At what age did you decide on nursing?

Published

I am still young, 25, but need some stories of encouragment. I have a 2 yo son and am due with my 2nd little one in December. I am registered for fall classes at my local college and will continue to take my pre-req's until I am done. I always kick myself in the butt though for not getting right in after high school graduation and taking my classes seriously; I was definately a slacker and can't afford to be that anymore. I have always wanted to be a nurse and can't imagine myself anywhere else.

So I am curious to know the stories, as I am sure they will be encouraging, at what age did you decide to start taking classes to become an RN? Did you have children? etc.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm starting this fall, will be 25 soon after

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

I will be 38 in July and I have decided just over the past month or so that this is the definitive direction I want to go. I wasted a lot of years when I should have been getting a degree, but for various reasons I didn't go back until my second child was about 1 years old. ('06) Sometimes it takes a while for us to grow up (and kids sure help that process along) to realize what we want in life. There is no point to regret not doing this earlier... you had to come to it in your own time.

That said, you are still very young and will do wonderful, I am sure! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I will be 37 in September. This is my second career. I start nursing school this fall. I have three boys 6,8, and 12 and work full time. I started my prereqs in fall '08. It's never too late especially when it's something you really want to do. You'll be fine (tired) but fine. To be honest ... my boys are my motivation. I know your kids will be too.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have wanted to become a nurse since I was a little girl. I feel the same way. I wish I would have taken my classes more seriously when I first got out of high school. I was more concerned with hanging out with my friends, rather than, getting my course work done. I got mostly B's, but I also have a few withdraws, and F's on my transcript. I am kicking myself now. I too have children. I have a 3 year old and a 2 year old. Having kids changes your motivation towards finishing college.

I am 29 and trying to make up for all of my past mistakes.

Good Luck to you!!! You are not alone!!!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

38! had some misgivings initially due to my age, but im doing well and enjoying it for the most part..two kids 15 and 10..hubby very supportive...and when i think that i have AT LEAST another 20 years of working ahead of me, i feel that im making the right decision!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm starting nursing school in July. And I have a 3 year old daughter and I'm 19. Nursing was my plan B when my plan A turned out to not make me happy (pharmacist). I've ALWAYS wanted to work in the medical field, helping people is what I was born to do. I've taking all my prereqs for nursing school and this semester ended up with a 3.8. Having a baby makes it a little bit more difficult to juggle school and home around, but it is by no means not impossible! Set your mind to it, you can def. do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am probably going to be one of the more odd ones here... I decided my junior year in high school that I wanted to be a registered nurse. My senior year I took a class to become a CNA to gain some experience. I am a 2009 high school graduate and I just turned 19 years old. I took all of my prerequisites at Penn State during Fall/Spring. I will be attending Sharon Regional Health Systems School of Nursing starting in August 2010 and graduate in December of 2011. (I will only be 20!!!) I know that I will surely be one of the youngest students in my class but remember that is one of the great things about nursing! There's never a wrong time to get into this field. In any nursing class, you're bound to have people ranging from 18-50. If nursing is truly something that you want to do (for the right reasons, or course), there is nothing standing in your way!!! =]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all your encouraging words! I know there are tons of folks out there who decide to buckle down later in life and I think it's great to still have the motivation and still want it at any age. I know I am young, but the years pass so quickly and it seems as if I have gotten no where so far. I know it's my time to get things done; especially for my kids.

I will look to this site to motivate me and keep me on the right track. Just your stories and words help.

:bow:

Good luck to all of you as well!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I am 26 and was also a slacker in the past, I didn't go to class half the time or care about studying, I regret that more than anything. I see people who went into the nursing program straight out of high school and at 20 years old are already an RN. I completly understand how you feel. Even though we are not OLD, so many people younger than us have already accomplished what we are just starting! I try really hard now in school and have managed a 3.5 GPA so I am proud of myself for getting back into it. It's never too late though, remember that. Just be glad you have decided now to follow through with your dream! At least you have always known you wanted to be a nurse. I had no idea what I wanted to do and I wasted thousands and thousands of dollars at a University working on my bachelors in Marketing. At one point I wanted to be an accountant, then a psychologist, then a lawyer...the list goes on lol. The majority of the many classes I have taken are now for nothing and will not benefit me in nursing, it was just money thrown away I guess. Now that I have finally made a decision and I feel RIGHT about it, I couldn't be more excited! So go for it and give it your all and don't feel bad!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I started prereqs when I was 37, and I'll earn my RN after I turn 40. Married with a 10- and a 12-year old, and this is my second career. Had a really good clinical today with a great nurse who obviously loved teaching students and her patient education duties, and I'm on a high. LOVE IT!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.
I am still young, 25, but need some stories of encouragment. I have a 2 yo son and am due with my 2nd little one in December. I am registered for fall classes at my local college and will continue to take my pre-req's until I am done. I always kick myself in the butt though for not getting right in after high school graduation and taking my classes seriously; I was definately a slacker and can't afford to be that anymore. I have always wanted to be a nurse and can't imagine myself anywhere else.

So I am curious to know the stories, as I am sure they will be encouraging, at what age did you decide to start taking classes to become an RN? Did you have children? etc.

Thank you.

I am weird I guess. When I was 13 me and my two friends volunteered at a nursing home and thats when I decided. Got my CNA in highschool and am currently about to finish my first year of nursing school with my LPN.

Most people in my class this is their second career, they took time off for whatever... that seems to be normaler then me. Haha..

Good luck to you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion