Am I Too Old for Nursing School , I am 26 years old and tired

alyssa* · May 14, 2010

don't feel too old. there are ppl here are even in there 50's and starting nursing school lol.

so don't worry about age. im 21 and feel like will never be done and I havent even started the program yet!

dohgirl032 · May 14, 2010

You are most certainly NOT too old for nursing school!! I know of applicants/students who are in their 50s/60s. It's all about how much drive and gumption you have. My mother is 54 and has been a nurse for 30+ years and still loves it. It's never too late to make a career change, especially if it is something that you want to do! Also, I wouldn't worry so much about the money, you'll earn it all back and more... some nurses can make up to $100 an hour (seniority, overtime, double time pay- it all adds up)...

You can do whatever you put your mind to! I might not be able to relate about being a single mother, but I too had been working on nursing prereqs for a period of 5 years (repeated classes, etc, even got a different bachelor's) all in order to get my spot in school. And let me tell you, it was all worth it just to get my ONE acceptance at a school.

If you can dream it, you can do it! :)

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

At any age, all the turmoil of divorce, a baby, court issues is exhausting, physically and emotionally. I am one of those old ones, 47, but have the energy because I don't have any of those other distractions. Just take it one step at a time. I am amazed that with all the personal turmoil, you can still focus on school. You've put a lot of pressure on yourself to get through nursing school within a certain period of time. Make sure you put some time in there just to breath.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 14, 2010

Well I"m 36, started working on prereqs at age 33. I'll be 37 by the time I'm done this program.... I do feel old and exhausted at times, but I just keep plugging along. It's hard being a novice nurse when there are nurses 10 years younger than you with 5 years experience. But I have many other life experiences to make up for it, I hope, and I think I have in maturity what I don't have in nursing experience.

iPink, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

I'm 28 and about to finish my prereqs in the summer. I'll be applying to an Accelerated nursing school in June for the Fall semester. I feel bad that I didn't stick with nursing when I first entered college, but I can't turn back the times.

Don't set an age goal for yourself, like I use to do. It will drive you crazy if you don't make that goal. At this point think about the future of your child. You are going to make it as a nurse, because you are teaching that baby that through adversities you can still become an achiever. It reminds me of a former class mate of mine who finally graduated from college after 10 years. It took her that long because she became a wife and had 2 kids to raise, while working a full time job. But, I always say it doesn't matter how long it takes you, its more important that you finish!

mlookhoff · May 14, 2010

Don't worry too much about your age. I'm going to be 30 next week, and I just applied for the Nursing Program. I'll be 32 when I graduate, provided I get accepted. I don't have a baby; but I can only imagine how hard it is trying to go to school and raise a child. But, if it's something you really want, it'll definitly be worth it once you get there. There are people in my classes that are 10-15 years older, and they're not in the program yet. As they say, age is just a number.

azb91 · May 14, 2010

I am 26 and a single mom! I have been through so much in my life and the last one broke me but also in a way helped to rebuild and gave me the determination to do this. I think you have to have the right mindset..its going to be hard, your not going to do as well as you want to, you might take longer but thats ok,..the biggest thing is knowing this,preparing yourself and slowly plugging along. Its good to have long term and short term goals but the majority of time you should focus on getting through this semester, this class, this day, this hour! lol When you start looking at everything it can feel overwhelming but just focus on the next step and at some point you will turn around and your already half way there! The money should be taken into cosideration but not so much to the point of stopping you. There is many oppurtunites for single moms especially if your efc is 0. The biggest one is the HRSA which you can apply for next year. The school you apply for might have some great scholarships too. Hope this helps! But seriously I almost laughed when I saw this, if you look around in class you should see many late 20s and 30 year olds in class with you :)

anurseatlast · May 14, 2010

I graduated with my BSN 3 years ago at the age of 51. You are only too old if you decide you are. You are going to have to work to support yourself and your child - it might as well be in a job you love. Enlist a good support team before you start school if you can. That will help decrease your stress when you have late clinicals or your child is sick and you need someone to watch him so you can go to school. Determine to have a positive attitude - it will make all the difference. You CAN do this! Come here and read the stories of the many who have gone back to school while supporting a family. You are not alone. It will be worth it in the long run.

Nurse_Tricia, LPN · May 14, 2010

I had a graduation class of 36 for LPN. At least 9 of us were 38+. The oldest was 55.. Yes 55 and she always had the best grades. 26? you have 40 yrs of working a head of you. Too old???? No!!!!! As for the family life. We all have had our struggles, young, old and in between. It is always a struggle either financially or in my case just the time as I had a job I was working 70+ hrs a week at least 2 nights away from home being a single mom, and then to do school for another two nights and every other weekend. There was classmates who lost their spouses during the coorifice of the schooling and still weathered it out. It was tough, Can't imagine, but it is all in determination. We had 2 births during the 2 yrs in school and I can imagine it was rough for them being prego and then caring for a newborn and 1 of them worked full time as well. If you want it badly, you will do it. 26??? Your life has just begun. You have so much to look forward to but you won't get as much out of it if you don't put in the effort. And that is of life in general I have learned. Good luck in your decision!!!

anashenwrath, ASN, RN · May 14, 2010

In some ways, older nursing students may be at an advantage, bcs nursing is such a demanding degree, and the responsibility that comes with being older (and certainly with having a child) lends itself well to juggling classes, work, etc. When I was getting my BS, the older students were usually the ones who were most eager to learn and did the best in class.

BTW, I'm 27 and I'm still waiting for my nursing school acceptance letter! 26 is still very young; I say keep going for it! But remember, if you're burned out, it's ok to take some time for yourself and your child and relax. Nursing will always be here when you're ready for it!

Good luck!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2010

I started nursing school at 51, became an LPN at 52 and an RN at 54. If you're too old I am positively dead and buried. :)

You do sound overwhlmed and exhausted. Who wouldn't be?

You have a long life ahead of you. Hang in a little longer so you can spend it doing what you want.