Going back to school @ 26

lengland · Mar 23, 2016

Everyone's responses are really helping ease my concerns. Going to talk with a counselor at my community college about prereqs

adamRn79, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2016

I was 27. Adults are better students and better nurses

lengland · Mar 23, 2016

For those of you who had to take prerequisites or are currently taking them, are you taking them at a community college or a 4 year university/college? I have a few that I need to take, and I know that taking them at my community college will be the most affordable + fastest way. Also, it seems like most nursing programs (second bachelors degree seeking RN's) have the same prerequisites.

Quota, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2016

I just turned 34 and started taking my pre-reqs at my local community college last month. I have a BS in Biology with minor in Psychology from 2004 and will be applying to two Accelerated BSN programs for Fall 2017. The required pre-reqs for the two schools I'm looking at are similar but not the same. One requires a nutrition class and the other requires a general chemistry class. One school requires HESI A2 the other TEAS (TEAS can be waived for those with GPAs over 3.0, but they MIGHT ask you to take them anyways).

For me taking my pre-reqs at the community college is a little cheaper than if I took them at a regular college (only a tiny bit though) but the biggest advantage is being able to take them online. I can continue to work full time with my job and do my class work on my own schedule.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Mar 23, 2016

I graduated with a lady in her late 50s. She got a job working in the ER and loves it! It's never too late.

vmmacias88 · Mar 24, 2016

I'm 27. I will start my prereqs this summer and I am both nervous and excited! I have some college experience, but I'm starting brand new. I'm just gonna take a what I can handle and go from there. I believe its never to late to pursue your dreams.

ZoeFrecn · Mar 25, 2016

I'm 31 and I'm about to start Nursing in the Fall. It's never too late! Its becoming more and more common for people to pursue a second career. I worked full time and took classes in the evening. Another thing I did was volunteer work. I had no idea what I was getting into so I thought volunteering would help me figure out what nursing would be like. I didn't want to start taking classes and then find out I didn't like it. If you can, an accelerated program - its hard and fast paced but you'll be done with school sooner.

frenchtoastwaffles, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2016

Too late?? Girl you are 26, there are people in my program 50+ and they are owning it.

If you hate your job, try something else. If you want to consider nursing, try shadowing - ask yourself why, learn about the field!

Ditch what doesn't make you happy!

CriticalThinker88, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2016

I have a friend who did an accelerated nursing program when we were both 24 years old (a couple of years after undergrad). She graduated at 26 as an RN with a BSN. At 28, I'm looking into the same program. I've applied to schools to take my pre-requisites and attended the info session last week.

Compared to me you aren't too old! :)

Satori77, ADN · Mar 27, 2016

I'm 38 and just finished my prereqs and applied for next fall. I will be 40 when I finish. I only regret that I didn't do it sooner.

missch1014 · Mar 28, 2016

I turned 26 in January. I was pursuing a different degree when I graduated high school, then at 21 I got pregnant with my son (who is now 4). Needless to say, I didn't finish and I was forced to take 4 years off due to my personal situation.

It is never too late. Let me repeat, IT IS NEVER TOO LATE. If you are determined and if nursing is something you really want to do, you will do what ever it takes. During those years I wasn't in school, I worked in an office (good job, horrible bosses) but I knew that I didn't want to be there forever, so I put in my notice and went back to college to finish my pre-reqs and I will be applying to several nursing schools this fall.

SML456 · Mar 28, 2016

I love to see what everyone has to say about this topic! I'm 26 and applying to nursing programs as well. I think the only thing that makes it more difficult than if you are right out of high school is the fact that usually in your mid-twenties you have more responsibilities and more things on your plate than just school. That's the hardest part for me, how to give up a full time job to go back to school, when I have an apartment to pay for and a car loan. It can be scary, you just have to set your priorities straight, if you really want it, and make it happen.

:)