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 my Prereqs when i was 34... don't be discouraged! And I'm not even the oldest one in my class to have graduated!

Specializes in General Surgery.

Age 20 when I started pre-reqs and finished them in 1.5 years. Waited FOUR long and AGONIZING years to get into school. I grew bored of waiting so I took an EMT-B class on a whim and that's where I fell in love with emergency nursing and pre-hospital care. I just graduated in December '12 and passed NCLEX in Jan. Currently a float CNA at a level II trauma center waiting to get into our new grad program. I am of the school of thought that it's rarely ever too late to do something you love. However, I remember one lady in first semester had to drop out because of her gross tremors. I want to say she was probably in her late 50's. She was unable to give SC injections or put down NGTs :( I felt bad for her. I think those are one of those case by case situations. Anyway, good luck to everyone!

Really what is to old? I dont think that exists anymore. I am 38 and just starting my pre reqs along with a lady who just turned 60 and right where I am. just to get my ADN I am going to be in 42/43 and I am not stopping there. Really hun it is all up to you and when you say your ready or your not. Good luck and enjoy this great adventure we are on.

started when i was 17 got accepted in a BSN program when i was 18 and i'll be 22 when i finish, most of my classmate are over 25 and a few in their 40s and 50s.

Specializes in ICU.

I just started my prereqs this semester. I am 26 and will be close to 30 when I graduate. No, I don't feel discouraged. In fact, I feel that my mindset has matured. I am more focused on education right now.

I am 30. I am just finishing my prereqs now and will (hopefully) start nursing school in the summer. I can tell you that if I had gone to school before now I would have studied something else and I would be unhappy with it at this point. I have never felt about any other career options the way I feel about nursing. :)

-LL

I started last summer just before I turned 50. It's never to late to go back to school! :)

you can go back for an RN to BSN program. its not as competitive gpa wise.

It took me forever to figure out what I want to be when "I grow up." I had taken courses on and off at the community college, and I dropped out my second semester in, earning W's and one F. I finallyl faced my fear and went back to school starting last year, 10 years after I had dropped out! I will be 32 this year and have about 2 years of pre-reqs to go, doing 1 class a semester while I work full time and raise my kids. You are never too old to return to school.

Mee9mee9, that is what I plan on doing. :cheeky: I'm just focusing on getting my prereqs done and getting into nursing school first. Thankfully the hospitals around me still hire ADNs because I am a few hours from any big cities so it would be perfect if I got a job and did the RN to BSN.

I started at 26 years old. Mostly only went to school during summer and fall break. Became pregnant at 27. Took a year and half off. I'm 29 now and will be applying to either a BSN or ADN program this May. I will have all my prereqs done except microbiology after this semester.

My aunt actually got her RN liscense last year, shes in her mid 40's i do believe! never too old to have a career, especially if you enjoy it! Im 19 will be 20 in oct. (but i have been out of school since I was 16 almost 17) I completely understand how you feel about classmates graduating, but also look at all of those kids you went to school with that are not even thinking about college and live with their parents? who cares what others think!

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