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

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

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! :)

22 is young. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to keep up with others. I am 45. I will be 45 when I start Nursing school, I just finished my prereq. You are never too old!!! I worked hard to get where I am, I have a 4.0 because of the hard work I put into this. Sometimes when you are older it actually works in your favor. Just enjoy your life now, live for now. Work on the classes that you need to get through and get the best grades you can. Take one day at a time. At 22 you have so much ahead of you, you will do it when you are ready and you will have a very long career ahead of you. Good luck, you can do anything you put your mind to!!!

You know, at 22, I too thought I'd need to finish college and get a 'real job.' Back then, that meant more 9-5, with benefits and retirement and an enjoyable place to work. I think that type of job is mostly gone. I was laid off after 23 years, at 53! I don't

'retire', i.e. get Social Security until 67 and some months. I'm in that 'age in' Boomer group. So, what do I do for 12 years? Take a minimum wage job until then, one that is likely mind-numbing?

So I"m one of those who chose to completely change my life. I'd already lost my house, but I came out debt-free. I wanted to go into health field and luckily, all those classes I took over the years stood me in good stead. I only had 9 pre-reqs to finish which took me about 2.5 years. I also applied to multiple schools to ensure I was accepted the first time: I got into 5 of the 6.

So here I am, just turned 56, in my first year of nursing school. Who'd have thunk right?

So to all you youngsters out there---and older ones too--it's what you want to do that matters. Not the money, time, or what others say or society's expectations. It just takes commitment and desire, and of course, good brains!

Although I didn't move cross-country, I did move from a large city to small, and love it! The class is small, the school nice and although nursing is hard, I believe it's my path, and that God is directing me. And I'm listening after ignoring all these years.

So life will throw you curves but just hang in there and do what you want. You'll be much happier. And you'll have a skillset that will likely last your whole life. I believe there will always be jobs for nurses in this society.

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I was 42 when I started my pre-reqs. Will be 43 in 2 more months. You're never too old to go to school. Hang in there :) (You're a "baby" by my standards...LOL) :D

I started my prereqs when I was 18 fresh out of high school and there were times when I thought to myself there are too many classes to take for a BSN BUT, nursing is my passion and Ive never gotten discouraged, I went Fall, Spring, Summer I and Summer II and never took a break and got done quick and graduated with two associate degrees and taking all of those classes has helped me in my LPN program big time

I have my BA and I went back to school full time at 24 for nursing. Now with an infant in tow, I'm still going strong although I had all A's in science prereqs up until the baby and now a B in Micro. Oh well, I'm still kicking butt. Good luck! Don't get discouraged, that's too easy. If this is your passion, look at it like a ride or die situation. That helps me.

That's totally fine!! I turned 22 in September and iv been on the waitlist for the nursing program for almost 2 years!! I'm finally getting in next year! ALOT of my high school friends have graduated but iv learned to stop comparing myself to others and to just keep moving at my own pace. All that matters is that ill get to where I'm going soon.

Specializes in Emergency Room.

I was 20 when I applied to get on the wait list for an ADN program and then applied to some BSN programs a semester later. I didn't get into any BSN programs so I decided to wait on the wait list and pursue a bachelor's degree in a different field in the meantime. Due to my irresponsibility, my application was withdrawn since I failed to take the TEAS V by the specified date (I had taken the TEAS 4.0). I took the TEAS V, reapplied to the ADN program and reapplied to a BSN program. I was initially denied to the BSN program again but got a call saying that a spot opened up. I'll be 26 going on 27 when I graduate and I just finished my first semester. I work as an ER tech and my coworkers always say that's still a young age. Don't give up and keep working hard!

I just got my BA in psychology 2 weeks ago and am doing my pre reqs next semester. I just turned 22 but my GPA was only a 3.1 so not competitive enough for BSN in my area. Hopefully by the time I graduate ill be 24-25

Honey, I WISH I was graduating with an ADN @ 26. Instead I started an LVN program in my 40s. I do wish I had started earlier, but I didn't let that stop me! Go for it!!!! Age ain't nothin but a number......I still feel 16!

Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

I was 36 when I started pre-reqs and now I'm 37 and starting ADN in a few weeks. I wasn't discouraged because there're so many other older students. If anything I was encouraged because I see this as a great career for me.

Just keep your goals in mind and don't let other things distract you. Once you start working, nobody would really notice or care that you had a late start.

Good luck to you!

I was 33 when I started prereqs am 34 now, and starting nursing school in January.

Congratulations! You're a very inspiring person. I'm 34 barely starting pre-reqs and will be 38 or 39 if I pass all my classes the first time, when I graduate from my ADN program. You're Awesome!! This reply was supposed to go to Stcroix.

+ Add a Comment