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! :)

Specializes in OB.

I started my prereqs when I was 38 with 3 kids. I already have a degree but this is a second career thing. I wont finish until 2018. Going for the NP degree.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I was 22 when I started prereqs. I'd previously been working on another degree, so I had a few of them done, but not many.

Fast forward to now. I'm 28 and just finished my first year of nursing school. In that time period I had 2 more children, was completely decimated by the economic crash in 2008, homeless, and separated from my husband.

So it's been a long busy road, but not letting yourself give up (even when everyone around you thinks you should) is definitely key to success. Better later than never, right?

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I'm now 50 and just finishing up an EMT class and probably starting down the long path to ER nursing one day soon.

Do what you want, is my advice. My only other advice that took me years to learn is that it's easier to ask forgiveness later than to get permissions first =)

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I'm 24 yrs old! I'm almost done with my pre-requirements!

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It's really heartening to see all the different paths that can lead to a nursing career. What is it like as an ER Tech? Do you work in a Level 1 Trauma Center?

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IF you moved from NJ to FL then moving to states in the midwest like ND, SD, IA and MS where many community colleges do not require pre-requisites may not be such a bad idea for you. I know at least three school in the midwest that have built in pre-requisites and only an ACT score to start the nursing program with NO WAITING LIST! Let me know if you may be interested.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I'll be 50 in May of this year; and if I get into the August 2013 start for nurshing shool, I'll be 52 upon graduation.

It is never to late to take a new adventure.

Thank you.

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Bigmamaknows thank you for the information, but I moved here with my parents and can't afford to live on my own. Unfortunately, that isn't an option for me right now.

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Specializes in PICU, Pediatrics.

I'm 24, (will be 25 in two weeks) and I'm in my second semester of pre-reqs. I'll be starting an ABSN program in the Fall. Please don't belittle your own successes. You are on your way to something great. Believe me, as others have mentioned, having a degree doesn't mean that one is solidified into a career path. I finished my first Bachelors in 2011, age 23, and didn't discover until recently that I had no desire to enter law anymore. At first I was devestated b/c I felt like I'd wasted my time

but remember that all of these setbacks happen to make you stronger. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and goals. Your victories are YOURS and cannot be compared to others'. Stay encouraged OP!!

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I'm 24 and will be 27 when I'm done. I'd rather be 99 than in the wrong career.

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Started college at 17, had undeclared major... Decided to go into nursing, started pre-reqs at 19..will be getting RN by 23. Yet I still feel "old" to finish at 23, because I feel that if I had started at 17, I would had been done by 21. :-/ However, that's now how life is for everyone! Things happens, people change, circumstances change. Life is full of surprises, and the unexpected is always awaiting. Don't let that "society career clock" (that you are suppose to be done by a certain age) take control your life. What matters is here and now, and where you want your life to turn from now on :)

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I started at age 17 in 2000. I took night classes when I was in high school. Then straight to jr college in 2001. Graduated that in 2003 and on to senior college until 2007. Took a 2 yr break and got masters courses complete in 2011. Still can't get a job so back to nursing prerequisites at the jr college. Full circle. I only needed 2 classes to get in but I'm taking all the extras like psychology, human growth and development and nutrition to get them out of the way. I would only have to take 2 courses a semester when I get in the program.

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