Can I accomplish becoming an RN at 26?

[honeyforasalteyfish]

So I just went back to school to become a RN. I have a 2.78 GPA, and a 3.28 cumulative GPA. I am worried I won't make the requirements for the RN program. My counselor thinks I am a good candidate, I am worried I am not intelligent enough for the nursing program. I have a 95 in algebra an 89% in Stats, and 93 in med terminology. I have yet to take the ATI tease test. I would love to make nursing a lifelong commitment, but I do not have any degrees, or certificates. My counselor advised me to shoot for the RN program. I was close to finishing an associate in science when I went back. I am worried I will not make it into the program. I took a big risk taking coreqs Before acceptance into the program. I intend to start studying for the tease test this summer, but I have so far to go. So much to do, and achieve before I feel secure in this career. It's only going to get more difficult. I am committed to this, and I would love to become a RN, but I am worried I don't have an academic record worthy of the program. I have a very high drop rate from the past. I am a 26 year old male who would love to make a career out of nursing. Any advice on how to accomplish my goals?

[Coriander, BSN, RN]

I graduated nursing school at 37. I'll graduate with my MSN at 41. It's not too late. :)

[dedicated_2b_RN]

I understand where you are coming from Gavin

sometimes brutal honesty is just another superiority complex seems to be a lot of that where there should be

more compassion and understanding don't allow anything or anyone to alter your goal

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I firmly believe that anyone can do anything they are truly willing to work for. Someone will say can I at 50 run a marathon. Sure you can - but you are not going to just put your shoes on and do it today. I went the Nursing school as a second career when I was 38. I have never regretted doing so. So yes you can achieve it if you so desire. If you GPA is not outstanding work hard on pre-recs to improve it. This is totally achievable.

Good luck to you

Hppy

[kakamegamama]

I finished my FNP at, well, let me just say, a "bit" over 30.

As to how to accomplish this? How do you eat an elephant?.....One bite at a time. So, take the journey ahead one step at a time. It won't be easy at times, you may struggle, but with your willingness and fortitude, I have no doubt you will make it!

Wish you the best! (And, keep us posted!)

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Despite some of the similarities, nursing isn't The Hunger Games. Twenty-six is hardly too old.

[ixchel]

26 is WAAAAAY too old. I like my nurses young and beautiful. Incidentally, Hugh Hefner's birthday is today.

(Also, I was 32 when I graduated.)

[ixchel]

Despite some of the similarities, nursing isn't The Hunger Games. Twenty-six is hardly too old.

OMG.

You've inspired a whole writing project for me.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

OMG.

You've inspired a whole writing project for me.

LOL.....maybe we should start a thread, "Post your Own Examples of Why The Hunger Games Mimics Current Nursing Practices"!!

NM, I just did, lol....

[TransportJockey, EMT-P]

You'll be fine. I'm turning 28 this November and will hopefully have my ADN finished through Excelsior by the time I'm 29

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Off topic, I love the Hunger Games reference haha.

26 is perfect age to start nursing! Most of my graduation class of about 58 or so were age 28+ or so. There were about 10 or less than were under that age. I ran into almost the same situation as you (started at 23, graduated at 25 just recently too ). I had a pre-requisite GPA (anat, physio, and micro) of like 2.69 or something (forgot how to calc gpa) and an overall of 3.20. This basically made be at the bottom of the list for GPA-based programs and some I couldn't even apply for because the minimum pre-req GPA was 2.75. I was lucky though that the community college I went to was still lottery based and my GPA was still good enough. I had one C and the rest were B's my entire program so it is TOTALLY doable. Grades should NEVER dictate whether you are worthy of being a nurse (your clinical practice and your ability to do ADPIE should). Nursing school and grading are different than your average general education classes.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I graduated from nursing school at 40. I'm 41 and started my first RN job. The way I figure it, if you're younger than dead, you're not too old to try. If you're dead, then you might have a problem getting through school.

Could I go to Med School at my age? Sure. I could. I choose not to because I'd then be in my late 40's when I'd get the license and I'd be well into my 60's by the time I'd have all my student loans paid off. As things are now, at least I have an opportunity to get my retirement savings set up and have a relatively comfortable life with my family in the meantime.

Being that you're 26, you have a very long way to go before you're too old. In fact, you're at a great age to get things going. You very well might be out of school by the time you're 30 and in a job. You could then start your retirement savings in earnest and by the time you're ready to retire in 35-40 years, you'll likely be extremely well prepared to do so.

[RescueNinjaKy]

Hey I just got my rn license at 25. You can be a nurse. You just gotta want it and work for it. Set your goals and think of it as I'm going to be a nurse, not i want to be a nurse.

On a side note, I was actually one of the younger students in my program, starting at 23. There were less than a handful that were straight out of high school and a few that were straight up older than my professors. Most of my classmates tended to be mid 20s to late 30s.

Also it seemed that the younger students in my school had a tougher time adapting to the responsibilities and dedication needed. Some of them were immature and didn't develop a dependable rapport with their patients.