what age did you decide to become a nurse

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2014

I was a teenager. I had thought about teaching, but took a class where we helped younger kids with reading in high school and made a decision that I wouldn't make a good teacher.

It had been suggested to me by my mom when I was in 8th grade. She kept suggesting it over and over. I looked into it and decided I wanted to do so. I think it was a good push from my mom.

I also loved watching ER when I was younger. I wanted to be Carol Hathaway in the ER. I decided I like ICU better.

No Stars In My Eyes · Dec 1, 2014

My mom decided she wanted to be a nurse at the age of 14, when she was in the hospital to have her appendix removed. Way back then (1930) they kept you in the hospital for up to 2 weeks after surgery......can you even imagine? Anyway, as she recuperated she got to 'help out' the nurses until her discharge date. That experience sealed it for her!

happyinmyheart · Dec 1, 2014

Around age 15when I seriously considered it. I faintly remember writing about wanting to become a Nurse back in 3rd grade. Now here I am, age 18, doing prerequisites & ready to begin the nursing program when I'm 19.

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Dec 2, 2014

I wanted to be a nurse for many years but didn't feel like I was mentally ready. So I got laid off from my job of 10 years as a CSR for an insurance company and immediately went back for my ASN. Since I had a bachelors degree in Advertising all my liberal arts stuff was covered. I needed A&P, Micro and the nursing classes. Started at 37 and graduated at 39.

ready2baRN · Dec 2, 2014

I was 32 when I decided I'm just going to go for it. Previously I had many years in health care on the administrative assistant/executive assistant aspect of health care. I worked in a few hospitals and a outpatient mental health clinic. Then I got a BS degree in exercise physiology. Worked as a exercise physiologist for 3 years and currently work as a health coach. Nursing was always my first dream job. I love working with people and absolutely love working in healthcare. I had a hard time committing to it and was a little scared to take the plunge. Then I thought welp I'm not getting any younger it's either now or never.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

29. We had just failed our first IVF (in vitro fertilization) attempt.

My children were getting older, I figured, it's time to pursue my dream.

I'd been working as a preschool teacher for several years but had spent the last few yrs as a real estate salesperson. I worked from home all those years, so it was a big transition to me.

Started prereqs 4 yrs ago, nearly 5. During that time I finished all my BSN prereqs and completed an Lvn program.

I'll continue on to complete my BSN, 1 bridge program at a time!

smtha620 · Dec 3, 2014

Age: 49

Current Age: 52

Previous Work - "tag your it" aka Office Administrator for 30+ years

I come for a long line of nurses and I just didn't want to do it... I start my core curriculum January 2015 and couldn't be more happy about it.

Julie186 · Dec 3, 2014

I graduated with an unrelated BS, couldn't find a job.. I was about 23? Someone said I should try nursing--I figured, ehh, might as well give it a shot. Haven't regretted that decision for a second!!!

Bezoars · Dec 4, 2014

At 26. I had just had my first child. In other words, nothing scared me or freaked me out anymore. My husband was in the Navy so we were stationed all over the place. A lot of my friends were RN's and were also mommies like me. It was a career that fit really well into their mom lives. Anyway, I quickly realized that I wasn't that great at the stay-at-home-mom thing and should make plans for the future... which was - when I was done having kids and the last one was in school - I would go back to school. Had my second child at age 30. Quickly decided that was it. Started school online when she was three, and entered RN school when she went to Kindergarten. Graduated at 37 and have loved it ever since.

Before that, I was a secretary and stay-at-home-mom.

cocoa_puff · Dec 19, 2014

I was either 14 or 15 (can't remember exactly)

Around that time, I was volunteering to take care of a girl with disabilities, and I wanted to be able to help kids like her. I was also taking Chemistry, and that's when I realized I loved science! So I thought being a nurse would be a nice combination :)

I started taking pre-reqs at a CC when I was 16 (duel enrollment). I started nursing school this past semester, and I'm starting my 2nd semester (Med-Surg/OB) next month.

When I was a teenager, I only wanted to be a pediatric nurse because I thought "taking care of old, sick people would be weird and scary". Then I worked for about a year as a nursing assistant in assisted living/memory care, and my opinion changed. Now that I'm in nursing school, I'm thinking I would like to specialize in wound care, hospice, or ICU! We'll see

BeentheredonethatRN · Dec 19, 2014

16 y/old and best friend's Dad ( he was a dentist and I wanted to be just like him ) talked me into being a nurse . Matter of fact, after going to an all boy high school , it was going to be a cool way to meet the ladies.

Satori77, ADN · Dec 20, 2014

I would say 25. My mom was a nurse since I was 12, but I never considered it back then. I love anatomy and medical stuff, but wanted to work with animals, so I became a vet tech. I first thought about it when my daughter was in the NICU. I was fascinated and amazed at the nurses there. Can't remember one doctor, but I remember every nurse. I also had incredible L&D nurses for the births of both my children. Finally I realized what a great career it could be.

At 30 I joined this site, and off an on did some prereqs, and took a NA course 4 years ago. But life kept getting in the way. I am finishing up my prereqs this spring. So if all goes well I will start school next spring when I am 38.