My journey to become a nurse is taking so long...anyone else feel this way?

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I am at a community college and this fall semester is my last semester. I am taking microbiology, history, health, political science and PE. I am 22 years old and I just cannot wait until this semester is over so I can finally apply! This fall semester will be my 3rd year and finally I will finish my prerequisites and GE courses. I am going to apply to ADN programs and I am hoping to get into my school's nursing program but most of the ADN programs here in Cali are lottery based. I want to save money by doing the RN-BSN collaborative program which will save me a good $10,000. Anyway by the time I get my ADN (If I get in on my first try) I will be 25 and by the time I get my bachelors through the collaborative program I will be 26-27. I feel like I will be too old by then for some reason.

I also have a plan B. I just applied to CSULA psychology program and if I go for that I get my bachelor's in psychology in 2 years because I will be transferring as a upper division student. So it is a bit tempting to know that by 25 I will have a bachelor's but nursing is the career I want but it's taking me so long.

How long was your nursing journey? How old were you when you became a nurse?

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I am at a community college and this fall semester is my last semester. I am taking microbiology, history, health, political science and PE. I am 22 years old and I just cannot wait until this semester is over so I can finally apply! This fall semester will be my 3rd year and finally I will finish my prerequisites and GE courses. I am going to apply to ADN programs and I am hoping to get into my school's nursing program but most of the ADN programs here in Cali are lottery based. I want to save money by doing the RN-BSN collaborative program which will save me a good $10,000. Anyway by the time I get my ADN (If I get in on my first try) I will be 25 and by the time I get my bachelors through the collaborative program I will be 26-27. I feel like I will be too old by then for some reason.

I also have a plan B. I just applied to CSULA psychology program and if I go for that I get my bachelor's in psychology in 2 years because I will be transferring as a upper division student. So it is a bit tempting to know that by 25 I will have a bachelor's but nursing is the career I want but it's taking me so long.

How long was your nursing journey? How old were you when you became a nurse?

Hello!! I am also 22, live in CA, and still working on my dream of becoming a nurse! I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences and have applied for Entry-Level Masters in Nursing! I should hear back within the next few weeks! The program to bridge from a non-nursing Bachelor's to an RN with a Masters is 3 years, meaning I will be 25 when I graduate & can start working!

Keep your head up! I've also felt the same as you, but it's never too late :)

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Mid-twenties isn't that old in nurse-land. You'd be on the younger end in most nursing classes.

Be aware that there isn't much you can do with a bachelor's in psych. You need at the very least a master's to work with your degree.

I'm not sure why you aren't considering going straight for your BSN. CSULB has a 2 year option, which saves you a year (plus a year's tuition). I'm sure there are other schools in the area that are doing this. You will need at least your bachelor's to work in a hospital, especially in the LA area.

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I am 28 and I am in the ADN program. I do not feel too old to start my career. I have been taking courses towards nursing over 6 years. I am a military spouse and a mother of four. I still feel like I am 21, physically speaking. I am more mature, stable, and confident now that I am 28.

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I'm not a Nurse yet but I'm still taking my prerequisites. I have to take them slowly since I work and have 6 children. You are still very young! I'm going to be 36 on the 15th and probably 40 by the time I can call myself a Nurse. You are not old at all you are at a good age to pursue your dream. You will be just fine. Good luck!

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I have finished all my pre req's, applied and have been accepted to start my ADN program technically Spring of 2016, but there are two pre req's that i can start next summer! I'm so excited!! I am 34 with five kids. By the time I start working I will be 38. I started my journey fall of 2009. You're never to old! I plan on bridging soon after, RN-BSN.

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@RunBabyRN I am not going to apply to CSULB because I just don't have the competitive grades in order to get into their school. I will finish community college with a 3.4gpa and their average is like 3.8. I checked their point system and I am not a competitive candidate so I decided to just apply to ADNs and bridge. And about psychology I agree with you but it's a plan B and I'd probably have to go for a masters...but I know I will stick with nursing unless I apply 3-4 times and don't get in lol.

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You're never too old, and it's never too late to chase a dream! I know a woman who is 60 and just finished her first year as a LPN/LVN. She's currently in a RN program that will also award her with an ADN upon completion of the program. I think of her when I begin to feel "old" or that it is taking too long. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Education (math/science) almost 3.5 years ago and currently work as a CNA. From science teacher to CNA, you think I am not ready for a change? I am now 27 and presently in a LPN/LVN program, in fact, the same one the previously mentioned lady graduated from. It's never too late to make a change. With a little bit of elbow grease, you'll get there. Do not forget about living your life to the fullest in the present moment though. Too often we are too far-sighted for our own good. P.S., as someone else mentioned before, I still feel like I'm 21, too. Age ain't nothin' but a number :D YOU'RE DOING JUST FINE, keep going!

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I also worried about my age when I would be done with school too but I realized that it is just one detail within a big picture. You almost being done with prereqs at the age of 22 is still young! I'm just a smidgen bit older than you and I'm applying to some programs soon. Perhaps realizing your dream at a younger age and getting on that pathway sooner is important if you wanted to start working once you're done. As long as you finish and accomplish your goal at no matter what age that is what matters.

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I have a Bachelor's in Psych, and I get along just fine. You just have to find an agency that will give you the chance. In my area, bachelor's level Psych grads get jobs in case management and can do direct client contact in a therapeutic setting, like me.

I just started going back for my prereqs, and it does seem like it didnt take anyone nearly as long as it will for me. Lots of people are going for an ABSN and will be a nurse before I even apply for a program! That's disheartening, but you have to remember that comparing isn't going to get you anywhere.

I won't be a nurse until I'm 30...don't worry about it and enjoy the ride.

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I'm 40 and have a BS and MBA. I'm applying to ADN program next year. I have two more classes and a TEAS V test to take before I can apply. I don't care how old I'm going to be. This is what I want. You're way too young to be talking about being old for any profession. This is my journey, so I'm embracing no matter how old I will be.:D

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I just turned 23, and have 3 classes left. But will be Applying for the fall 2015 nursing program, because the school I attend only does fall applications. But I'm also applying at some other schools just in case! I will be about 26 when I will be done. I to feel like I'll be old because I should of been done with this program last year, but I messed up my gpa. Now I will be happy to just be a nurse idc if ill be 26, even though my friend who is only 20 will be 22 when she is done; so jealous! Lol. I was in class with many that were late 30s and even late 40s and 50s, so don't think you are too old! You can be a nurse at any age!

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