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

Nurses General Nursing

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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 Critical Care, Postpartum.

Since I was 17, but actually took the classes for it at age 27. Should be getting it by 29.

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I will be 33 next month, and am starting Nursing School this Fall as a second career. I will be 34 (almost 35) when I graduate.

By the way, 30 is not that bad!

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

Had an idea at 6 when my little brother was born at home. But came from a family that NEVER even discussed college. That was also the first time BSN is going to be required and there was no way to afford that.

life goes on, yada, yada, yada.....

Moved with hubby and left a good job. He encouraged me to go to school so at 42 I took my first college class and 3 years later (did all the co-regs first) graduated 2nd in my class. Passed the NCLEX right before my 45th birthday!!!

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Thanks everyone for your responses, they're great, and I love hearing about why you chose to go into nursing! :)

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Specializes in Dialysis,M/S,Home Care,LTC, Admin,Rehab.

I may have a unique/spiritual/metaphysical way of looking at things, but I feel that I honestly "decided" to become a nurse...when I took on this life time. All things, events and circumstances energetically led me to where I am today. :)

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Specializes in Mom/Baby.

I decided at 21 when I had my son. I wanted to be an L&D nurse. I didn't get into nursing school until I was 26 (tried accelerated BSN programs for years with no luck). Just finished at 28 and start my job on the mom/baby unit in 2 weeks!

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Specializes in ICU.

In a nutshell:

I was 8 yrs old and my mom was a nursing assistant; I thought she was a nurse. At that time, I wanted to become a nurse or a movie star! I moved to Hollywood when I was 19 (I had a high school friend out there) and I chased that dream for a few years....just as it was about to become a reality, I got married, got pregnant right away and once my son was born, I didn't want be an actress anymore (didn't want my son to grow up in Hollywood - too fake).

I got divorced after 2 years and was a single mom for almost 9 years. I got remarried and was given the greatest gift, my new husband told me to quit my job and pursue my other dream.....nursing. I graduated almost 3 years ago, at the age of 41 and I am blessed that God gave me the chance to pursue such a rewarding career!

I now work in ICU (for almost 2 years) and couldn't be happier (much more rewarding than being a movie star!!). I hope to continue my education next year when my son goes off to college and I continue on to a career as a nurse practioner.

It's NEVER too late to chase your dreams; it may be ALOT of hard work (I was lucky that I didn't have to work while going to nursing school), but it's so worth it!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Nursing is a second career for me. I graduated last year at 51.

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Specializes in ICU.
I was 20. And for purely pragmatic reasons. I was pregnant with a loser, and my crystal ball told me I wasn't going to get any help from him. So I picked at job with guarenteed employment and flexible hours (I had the optomistic thought I'd get married and I wanted a job that could work around my husband's hours.) Oh how things have changed. No more flexible hours (mostly 12 hour shifts now) and I'd hate to be a GN in this environment. Pay has gotten better, though.

I've heard I didn't pick nursing for the "right" reasons. Well, I managed to graduate (half the class didn't), pass boards on the first try (ten pecent didn't) and I'm still working in the hospital (most aren't, and at least one lost her license.) I'm still pluggin' along.

Why not choose an RN position out of the hospital at this point? There are so many other options (insurance companies, drug companies, etc.)

Life's too short to be in a job that you weren't meant to be in (and love with all your heart).

Just my 2 cents worth.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Said I wanted to be a nurse from the time I was 5 (We knew no one with any nsg/medical education & no one in my family had ever been to college so where my young mind got this we have never figured out).

Had my LPN by 19. Old enough to care for 50 elderly residents and supervise 2 much older CNA's, but not old enough to go have a beer with them when we got off work. :lol2:

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

The very first time I considered being a nurse was when my momma (a single mom at the time) went to nursing school and graduated and became a nurse which she graduated in 2000 and I was 8yo going on 9yo. I then flipped around on other careers, all related to the medical field. Doctor (psychiatrist, anesthesiologist, hospitalist) clinical psychologist, marine biologist/ marine animal vet etc.....

Finally my junior year in high school (I was 15) I realized that all I ever really wanted to do was nursing, not just to be like my mom but it's really what I wanted. So then, at 15yo in the 11th grade I permenantly decided I wanted to be a nurse and maybe a NP one day. I am now 17 and just graduated (sorry, it seems like I mention my age and graduation on every post b/c I'm so glad about graduating) from HS and I have taken 3 college classes since my junior year and I am now in summer classes at a local CC.

I want to be a nurse b/c I don't mind, so much, being in the background sometimes. Nursing just clicks and works in my head.

I began reading my mothers old nursing books and my cousins up to date ones (she just graduated this past May, Takes the NCLEX 2nd week in July) since 15. I purchased my own books on basic nursing skills and fundamentals and the laws of nursing practice in NC. To this day I still study and look trough those books as much as I can even though I won't start NS till fall 2011. I want to be somewhat prepared and familiar with at least a few concepts when I enter into the rigorous world of Nursing School.

Oh, and you are most definitely not too old to become a nurse. Take it in steps if you have too. Start with CNA then LPN then RN then BSN etc.... If you have to. Don't tell yourself you cab't or your too old. Most of the graduates from nursing programs around here are entering nursing as a second career and arein their late 40's and 50's. Please do me a favor and go for it!!!!!!!!!!!

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Finally my junior year in high school (I was 15) I realized that all I ever really wanted to do was nursing, not just to be like my mom but it's really what I wanted. So then, at 15yo in the 11th grade I permenantly decided I wanted to be a nurse and maybe a NP one day. I am now 17 and just graduated (sorry, it seems like I mention my age and graduation on every post b/c I'm so glad about graduating) from HS and I have taken 3 college classes since my junior year and I am now in summer classes at a local CC.

Congrats on graduating! Don't feel badly about mentioning it a lot, it's a great accomplishment and you have every right to be proud and excited to graduate!!! :yeah::redpinkhe

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