How old were you when you made the choice to become a NP?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hi everyone! I started school to get a BSN at age 26, I was just wondering what a "realistic" age is to go back to school if I did in fact decide to pursue becoming a NP.

How old were you when you started?

Specializes in Critical Care- Medical ICU.

I went back for my NP after 2 yrs in the ICU... will graduate next year, at 23.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

RN BSN at 22. Decided first time to go for FNP at 31, was accepted but did not go. Now 36 and decided to apply again. So hopefully by 40 I might be a FNP!

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Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I was 11 when I made the choice to become a nurse practitioner. Seriously. My class had to do a "career fair." We applied at "jobs" with local volunteers. If we got the job, we could skip a day of school and hang out with the volunteer at their job for an entire day. I applied at ALL of ones I possibly could. Someone else got my first pick (which I think was a journalist?). Anyway, I accepted my "offer" to shadow a nurse practitioner so that I could skip a day of school. That's all that matters when you're 11 years old. The rest is history.

From there, I graduated high school a year early. Earned my CNA (2006). Nurse technician (to perform IVs, Foleys, etc) in 2007. Became an LVN (2008), RN (2009). Went back for my BSN (2010). Started my MSN-FNP in 2011, and just graduated. I'm waiting to take my test. I'm 25.

I do strongly recommend a few years of experience. I don't think it's anything that needs to be drug out to meet some magical quota of years of experience that other nurses deem acceptable. PA's are graduating at 24-26 years of age.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

BSN: 21.

FNP: 23. Will be done (hopefully!) by 25.

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Specializes in ICU, CCL, Tele, Some Management, TNCC.

RN,BSN at 22.... Worked every kind of nursing I could gain exp in :) even worked some leadership and management. Now working Cath lab, applying to FNP school (hopeful to start in November) and I'm 32 :) going to b starting a family during this adventure too haha I may be crazy though!!

thanks! ~b. Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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I completed my BSN at 21 and became a FNP at 24. It was the best decision I have ever made! Many people criticize me about my age, but I had goals and was very focused! Life is what you make of it!

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I made the decision about 37 months ago, got through a two year BSN program while working full-time, worked a year of suffering in a hospital while I completed my first year of PMHNP school, and now I've just started my second year of PMHNP and work in a jail. I enjoy the jail though especially when compared to the hospital, lol.

I like knowing how to treat medical issues that I or a loved one might have - something treatable without far out meds or tools. Beyond that, I'm not really into the physical health stuff, and in advanced health assessment I think "I really have no desire to estimate someone's JVP or chest excursion or put my finger in someone's bum" and can't for the life of me retain what S3 and S4 heart sounds are all about, lol. I enjoy behavior quite a bit though, and I chose PMHNP because it seemed like the best way to slip into mental health. I'd considered getting a doctorate in clinical psychology, but at least with PMHNP I can prescribe and potentially get reimbursed better.

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I completed my BSN at 21 and became a FNP at 24. It was the best decision I have ever made! Many people criticize me about my age, but I had goals and was very focused! Life is what you make of it!

Go you!

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I am 27 and should be done at 29! :) This thread makes me feel old :( lol.

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For all those students who are getting their FNPs at a young age (

I just turned 25 and just started my nursing career on a tele floor. I do want to go back for my masters eventually.. i just dont know if i should wait a couple of years or go back asap.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

@arthrun340 as far as waiting I think that is up to the individual person. I'm 32 now and will be 34-35 by the time I can work in the FNP role. I have a family and other obligations to consider. I really wish I would have completed all my schooling a long time ago looking back when I didn't have as much on my plate. Sure I have nursing experience, however, it's a completely new role and I'll be a "new" nurse in a different role again. I work with an FNP who just turned 29 and has been one for 2.5yrs now. she is JUST now getting married, and thinking about kids, and her education is complete. her livelihood is set and her income is greater than i made at that age. She has a lot more stability and security than I do at this point in my life. I think if it's what you want and you have the means to do so now, then get it over with. healthcare is ever changing and no one knows when they will make it mandatory to get a DNP or some other certification at a later date. =) Just my two cents though!

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@arthrun340 as far as waiting I think that is up to the individual person. I'm 32 now and will be 34-35 by the time I can work in the FNP role. I have a family and other obligations to consider. I really wish I would have completed all my schooling a long time ago looking back when I didn't have as much on my plate. Sure I have nursing experience however, it's a completely new role and I'll be a "new" nurse in a different role again. I work with an FNP who just turned 29 and has been one for 2.5yrs now. she is JUST now getting married, and thinking about kids, and her education is complete. her livelihood is set and her income is greater than i made at that age. She has a lot more stability and security than I do at this point in my life. I think if it's what you want and you have the means to do so now, then get it over with. healthcare is ever changing and no one knows when they will make it mandatory to get a DNP or some other certification at a later date. =) Just my two cents though![/quote']

That's kind of why I jumped into the msn program. I have only been working on the floor for 1.5 yrs, but I figured now is the time to do this if I am going to do this. I got married almost a year ago to the date. We have decided to put babies on hold so I could work and go back for my masters. I am 27 so I'm really hoping I am making a good decision. I will be 29 when I graduate with my NP.

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