Should have started sooner

ssalulu · Apr 20, 2013

I also got a late start. I've wanted to be a nurse for a while, but there were obstacles in my path that kept me from accomplishing my goal sooner. I'm 32 and just graduated ADN. I regret that I am getting started so late, but putting it into perspective, I'm still young and still have many years ahead of me to gain experience and accomplish all I have set out to do. You can't change the past, so move forward and good luck!

nbsublime · Apr 20, 2013

One of the nurses at my job is 50 and going for her BSN. Its never too late! I will be 35 when I graduate if all goes well. Good luck to you!

future_nurse215 · Apr 20, 2013

Thank you so much for the encouragement ! I am very determined to be a nurse. I wish you luck and nothing but the best

Trenata · Apr 20, 2013

It seems that average age to begin nursing is older. I am beginning my prereqs at 36. I can't tell you how many times I have seen the post on Allnurses, asking "Am I too old?!"

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 20, 2013

Don't feel too bad. I'll be 40 when I'm done... Had I started this journey back when other members of my family were urging me to get into this field, I'd now have been working for nearly 12 years. I did have all my prerequisites done back then except for a couple... and I finally decided to get back into it, got my "stuff" updated where necessary, and started applying. It took me 4 years to get accepted.

Personally, I figure that if you're younger than dead, you're young enough to pursue something challenging and fun!

Spinicki82 · Apr 20, 2013

Do not feel that you are to old. I was surprised how many older students were in my classes. I am 30 and will begin nursing school this fall. I do not regret a day going back to school.

future_nurse215 · Apr 20, 2013

Thank you guys so much for responding! I just can't wait to start and finally get to where I need to be. I'm just happy I'm not the only one who feels this way.

TNT365 · Apr 20, 2013

I got a late start also. I am 32 years old and decided about a year ago that I needed to go back and finish school. I have always wanted to be a nurse and have been in the medical field since I was 18. So I moved back home with my parents and they are helping me out with my 2 boys while I work and continue school. I was accepted in my community college Nursing Program for Fall of 2013 and I cant wait.

Once, I saw there were a lot of people that went back after raising their family, I felt better. I thought I just wasted my years away but my boys came first. So I worked to take care of them. Luckily, I have always had a good paying job. I love the medical field and taking care of others. I wish I would have started sooner also, but I am also glad I waited and now I am more focused.

I will be continuing on to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)

Good Luck and it is never to late to go back!!!

MommaTy · Apr 20, 2013

It's never too late :) Some people don't know what they want until they are in their 50s. Don't think that way about I should have, you did what you wanted at the time. I graduated high school in 2004. I didn't start college until I was 21 in 2007. It took me 5 years to finish all my pre-reqs. I just got accepted at the age of 27 for the ADN program. Good luck and don't look at it like look how many classes I have to go. Look at it like one less class I have to do that is done.

ashleyjbholmes · Apr 20, 2013

I am 29 now, next semester will be my last semester of prereqs. I had so many issues going on graduating highschool, that i did that by the skin of my teeth. I know now, the things that were depressing me then wasn't really that much of an issue. Anyway, that is beside the point. If I would have have done this right after high school I probably would't have made it through. Of course I have regrets, every one does. Anyway good luck :)

WoundedBird · Apr 20, 2013

I started redoing classes at 25 and I'll be starting a grad entry program a few months before turning 29. While this is on the younger side of the student spectrum, I feel that if I decided to go for my BSN in college I would have been unsuccessful. It took working a big girl job to really take pride in my work (of any kind) and I became a much better student because of not settling for average or just getting by. I used the pre-reqs as a way to hone my study skills and see what worked better for me as an 'adult learner'.