Is 26 too old to go back to school?

[anouk]

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?

[DVorah]

I graduated from my BSN program at 39 years of age -- one of my classmates was actually using his social security retirement to pay his tuition. It is never too late to go back to school -- you are never too old to learn!

[Gamma]

Don't pay attention to naysayers. I worked as an RPN for 20 years and went back to school when I was 38 years old. I graduated as an RN at 40 and am very happy I did. I have been employed full time since then. I have travelled and worked in the middle east, and experienced a totally different culture and have not regretted my decision.

[lauralassie]

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?

no it's not ......go for it ! do what makes you happy !

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

26 too old !!???

I would laugh if I didn't think you were serious!

People live into their 70's-80's and beyond.

That means you will be working a loooong time -26 isn't too old.

[octopus]

I'm 31 and about to study another course!

Plus, in Australia, many of our nursing students are in their 40s and some are even in their 50s.

I wouldn't worry about what other people say. If it's right for you right now - hold your head high and study hard!