Survey: How old were you when you entered the nursing profession?

Nurses General Nursing

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I started nursing when I was 43. I got my ADN in a small town that offered a rigorous program. I am getting my Bachelors in a different area but plan to fast track into a BSN possibly NP. I had no doubts about being a nurse when I started, and 19 years later I have no regrets. I am frustrated at the direction medicine has taken in the past ten years, but I am still able to bring pretty fair nursing to the bedside most of the time.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

I was 21 when I graduated with my BSN, I moved to Texas(El Paso) the next day and was offered a job the very next week.

I was 34 when I started Nursing... I love my profession and wish all nurses did...... there are a new breed comming out of schools now and I am not sure it is all good......;)

Originally posted by Linda49

I'm told I'm NUTS, INSANE, afflicted with early dementia, but I think I win this little question. I started the BSN nursing program, after I finished all the prerequisites, when I was 49 and will graduate in December (if I don't die from old age first!) at 52. I don't feel that old and am told I don't look or act like it. I'm in my 3rd career...airline flight attendant and exec assistant at a famous computer company. I'm excited and am dying to prove the naysayers wrong. I'm not nuts, but will be learning for a long time. Glad to see there are others starting out later than most!

I am SO glad you are nuts, insane and afflicted!!I will be 47 in October and am JUST beginning to take the prerequisites for nursing school! No one's said I'm crazy, too old but not demented..at least not to my face, LOL Thanks for posting this, you are an inspiriation :D

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Specializes in Leadership/Critical Care/Surgery/Seniors.

Wow! I have really got to give you guys a lot of credit for going back to school to start nursing later in life. Personally, I was 17 when I went into my 3 year diploma program, graduated at 20. Took a critical care course 10 years later, and now at the age of (almost) 43, am heading back to school for my degree. I am taking most of it through correspondence, but have talked enough nurses into taking courses with me, and the college here is offering some evening courses. First one is tonight!

I became a nurse at age 22. I have an ADN, but plan to fininsh my BSN as I took 2 years of liberal arts studies after high school in order to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I can't imagine myself in any other career!!:)

I was 39 when I got admitted to a second degree BSN program, and found out I was pregnant with my third child the same day I got my acceptance letter!! I took a year's deferment from school and then finished my degree in 18 months. It's a third career for me - 14 years in the Army and 5 as a stay at home mom. I love the flexibility nursing offers and the ability to find jobs anywhere - my husband's job requires us to move every few years. Nursing school had its stressful moments, but I think being older helped in some ways - I had a goal in sight and just kept plugging away. For those of you just starting out later in life - you can do it!!

Originally posted by Stormy

Wow! I have really got to give you guys a lot of credit for going back to school to start nursing later in life. Personally, I was 17 when I went into my 3 year diploma program, graduated at 20. Took a critical care course 10 years later, and now at the age of (almost) 43, am heading back to school for my degree. I am taking most of it through correspondence, but have talked enough nurses into taking courses with me, and the college here is offering some evening courses. First one is tonight!

Congrats Stormy that's amazin'! So glad to hear..and as someone said in another post it's just wonderful how schools are now so focued on helping students succeed. The school I attend has a special program for people who for whatever reason find themselves past 35 and in need of an AS/AA degree..they pay the tutition and if you can't afford the books find a way to get them for you...and the instructors are truly dedicated...I'm just SO glad to have this opportunity at my ahem age, and to see all the positive posts here =D
Specializes in Pediatric Rehabilitation.

Started when I was 27..six years ago. Still working for same hospital, been at hospital since I was 18. GAWD I love this place!

WOW!! I am very pleased to see that I am in good company!! I am 40 and I just started taking my pre-req's in order to apply to nursing program in spring '02. I believe it is a two year program (full time). It's something I've always considered and I could kick myself for not doing it sooner. I remember in High School talking to a counselor about being a nurse and she told me to more or less forget it because my math apptitude wasn't what it should be. God forbid I should discourage my children like that! Let me ask everyone who has started this career later in life...Why? What prompted you to do this now and not eariler in life?

Good luck to al of you!!

Terri :eek:

When I strarted nursing at the age of 18, in the Netherlands we only had a hospital program. At the age of 25 I did the Icu training program, a few years later my BA in administation. In janary I'll start becoming a researcher. After 32 years I,m sill proud being a nurse.

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