At what age did you decide on nursing?

[Wan2BRN]

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.

[RPN_2012]

I decided about a month before I turned 24. I tuned 25 a month ago. Starting NS in Sept. No kids. I'll be done BSN and licensed RN by 30. Then I'll have a kid or two.

Sometimes I wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life earlier, say if I went for BSN right out of HS I would be done 2 months ago, and probably getting licensed right now, but it didn't happen that way. At least I'm glad I'll be done at 30, and it's not too late to have kids, because I really don't want to be going through NS with kids, I'll go crazy! My hats off to all you moms who can handle kids and NS at the same time! It's amazing. I couldn't do it.

[akadimkz, ADN, RN]

I decided about a month before I turned 24. I tuned 25 a month ago. Starting NS in Sept. No kids. I'll be done BSN and licensed RN by 30. Then I'll have a kid or two.

Sometimes I wish I knew what I wanted to do with my life earlier, say if I went for BSN right out of HS I would be done 2 months ago, and probably getting licensed right now, but it didn't happen that way. At least I'm glad I'll be done at 30, and it's not too late to have kids, because I really don't want to be going through NS with kids, I'll go crazy! My hats off to all you moms who can handle kids and NS at the same time! It's amazing. I couldn't do it.

And Dads don't forget! LOL

[determined_30]

Sorry about your mom. Things are going to be tough but you can do it.

[crazycordovian]

I will be 26 when I start back to college in August. I started taking my pre-reqs when I was 17 years old but was not very motivated and failed most of my classes the first time through. I have re-applied for the same CC and will be taking most of my classes over again so I can bring my GPA up. I kick myself all the time for not taking college more seriously. I've waited so long to re-apply because I didn't have anyone to support me or my goal until recently. Now I have a wonderful bf who believes I can do whatever I set my mind to.For the last 2 years I have been debating on whether I should give nursing another try. I have changed my mind so many times because I was afraid I wasn't smart enough to apply for nursing school. However, I do know a lot of women/men who got mostly C's in hs and managed to get A's or B's in nursing school. Also, my aunt is 52 and just got her acceptance letter last week to start in the fall. If being a nurse is really what your meant to be then it will happen when it's the right time for you, and sometimes when your young you just aren't mature enough to realize how important it is to buckle down and start preparing for the future.

[determined_30]

You are smart enough to do anything you set your mind to do. You should reapply

[RPN_2012]

And Dads don't forget! LOL

Yeah, It's really great when the parents help each other, nursing school must be tough on the whole family.

I had a couple of single mothers in Pre-Nursing program(each had only one kid) and I honestly can't imagine going through NS as a single mother, must be tough... and if it's more than one kid, omg, I don't know how they do it, really!

[StephanieP2009]

I'm 23. I slacked extremely bad in high school. I ALWAYS knew I wanted to be a nurse, but didn't have a high enough GPA to get into the nursing program in college, so I went in as Criminal Justice. I took some of my pre req's for nursing in college, but when I transferred to another school, I got put on the wait list, so needless to say, I withdrew from college. I then met my now husband and have been trying to get back to school and get on with nursing! I just enrolled in LPN school, start in August, and should graduate in June (I'll be 24). After I pass the N-CLEX, I plan on working for 1 year, then going for a LPN to RN bridge program. My goal is to be almost done or done with RN school by the time I'm turning 26. And Kudos to the girl who will be an RN by the time she's 20. You go girl! That inspires me!!!! Good luck everyone!

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

39/40 years old

[MissMcCoy]

I am 24 years old with 2 children (5 and 3) I have always wanted to work in the medical field. As a lot of us have said, life got in the way.

I am now going back to obtain my Pre-req's and its a long list!!!

Math 10 prep

Math 20 pure

Math 30pure

Chem 20

Chem 30

Bio 30

English 30-1

Social 30-1

I figure If I do some summer courses I can be done up grading in a year and then start taking my BScN next fall which will be another 4 years

....So by the time im 29 I'll FINALY be a nurse!!

Time flys, however its NEVER too late!!!

[kaolla56]

I kind of feel the same way as you. Although I am going into my 3rd year at my university at the age of 20, I wish I had known sooner that I wanted to be nurse and enrolled into a nursing program after high school. I have been Undeclared in the Life Sciences for the past 2 years and I thought that I wanted to become a doctor but, as I am struggling with my science courses, I am resolving to change my major so that I can improve my GPA to get into nursing school after I graduate. However, with changing majors, I might not be able to finish in the 4 years as expected which worries me a bit. Otherwise, I am still striving to reach my goal as a nurse and hopefully all of us, who are still in the process, will get there!

[Pvalencerina]

I was about 12, in the 6th grade (middle school) I honestly decided to become a nurse. During our annual career day, the first classroom I wanted to visit was the room that had the Nurse! I remember her story-telling about her specializing in labor and delivery, her husband was a fire-fighter. I thought she had a perfect life! Ever since then, whenever the question 'what do you want to be when you grow up' came about, I always answered "a nurse!" Here I am first year in college, still trying to achieve that dream!

[determined_30]

Always remember you hold the key to your dream and all things are possible