How long did it take you to become a Nurse?

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It's going to take me 7 years of schooling to become a Nurse. I graduated last year with my environmental science degree which took me 4 years to complete. I spent the past year after graduation in taking some pre-reqs that I still needed and also applied to a BSN program near me and was accepted. I decided to go the traditional route due to financial aid issues and It will now take me 2 years to complete the actual nursing program. I was wondering if it took anyone that long to become a nurse? It seems most people complete their education to become an RN in 3-4 years. I'm going to be 25 by the time I graduate. I'm very much committed to this field since I know nursing offers a lot of opportunities!!! and is a well respected field!

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You have nothing to worry about! There is no "right" path to take when it comes to life decisions such as these. Age is simply a number and you are still young and have a whole lifetime of being a nurse ahead of you. I took a different route and will just be starting my entry level MSN in the fall after a 7 year journey, a child, and never giving up on my goal of becoming a nurse. Good luck to you!

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I started pre-reqs in January 2011 and will (hopefully) graduate December 2016 pending acceptance to the August 2014 class. It is a BSN program. It will take me just under 7 year to complete and I will graduate just after my 32nd birthday.

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January 2011 - 2016 is approximately 5 years. Congrats though in choosing nursing and I wish you the best in your journey. May I ask what you were doing b4 deciding on nursing?

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I started pre reqs in May 2008 - I have four children - started my nursing course in January 2011 and graduating in 22 days - August 8 2013! I'm 33 age doesn't matter:-). Good luck

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

IN this economy there are many college grads in your position...they graduate with a four year degree and can't find work so they "find" their passion is nursing because there are jobs there.....well the economy has affected nursing as well. California has a 47% unemployment for new grads.

Many then apply to an Accelerated BSN programs for an additional 2-3 years.

You are not alone. Good Luck!

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Yes, i have many friends that are unemployed sadly. But i personally don't want to make fast food or retail a career so i'm glad i went to school. I heard california RN's are the highest paid in the country, plus they have unions. So I can imagine it's really tough to get a job there. Plus the beach i'm sure is also attractive. I'm personally not looking to become rich. I just want a career where i can make a living. Preferably in healthcare since my family comes from a medical background. Nursing seemed to be the best choice length, distance, and cost wise for me.

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I'm not sure where I got 7 years from!! That is why I should not play on AN while I 'm at work LOL!! Anyway, it is actually right at 6 years because I started in January of 11 and will end in Dec of 16. Time doesn't matter to me though.

To answer your question, before I started my pre-reques, I went to school for dental assisting. I had a baby at 19 and needed a quick career. I thought nursing would take to long so I went for that. Looking back I wish I had gone then but that's a moot point now. I had another child at 21 and got married. My kids dad (husband) was a controlling, abusive person. I was with him for 9 years and that put my dreams on hold even longer.

Since starting school in 2011, I have since left him and regained my life back. I have made some bad decisions in my life and I take full responsibility for them, but I know I am worth more and can provide more. I hope to help others someday soon. It is a way for me to give back. I know that may not make sense to you without knowing everything but it means something important to me.

And hey, 32 is still relatively young! I can work a good 30 years before I think about retirement :)

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

I'll be 31 when I graduate in December. I had no college credits when I went back in Jan 2010. I'd already been married and had a child etc. I enjoyed being a stay at home mom for our son while he wasn't in school. I'm so glad that I waited to go to school and start my career until he was in school as well. It works for my family :D

There is no right path.

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5.5 years for me! 7 years isn't that long in the grand scheme of life..good luck! :)

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Specializes in Case Management.

8 years here! I completed my bachelors in Social work in 4 years right out of college took a year off decided to go back to school finished my pre req's in 1 year and hopefully I will be graduating in may/june 2014. I myself will be 25 also. I get mad at myself because I could have been a nurse sooner if I went to school for what I was accepted for in the first place which was nursing but due to some family/personal/financial issues that occurred during my first go around with college I didn't pursue it and think I probably would have failed out anyway. It's really just the what if I also get mad at but oh well I'll get there anyway. The only difference is the time and money I spend 0_o

Congrats and good luck :-)

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