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

[Ms. Nurse Assistant]

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.

[NursingStudent50]

Hey don't give up. I am 23 as well but nursing is all I ever wanted to do. I have found that the

majority of students are not the "traditional" students. Many of my classmates have other degrees,

had other careers for a long time, a have extended families, some being grandmothers. I have a lot

of respect for those peers especially because of their family responsibilites and other jobs. I am younger,

no kids, no job, and only have to take care of myself and find it difficult to get everything done.

I can also tell the "immaturity" factor in my younger classmates, but even some with older one.

Nursing school takes much hard work and dedication and I believe it takes responsibiltity and

dedication to succeed. but, no matter your age and what you must to, DO IT!!!

[Lily C.]

I became an RN at 22, but I always admired my older classmates who seemed calmer and wiser.

Any age is a great time to become a nurse! I don't think it is any more of an accomplishment either way.

[WSUCougarBSN]

There is no hurry! Life is long, and we would only be rushing ourselves. I was one of the older students in my class. I didn't resent the younger ones... Everyone comes to their place at their time. :-)

[wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN]

As an RN at 23...also a BSN..I am scared and embarrased actually to share this information to co-workers who are older, or who have been in nursing longer, because based on my experience so far, people resent me when they find out. I am not proud of having such titles at the end of my name yet because I am inexperienced (even though I know I really worked hard for this), I bow down to experienced nurses, and I take the CNAs seriously and learn from them too. But everyday, as I go to work I find myself more and more mature.. nursing work really requires a lot of maturity, sometimes I am still ambivalent and find myself asking 'why am i in charge of another person's health?' Lots of times I doubt myself and wish I would've started first as a CNA, then as LPN then as an Rn..that kind of thing, but there's nothing I can do now but be an RN. Being the youngest nurse in my facility, a lot of the older employees see me and say, "I should go for my RN too", and the residents are amused because it's like I'm the granddaughter who actually has time to visit them. But I always believe that accomplishments can be achieved at any age, as long as you work hard, you will get whatever you dream in life.