Can you become an RN at age 19?

Mini2544, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2017

There is a lovely and smart 19 yr old in my ASN program and we graduate in December. She is extremely mature and has excellent balance and study skills, and I think she took classes in high school. So yes it can be done!

DNTcode · Mar 17, 2017

Yes, it is! My nursing classmate was 18 during first semester.

I am not sure how old are you, but... if you have right conditions yes you can!

Even at the high school, you can look around what prerequisites the nursing programs in your area demands, and you can take advanced placement classes. (Sciences and general education classes like for example chemistry, anatomy or sociology, psychology are quiet often required) You can apply during your last year of high school. Just accept things may not go as you planned so year here and there...

Elladora · Mar 17, 2017

I currently work with two that are RNs and are 19. They took college classes during high school and went straight through, no semesters off.

As an aside, they both have a LOT to learn. They have the book knowledge down pat but their skills and their confidence are seriously lacking.

minnesotanick · Mar 18, 2017

Yes. I'm in school with psoe kids, some who are juniors in high school. They go to college only. They will be graduating high school with Associate degrees before they move on to the 4 year Universities. So if you got that early of a start, then yes.

RNtoCNM · Mar 18, 2017

A guy that graduated from my program was 18...it's possible, but I suppose you don't see it too often.

Nyadak · May 25, 2018

I'm currently doing fulltime Running start which is taking college classes in high school and me working on getting an associates degree in nursing and I'm 16 about to be 17 and I graduate in 2019. So I'm going to be 17 when I graduate.

direw0lf, BSN · May 25, 2018

Google "youngest nurse practitioner"... RN at 17, NP at age 18 apparently.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 28, 2018

I earned my first Associates degree at 19. I had college credits from taking AP classes in high school. Nerd alert!

efoxrn, BSN, RN · May 27, 2019

It is possible, I did it myself, but you have to have a very special set of circumstances available to you for it to happen. I was homeschooled, and able to begin classes at my local community college at 15. I was admitted into my BSN program at 17 (I had to turn 18 before I could attend cliniclas), and I graduated with my BSN at 19 just a few weeks before my 20th birthday. I was able to take my NCLEX prior to graduation as my predictor scores were high enough (in Kansas, the state where I am licensed, this is allowed) and I passed. Because of this, my license was granted, and I was an BSN, RN prior to my 20th birthday. It was very challenging, but very rewarding in the long run.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · May 28, 2019

Most states allow a dual enrollment where you can take college classes while you're in high school. How it works depends on the state. Sometimes you have to be in advanced classes, but other times you just have to have prerequisite classes done. I remember my high school only had 3 years of science classes, and 3 years of math. If you took your highschool biology class, that was your prereq for A&P at most colleges, plus today A&P is becoming a common high school class. But regardless, during your senior year, you can easily take a college algebra and A&P. Composition is a common prerequisite out there, but whether or not you can take that in high school is going to depend on the agreement between your college and high school. But summer is also an option, and some nursing schools will make an exception and let someone take that composition during their first semester.

So you can EASILY graduate high school with your nursing prereqs done and go into nursing school the fall after you graduate high school. And all you summer babies, that means you can become an RN at 19.

Sasha Black · Jun 6, 2020

I know post is old. However, I would like to say my 16 year old daughter graduated high school & elementary school at age 14 in 2018. She finished all the science course & prerequisites in 2019

-Microbiology, College algebra, A& P 1-2, sociology, development psychology, intro to psychology, Principles of organic & bio chem, English comp 1-2 (and she has 40 additional credits for her Infomatonal Technology degree) She passed her TEAS exam 2 weeks ago & just got accepted to nursing school. My husband & I planned everything, and so far things are falling into place. It's very possible! In the state we reside you have to be 18 to obtain a RN license, which is fine. It takes two years to finish school. My husband taught my daughter & Myself how to pre read- front load course, we read the text book, remediate tons of questions, and make our own chapter catalog before we go into any class. The reason our GPA’s are 4.0. My daughter is attending the same school her father a nurse practitioner, medical student attended. With that being said.. planning is the key and anything is possible.

On 5/28/2019 at 11:30 AM, TheDudeWithTheBigDog said:
Most states allow a dual enrollment where you can take college classes while you're in high school. How it works depends on the state. Sometimes you have to be in advanced classes, but other times you just have to have prerequisite classes done. I remember my high school only had 3 years of science classes, and 3 years of math. If you took your highschool biology class, that was your prereq for A&P at most colleges, plus today A&P is becoming a common high school class. But regardless, during your senior year, you can easily take a college algebra and A&P. Composition is a common prerequisite out there, but whether or not you can take that in high school is going to depend on the agreement between your college and high school. But Summer is also an option, and some nursing schools will make an exception and let someone take that composition during their first semester.
So you can EASILY graduate high school with your nursing prereqs done and go into nursing school the fall after you graduate high school. And all you Summer babies, that means you can become an RN at 19.

I agree 100% There are many ways to become a nurse at a young age

AB1970 · Feb 11, 2023

Today, it would not be possible because of school entry age requirements, however in 1970, I passed State Boards in Pennsylvania (long before N-CLEX) when I was 19 years old. I was one of the youngest RNs in the state at that time. I entered my 3 year diploma program at age 16. During my freshman year, the State Board of Nursing eliminated the age requirement to sit for Boards, so I was able to take them without a problem.