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

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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?

Hi, thanks for your interesting topic. I am now 31 just graduated bsn and now I am preparing for my PNLE for the coming November. I can see myself in you, I am also worried that I will not be able to apply abroad with my age but as what I have read to all comments here I can feel like boosting my energy and being inspired by them. Last night I was drunk until morning because of being depressed about the situation, I don't have current job at this moment my brother is financing my studies but when it comes to my personal belongings I feel pity of myself because I want to work or at least to have a part-time job but I am afraid I will fail my examination soon so I am really confused. Again this forum is a big help. Imagine nursing school is so stressful to just focusing on our age;-)

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Specializes in Step-down ICU.

I agree with you I will be 42 when I'm done with the adn program, been an lpn for 11 years and will start adn on 29th of the month! Took me awhile to complete prereqs, but you have nothing but time.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

If it was easy everyone would do it. I earned my BSN in 2006. It was brutal and hard and exhausting. However compared to working nights with 5 or 6 patients. I miss those days....

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I hate to say this but none of the guys or gals here are too old for nursing. I've met students who are 45 and still wants to get into nursing school! Dont be discouraged!

I just turned 20 yrs old last Aug and on my last year at CC. I'll be applying to CSULB for fall 2015. While you guys are worried about being "too old" for nursing, I'm worried that I'll be underestimated for lacking experience. Initially, I was aiming for ADN at my CC, but my counsellor told me that I should just transfer out because ADN and BSN takes roughly the same years to finish. My concern is that the differences in the expenses will be great. Right now, Im waiting for Oct 1 and I'll see what happens

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

You're never too old when achieving your dreams.

I just turned 39. I've been an LVN for 10+ years. Just applied to 3 ADN programs and 1 more next week. While I'm waiting to be accepted, I'm finishing the last prerequisites for BSN. I haven't done the math. I just want to one day walk across the stage first as an RN then as a BSN graduate :) no matter how long it takes.

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Specializes in Emergency.

22? I have a bottle of scotch older than you. Don't sweat it. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, you never know when it'll fork. And when it does, follow the advice of the great philosopher Yogi Berra, "when you come to a fork in the road, take it."

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I felt for a long time that I was too old to go back to school, call me a late bloomer, but I can't stop until I can achieve what I have always wanted to be. I am 44 and no matter what I would rather live the rest of my life doing what I love than continuing down the path of working in a job I hate going to.

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Girl I'm 28 going on 29, two classes left and going for aBSN. I'll be done when I'm 32 and I'm NOT OLD!!! I feel like I'm 18 again and I've been trying to be a nurse for ten years so it's taking long but success doesn't see age ;)

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