At what age did you decide on nursing?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

I will be starting an LPN program this fall....I turn 24 in September. I hope to get my RN before I turn 30. And I don't have any children.. yet. :)

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Specializes in Home Health.

I am an LPN working on my RN. I am 43 and the single mom of a 6 year-old. When I started on my LPN I was 39 and my son was 2. I only wish I had started at 25! Just don't be 43 wishing you had done it at 25. That is what I tell my 25 year-old daughter who is working on her RN:yeah:. I think the younger your kids are when you get through it the better. Hang in there, and remember, you're not alone.:anpom:

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To the spanish student who posted before this:

DONT GIVE UP!!!

First, look at medical terminology and realize that the basis of medicine started in Rome (the ORIGINAL Latinos!). Essentially, your ancestors helped to invent this (or at least all the funky words we still use!)

As for what age I decided to be a nurse; I guess 18. My mom suggested I become a nurse while I was working as a CNA and came home and told her about helping to disimpact a patient. She asked if it grossed me out and I told her it wasn't something I wanted to do everyday, but it was "facinating".

I had really bad grades in high school (for the same reasons as everyone else listed). But nursing caught me in a mental trap (it was so interesting, I couldn't help but learn it--not to say I didn't have a ton of reading, but it wasn't the trial that high school seemed to be). I was 24 when I finally got my LPN. Then kids and a bad marriage happened and I was 35, a single mom with 2 pre-schoolers and an elementry aged child when I went back for my degree.

I was scared spit-less. And kicked butt in school. Motherhood and some tough life lessons made school a haven and the nursing knowledge (as well as 12 years experience as an LPN) made the nursing studies seem as easy as taking a hike;some work, but not the Mount Everest climb I had believed it would be.

Starting nursing young has the advantages of stregnth (you haven't ruined your back yet!), freedom (no kids to keep you from studying), and stamina (long study sessions).

Starting nursing late has some advantages too. Experience (even outside of nursing) to know your stregnths and weaknesses, you've sown your "wild oats" (no need to feel you have to party), determination/goals (kids/husband at home needing you to succeed), maturity (knowing how to buckle down and get the job done no matter how distasteful).

I had the luck to work with a fantastic nurse years ago who I guessed to be around mid 60's. I was shocked to find out she was 85 years old. She was nursing because she couldn't image not being a nurse until she was put in the ground!

She's my hero! I want to be a nurse until the day I die and not for any financial reason!:redbeathe

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Specializes in Critical Care.

i decided at nursing RN when i was 21. i am 22 now. I deff new i wanted something in healthcare. at first i wanted to be a physical therapy assistant. then i thought, " i don't want to be an assistant for the rest of my life." so i researched some other healthcare fields offfered at my school. and nursing just calls to me.... i can't wait to be a nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:dncgbby:

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

22. Good thing it wasnt earlier. I was a real idiot when I was younger.

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I started thinking about it when I was 22 but I had to postpone until after my daughter turned 4... so now I am 28 and just finished first year and I have 3 more to go... I think what ever age you are its all good!

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I just turned thirty in January. I have four kids. I am doing my prerequisites right now. I say your never to old to follow your dream. This has been my dream also since I was a little girl. I am at the point in my life Where failure is not an option for me. I a going to work very hard ti become a nurse. I just want to give my kids everything they deserve.

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I have always wanted to be a nurse, was a slacker in high school and a few semesters right after. I started seriously when I was your age and was a nurse at 28.

You do things in your own time and you are right on time.

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which teas test did you take any advice. I f you have any notes from prerequisites please post them

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Specializes in med/surg mostly.

I started nursing school in 2005 just before my 46th birthday and graduated in 2007 with my ADN. Now at the age of 50 I have started working on my BSN a few months ago. Age is just a number in my opinion-if you really want to do something - go for it and don't let anything or anyone stop you. Good Luck!

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i just want to say that everyone's post was encouraging. I have made the decision to return to school at the age of 27. No time like the present!!:)

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well at five I decided i wanted to be in the navy... at 16/17 i enlisted (as delayed entry) with medical career choice. I was discharged to to unexpected pregnancy. :( got my CNA at 19... got married... got divorced and now i'm 24 going back for my RN

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