Is it too late to become a nurse?

[Alexbor]

Hello everyone,

I have a questions and a concern. I am 26- soon to be 27- and I have decided to go back to my studies to become a nurse. I just had my first child 3 weeks ago and it really made me take a second look at where I'm at and what I'm doing. When I was 22, I began to study to become an EMT. However, I took up a simple job in the mortgage industry while I studied and it eventually sucked me in. I left my studies and stayed in the mortgage business, but I am SICK of it. I regret what I did. Now I wonder? With a total of four years (2 for my pre-reqs & 2 for the nursing courses) am I too old to have a change in mind? By the time I finish I'll be 31. Most poeple jump into this at their early 20's. Will I still have a chance to make this my final choice? Your feedback and encouraging words are welcome.

Thanks

Alex

[iliel]

Check out the average age of the students on the Student Nursing forum I can tell you that it's not younger than 27! I'm 27 and won't enter the program until next fall.

Don't ever think you're too old to do anything!

[ItsyBitsySpider, BSN, RN]

Hey Alex,

I also went back to school at 26 and when I graduate next year I will be 31. You are by no means "too old", if there is such a thing. I had the same fear when I went back but there are people of all ages in school and no one cares anyway because you're all in it together and everyone brings their own uniqueness (?) to the class. By the way, I have 2 children and it is rough but sooooo worth it! Go for it and good luck!

[memphispanda, RN]

I'm 32, I have 3 kids, and I will graduate in December. I'm middle of the road at my school. There are about half in my class that are early 20s, and about half that are late 30s and up.

[LilRedRN1973]

I'm 30 and just started my 2 year ADN program. I goofed around for years, trying to decide what I wanted to do. When I took my EMT class and did my clinical time in the ER, I knew what it was I wanted to do....nurse! So I will be 32 when I graduate and then we will be able to start having kids shortly after that. We already have 2, but they are from my husband's previous marriage and not to be selfish, but I want a baby or two as well! That's one of my motivations to finish nursing school...hubbie has said no way can we afford to have more kids until I have a decent career!!! You are NEVER too old. In my program, there are at least 20 woman over the age of 35. At least!! The rest are under 22....LOL.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Hi Alex,

If this is what you know you want to do I really hope you go for it. I went back to school at the age of 35, and I'm SO GLAD!! It's totally different once you've been out of school for a while - you bring an "enhanced" sense of yourself to your studies.

So you'll be 31 when you're finished ... sounds like a 30-year career to me. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and jump!

Good luck!

~Leigh

[Mint Julip]

Ah, to be 26 again....

I entered a practical nursing program at 35 and have been a nurse for over a year now. I'm currently taking a few classes that I need in order to enter an LPN-RN bridge program.

I too wanted to start a nursing career when I was a lot younger, but life happens. I had my first child at 21 and just didn't have the time or money to devote to school. I was a single parent and worked many hours to support us. So, after my second child turned two I decided that it was time.

I did what was important for my family and I don't have any regrets about waiting for a better opportunity. Look at your maturity as an advantage not a disadvantage. Most of my classmates were mid-late 20s to early 50s and had families. You will do fine. I wish you the best!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I graduated 13 days before turning 30. Nuff said.

[lucianne]

I graduated when I was 39.

luci

[beckymcrn]

I started nursing school in my 30s. My kids and I both were in school, at the same time.

I wouldn't change a minute of it. If you really want to do it, GO FOR IT!

We need good people who WANT to be nurses. It is not an easy job but it is rewarding. Becoming a nurse was one of the best decisions of my life.

[nurseygrrl, LPN]

I am 30 and I'm an LPN...still looking into different RN programs and tuition reimbursement, so it will be a little while before I start. One of my good friends at work is 54 and she got her RN (first time in nursing) at 49...never too late!

[Evie]

in my course there is such a huge range of ages - you are never too old to go back to uni, and anyway, we are life-long learners! even though i am only 21, i started nursing a couple of years out of school and had a similar thought - i thought that the students would all be school-leavers - but this is not so. i actually find that the *minority* are straight from school and there are people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s - women AND men - and it makes for a much more interesting group of people. one student i was with during a prac placement last semester is a lovely lady who will be 60 when she graduates!! i just find that soooo cool. another good thing about being a little older than 18 is that you have life experience and can relate to the patients so well. they will really love having you as a student nurse, believe me! :)