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'm 28 years old and I JUST started my first round of pre-requisites. If I'm lucky I will get into the nursing program in my school by the time I'm 29 so don't feel discouraged about your age.
You need to think about it this way - you got the years out of your life where you slacked off and tried to find your way. You've got some years behind you and now you can really focus on what you want and work hard to get there.
Age by far does not mean anything when going into a career you want to. I don't have my bachelors in anything or even an associates but here I am working at it. I never let anyone tell me any different about where I should be in my life. If I wanted this at 18 and did it then or wanted this at 50, I don't care - I will do it when I'm good and ready. Just keep your head up and focus on your studies.
I was reading through this thread and decided I just have to post a reply! Sorry, but I was laughing out loud over what I was reading! I am 45 years old, I have been an LPN for 19 years, I am married with 3 children and 1 grandchild, and I am just now getting around to getting my Associate's for my RN. I can only wish I was in my 20's again and in nursing school!
Relax young ladies, take a deep breathe and enjoy your life as you achieve your goals. You only live once, do your best, have no regrets and take the bull by the horns!!
I'm 29 and about to start my 2nd semester of Nursing school. There is one guy in my class that is going on 50 and he is extremely smart and rocking it. It's never too late! :)
Don't be worried about your age! I am just finishing my first semester, and I'm right out of high school. There are more people in my class that have taken at least 1 year off of school or more than there are 18 year olds right out of high school. We have a lot of transfer students that decided differently, people who were teachers, etc. I think our oldest student is in her 60's. Many people settle into family life and jobs, and they only realize that nursing is their dream career later in life. I guess this may be my case because I am in an ADN program and plan on doing RN to BSN right after. Maybe look into something like that? Most of your credits for your bachelors degree now may not transfer, but they will definitely transfer for your BSN!
This is my first post on allnurses.com! I am 44 years old and still taking pre-reqs. After my AA degree and working as an Administrative Assistant, getting married and having twins who are now 14, I realized I did not want to go back to business. I have been doing medical transcription for 12 years, but this field is coming to a close. I prayed to God feverntly for 6 months for direction and purpose in my new second career after aimlessly taking on-line classes and changing my major 10 times over the last 2 years! This past October my sister-in-law was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer and I became her caretaker postop for two solid weeks. My eyes were opened to my meaning and fulfillment in life - to care, to have compassion, to love. I looked out of the hospital window and in bold letters, plain as day read the words: U of M School of Nursing. My prayer has been answered. Like a previous poster mentioned, it is all about our desire to "care" and fulfill our purpose/goal/dream in life. :)
I decided to take a break from pulling an allnighter in studying for an OB final exam and came across this thread. Eight pages of comments and I know plenty of people commented on how 24 is still young in your nursing pursuit, and I would agree. I pursued nursing at age 28 and age 30 I will receive my BSN (which is in 4 months!). Of course, if I stuck to it when I first entered college over 10 years ago, I would be working on my MSN or DNP at this point. However, it doesn't make sense at this point to cry and complain about my past, instead I focus on changing the now so I can change my future. And my future is a long career in nursing.
The beauty about nursing is as long as you are mentally and physically capable to effectively do your job, chronology age doesn't matter. Wish you and everyone on their nursing journey all the best.
I know this is a kinda old question, but I was feeling the same way. I graduated at 18, and now at 23 I'm just starting to get serious about school. I got my CNA, which I'm proud of but I keep thinking that those 5 years I wasted I could be done or almost done with school, but I just decided that 23 is still pretty young and I'll get older anyway so I might as well be older with a degree.
i wouldn't worry. i am 26 and just got accepted to the adn program i have had my heart set on. it took me 6 years to get my bachelors and at times i wondered about the decisions i made and time i might have wasted. you have to realize that things happen for a reason and there is no sense on worrying about shoulda, woulda, coulda's...... because you cant do anything about them. so just focus on the future and apply yourself. you will get discouraged along the way, that is human nature but don't let it interfere with your goals. in terms of the whole age thing i wouldnt let that discourage you. alot of the people going into nursing (from my limited experience) are older. you have people in their early 20's and people in their 40's with children. just make sure you have a good support system when you do get into nursing school......good luck!
Age, especially your young age, is not really a factor for nursing. I was lucky and knew what I wanted to do while in high school. Because of that, I am the youngest person in my nursing program, having been accepted shortly after I turned 18. I am now 19 and I just completed first semester. I will graduate with my ASN at the age of 20, and I will have my BSN by the age of 22. With that being said, there are a ton of age ranges represented in my nursing class. The youngest person in the class, me, is 19. The oldest person in the class, another male, is in his 50s. Each of us is doing well, and we all passed first semester. Each of us performs well in clinical, and we will all make great nurses. You have plenty of time to be a nurse, and you have years of work ahead of you. If you don't retire until you are 65, and you begin when you are 27, that is 38 years of working as a nurse. Sure, those of us who started at a younger age will work a few more years than that, but it doesn't matter. Age isn't a factor in how well you do your job, how compassionate you are, and how skilled you are. Age really is just a number, and it shouldn't concern you. You will get to your career, in time, and you will have decades of nursing ahead of you. Take a deep breath, put things in perspective, and calm down. I know it seems like you will never be a nurse, but the time will be here before you know it.
Well, four children later and married with 10 years exp in healthcare(not nursing). I'm 37 and finally doing all prereq's. Hopefully, I can start the program in 2013 Fall. It's not to late IMO you're at a great age to start.
I'm 38 and going to RN school. By no means, are you "too old" for nursing school, my dear. Please, stop worrying about what others think, and think about yourself. This time, do take your education seriously. Nursing school is tough, but not impossible. Do the best you can, ask for help when you need it, and enjoy yourself in school in the process. Good luck to you.
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jdlabadia
39 Posts
I'm 28 years old and I JUST started my first round of pre-requisites. If I'm lucky I will get into the nursing program in my school by the time I'm 29 so don't feel discouraged about your age.
You need to think about it this way - you got the years out of your life where you slacked off and tried to find your way. You've got some years behind you and now you can really focus on what you want and work hard to get there.
Age by far does not mean anything when going into a career you want to. I don't have my bachelors in anything or even an associates but here I am working at it. I never let anyone tell me any different about where I should be in my life. If I wanted this at 18 and did it then or wanted this at 50, I don't care - I will do it when I'm good and ready. Just keep your head up and focus on your studies.