Is it time to give up?

RN403, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

If your gut is saying nursing then go for it. Give yourself another chance. I know many amazing nurses that initially did not succeed but they did not give up. Don't worry about running out of time...many people older than 21 have followed their gut and it led them to a great career in Nursing. Maybe you just need to take some time to sort through your thoughts/prepare yourself to try again.

Don't ever give up on yourself.

No need to apologize...this is exactly what this site is for. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

RubySlippers:) · Jul 4, 2014

Don't ever give up. You're ONLY 21. Don't worry about when you're "supposed" to graduate. You do what it takes to accomplish your dreams. No matter how long it takes.

HolisticRN2016 · Jul 4, 2014

I'm 40 and just figuring out what I wanna be when I grow up! Lol. I Will be starting an ADN program in the fall. You should give it another try if that's where your heart is. I have a son your age. He also knows already what he wants to do as well. I wish I was this focused at this age. Good luck to you!

RunBabyRN · Jul 4, 2014

21 is younger than you think. Don't let your "advancing age" hold you back.

Now, that said, I understand what you mean about the dietitian route, because I researched it for myself as well, and in speaking with RDs in the world, as you said, internships are INCREDIBLY hard to come by. If your heart was really in it, I'd say go for it, and make it work, but it will take a lot of stamina to maintain your motivation.

Would you be able to get back into a nursing program so soon after withdrawal? Usually if it's a recent thing, programs won't take you back, whereas if it's been a couple of years and you've had some life experience and learned more about yourself in that time, it's much more likely they'll accept you.

Have you considered taking a year off and doing some soul-searching? I did this, and I am really glad I did. You learn a lot about yourself when you do this.

nlitened · Jul 4, 2014

You are still very young, you have time to do some soul-searching to figure out what you really want to go to school for. But if your gut is telling you nursing, and it's something you know you will enjoy, then there is your answer. Don't let anything that has happened in the past get in your way. Move on with your decision and think of the future.

ladyk84 · Jul 4, 2014

Hello! I'll be 21 in 11 days and most of my peers are "suppose" to graduate next year. I still have 2 years to go! Plus 1 more after that when I go for my BSN. There's no time limit on an education. Many woman and men on here are in their 30's and up pursuing nursing. They say, "Comparison is the killer of joy". Nutrition is the degree my University declared me because my GPA wasn't high when I started out. I got the hell out of Dodge and found a new program because that wasn't for me!

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

So many of us didn't have it figured out at 21, and so many of us had other plans at 21. You're the only one who can make the decision, but don't feel pinned into anything you don't feel a drive toward.

nurse2be13 · Jul 4, 2014

Don't give up

Toaster · Jul 4, 2014

Thank you for the responses!!

@RunBabyRN, I re-applied a month after I left the program. I checked the program status and it said "Readmission/reinstatement: YES". But I do believe that since I re-applied so quickly, it maybe a factor of getting rejected as I asked one of the admission officers and she said that a group of admission officers would decide whether to let me in again.

@ladyk84, Were you in Nutrition program too?

I have just declined my food and nutrition offer.

Carpediem1012, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

It is certainly not too late lol! I just turned 39 and am two years in with two more to go! :) I think the biggest question is, are you REALLY ready this time? We all know the commitment that nursing school is. It's ok if you aren't. Saying it's the only thing you want to do won't make you commit. I was a student at your age and had the opportunity to become a veterinarian. It was the only thing I wanted- but- I wasn't ready to buckle down and work. I quit midway through and to be honest, I'm not sorry. It's only now that I am ready to dig in and get it done. You only get so many chances before they are going to say, "no thanks". Make sure you mean it and then I say go for it! Otherwise, as others have said, it's ok to take a little more time.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

You definitely have plenty of more years to worry about getting too old. I took time off after I graduated with a B.S. last May, spent some time off and traveling/working, and just came back a few months ago. It was a really great time of reflection and serious thought into my future, which forced me to face my situation as an adult and look into career options. I recommend taking a little time off, if you are able to, and maybe work as a CNA or something in the medical field, since that is the direction you are heading. I'm about to turn 23, and I love that I still had the time to make mistakes and learn from them before they became too costly (although earning a B.S. and then returning back to school is quite expensive, it seems).