Is 26 too old to go back to school?

[anouk]

Hi, I'm currently working on obtaining my BSN in nursing. Before this degree, I pursued a BA in education. I thought that I wanted to be a teacher. After all it was something that I'd wanted to do since childhood. However, once midway through college something inside of me clicked. I didn't really want to be a teacher, but because I was halway through the program, and had taken loans I decided to go through with it anyway. I took my test for my credentials and once I found myself in the classroom setting, I realized that it was not what I wanted to do and should have trusted my gut instinct instead.

I was always drawn to nursing. Especially when in my junior year of college I went to my doctor and he misdiagnosed my symptoms of being the result of stress. I went to the school NP, and she ran test and found out it was more than stress. (I was SEVERELY anemic)

I was impressed and wanted to make a career change before I started my career as a teacher but was to scared to do so.

To make a long story shorter, everyone in my extended family keeps asking me why am I still in school. The one that really bugs me is everyone saying that I'm simple to old to go back to school. Should I be offended? Has anyone else heard someone say they were to old?

[boruch1988]

I just remarried 18 months ago. I was trying to get my BSN finished before and my previous husband thought the same that I was "too old" to be in school and I wouldn't learn anything new. I am happy to say I am in school part-time and working full-time and am about 12 months away from my BSN! Keep up the good work! It is worth it :)

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

Go For It, Hon!!

and

GOOD LUCK to you!!

Let us know how it goes thru the next few years and if you like it & if it's everything you expected!!

You're Never Too Old to Learn!

Mary Ann

[DougRN59]

I had my electricians license at 28 and went back to school and obtained my nursing degeee....best thing I ever did !

[flytern]

Too old?!? You have to be kidding. I went through nursing school at the age of 32 (with 3 kids under 5 years old at home). Now that my youngest is a senior in high school, I'm back in school! It just requires dedication, and good organizational skills on your part. And get yourself surrounded by people who will encourage you! Good luck.

[beachmom]

I graduated at age 43.

When I was in school, there was a man who was a logger at age 50 when the logging company downsized, and he was without a job. He was unsure whether to go back to school. He told his wife, "I'll be 53 when I finish nursing school in three years." His wise wife replied, "How old will you be in three years if you DON'T go back to school?" He went back to school and is a nurse today.

[TerreP]

I started working on my prereqs when I was 45...I'm now 48 and start the nursing program in January. So no, you are far from too old!!!! Age is a number, and since we all live longer and have to work longer in our lives than people did before, why not spend the years doing something you really want to do!!!!!

[luvbug]

I'm 26 right now, have been an LPN for almost 6 years. I am just now planning on going to RN school in the next year or so. I have to do all the pre-reqs first because I am a single mother, so I won't be in the actual program for a few years. I say do what you really want to do. It is better to have a job you love than to 'make do' in a job you hate just because of what other people think.

[CaseManager1947]

From all us grandmothers out there... I may have a little gray on top, but there's still grey matter in there. HA HA

Morghan ARNP (older than dirt)

[kmarie724]

I'm in a nursing program for people who already have a BA and at 24, I'm the youngest one in the program by far! 26 isn't old at all.

[tthiels]

If you are not filling out applications right now you will miss the boat completely. I worked on my BSN, raised two boys 2 and 3, and worked 40+ hours a week during school. If you want to be a nurse get moving or you will regret never completing your dreams. If anything else, you can say that you succeeded in spite of family negatives and tryely be happy. You could easily become one of the Nursing instructors after getting you degree.

[onesunniegal]

Op,

26 is certainly not to old to go back to school.

I am 28 and in my second year of an ADN program. By far, I am not the oldest in my class!

I echo what so many others have said, "Go for it!"....

Don't just take what life hands you, go and get what's yours... and if a you want to be a nurse, with a lot of hard work and a lot of prayers, it can be yours.

:wink2:

[ucfjlin]

You're definitely not too old! 26 is young! I say this because I am 26 years old myself and am applying for an Accelerated BSN program for Fall 2007. If accepted, I will be 27.

I feel at this age, I am more mature and know how to handle situations better than at the age of 22. There is a lot of pressure to have a steady career by the age of 25, get married and have babies. People will always talk, especially family, but it's up to you to go for what you want.