Respiratory Care - am I starting late?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everybody,

I'm from New Jersey and I've been out of high school for 4 years now, worked a few jobs, and finally decided to go to college. My major is Respiratory Care and I am currently taking general education courses during the summer sessions. I always feel like I'm starting real late because most of my friends are already graduating while I'm just starting, and it bothers me. I have 2 more years of school and when I get licensed I will be 24. Is that an old age for being a new RT? I don't know the ages of students that are in the program so I've been just wondering where I'm at. Thank you.

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Oh, good Lord, NO!!! There are lots of people in the medical profession who are in a second or even third profession. You're still a baby in comparison to many, don't even start to worry about it.

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24? I think you will probably be one of the youngest in your class. I just graduated from RT school...a majority of my class were over 30.

Good luck in school.

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I just turned 22 a couple months ago and felt so old going back to school lol Thank you for your replies I actually feel a lot better now.

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I am starting respiratory school this fall and I am 29! I am sure you will have some people in your classes that are your age or older. I know the feeling though, I thought the same thing when I registered.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Well if it makes you feel any better...i started LPN school when i was 25, and now at 27 i'm going back for my LPN to RN. And I convinced my mom to go back to school - she went for RT too - She started at the age of 42 and graduated this year at 44 so dont feel "too" old! :) Good luck and take care! Enjoy school and chalk it up to being more mature going to school at this age instead of "too old" ;)

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

please tell me you're kidding. good luck in your future career, this is only the beginning.

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I am 46 and a G'Mother of four....if I can do it so can you. I am just finishing my my pre-req's and am hoping to get into the Fall RT program. I should know the end of June if there was a seat left over....I amy be an alternate but I'll take it.

I wish there was a specific thread on allnurses for TR's....unless I have missed it.

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Well I do hope most of my classmates are older. I actually learn a lot better when I'm in a mature environment.

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Well, being older does not necessarily equate maturity!!! There was a student in my class that was over 50 that created so much drama.

Respiratory is an amazing field- but I am so glad to be finished with clinicals!!!!

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