So here is my story, I'm 24 years old. I'm attending a 4 year college and I'm in my Junior year. I'm completing my pre-reqs so that I can get into the program at my school.
Here's the thing...
I have come very far, yes I know, but I can't help but get mad at myself! I should have been a nurse 2 years ago, but when I graduated from H.S...I took a year off, got lazy, and when I decided to go to Community school I didn't take it serious enough.
Now that I'm older and watch the people of my H.S. class already integrated in their field of choice I just can't help but feel discouraged, All I can think about is that I'll be so old by the time I have my FIRST bachelors degree ... Sometimes I cry to sleep thinking I'll never get there. I dont want to give up, and I know I should move forward and not dwell on the past and let go of the "what if's"... I'm just venting ... I know what I want, and I want to become a nurse. I just hope I can make it there.
I live in Twin cities. We have a lot of students in their 40-s in my program. Our oldest student is 50
Where do you live and what program!? I am applying to as many good schools as I can and I love to hear what schools other pre-nursing/nursing students are going! :)
I can see why you feel that way, sometimes it creeps into my mind that I'm 21 (and I'm just 21!) and think I could have went straight out of high school and almost be done by now...but we all have stalls and paths we take. 24 is not too old. You should get that out of your head! There are plenty, tons, of nursing students enrolled at 40+ :)
I'm 30 and will be starting my first ever college course in one month. I'm married and have three kids and I WILL acheive my goals! Don't feel discouraged. You know what you want to do and nothing should hold you back from that. There are many many students out there (myself included) who have gotten a much later start. You got this. :)
It took me until age 34 to get my BA in a field I hated. I immediately started on my nursing pre-reqs. Now at almost 36 I will be starting my ADN program in Januart. I will graduate about 6 weeks before my 38th birthday if I complete my program on schedule. I know many others in my program are just as old or older than I am. One of the men I did my nutrition pre-req with was in his 50s.
Specializes in Transplant & HPB Surgery, Heme/Onc, LTC.
It took me 9 years to get my bachelor's degree (and that was with an associate's) one class at a time. I finished when I was 38. I got my MBA when I was 43. Now, after 21 years in my field, I am changing careers. Although I'm still waiting on a couple of admission decisions, I do have one acceptance in hand so I will be starting nursing school next fall - which is when I will turn 47. (I became an EMT at 45.) I don't even think about my age relative to my goals. Sure, I may have a few more wrinkles and creaky bones than most of my classmates, but I also have the life experience that allows me to get into this with my eyes wide open. Good luck to you, and enjoy the journey!
Haha you are very young and have all the time in the world to complete your degree. So, don't worry about your age. Think positive and move on. I'm male 37 single father with a daughter who's 12 and in my last semester, in a two year degree and thinking of going for a athletic trainer. that is a 4 year degree.. So my point is... Think positive
Haha you are very young and have all the time in the world to complete your degree. So, don't worry about your age. Think positive and move on. I'm male 37 single father with a daughter who's 12 and in my last semester, in a two year degree and thinking of going for a athletic trainer. that is a 4 year degree.. So my point is... Think positive
If you do go for your ATC, it will be an interesting ride to be sure!
Everyone needs to vent! I started my first ADN Program in 2004, failed out. Began the LVN Program in 2006, failed and went back. Went to the LVN-RN Program in 2010 after saving some money, finished a semester late. I'm taking the NCLEX-RN again for the 2nd time next week! I have over 46 credit hours, all the BSN and MSN pre-resquites for the local university! Keep beating yourself up and pushing yourself! You will finish!
Like what everyone else says, age doesn't really matter. I'm 25 and still have 2 years left till I get my BSN. I have a Bachelor's in another field but I felt really confused and stuck for a couple years after I graduated in 2008. I did a lot of research about nursing and decided I should try it. Ended up loving all my prerequisite classes and now that I'm in my program I know that this is what I should be doing with my life.
There's people in my classes who are 19 all the way up to their 50's. My study buddy in my program is 33 and she is married with 4 kids. If it's what you really want, you have to go for it. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your peers' life situations are. You have to do what makes you happy.
I had those same thoughts when I was taking pre-reqs for my BSN program. I graduated in 2009 at age 28, got a great job too! I was never as happy as I was on graduation day. And now, at age 31, I am trying with all my might, my heart and soul to get accepted to a crna school. More school and no life for 2 1/2 years. Do not focus on what you should have done or could have done, focus on your goals and do whatever it takes to reach them! The present and future is what matters, focusing on the past will only slow you down. Go after your dreams!
CupcakeMonster
32 Posts
Where do you live and what program!? I am applying to as many good schools as I can and I love to hear what schools other pre-nursing/nursing students are going! :)