing it well. Also, the opinions of your instructors are much more important than of your classmates. I know it's hard when people talk about you, but really, it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Sounds like you're doing well. Age doesn't matter.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2013

Heck, when I went to college it was right out of high school-- that's what you did, that's what we all did. We had, I think, two or three women in our class of >130 who were married and had kids, but all the rest of us were 17, 18, 19-year-old freshmen. We got out of college in four years, took our state boards (which is what NCLEX replaced) and were working. You're fine. Don't give it a moment's thought.

allnurses Guide · Jan 6, 2013

One of my star students was 17 her first semester of nursing (RN program).

I lived at home, drove my dad's car, worked only 4 hours a week while in my BSN program. Heck, I drove my dad's car for 3 years after graduating and moving out. Yes, your parents want to encourage you. Doesn't mean they aren't telling the truth!

I was legally administering IV narcotics before being allowed to purchase alcohol for myself.

There is a lot to be said for life experiences. I got mine through nursing, :lol:

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 6, 2013

Ignore them, they're jealous and bitter that they didn't start at 20 and now have obstacles making it harder (spouse, kids, etc.). Do your thang. You'll learn a lot on the job.

For the record, I am 4 years older than you, but I feel that way sometimes as well. Most of my classmates are in their late 30s, and 40s, some in their 50s, most have kids/spouses and I do not, and often times I feel out of place, but then we all eventually start talking about how lost we feel some days on the floor, and we bond over that no matter what our ages. Like I said, the ones that yap are just bitter. Secure people don't need to put others down. After graduation you'll most likely never see them again. Screw 'em!

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2013

I graduated with my BSN at 22, and so did 95% or more of my program. You'll be out in the workforce making solid money at a great time in your life!

jamieekins · Jan 7, 2013

What nursing program are you in?! All of the programs where I moved from in GA were all full of students your age. I felt like I was in the same position as you but reverse (I am 29).

I say don't worry about it- you are not too young. Heck, I wish I would have finished my degree years ago, before I had kids and a crazy busy life. However, I was not mature enough to be ready at 20 to commit to nursing school. Good for you being ready and pushing forward! Just keep your head up and don't worry about what others say or think. Most people that think they are gods gift and everyone else is beneath them have plenty of their own issues and they are just using you as a punching bag so they feel better. Just don't let them get to you and you will be fine. Good luck!!