how old were you when you decided to become a nurse?

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(sorry if this thread has been discussed ad neausem, but I couldn't find any others that were specific to this question)... how old were you when you decided to become a nurse? And at what age did you start studying to be one? I'll be 29 next week (ack! almost at the big 30! :mad:), and I know I'm not too old to become one, I'm just curious at what ages people started. Thanks :)

Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

I was 38 when I started taking the science prereqs. Had two detours that threw me off track. Obtained my ADN at 42.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I was 22 when I became a CCU tech and 25 when I became a nurse

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I was sixteen when I decided, and 17 when i went away to school. :]

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I was 30yrs old when I enrolled in my first pre-req class. It took me 4yrs to go less than part time to achieve my ADN.

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44 When I Started :)

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

16 when I decided - graduated LVN at 19.

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

I started working in LTC as an aide when I was a senior in high school, so 17...

at 18 I got pregnant... decided I needed something better to do with my life, had my daughter at 19, started LPN school at 20 and have been nursing ever since! I have been an LPN for 8 years now and am currently working on my RN. Though I may not have chosen it for the "right reasons" I love it. Cant imagine doing anything else. Growing up, my only dream was to be a wife and mother, career didnt really matter!

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I was 8 years old, in 2nd grade, and was named "class nurse"-helped others kids that got sick in class. Became a nurse's aide at 15. Worked a variety of jobs and was rejected by one diploma RN school because "my weight was not proportionate to my height"-if I was 7 feet tall it would have been! But I digress...

Went to a private LPN school and graduated in 1982 with no desire to go further. My LPN diploma has served me very well over the past 28 years.

:smokin:

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

32 when I decided (2nd career) and I will get my license (fingers crossed) at 35!

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I should have said...this is will be my second career. :)

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Specializes in Family Practice, Emergency Nursing.

I decided that I wanted to become a nurse when I was in the 2nd grade. I am 24 now and I was recently looking back on an old biography that I wrote during my 2nd grade school year. I mentioned that I either wanted to be a Ballerina (which I danced for 19 years) or a Nurse.

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I am a 36 yo male and returned to nursing school 2 years ago. I say "returned" because I started nursing school when I was 18 and quickly found that there were more expenses involved than I had taken into consideration. For example, going back meant nearly $500 in IZs alone. I regretted leaving nursing for business managment school. Happily, I made the leap to return, and I have rarely enjoyed life so much. I love school and the challenge. I say, never too late. Just do it!

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