Any Nontraditional Students Pursuing Nursing for first Degree?

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

I have too many friends who are older than you and getting their first bachelors in nursing. So what?

Frankly, I applaud everyone who is willing to admit that their "feedback" is telling them that they are on the wrong path. I promise you in school you will be more of a norm than abnormal!

Atheos · Dec 10, 2008

What do you mean your 22 and still undergraduate age? Did I miss the age cut off somewhere? :) I'm 37 married, have 3 kids, a dog, a cat, and a herd of cattle. I start the first semester of a BSN program in Jan.
At 22 I didnt have a clue what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Sounds to me like your ahead of the curve.

Indeed, I am 31 and it took me until I was 29 to REALLY decide what I wanted to do.

All my fellow students ARE 19-20 year olds. :)

2bnursejacksonrn · Dec 10, 2008

Im 25, married a year and a half, no kids,yet, but I decided to go to school to be a nurse after a strong calling. I start this January and im so excited i could burst! Im glad I got it together now because if I had gone to school then without any passion, I would have probably ruined it, and dropped out. Good for you for knowing what you want already. I wish u all the luck and happiness your heart and hands can hold.

PennyNickelDime_RN · Dec 10, 2008

You certainly did not make any mistake and shouldn't feel like a failure. I didn't start nursing school as my first degree until I was 49 years old and just graduated this past May. Talk about feeling like a failure :). Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be great.

FoundMyCalling · Dec 10, 2008

lol. My SO. is deep into her schooling. Plans on getting her PhD. By the time she is 28. lol. She's 20 now. I love the hell out of her and I am suprised that she would have anything to do with me. I want her to get her PHD so badly. I know she'll get there. We just have to hold off on the children for a few years.

FoundMyCalling · Dec 10, 2008

I thank you all for the encouragement. I'm only a 2nd Gen college student. And i'll probably end up getting my degree at the youngest age.

FoundMyCalling · Dec 10, 2008

My dad was 33 or 34. Uncle was 30. I have an aunt that is in her 40's now and she's pursuing a bachelor's in Sociology. I guess my family is progressing/evolving.

intensity_too · Dec 10, 2008

I'm a nontraditional student.

I'm 30 years old. Married 10 years. Have 2 young children, and have been a stay at home mom for the last 6 years.

I did attend college right out of high school, but did not get a degree because I decided 4 years in that I wanted to be a nurse. Due to fertility issues, my husband and I decided to have children first and then send me back to college once our kids were school age.

FoundMyCalling · Dec 14, 2008

I recently expressed to an older family friend how I was self-conscious about going back to school at a semi-older age. He told me flatly, "You're dumb. Quit worrying about what you look like in your speedo. Jump in the pool and SWIM!" That was some of the best advice anyone has ever given me.

FoundMyCalling · Sep 3, 2009

I'm 22. Still Undergraduate age. Finally worked up the nerves to pursue nursing and am starting in February to become an LVN. Anyone in similar shoes? Tell me Stories! Let me know that I am not a damn failure and there are others in this boat.

bump. for 2nd day of school

husker_rn, RN · Sep 4, 2009

Another non-trad here and I was 38 before I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. Got my BSN at 42. We only had 2 traditional students in the class and when I graduated, there was a 55 year old living in the dorm. Non-trads seem to be the norm in nursing school.

FoundMyCalling · Sep 4, 2009

I've been in classes with 60 year olds. And my GF has 90 year old Psych major as a co-worker. Crazy right?