Is it more of an accomplishment to be a younger nurse?

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I read a lot of the threads and noticed many people express a bit of resentment that they were not able to accomplish nursing school in their early to maybe mid 20s. They are frustrated that they are in their late 20s and beyond and still have a bit of time to go before they are an LPN/RN.

It seems that in this day in age, there's a lot of pressure to do everything fast and when you're really young. I notice that the early 20s seem to have a bit of pride that they accomplished something so young, and even though I am the same age as them I will not be an RN until I am in my late 20s most likely. (Hopefully mid 20s if my program excepts me). I feel a bit jealous that I am not where they are now. I always had this dream of being an RN, and telling people that I am only 23. But most likely that won't happen.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I think finishing nursing school is a huge accomplishment no matter if you are 21,30,45,or 50.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Frankly, I think it was easier for me to complete my nursing education at the age of 22, without a spouse,children, full-time job or other obligations that it is for the "non-traditional" students who are married, parents, working, caring for aging family members, etc. They have my utmost admiration!

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I wouldn't say getting it young is more of an accomplishment because many nontraditional students were busy accomplishing OTHER things at that age.

Maybe I could have done nursing school at 18. I just kinda wanted to complete a tour in the Army instead which presented it's own challenges.

Now nursing is giving me a new set of challenges to overcome. :)

It would have been nice to know I like nursing at 17 though but that's a different thread.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I am always amazed at the incredible young nurses I've met. I couldn't have done it at that age. I'm still really proud that I managed to work while getting through NS school even though I was a late bloomer.

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I got my AD in nursing at 20, got my BSN a few years later. Along with my pilots license for small aircraft

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatrics, Wound Care.

I think the degree is an accomplishment at any age. I'm 34 now, and will begin nursing school in March. So, I'll be 35 when I graduate. I think my life experiences will have an effect on me. While there are many people that go to nursing school "early" (some even go into programs right out of high school), I don't think that would have been right for me. I think I would have made a terrible nurse, and probably hated it, in my 20s. I also think I would have dropped/failed out of any nursing program then. I've changed, and so has my outlook. If you believe you are ready to become a nurse, then it's not too early. If it takes someone 30 more years to realize it, it's not too late. Either way, it's an accomplishment.

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Specializes in LTC.

I don't think age has anything to do with a sense of accomplishment. I was in no way mature enough for nursing school at 18. I wasn't mature enough for school period.

I think what is an accomplishment is finding a career and place in the world that you are happy with. No matter what that career is.

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Not at all because when I was 19 (the time when I enrolled in college) I didnt want to be a nurse although I had every opportunity to be one(no kids,husband,living at home,they nursing program was recruiting students-no interest in nursing then)I wanted to take different classes and explore more in detail who am I,and I'm happy because now I have more knowledge to what are my likes and dislike,and other than that I dont think I would be a good nurse at the age of 23,I was way too immature....but some people grow up faster...

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I'm a recent ADN grad at the age of 43. My 25+ years experience working in hospitals prior to that prepared me for nursing in a huge way! Sometimes I wish that I'd done it sooner, but I realize that things happen in life when the time is right, so this was the right time for me. Thus, I have no regrets in that respect, and I especially don't resent young nurses for achieving their goals/dreams earlier in life than I did!

Everyone's life situation is different, and so will be their personal sense of accomplishment. For me, the accomplishment was not only surviving, but doing very well in nursing school while also working full-time, raising two little boys (who were 2 yrs and 5 yrs when I began school), and going through a very ugly split/custody fight with my ex on top of it all. That accomplishment has nothing to do with my age :-)

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Along with my pilots license for small aircraft

Sweet!! :up:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I think nursing school is an accomplishment at any age. I went straight out of high school, so I am now a RN at 22, because that was the route that was best for me. I have friends from nsg school in their 30s and 40s, and one who turned 50 senior year. I know I couldn't have managed school and kids/a family. I knew what I wanted to do at this point in my life, so it just worked out for me.

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