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

[ns808]

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?

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

LPN just a few months after turning 39

RN/ADN a few months after turning 44.

and will be 46 when I have my BSN.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I am 38 and just started the program. I will be 40 when I graduate. There are people older than me in my cohort. So it's never too late.

[Nienna Celebrindal]

I just graduated with someone who is 72. She been an LVN for forever and wanted to achieve her final goal. 25 only feels too old because you are 22. When I was 22 25 felt old, but now I'm 32 and I in my head I feel 25. I definitely don't feel old. DOn't freak yourself out before you've actually started, if nursing is your dream DO IT!

[iheartcats]

I will be 26 when I start my ADN/BSN program, depending on which one I get accepted to. So I will finish when I am 28! I feel old sometimes, but it's irrational! We are only in our 20's! Some people just figure out what they want to do sooner than others!

[ksw1978]

I'll be 37 when I start the ADN and (god willing!) 42ish by the time I get my MSN. If you're following your passion, you're never too old!!! (Tired maybe but never too old!)

[Leonardsmom,LPN]

Even though it might not feel like it right now 26-27 is still young. I started college back in 1998 and after changing majors a few times, taking breaks away from schooling, and taking the time to decide what I really wanted to do with my life I have returned back to school at the age of 34. If I get into my ADN program next year I will be 35-36 depending if I get a fall or spring start and will be 37-38 when I get my ADN and my BSN around 39-40 since I am planning on doing my bridge right away. In your 20's, 30's and 40's may seem old, but the time will fly by before you know it.

[emidunklee]

Hey there,

I am also 22 and I am from Michigan and I finally got accepted into my community college nursing program. This fall is my first semester, so far the ride is going smoothly. The time will fly all my instructors say. Just keep your head up and don't worry you will be a nurse before you know it.

[bradley8]

Ha! I have been taking pre-reqs since before I had my first child - I have three now - and that was 2008. I have been on a nursing school program waitlist for 1 year so far, and probably will be waiting at least 2-3 more semesters to get the notice to start. I believe in what the others are saying of - if this is your dream, go and get it. Don't worry about how long it's taking. Work hard and you won't notice the time! Good luck in your journey...

[verene, MSN]

Not a nurse yet, and still taking per-requisites. I'm 27, and only decided to go back to school for a career change last year. Assuming I continue at my current rate of 1-2 classes per quarter (I'm also working), I will take me around 3 years to complete all of my per-requisites - then 2 years for BSN, then probably another 3years for MSN. Sometimes this really frustrates me - I've chosen a path and I want to be on it now! But I have to remind myself that these pre-reqs are a part of that path, and help me to figure out that this really is the direction I want to be heading. I rushed through my first degree and graduated at 21, and then realized I had no idea what I was doing in life or what I wanted out of it. It may take me longer to get where I'm going this time around, but I'm realizing that learning from the journey is also very important, and will hopefully lead to happier and more contented results in the future.

[Dane Meyer]

My journey took six years..too old? I graduated with my BSN when I was 49. I'm now 62; I don't regret any of the time it took to get to here in my career. I've worked in med/surg, home care, hospice and now in consultation/research in geriatrics. Pursue whatever area of nursing interests you, the industry remains wide open!

[rachmac11]

Hi there! Someone mentioned not comparing yourself or your journey to anyone else and I think that is really important. I started my pre-reqs after I had been out of college for one year. Then 4 years later I just got into a program. I am 27, but believe me, I felt the same as you. I have done a lot in my life and it has not always been clear to dive right into nursing. For me, it was important for me to wait, and really feel this was the direction I wanted to go. My husband is 30 and trying to become a firefighter. They have age caps on this kind of thing! If you are older than 34 you might as well not apply. That isn't the case in nursing. A guy I work with said his mom is now an empty nester and she went back to school and got her nursing degree! That is the beauty of this career!

Don't worry if you feel like it's taking forever. Chances are other people feel that way too. If you can load up more classes, do that! If not, don't! Just be patient because when you get in to nursing school you will have a different kind of beast to take on.

[renathabest]

I can so relate to this ! I'm 23 and a student at National University . i plan to apply to the Nursing program this upcoming April. They only allow 20 students in at time, but you get 3 tries to apply. I just keep telling myself not to stress and have faith . nursing is my passion , so I'm willing to to do whatever it takes to get there. No matter how old I am