How old were you when starting prereqs and did it discourage you?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I just turned 22 and a lot of people I went to high school with are graduating with a bachelor's degree this spring. So I am feeling a little discouraged and sad.

I started community college right out of high school. I was a little lazy and didn't want hard classes so I went with elementary education even though I wasn't too sure about it. Well a year and a half into it I discovered nursing was where I really wanted to be so I changed majors and took classes for the local ADN program at my community college. I went to a information session and got misleading information that I could apply then with just a few prereqs done so I applied. I got a letter telling me I needed to finish all my prereqs before I could apply and the admissions advisor changed.

So feeling defeated I took a semester off which turned into two when my part time job's company declared bankruptcy and I had to work full time to help. This summer I moved from NJ to FL and have to wait until Fall 2013 to get instate tuition to finish my last 4 prereqs here. I wanted to take maybe a class or two until I was instate then I saw the price was almost 400 per credit! Yikes, I can't afford 1,200-1,600$ a class!

I have 5 prereqs done that apply to the program down here and my gpa is a 3.6. If I get in when I plan to I will be 26 when I graduate with a ADN. I can't get into a BSN program because my overall gpa in the classes I don't need anymore is still calculated into a lot of admissions which is only a 3.1.

I guess I am just looking for words of encouragement and your stories to help. I look forward to hearing some uplifting answers! :)

I started to take my pre-reqs when i was 32 and i'll finish this May with my BSN at the "old" age of 35 - i have classmates that are in their 40's. 22 for starting is not old at all. if you want to do - it is so worth it!

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Specializes in LTC.

I've been doing my non science pre-req's off and on since 28 finally quit working this year (33) to buckle down and do the science and math. I had a high dollar career so it was always scary this idea that I'd totally have to stop doing that job and rely on savings and loans and whatever else I could find to REALLY be a nurse. But it was all I'd wanted and talked about for so long I just couldn't sit around all cozy anymore talking about making a difference in the lives of diabetics (long term goal is a BS in nutrition RD and RN CDE) I had to get out there and DO IT!

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I got my Bachelor's at 22, right out of high school, but wasn't happy with my chosen field, so I started taking my prerequisites for nursing school when I was 27, and just started my nursing program at age 30. I'll be 32 when I graduate, and I am thrilled to be doing this. And I'm not even close to the oldest in my program. Not everyone knows what they want to do right out of high school. In fact, I'd bet most people don't, or change their minds like I did. Good luck to you!

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I'm so glad my question could help other people feeling the same way! :) Thank you all for your helpful answers. I never realized how many people go into nursing as a second career. It is such a relief to see it is the norm to be in nursing and not fresh out of high school.

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Specializes in OR.

I was 43 with no college background at all when I decided to start easing myself into prereqs for my ADN. I'm 44 now and will be submitting nursing program applications next month. I'll be 45 when I start the program in the fall, and 47 when I earn my ADN in 2015.

The good part about me doing this now? I've got a 4.0 GPA. My daughter, who is 17 and applying for colleges, is smarter than I am. I have no trouble admitting that. After I started giving her a hard time about her old mom being out of school a quarter century and still able to earn a 4.0, her grades started coming up! As long as I'm still in school, her grades will stay up because she can't stand being bested. :roflmao:

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I'm 23 and got about 3 years into my Bachelors in Psych when I realized I did NOT want to go to grad school for it! I did some research and decided nursing was what I wanted to do, but finished out the degree anyway for kicks and giggles. I literally JUST finished my pre-reqs two nights ago and will be 25, just shy of 26 when I graduate.

My mom, also an RN, has a similar story. She got a scholarship to study electrical engineering, and did that for 3 years, doing only so-so in the classes because she wasn't enjoying them. Finally she listened to her gut, paid back the scholarship and went to nursing school. She was also 25 or 26 when she graduated.

Don't stress about your age! It is never too late to realize a goal of yours!

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39, now LPN, and just finishing pre- recs for RN.

Start in January.

I'm 43 now

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Im just stating my prereqs at 38

I have my BSW but Im switching careers. I remember the first time I was in school there where people from 20s-50s in my classes.

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Thank you! :) I think I had higher expectations for myself because my brother. He had his bachelor's degree at 21 with a government job and master's degree at 23 (paid for by his job). I need to stop comparing myself to other people and their accomplishments.

You say you want a NEW way to look at things I will tell you this: you paid for your brother's master's degree before you got your associate's degree. We all did! A gov't job that paid for him is you and me and all taxpayers... so! Maybe you could ask him to reciprocate and pay for yours since you paid for his...haha just joking but it is true after all...

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Never worry about age when it comes to education. You are never too old to learn new things, especially in a terrible economy when people much older than 22 are going back to college.

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I've been interested in nursing since I was a little girl but I also LOVED Journalism, so when I got into college, I choose to major in Journalism. I got my degree, then spent the last 11 years working as a Publicist & it was a decent career but I realized that I was never happy doing it, I just felt a void.

About 2 years ago, the nursing itch was back in full force and I started looking into nursing programs. I really wish I had choosen nursing instead of Journalism the first time around but hey it is what it is right?

And now, here I am, taking the plunge into nursing at 41. I'll be 44 when I finish nursing school. And heck yeah I'm terrified! Lol

But I've always been a firm believer in the fact that its NEVER too late follow your passion/do what makes you happy & that sometimes one degree just isnt enough! So go for it!

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I will be 26 when I finish. I have a Bachelors and this time around this nursing degree is not as intimidating as it first seemed. I feel that I am well prepared on my study habits. I don't feel the need to go out every night or weekend. I actually enjoy the fact that I'm not the typical age of a college student.

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