Anyone graduated early?

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Okay, So I've heard so much about nursing as a career; I've turned and commitedd to becoming a RN. But What i've limited to figuring out is what is the most important thing for me to do at such a young age to benefit myself until i get to college.

Heres a little about me and my situation:

I'm fifteen years old. I knew I wanted to be a nurse when I was twelve. I am a triplet (makes going to college a tad bit harder). I want to be a RN.

Options I've already consitered: I figured I could drop out and get my GED. I figured I could take college and finish highschool at the same time. I've even considered just finishing highschool very quick and moving to college.

I'm in need of advice.

If you've dropped out and became a nurse. I need your advice especially. Anyone who has graduate early?

Please just give the best advice you can,

I would appreciate it.

Look at what community colleges in your area charge for tuition and fees.

I managed to live at home, work part time as a CNA, and had no trouble paying for my nursing courses. I saved money by buying used books and living at home.

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Specializes in -.

I appreciate everyone's opinion and advice. I'm deff taking all of it in. Yeah, I don't think really that money will be a problem because I will be applying for every scholarship i can get my hand on. Plus we get hope in Georgia. So it should be okay.

Again thanks for the advice. I will continue to work hard, and continue highschool of course.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

I graduated a semster early by taking extra classes and took college at the same time (missing two days a week) for half of the semester. It was tough but not as tough as NS hehe. I wouldnt be in too much of a hurry because most nursing schools require you be 18 yo or older. Focus on eliminating the GE requirements. They are free if you take them during highschool, at least in Ca. It will eliminate your cost concerns.

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Good luck to you. And I might add you have the rest of your life to live as an adult. Enjoy your youth because before you know it you will be saying wow where did the time go?

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Hi tripletrouble03,

Don't drop out of highschool!:nono: As a previous poster mentioned go meet with your guidance counselor at school. Also do some research on your own, you can start by visiting your local community college's website or visit in person and meet with an advisor to see if they offer a dual/joint enrollment program. Usually the state picks up the tab for your tuition when you are in a dual/joint enrollment program, so that can save your parents a lot of money. Remember to keep your grades up. I don't know where you're located in Georgia, but I am putting a link to Georgia Perimeter College joint enrollment program and there is a link for a video about the program.

http://www.gpc.edu/~je/

Good Luck and never give up on your dreams! Just as I tell my daughters you can do anything you put your mind to! :up:

DoralMom

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Specializes in ED, Flight.
dont you dare drop out of highschool, finish it.
+1, Right on! :yeah:

I was a HS drop-out. I also went back to finish (NOT a GED), eventually taught school, am a parent (3 out of 4 college grads), and an RN/Paramedic.

DO NOT QUIT SCHOOL. It only makes everything harder, and doesn't look so good when you're applying to programs. In a 'worse case' scenario you do what many of us (including my dear departed Dad) have done: you take some time AFTER completing your HS diploma with good grades to work and save every dime you earn. That should suffice to get you started. You can go to a community college part-time for the first courses that you need as prerequisites.

BTW, that's the same way many folks get through grad school later, as well. My parents both worked full-time and raised us and went to school very part time for their graduate degrees. It works. Folks do it every day.

Nowadays even the simplest jobs selling burgers prefer a HS diploma. Don't sell yourself short before you've even started.

Good luck! You've got great intentions. Don't let anything deter you. ;)

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I appreciate everyone's opinion and advice. I'm deff taking all of it in. Yeah, I don't think really that money will be a problem because I will be applying for every scholarship i can get my hand on. Plus we get hope in Georgia. So it should be okay.

Again thanks for the advice. I will continue to work hard, and continue highschool of course.

Thank goodness!! I was about to post "DO NOT DROP OUT" but I think you've gotten the message by now ;)

Graduation with good grades looks good. Dropping out does not. Taking extra courses to further your goal, going to college courses where you can looks great. When you have a clear path outlined with such coursework, getting scholarships and grant money is A WHOLE LOT easier.

Since you have two other siblings bound for college (presumably) the same year you are, you are likely elible for grants and loans that other students might not. Look into it closely in a year or two, and take advantage of them where you can.

For what it's worth, I don't know of a nursing program that will take a student who is under 18 years of age; at 17, they can take the pre-requs but not enter the meat of the nursing program until they are of legal majority. Can't sign legal documents and waivers, etc, if you are a minor!

Best of luck to you. Keep coming back to this message board, read through the topics, and learn more about the profession. When you have questions, ask. We don't bite :)

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Please, please, please do not drop out of high school and pursue a GED. Have you looked into ways you may be able to graduate from high school early? I graduated from high school a year early, and I think it was an excellent decision.

I'd look into earning community college credit as well. Find out if there are wait-lists for nursing programs in your area, and plan accordingly to maximize your time and get yourself on any wait-lists. Good luck to you! You sound like you'll do just great.

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Specializes in ER, Peds ER.

Okay I did almost exactly what you're talking about. So I know it's possible. I tested out of High School at 16 and went onto community college for a year before tranferrring to a major university. And the best piece of advice I can give you is DO NOT DROP OUT. High school was miserable for me and that's a good part of the reason I dropped out, and then a year later I was wishing I hadn't. I missed out on a lot, and while I did all the typical high school stuff with my girlfriend at the time, I was still 'on the outside' so to speak. If I could go back I'd have hung in there and not dropped out. You can find ways to finance your college and it'll actually be easier if you don't drop out. Community colleges are fair cheap and you can always get your associates RN and then go for your bachelor's later if you so choose. Plus a lot of hospitals offer tuitionreimbursement

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