Oregon Pre-nursing student in need of reassuring words

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm frustrated because I'm 22, I have almost all of my prerequisites done, but won't be able to apply to my program this year due to not having the first A&P (it's only offered once a year and my daughter got incredibly sick the term I was supposed to take chemistry so I couldn't take it and I wasn't able to register for A&P1). I'll be able to apply next winter for the program starting the following fall. My frustration is with how much of my life is being wasted. I will be almost 24, almost 25 when my nursing program starts. My school is the ONLY school in my area. I've reconsidered nursing many times just because of how long I will spend WAITING. I could get my bachelors degree, go to, and finish, PA school in the time it will take me to finish my BSN. I'm finishing CNA clinicals and I will have a job at the nursing home we're at. I'm hoping that will help me to keep my eyes on the prize. I know I'm playing the worlds smallest violin here, I'll only be 27 when I go into the field, where I know there are women who don't go to nursing school until their 40's. But they got to live life and raise their children. While I'm waiting around to apply to nursing school, my daughter is suffering. And taking time off of school isn't an option, I already have student loans so I need to maintain part time status.

I want to be a nurse. I just need reassurance that I'm not ruining my life or hers by waiting around. I know that good things take time, and a lot of hard work, but the waiting game is not a fun one.

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I will be very brief. Stop stressing over your age. You re only 22 but you sound like a 50 year old who thinks her her life has been a complete waste of time. On the contrary, you are quite young to be able to complete BSN and, if you wish, pursue your MSN and all be done by the time you turn 30!

Also, if nursing is really what you want to do, then why even bother thinking about time it would have taken you to become a PA? Many people in their 302, 40s, and even 50s decide to change careers and pursue nursing and all of them do it just fine.

Like I said, do not sweat over time it takes.

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Specializes in MSICU.

I'm confused how your daughter is suffering? And why you say those older than "got to raise their children" as if you are not? I am currently raising my children while completing my prereqs for a career change. I wouldn't say I've done all my living and now going into something else...I think your anxiety is part of your youth, and being ready to "start" something. But you are. Relax and enjoy the ride.

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If you WANT to be a nurse, if being a nurse is something that you believe will be fulfilling and will benefit yourself and your family, then the time it takes to get there doesn't matter.

I am confused how becoming a PA would take less time than getting your BSN, though? PA as in physician assistant? If this is something you may be interested in down the road, then I would suggest becoming a nurse first anyway, which gives you not only a handful of opportunities within the field of nursing but the most critical foundation to becoming a nurse practitioner.

I am 27 and have been a nurse for 3 years. The field, or at least my hospital, is dominated by nurses in their early 20's to mid/late 30s. I graduated with plenty of girls who had just turned 21. Sure, they "got their life started" early, but that does not necessarily work out in their favor if they are immature 21 year olds, which many seemed to be. 27 is not old, my dear, although I know you feel that way because I feel that way from time to time, as well. We OFTEN have new grad nurses coming our way who are in their mid-late 30's, and though they are new to the world of nursing, they often bring with them knowledge and grace from life experiences and previous positions, which young grads don't necessarily always have. I'm not saying one age group is more valuable than the other, but look at your situation in a positive light and use it to your advantage down the road. You are a mother pursuing a seriously stressful, demanding, noble career, and that is awesome! I have immense respect for you! I felt I struggled with nursing school and being a new nurse and I didn't even have a daughter to worry about at the end of the day. Your struggles are commendable. Don't give up! It will be over before you know it and you will be better for it!

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Specializes in Oncology.

I am 40 and just finishing my pre-requisites and applying to nursing school. You are in no way wasting your life. My children are still young, and yes, I've been raising them. But I've been working the whole time I've been raising them as well. One more year of waiting is nothing, even though I know it feels like it is. The time is going to pass anyway, so do what you need to do and enter nursing school when you are able. No worrying about wasted time. The only time you are wasting is worrying about this instead of enjoying your daughter while she is young. Once you enter nursing school, you will have extremely limited time with her, so look at this as a gift for some extra time with her even while you are working. Believe me the time passes quickly even though most days it might not feel like it. Chin up and get on with it!

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25 year old here! I went to school and completed my bachelors degree at 23 and guess what? I couldn't find a job. Went back to school for engineering and just like you, I decided that (on top of it not being for me), it would take too damn long. So I went back through the accelerated nursing program and although it seemed like an eternity, I am happy to say that Ive gone through 1 full year and only have 2 months left! I am now looking into joining the military and becoming an Air Force nurse.

Im not trying to make my response all about me by any means, but I'm just trying to help you know that you're not alone! Nursing has become increasingly competitive because it is becoming much more highly respected, and its just a great career! Hang in there!

If you need some tips on what I did to nail my interview, send me a private message! I will gladly give you the tips and tricks that I used that worked for me! I was selected to a group of 40 out of 500 applicants; not sure how large the school is that youre applying to, but feel free to reach out!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

If you remember thinking about 'all of this' 20 years from now, you'll almost laugh. Don't worry, don't stress about it - you'll still be a nurse at a young age, and that's ahead of many many people, including me, who came to it as a second career.

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Thank you to all who responded. I truly appreciate your words. I think I just need to get a grip. It is true that the time will pass anyway. I'm in a CNA program right now and will be working in the field come January. I know the time I'm spending getting pre reqs done and waiting is part of the journey of becoming a nurse. And I will have at least 2 years of bedside experience through my CNA so hopefully I can bring that experience with me to nursing:)

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.

I turned 27 right after graduating and taking the NCLEX - this is the age I began my nursing career. There were older, and younger amongst the 33 of us out of the remaining original 40 in my graduating class. Don't sweat it. There are so many other things more worthy to worry about in life.

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i was 22 when i finished my first bachelor in psych after i graduated i just started taking state civil service exams because i was bored and became a mental health therapy aide when i was 23 which is the equivalent of a CNA in a long term state facility. I'm 26 now and just applied to a nursing program and got accepted don't worry you have time. I used to have the same mindset of i don't want to be a 30 year old in undergrad i think thats why i tried to rush through college and ended up in this ok but screwed up situation I'm in now lol

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If you remember thinking about 'all of this' 20 years from now, you'll almost laugh. Don't worry, don't stress about it - you'll still be a nurse at a young age, and that's ahead of many many people, including me, who came to it as a second career.

This ^

Seriously, without wanting to patronize you, you are so young.......way too young to be worrying like this. I'll be closer to 50 by the time I start working as a nurse. Couldn't care less....

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Specializes in Neuro.

I've got a decade+ on you & am raising a toddler & pre-k-er. While I feel my time is stretched at times in the thick of nursing school, I absolutely do not feel I'm missing them growing up. We get our quality time & so will you & your child.

As others have said you are young, you have no concept of how young you still are & one day will look back & wonder why you stressed over your age at this time in your life. I'm not trying to patronize you, just know time is definitely on your side at this juncture in your life.

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