How old were you when you began nursing school?

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

I know this is a very random question, and I know lots of people go to nursing school when they're older and for second careers and stuff.

I graduated from high school early and will be going to nursing school at age 20 (hopefully if I get in), and I'm just wondering what the age range is for new BSN students. Is twenty typically a young age for nursing students?

Specializes in ED.

don't know about other schools but I know here the answer is no. I was 34, and am for sure on the older end, but out of 29 students in our class the average range is probably 23-26 I would guess. we have 2 students who were 20 when they started...GOOD LUCK and GOOD FOR YOU! you are so lucky you are doing this when you are young, your brain still works, you have no kids/husband/etc (I assume...sorry if I'm wrong!) and don't have other obligations you MUST tend to, you can study away if you wish...but hopefully you will spend much of your time enjoying your youth! :D

Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

Thanks!

Ever since I can remember I've wanted to be a nurse!! (my mom is a nurse, I guess it runs in the family). I can't wait for nursing school, I am so excited about it. I'm beginning a CNA program in december to get experience. I also do lots of extracurriculars with musical theatre, dance and acting. pretty well rounded. I'm just so excited about nursing (hense, graduating high school early) and VERY motivated to do well and succeed.

SFSU is my top choice school, so if any current/past students have any advice for me on increasing my changes of getting in (besides the obvious good grades and supp. critera) I'd be VERY enlightened to hear what you have to say.

***and don't worry you weren't wrong about the kids or husband!! :)

Specializes in ED.

I don't know about SFSU, but am down at SJSU and it's a great school! good luck getting in, all the schools in our area are outstanding, we are very lucky!

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I was 25 when I started school. We had a wide range of ages from 19 to 48yo. Good luck!

I started nursing school at 18, right after I graduated high school. I went into a BSN program, 125 or so students in my class, and the majority were right out of high school or within a few years of out of high school. At the University I went to, you get accepted directly into the nursing program, you don't do any pre req's first, they just include everything in the required classes, which I guess is pretty unusual. Probably 5-10 of the students were older than their twenties. 20 is definately not too young, in my opinion. I'm 23 now, a nurse, and loving it!

Just wanted to add my two cents about age... I returned to school to start working toward my RN when I was 45. I transferred to a University shortly thereafter. The age range of my classmates was from 18 to 58. All wonderful people. I wish you the best of luck! I know that schools around here, in North Carolina, have waiting list and it is hard to get in.

Specializes in dreams of the future.

I wouldn't be so concerned about the age range and where you fit in really. Nursing students and nurses come in all ages. I have known some like you that knew since they were children they wanted to become nurses and went straight out of HS. I have met many like myself starting later. As well as others like my FIL that started after 50 (he was in construction before). If you're worried about feeling out of place, or something like that, I have found a majority of the time, nursing students tend to create the greatest of bonds together. I think the support has to do with an understanding of striving toward the same goal.

Specializes in Surgical/Trauma ICU.

I'm not worried about feeling out of place at all. I was just curious as to how old you all were when you began your nurisng careers.

Wow !!! It seems like everyones programs take sooo long. I am 20 yrs old. When I graduate I will be 21 and when I started I was 19. 3 yrs! I don't know if i could have handled much more. After that I will do an accelerated program for my bachelors, so you can add another 1 1/2 yrs to that. Good luck to all!!

I'm 24 now but will turn 25 two weeks after the semester starts. I'm going back to school though. I didn't apply for NS straight out of high school.

Specializes in Cardiac.
I know this is a very random question, and I know lots of people go to nursing school when they're older and for second careers and stuff.

I graduated from high school early and will be going to nursing school at age 20 (hopefully if I get in), and I'm just wondering what the age range is for new BSN students. Is twenty typically a young age for nursing students?

hey! I didn't graduate early but I graduated with 5 college classes already completed, But I flipped and flopped around with my major and I still managed to get accepted into Nursing school at the age of 19 and there were 7 of us in A&P that are 18-20 getting into the RN program this fall or next spring.

Good luck!

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