Age and nursing school

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How old were you when you got into the nursing program? I feel like I'm taking forever. I will be 22 next month and I'll I'm still not in the program. I took the HESI exam in December, got into UT, but ran out of time and didn't submit the reading portion. The deadline for the program was Jan 5th and because of the holidays the earliest I could take the reading portion (since it didn't go through) was Jan 6th. So my backup plan is to apply to the ADN program at the community college but for that I also have to take the A&P portion which I'm studying for now. If I don't get into the ADN program I will have to reapply at UT for the spring semester. I just feel like my life is on hold right now and I feel so old. I wasn't full time while taking my basics because of my ADD. I hate blaming it on that but it honestly did ruin me academically. I take adderall now and I feel like everything makes more sense and wish I had gone to a psychiatrist earlier but what's done is done. So at what age did you start nursing school? BTW I like with my parents and work at a restaurant so maybe that's also why I feel frustrated and powerless over this situation.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
How old were you when you got into the nursing program?
I was older than you...

  • Age 23 when accepted into an LVN program
  • Age 28 when accepted into an LPN-to-ASN bridge program
  • Age 33 when enrolled in an online BSN program

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Yes, 23 is over the hill. If you have a goal in mind, stay on track. I went into nursing in my late 30's. Didn't get into micro for a semester( class was full). Had to quit physiology half way through because of the needs of one of my daughters. Started algebra homework in a hospital room because my 8 yr old was in traction.

life happens.

Don't give up or compromise! Oh and I'm 57 and went back for my BSN. Will graduate next month !

You can do it!

mara

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The fact that you are complaining about how long you think it's taking to start your nursing school journey just illustrates that you are in fact very young and have a lot of life experience to catch up on. There's more to life than school, and your career, etc. I wish someone had helped me realize this truth when I was your age and fiercely pursuing all the ridiculous aspirations I had at the time. Try and be kind to yourself, chill out, don't compare yourself to others.

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I was 25!!! I went to school with people 50+!!

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I started LPN school a month before turning 38. I began my RN-ADN program at 44. I'll graduate with my BSN at 47.

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Apparently one of us doesn't understand how the world works. It might be me, or it could be you.

You will be 22? when you finish/get into the nursing program. I, to you, am ancient. I earned a degree in the hard sciences, worked in a career position for twenty years, retired then applied and was accepted to nursing school.

This should be both encouraging and heartening to you. I will be 60 years old when I graduate in December. Yes that's pretty frappin old, but now I am at a place in life where I can afford to pursue my passion of helping people get well and feel better. My choice of professions for that pursuit is nursing. Getting old is not the most fun I've ever had, but I prefer it to the alternative. You can do anything - I guarantee it!

Remember life is not a race!

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Seriously, 22 is not old. I was 28 when I started nursing school and left a career as a retail manager to do it. The oldest person in my class was 52 and the youngest was 26.

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Specializes in SNF, home health.
I'm 30 and started in August. I'll be almost 32 when or if I graduate. I'm in the LPN program. So if I decide to get my RN, I'll be even older. I didn't even know what I wanted to be "when I grow up" at 22. I went from major to major in college and graduated with an Associate in General Studies. Then I got a job at a daycare when I was 25 an worked there for a few years, I liked the job but it wasn't a living wage and really wanted to work in pediatrics, so I got the nerve to start LPN school. Come to find out that not many LPNs work in pediatrics, unless maybe a clinic but hopefully I'll be able to bridge onto RN. But yeah, age is only a number! I don't even feel like I'm 30...lol.

"WHEN" you graduate, not if! You will succeed! 🎓🎓🎓🎓🎓

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I'm 58 and graduating in May with a BSN. Age is a relative concept. Take the time to do it right.

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I am half way through ADN program and I am 46 soon to be 47. I will be 48 when I graduate hopefully, so 22 is not old. Some in my class are older than I am and then some have been in this world less time than I have been married.

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You're 22. You're young with a full life ahead of you. As hard and frustrating as it is, it's worth the wait.

I started the first ADN program at 29. I started this program at 30. I have (had) classmates entering the program in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

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I'm the youngest in my ADN program at 18. Everyone is at least 3 years older than me. The oldest is in her 50s.

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