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.
I will be 54, two days after I take my entrance exam for LPN school. I have had 30 years in a profession I've enjoyed after getting my degree out of high school. I have two grown children, both married. I envy you your young mind that's ready to soak up all the information we will need to know. My memory is much less reliable the older I get. But I say, "Good for all of us!" May we be the caregivers we want to be!
I know that I am younger than all the other people who have replied to your question, but i thought maybe you would like another opinion, and from someone younger.
I decided i wanted to become a nurse at age 15, I am 17 going on 18 now. I was at the hospital for my mom; she just had brain surgery and while I was with her in the room, I noticed that the nurses were coming in and out and were doing what they could to make her comfortable. They were the only ones I saw. I want to be a nurse because they are really the ones you interact with the patients, the doctors do an amazing job but they are always so busy, on the move trying to get to the next patient and I want to be there for the patients. You can learn a lot from someone who is in the hospital, what they have experienced in life, and I'm sorry if I sound naive but learn from that because in this field there is always something new to learn. So i hope i helped you, and try your best.
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
I am 35, as well.
I am excited about the profession. I am two semesters away from completing my sciences (also completing degree in Spanish), graduating in the spring. I only started on my pre-reqs last fall, but have been in school completing gen eds for years , which has ended up to my advantage.
i was a stay at home mom for 19 yrs.....went to LPN school at the age of 44...been working 2 yrs now,finished my only 2 pre reqs last spring semester..(math and chem)..starting on some co-reqs sept 1(a & p 1 online class)....just pluggin away....no hurry...my plan is to get the A & ps and micro out of the way..then all i will have is nursing 2,3,4...(will test out of nuring 1)....as all my other gen ed classes transfer from my college degree in early childhood.....i am 47 now....and pluggin away!!
I will be 26 this October.. My wife and I were in the same school to become a nurse(BSN) in The Philippines.. She got her BSN degree. I didnt cuz I was a slacker back in College. I havent been in school for years but now, I'm looking to get into an LPN program and this time FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
I had always wanted to go into health care (wanted to be a pediatrician all through the early years of school) but in a weird twist entered and graduated law school in my mid 20's ... worked in my profession for @ 10 years before I realized I was not happy despite my income so I started working in education as my "limbo" career while I figured it out. A couple of months before turning 40 something clicked and I realized nursing is where I was always meant to be. I thought it was the perfect time to start reinventing myself. I want to work in the NICU or peds to start (talk about coming full circle). As much as I wish I could turn the clock backwards 20 years, I still feel I was meant to begin this part of my life now. Have never been more excited about a career move like this!
I am 22 now, but I decided I wanted to be a nurse during my Junior year of college. Unfortunately, my parents would not allow me to pursue my new dream- I gave up and finished my degree in Communications. I never stopped wanting to be a nurse, and now, more than ever, I'm really kicking myself for giving up so easily because I would now be in nursing school. I just got a full-time job, but I am still determined to become a nurse. I am taking pre-reqs at community college and plan to apply to an ABSN next year. I will probably be 24 or 25 and married by the time I finish, but I am determined to make it happen! It's definitely encouraging to hear everyone else's stories about their decision, because sometimes I feel like it's too late for me.
I was 25 when I made a firm commitment to follow through with nursing. I had thrown around the idea when I was 21 or 22, but wasn't completely serious about it. I graduated with a degree in Liberal Arts specializing in Communication and worked doing PR/Editing but was unhappy with it. I really disliked the corporate world and felt it didn't suit my personality or my goal to do something that made a difference. After much thought, I decided to take a dive and start prereq classes. I'm applying for Spring 2011 admission and I hope I get in!
gee, this sounds familiar :) I'm working in Marketing, and feel the same way. I will be finishing my pre-reqs in the coming semesters and hopefully applying for Summer 2012 admission to an ABSN! Good luck to you!
Well truthfully I decided I wanted to be a nurse in 4th grade lol. I have a poster to prove it, it says what I want to be when i grow up-a nurse and I drew a cute picture of me with the old nurses' cap on. But I didn't go to school right after high school I weent when I was twenty-one and chose nursing;however, I had to take time off when I got married and had two little ones so I know how you feel it's very tough. I got back into it last fall and am hoping to start my nursing course work in the winter semester. Anything and everything is possible, and I am very determined since becoming a mother as well as more confident so I feel good about it and you should too, just hang in there :)
I decided at age 26, that becoming an RN was something I really wanted. But, due to circumstances, I didn't begin pre-reqs and co-reqs until this past year at age 32. But, I never gave up on my dream, and I never will. I am determined to do this no matter how long it takes me.
I know how you feel about feeling behind for not starting right out of highschool, but I will tell you something I have learned. I am 22 yrs old, and have been out of highschool for 4 years. I and am finishing up my pre-reqs to apply to the program now.
I started my classes for pre-reqs right out of highschool with the intention of becoming a nurse. About a year into taking classes I had a mini-nervous breakdown, changed majors, and walked away from nursing. The thought of being a nurse and being responsible for someone's life terrified me. Now four years later, I have been working in a hospital office setting for a year now and have such a passion for healthcare! I am glad I waited this time to truly decide on what was right for me. I don't think right out of highschool I was emotionally or mentally ready for that type of commitment to such a difficult program. Now my heart is in it and I am ready to go!! :redpinkhe
This is a great post,a nd something I battle with EVERYDAY!!!! I am a Medical Assistant now, and became one when I was 20 after 2 years of Western Career College. Why? because I was 5 months pregnant, and needed a career fast. I am so mad I didnt go into Nursing. It always was my heart, but I followed my childhood love, and got pregnant. Even though I LOVE MY BABY BOY I wish I had the same child after school.
I am 25 years old, and even though I have a nice car and 3 bedroom townhouse and is doing well. I miss not going for my goal as a NUrse. I am just going back as a LPN then RN. I wish I did it after high school cause ppl that are 22 are done and successful
Trust me you are not alone, but the best thing is you are started. Good luck you wont regret it
, which has ended up to my advantage.
Want2BanLPN
1 Post
I will be 54, two days after I take my entrance exam for LPN school. I have had 30 years in a profession I've enjoyed after getting my degree out of high school. I have two grown children, both married. I envy you your young mind that's ready to soak up all the information we will need to know. My memory is much less reliable the older I get. But I say, "Good for all of us!" May we be the caregivers we want to be!