New Poll: Is there a right or wrong age to go into nursing

[getbabygirl]

For all the nurses out there, I want to know how old you were when you first graduated from nursing school and became a nurse. My reason for this poll is because I'm 21 now and I'm only taking my general courses now. If everything works out, I will take the pre-nursing admissions test in the Spring. "Then" theres also a 4 quarter waiting list! So I'm possibly looking at graduating anywhere from 2-5 years which means I could be the ages of 23-26. Is there a right or wrong age to go into nursing. You hear alot of nurses say they are burnt out when they are in there 30's!!!

[studentdeb]

I am not a nurse yet, but I am beginning my nursing courses in August and I am 39. This will be a 2nd career for me. I don't think there is a right or wrong age, it depends on the person and their goals. From what I have been reading here, there are numerous people going at an older age.

Go for it, don't worry about how hold you will be when you finish.

Debi

[TIREDmidnightRN]

I was a teenager when I became an LPN......got my Rn after my kids were old enough to stay home without a sitter. The only drawback to starting young was getting the aides to treat me with respect. They used to call me "that little girl nurse"!

[live4today, RN]

There is no right or wrong age to begin anything one is passionate about in his/her life......especially nursing. I was in my mid-thirties when I graduated college. I am 50 now, and still going strong........healthy as an ox, and blind as a bat. :rotfl: Doesn't that make for a great nurse? :rotfl:

The most important tidbit I can pass on to anyone is this: Begin somewhere in your life.....never make excuses of any kind...especially in reference to being too old or too young...if you don't START sometime...you won't start at all. Ask yourself where you would be in five years if you didn't START today investing yourself in a worthwhile cause...career...hobby...whatever you want...JUST DO IT! :kiss

[AngelNurse1997]

I think that if a person goes into a diploma program straight out of high school then he or she could get an RN license at age 20 or 19 even. In my opinion, that is too young an age to be able to handle all of the responsibility that a nurse has to shoulder on a daily basis. Just my 2 cents.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Nope! No right or wrong age!!! We have a lady in our class who is 58! I think she's awesome!

Go whenever you can!

Julie

[karenelizabeth]

Dont think there is right or wrong age to graduate.

I was 21 when I started and 24 at graduation, now I'm 34. Most of the people I knew who started at 18 did not graduate.

But I do think it is useful to have some experience out of school, it helps you cope with the things nursing throughs at you.

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

While I think that the experience and maturity that comes with age are beneficial to a nurse, I think that there is no PERFECT age.

Like Julielpn said, "Go whenever you can!"

I was 23 when I graduated.

Heather

[misti_z]

I turned 21 two weeks after I graduated with my ADN. I knew what I wanted to do. I have a great passion for my job and patients.

I don't think there is a perfect age. I was the youngest in my class and the oldest was 56.

I agree, "Go whenever you can."

[RNConnieF]

I didn't start LPN school until I was 40. I just graduated from a ADN program in May and I'll be 48 in October. If all goes well I'll have the BSN before I'm 50. Go when the mood, motivation, and money are there. BTW we had a man graduate with us as an AAS in criminology who was 87!! He got a standing ovation from every graduate and teacher a like. What an inspiration to all of us! He intends to go in to a 4 year program in September!

[RenayCCRN]

I think the right time to go into nursing is when you are mentally and emotionally mature which has nothing to do with age in years.

[det01]

I think that if you want to be a nurse age should not stop you. I graduated with a different degree when I was 23. I decided that it was not for me in a very short time. I am now 25 and back in nursing school. There are people in my classes in thier forties and fiftes with both grown children and small children at home. One of them even plans on working on her master's immediatly after she gets her RN.