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 Pediatrics.
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

This is impressive, I'm on this path

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My mentor got her LVN at 47. I'm 28 and I *never* even considered nursing until a year ago. I'm a CNA now and I enjoy it, but I'm still not sure I want to be an LVN or RN. Life is a journey and sometimes it takes you on unexpected paths. When I finally do decide, it will be with the peace of mind that it's 100% the right path for me.

Know that a large majority of students your age feel "behind" if they are still in or just starting school.

Truth is that everyone is different and every path is different. Enjoy yours.

Blessings!

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Oh Tiny Dancer.... Who are you competing with? Take a deep breath. Put away the snapchat, FB, IG, etc for about 10 minutes. I'm not being condescending, I'm being serious. This pressure has to be coming from somewhere.

Within those 10 minutes, think about the fact that you have a plan & have begun working it. That's light years ahead of others who are still on the couch. Then think about the fact that you live AT HOME & WORK.... that equals CHA-CHING $$!! Savings!!! You are putting yourself in an AMAZING position for success in nursing school. You are on the best path for yourself. for YOU. Enjoy yourself

To answer your question: I did lots of things before nursing school. Then landed in it at 34. Life is stressful enough without adding boundaries or limitations to yourself that don't actually exist. Take it easy.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I was 22, then 37, then 47, and again, 49. (Degree Progression) From LPN to ADN RN to MSN RN and finally: FNP DNP

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Specializes in ER.

I started around your age. A lot of the people were in their thirties.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I started nursing school at 38. By that time I had already earned a BS degree, worked as an athletic trainer (not personal trainer), had a decent career as a Paramedic, worked for a public agency as a security officer (no guard card thanks to a great quirk in the law) with great benefits (including study time), substitute teacher... just to name a few careers and jobs I've had.

So, OP, at 22 you are still quite young. There's a LOT of us that have had LOTS of experience going well beyond nursing prior to deciding that nursing was right for us. As an ED RN I draw from all those experiences every day and it does help... especially when my mind has turned to mush because I'm tired and haven't had enough coffee. It a knack I picked up while working as a Paramedic. ;)

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I'm 26 and just started my program last month. I'll be 27 when I graduate from my LPN program :). You're still a youngin.

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I am 32 and in the nursing program, graduation date not until spring of 2017. I waited to have a family first and also be in a place that school could be a priority.

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Wow thank you so much for this. I will definitely keep this in mind.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You'll still be one of the youngest people in your class. Those with life experience do much better in actual practice, IMO.

I was 34 when I graduated, the closest friend I had in my class was 49 at that time, and we had a couple of women in their 50s, in a class of 23 people. I was probably in the middle, age-wise. I know it's hard when you know what you want to do, and it feels like life keeps getting in the way. I had to wait another year because even though I was accepted to two programs, my then-husband refused to allow me to go to school anywhere but locally. Thankfully I DID get into the local program a year later (then left him...).

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I got my acceptance letter at 19. However, I took 5.5 years to get a BSN and graduated at 23.

I thought I was "old" to be in college at age 23, but I figured I am going to be 23 anyway. Might as well be 23 with a degree that I want over 23 and have nothing to show for it.

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Specializes in Orthopedic/Neurology.

I'll be 22 in March, and I'm in the younger range of my class. Lots of my classmates are in their 30s and 40s.

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