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

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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.

As far as partying and slacking goes, well... What do you expect from kids who have been brought up to be dependent suddenly to be thrown into independence? It's the "college experience." Add to that the constant infiltration of "be who you are," "use your college experience to find yourself," and "have fun; you have your whole life ahead of you".

This. It is that "YOLO" mentality.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

This. It is that "YOLO" mentality.

...and it's OLD pretty quick, IMHO...even though I know people close to me who are in their late 40s determined to still YOLO, lol..

I didn't "party" when I did not make it through nursing school the first time. I was 19 at the time, I lived at home, and it WAS NOT the most supportive environment AT ALL. :no: I worked as a PCT/NA...for on the job training as a nurse assistant, and went from there. I was still trapped in the same home situation when I dusted myself off, and got into a PN program, and worked while going to school, while getting pre-req's to transfer into a BSN program. By the time I was licensed, I was 24/25, and bought my first home. That was my expression of YOLO, lol. Sometimes, people are stuck in their home environments that are less ideal, not always the partying thing...even though it can also be a by product of that as well.

I am glad the OP has a strong environment to succeed in! :yes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

There are so many factors that make a good nurse. I have taught plenty of young students who will (and have) become excellent nurses. If they are smart, hard working and caring, they are my favorite students to teach. It's not about the age. I've taught some older students who were awful, and didn't make it through their second semester.

Generally, maturity is a plus. But maturity doesn't necessarily come from being "older". Life experience is also a plus, but sometimes it is a hinderance (old habits are hard to break). Sometimes those with life experience think they know more about nursing, even though they are not nurses.

I was a you, a out 20 years ago (Except in an ADN program, so I became an RN earlier). I did feel much less experienced than my classmates. I had no clue what critical thinking was. On the plus side, I was surrounded by older classmates, so I felt like I needed to step up more, and it kept me more motivated. There were very few young students in my program. But I still felt like I was at a disadvantage. Ironically, they felt like I had an advantage (no lapse of school, therefore I was in school-mode, AND, I was good at math!)

Unfortunately, You will be type-casted. You will need to prove people wrong, and you can. You will need to listen to people say how you don't have anything at stake, how mommy and daddy support you, how you don't have to work or pay bills, and how spoiled and coddled you are. It doesn't mean your journey will be any easier. The reality is, you do have less life-experience to draw from (not your fault), and you probably don't have as many friends and family who have been sick (but maybe you do). But if you are hard working, you listen to your instructors, are disciplined, and PROFESSIONAL (notice the caps), you have the potential to be an excellent nurse.

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You go, girl.. I admire your ambition so much.

When I was in my early 40s, I moved back home with my parents when I started an LPN to RN bridge program. I drastically cut works hours or didn't work at all for periods of time in order to focus on studying. I even borrowed my parents cars at times when mine was having engine trouble or I needed a reliable car to drive through snow.

You do what you have to do. All the best to you!

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I start nursing school at 19. Will be 22 when I graduate. My BSN program is 7 semester long (27 months). Had I gone to a shorter program (5 semesters) I would have finished at 21.

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Two of the best nurses I know when right out of high school. You will not be a better or worse nurse because you didn't wait. I'm 24 and I start in 3 weeks. I live at home and will be working as little as possible so that I can study. Ignore those trying to put you down!

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I did the same thing. Straight from high school and started prerequisites. I will be 21 graduating this Dec. from an ASN program. 22 when I finish my BSN. Don't let people treat you like a kid, especially the nurses when you start clinicals.

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I was 21 when I graduated and got my license. 22 when I first got my job. People are very surprised to learn how young I am. They all say I had the right idea getting schooling out of the way while I am young.

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No you are not too young I'm sure many people wish they had finished nursing school before big life events like kids for example. That's so great for you to have such a Headstart. I'm 20 & wish I had started college right out of high school

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I think the "too young" question depends entirely on the person. Age really is just a number- I have met 18 year olds who are pretty mature for their age and have their stuff together, and I have met people in their 50s who I would say still don't have the maturity needed to be a nurse. If you are getting through nursing school with good grades than you obviously have the maturity and work ethic to put in the hours needed to make it, and I say that is a pretty good indicator that you have what it takes.

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OMG - This isn't something to be ashamed of, this is something you should CELEBRATE!!!! I started nursing school right out of high school completed 1 1/2 semesters of NS and I got hung up with a man and got married and dealt with his baggage and children and left my education and career to deal with all of that. Long story short, It's almost 10 years later and I'm divorced, remarried and I have two young children and I'm starting again on the 15th. (Don't forget I had to retake all my sciences because I waited too long to go back!!) I can't tell you how much I kick myself for not being disciplined enough and more concerned about ME to finish the first time. Now I have a lot more at stake and my children have to sacrifice time with me so that I can finish now. Those people are just jealous that they didn't do it when they were younger! :sneaky: (I can say that because I AM jealous! lol) You need to focus on YOU...Grow you...educate you...be the best YOU that you can be. You may not have the life experience but you will gain it as you go. You may have to work harder to be mature in certain situations, but as long as you're aware of yourself around your patients, I think you will be just fine! There are plenty of "grown" folks that are just as much if not more immature than their young coworkers so just be aware and you'll do great!! Besides, being older has a whole other set of potential downsides. (set in their ways, not up to date on processes and info, slower, etc.) :) Best of luck to you!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Psych, Addictions..

I was 20 when I finished my LPN program. My classmates thought I was a little older, I guess in part due to my maturity. :)

In the "real world', once you get a job, you will not likely experience reverse-agism. It is possible, but not very likely.

Even if you do, most people will learn to respect you once you've proven through action your skills and dependability.

Be polite and respectful, but don't let older nurses intimidate you. You will be their peer, so act like it.

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