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.
You will be fine! That's what I keep telling myself.
I'm 36, I took my GED a few months ago and have 6 classes completed out of the 26 classes need as pre-reqs required to apply for the BSN program. With a bit of luck I will have completed everything - including the nursing program by 38 years old. I have three children too.
The way i get through it is thinking about the reason I am doing it and keeping that goal in mind. My reason is beacause I want to join the Air Force Nurse Corps.
Everything will work out, just keep your goals in mind!
I know EXACTLY how you are feeling right now. I am 25, and still working on my prereqs. I used to check out Facebook to see how my high school friends are doing, and it was definitely discouraging because they had gone to college right after high school, and I just partied. That was unnecessary torture haha. I just put them from my mind and concentrated on doing my own thing. Finish at your own pace - at least you're going to school and not just hanging out. You will get there before you know it.
I started pre-reqs back in May 2008 - started clinical January 2011(woohoo one year down) all while going part time and raising my four children (ages 13, 8, 7 and 5). I'm 31 years old and will be 33 when I graduate. I wanted to start nursing right after high school too but apparently I did things backwards...lol! Age does not matter if it's something ur heart is set on. I can't wait to call myself a nurse. Good luck:-)
I am 30 and just started my prerequisite in fall. There are so many older ones, you are young compare to us. Just focus on your studies and get all the Ace. Good Luck.
I graduated from nursing school at age 56. I was not the oldest person in my class. The average age of our class was 37. Maybe you should re-think the idea of being too old. Good luck!
I dont think its so much the age as the frustration of looking at everyone around you that has done this and is happily working away and moving on with their life while you're just starting out (or doing a 180 on a previous career). At least if you're anything like me, then thats how you feel :) ugh if only we could turn back time....
Good luck! Just take it one semester at a time and you (we) will be done before you know it!
Learning and growing has no age limit. I was 51 when I started my nursing career and I am currently working on my degree. For me the key was to stop comparing myself with others at every turn and to keep following my dream. I hope you'll follow yours. :)
Oh girl stop stressing! I didn't even know that I for sure wanted to go for nursing until I was like 26! I had all my pre-reqs completed by the time I was 27 (I had completed some a few years before) and was ready to go and even got into a program but had to deny my acceptance because I got PREGNANT! Well I got into a program this last fall at 28 years old with a now almost year old son and I will be 30 when the program in over! I used to worry I was 'too old' but you're never too old and I have classmates in my cohort that are pushing 50! And as far as looming at your high school friends FBs and comparing lives...just bc they have their 'dream job' or whatever they say their perfect life is...does not mean they have it all. It's the Internet! You can put whatever you want up and lie about how happy you are! Lol everything happens when its supposed to, no matter your age! :)
32 and still a year away from graduating.... I beat myself up too, especially since I started the program years ago. But I have health issues that have forced me to take school one class at a time. That you'll get there in the end is what is important. Plus, you've got a good 30+ years ahead of you to work...
JacAn001, BSN
139 Posts
You will be fine! That's what I keep telling myself.
I'm 36, I took my GED a few months ago and have 6 classes completed out of the 26 classes need as pre-reqs required to apply for the BSN program. With a bit of luck I will have completed everything - including the nursing program by 38 years old. I have three children too.
The way i get through it is thinking about the reason I am doing it and keeping that goal in mind. My reason is beacause I want to join the Air Force Nurse Corps.
Everything will work out, just keep your goals in mind!
Best of Luck
Angela