Going back to school @ 26

clsp19 · Mar 20, 2016

You aren't alone, I am in EXACTLY the same boat as you! I'm almost 26, unhappy with my full-time job and have been thinking about becoming a nurse as well. I have the same concerns as you, the thought of being nearly 30 by the time I finish worries me too. And whether I just want to pursue a Diploma to become an enrolled nurse, or do a Bachelor of Nursing for 3 years to become a registered nurse.

Not to mention reading about the bad case scenarios with nursing VS the high points! It's all so confusing. All I know is I want to help people :)

Are you from Australia?

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2016

Considering the OP hasn't been back, I don't think she cares about the feedback here.

SweetandSalty · Mar 20, 2016

I will be 37 or 38 when I graduate..ohhh the old days when thinking you were too old in your late twentiesðŸ˜‰ I used to think the same thing but trust me, you have lots of time still. I think waiting gave me an advantage because Im far more confident than I was fresh out of high school

tiny_nurse · Mar 20, 2016

I just turned 27 about a month after I started, and I'll be 28 when I graduate with my ADN. :) No worries, you are not too old!

amberlayne · Mar 20, 2016

I feel your apprehension! I am currently going back at 25, and it is a little unnerving to be in class with 17, 18, and 19 year olds. It makes study groups difficult because of the age gap. The conversations and concerns of the younger students seem silly to me, being 25 and married.

That being said, the beautiful thing about college is that it is always there. No matter where you are in your life, you can go back and start a brand new career all over. I used my unhappiness at my full-time job with benefits as a serious motivator. Like, if I fail at school, I'll be right back in this seriously unfulfilling career, and I don't want that.

Going back later is so much more scary than attending straight after high school. But I'm so much happier now that I'm in school. I imagine that you would be, too!

Best of luck to you!

goddess9 · Mar 20, 2016

Lol, you're still young. I'm 27, and am just finishing up my prerequisites. If you want to do it, you just do it. Take the first step.

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

I was in almost your exact same shoes a year ago. I was 25, had an associate's degree, working full time as a paralegal, but was absolutely miserable. Nursing had always been something I'd wanted to pursue but up until that point I was intimidated by the science requirements and the thought of having to go back to school. Having to quit my job was a big factor as well, I'm a single parent so having a steady source of income is obviously a big deal for me.

I made a list of what I needed to do to qualify to go to nursing school. For me, that meant picking what schools in the area fit my needs, meeting with advisers with my high school and college transcripts in hand and going over what courses I would need to take to be in a good position to start (I wanted to have to take the absolute minimum number of credits to be considered a full-time student for financial aid purposes). Then, I made a list of courses I needed to take and focused on taking those/getting good grades. Then, I applied and got accepted. I took it one tiny step at a time and before I knew it I was well on my way to nursing school :) I'm turning 26 this year and will be starting school in the fall. Just take baby steps and check in with yourself at each step along the way to see if it still makes sense to pursue this. You are definitely not too late!!!

As a final note, I found this career change to be very empowering. When I was accepted I felt like I was on top of the world because I made that happen all by myself. I decided to go for it, went for it, and got it without any help from anybody else. It's such an awesome feeling and I feel so motivated to do my absolute best because this is the path I picked for myself and worked hard to put myself on.

devorahna · Mar 22, 2016

I am 31 and I am starting nursing school in september! It is strange to get a second degree after being a teacher for over 8 years, be a in a class with 18 year olds...but i am soooo happy to be in school! I regret not starting earlier!

38pearl · Mar 22, 2016

I was 26 when I left my old career & went back to school for my BSN. And now I'm 28, working as an RN, happier than I've ever been. It's absolutely worth it!!!

bonjour79, BSN · Mar 23, 2016

As everyone else said, you're definitely not too late. I started my prereqs at 32, am now 36 and waiting to hear back from nursing programs. It's never too late to follow your dreams and you have plenty of time! Good luck.

Soon_2_be_RN · Mar 23, 2016

With the responses I've read, it looks like you have your answer.

We have several students in their mid 40's and even one in her 50's.

lengland · Mar 23, 2016

Really appreciate all of the positive feedback!.. No not from Australia , from NJ