Is 26 too old to go back to school?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi, I'm currently working on obtaining my BSN in nursing. Before this degree, I pursued a BA in education. I thought that I wanted to be a teacher. After all it was something that I'd wanted to do since childhood. However, once midway through college something inside of me clicked. I didn't really want to be a teacher, but because I was halway through the program, and had taken loans I decided to go through with it anyway. I took my test for my credentials and once I found myself in the classroom setting, I realized that it was not what I wanted to do and should have trusted my gut instinct instead.

I was always drawn to nursing. Especially when in my junior year of college I went to my doctor and he misdiagnosed my symptoms of being the result of stress. I went to the school NP, and she ran test and found out it was more than stress. (I was SEVERELY anemic)

I was impressed and wanted to make a career change before I started my career as a teacher but was to scared to do so.

To make a long story shorter, everyone in my extended family keeps asking me why am I still in school. The one that really bugs me is everyone saying that I'm simple to old to go back to school. Should I be offended? Has anyone else heard someone say they were to old?

You are never too late to go back to school! I am 37 and in my 1st semester of nursing school. When I was taking some of my prerequisites there was a woman in her 60's who walked out of her current job and was going back to school to be a nurse!!! You can do it!

Hi, I'm currently working on obtaining my BSN in nursing. Before this degree, I pursued a BA in education. I thought that I wanted to be a teacher. After all it was something that I'd wanted to do since childhood. However, once midway through college something inside of me clicked. I didn't really want to be a teacher, but because I was halway through the program, and had taken loans I decided to go through with it anyway. I took my test for my credentials and once I found myself in the classroom setting, I realized that it was not what I wanted to do and should have trusted my gut instinct instead.

I was always drawn to nursing. Especially when in my junior year of college I went to my doctor and he misdiagnosed my symptoms of being the result of stress. I went to the school NP, and she ran test and found out it was more than stress. (I was SEVERELY anemic)

I was impressed and wanted to make a career change before I started my career as a teacher but was to scared to do so.

To make a long story shorter, everyone in my extended family keeps asking me why am I still in school. The one that really bugs me is everyone saying that I'm simple to old to go back to school. Should I be offended? Has anyone else heard someone say they were to old?

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

Im 23 and the youngest in my class. Most are in their 30 and we have a few grandparents in there too. Youre never too old to go back to school, learning is life long

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Specializes in NICU, Vascular, Oncology, Telemetry.
hi, i'm currently working on obtaining my bsn in nursing. before this degree, i pursued a ba in education. i thought that i wanted to be a teacher. after all it was something that i'd wanted to do since childhood. however, once midway through college something inside of me clicked. i didn't really want to be a teacher, but because i was halway through the program, and had taken loans i decided to go through with it anyway. i took my test for my credentials and once i found myself in the classroom setting, i realized that it was not what i wanted to do and should have trusted my gut instinct instead.

i was always drawn to nursing. especially when in my junior year of college i went to my doctor and he misdiagnosed my symptoms of being the result of stress. i went to the school np, and she ran test and found out it was more than stress. (i was severely anemic)

i was impressed and wanted to make a career change before i started my career as a teacher but was to scared to do so.

to make a long story shorter, everyone in my extended family keeps asking me why am i still in school. the one that really bugs me is everyone saying that i'm simple to old to go back to school. should i be offended? has anyone else heard someone say they were to old?

this is my first post, but i just wanted to tell you, very emphatically, no - you are not too old! i was 24 when i realized all i wanted to do was become a nurse. i was finishing my b.a. in communications and i wasn't sure why... so i began the long road while working full-time until i got into a program. my original goal was to become a crna (like so many others) but my focus has since changed now that i'm more aware of all that nursing has to offer. when i mapped out my timeline, i was quite disheartened knowing i would be (gasp!) 31 when i was finally finished!!! eeeek! and even more scary was the knowledge that things don't always go as planned. (truly, they haven't....but i'm almost to the finish line now, so all that matters is that i'm getting where i intended to go all along.)

but the best words of advice i had came from my father. he said "so? you're going to turn 31 anyway. you might as well turn 31 as a nurse....be what you want to be." simple as that. i've never looked back!! i knew i would kick myself if i didn't start. another year would pass by and i'd be thinking the same thing: gee, if i had started last year, i'd already be a year into it and only have x years left...

i wish you the best of luck and if you want it badly enough, it will happen. as for the family always asking about why you're still in school, i just tell 'em "i'm a lifer!" ya gotta love your family, but i realized the ones that ask those questions do so because they just don't understand. i am confident i will be happy with my career choice for the rest of my life. can they say that??

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Hi, I started my nursing career almost 13 years ago. Between owning a restaurant and having 3 small children, I didn't finish. I am now 36 and going back to school this August to start over again!! Just finished my CNA and working in a nursing home. I can't wait to get back to school. Don't let your age decide your future!! Good Luck!!

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No way! I went back to get my LPN at age 46, and went on and got my RN at age 48. Even though I don't have that many years left, I still feel I have enough left to give all I can and do what God intended me to do. I've learned one good lesson in my journey through life is that God works in his own time and everything has a purpose.

Congrats on beginning your journey!

Teena

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I am 25 and about to graduate this December. Go to allnursingschools.com and look for what they call a "Second Degree" nursing program. You can get a B.S.N. in 12-15 months, depending on the program you are enrolled in. Although extremely accerlerated and fast-paced, it is well worth it. If you decide on a second-degree program, you will have to realize this will be your life, and I mean LIFE for the next year or so. More and more second-degree programs are popping up around the U.S. I currently am enrolled in Robert Morris University's program, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Good Luck with everything!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Haven't read the previous replies... only read the title of the thread.

Please do a search on this topic. It's been covered a bazillion times. And there is much encouragement in those prior posts.

People are graduating in their 50s, 60s and 70s every year.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Rehab.

Your 26 and worried about being too old??? I was 46 when I went back to school for my LPN. I am now turning 48 and have just started classes for my RN. Your never too old! Good Luck

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Your 26 and worried about being too old??? I was 46 when I went back to school for my LPN. I am now turning 48 and have just started classes for my RN. Your never too old! Good Luck

I was thinking the same thing. 26 and questioning whether too old to go back to school?

The OP has been an adult for a whopping....8 years??

Good God, many 20-somethings (or older for that matter) are still finding themselves and what they want to be when they "grow up".

I was 26 when I graduated from LPN school and I would say that more than half of my class was definitely over 30 and a some over 40 and 50.

I can't believe that anyone would say that 26 is getting too old to go back to school. Going straight to college out of high school and getting a bachelors at 22 is most definitely not the trend these days unless you have mom and dad paying the bills (and how many are in that type of position these days?)

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Specializes in LTC.

You will never be younger than you are right now. Think about it.

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Well, it seems that I just about hold the record (at least in this thread!) for starting late in nursing school. I started back at 45, and will graduate in December with my ADN at 48. FWIW, I'm beating the GPA pants off all the younguns in my class! ;) Dux

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Hello,

I too, pursued a degree in education 10 years ago. I love teaching but I have an empty feeling that needs to be fulfilled. I have decided to follow my passion and left teaching 2 years ago to pursue my nursing degree. I am 43 years old. My mother is a nurse. I have a sister that is a nurse but I am still getting questions of "Why do you want to do that?" Yes, at 43. My family is in a bit of sacrifice right now because we are used to two incomes but that is my story. If you are alive and healthy, go for it. It will only be too late when you are unable to understand and comprehend the nursing curriculum. :studyowl:

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