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?

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

:trout: You are the perfect age.

I'd rather be 26 and still in school than miserable in my job like so many other people our age. I have come across countless people who commend me for changing career paths at my age. They are miserable in their chosen profession.

As far as your family, are they paying for your education??? At 26, probably not. Tell them when it's their money they can tell you what to do. Until then, they should be happy you are doing something that is productive to society, noble, respectful, and most of all makes you happy. Do what you want to do, not what others want you to do.

I started nursing school at age 29. Now I will be starting law school at age 34..It's never too late.

Specializes in OR, MS, Neuro, UC.

You are adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take it from this new RN, the nursing program at 52 was tough but doable...

I graduated June 5th after 34 years of on and off college, I had been an LVN for 22 years and something always "came up". I start my first RN position in Urgent Care on Tuesday, tomorrow I leave my last LVN position in OR. I really do still love nursing and I'm looking forward to the next 22 years! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:nurse:

I started nursing school at age 29. Now I will be starting law school at age 34..It's never too late.

Your post made me feel better! After nsg school I want to go back to law. I figure I'll be 34 when I graduate law school.

Never too old to do what makes you happy.

Specializes in Burn ICU, Psych, PACU.

Oops...I guess if 26 is too old, it's a little late for me. Went back to school at 40, graduated nursing school with honors at 44, and am working as an ICU nurse at 45...I wish someone would of told me before I started that I was tooooo old...I could have saved a lot of time and knitted a lot of sweaters on my porch at my decrepit old age! Ha! Good luck to you at whatever you do and at whatever age you are! ;)

Heck no girl!

I'm 44 y/o and awaiting acceptance into LPN to RN transition program....God willing I will begin in January!:nurse:

"Get er done!!!!":wink2:

Sandy

Orlando, FL

I just finished an LPN program and got my license. Start next week in an LTCF. I'll start my RN before the first of the year through Excelsior. I'm 53.

I just received my Master's in Health Administration last week. I will be 61 next month. I was talking to the college about maybe going on to get my Doctorate. They told me that they had a 84 yr. old getting his Doctorate. It is how strong the desire is. I have been going to college for the past ten years. I received my Associates, Bachelors and now my Master's. I am expecting to start another Master's next year in Justice and Securities. Your job will take up more hours a week than anything else. Do you want to be miserable or enjoy your job? Age has nothing to do with it, just a lifetime of satisfaction.

hi:

i'm 53 and just passed my state boards (lpn). the day after finals i re-upped for rn.....!!!

no-one dares tell me i'm too old, and anyway it's my money paying for school - no one else's!

go for it!!!

melba

ps: i was not at all the oldest grad in my class either!!!:mortarboard:

I just received my Master's in Health Administration last week. I will be 61 next month. I was talking to the college about maybe going on to get my Doctorate. They told me that they had a 84 yr. old getting his Doctorate. It is how strong the desire is. I have been going to college for the past ten years. I received my Associates, Bachelors and now my Master's. I am expecting to start another Master's next year in Justice and Securities. Your job will take up more hours a week than anything else. Do you want to be miserable or enjoy your job? Age has nothing to do with it, just a lifetime of satisfaction.:mortarboard:

Quote: WHEN I LET GO OF WHAT I AM....I BECOME WHAT I MIGHT BE!

Specializes in ER.

I started my Gen Ed classes for nursing school when my daughter, my second child graduated H.S. in 2001. I was 41.....I graduated with my ADN in Dec of 2004 and am now working on my BSN completion which I will complete in August 2007. I worked FT and even sometimes 2 jobs until the Oct before I graduated and went PT for 2 months and took a full course load at school. I withstood a very traumatic event the Spring before I graduated...my grades dropped a little but I finished on time. So something is to be said about being older and in school. I too like some of out fellow nurses have said on this site think it takes maturity and life skills to get through nursing school. I am glad I waited.

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