Starting school in late twenties

Columnist · Jan 10, 2018

I have taught nursing school in the community college system. The majority of students admitted to our program were non-traditional students- like yourself. You may find your age brings maturity and a focus that you may not have had 10 years ago.

bluestar776 · Jan 10, 2018

I'm also 27 and have finally realized how much I want to be a nurse lol.

Those 3-4 years will go by fast and when you're in your 30's and finally a nurse it won't matter that you started at 27.

Rb72390 · Jan 10, 2018

I'm also 27 and I already have a bachelor's that I couldn't find a job with, which was super frustrating, but I'm enjoying school a lot more now. I don't sweat the small stuff and I don't fear exams anymore.

RainbowSprinkles · Jan 10, 2018

best advice out..is stop worrying about your age, think about the journey!!! Im 30 with a bachelors in business management ( achieved at 24). Ive been pursuing nursing for 2 years actively now. I'm still not in a nursing program. There will be bumps in the road, don't give up. And I can not stressed this enough, take age out of the equation. We will in a society where there is so much pressure on where we should be and what we should be doing by a certain age. Just enjoy the little baby steps on your journey of growth to becoming a nurse. : )

verene, MSN · Jan 10, 2018

I think the average age in my ABSN cohort was 27 or 28 and spanned 22 to 55. Many, many people decide they want to go to nursing school later in life. I wouldn't worry about your age.

As for getting into and through nursing school - take it one step at a time. Find out the pre-reqs you need and focus on getting those done first (even just taking it one quarter at a time) when you look at the big picture it can be daunting, but taking it a little bit at a time it will be over before you know it.

drd18, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2018

The most helpful advice I've received on this topic is that the next 3-4 years are going to pass whether you are pursuing nursing, or continuing to do what you are doing now. 4 years from now, you know you would rather come out a nurse than in a career you ultimately don't love. I say go for it!! I realized my senior year of my undergrad that I wanted to pursue nursing. I wasn't even done with my first degree and I was so terrified and discouraged of essentially "starting over". Trust me you will feel like the time flies once you get going and acceptance to a nursing school is around the corner!

OliverElio87, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2018

I started nursing school at 27 and just graduated with my BSN!

the_murse_factor · Jan 11, 2018

I didn't start my bachelors program until I was 25 ish and I started nursing school at 34. I'm now 36 and starting a LPN-RN bridge program soon. At 27 you most likely gained some maturity to be able to focus more on your studies and the goals that you are trying to obtain. Don't let age be an issue.

LPN1118 · Jan 11, 2018

Congrats on considering going back! I think that when you go back after being out of school for a few years, that you have more maturity and can prioritize and focus better. I went back in my late 30's and will be graduating this year at 42! I regret no going back to school sooner but I am glad that I had the motivation to go back

Rachellynn11, ADN · Jan 11, 2018

Hi everyone! I am SO thankful I found this thread. I am 26 and decided to start all over again by pursuing a nursing degree. I graduated with a liberal studies degree that got me absolutely no where. (at least not with a job with purpose!) At times I feel down because I feel older, I'm also very nervous about my transcript back in my undergrad because I didn't take school serious. I am taking my pre-reqs now and I am doing so well but I still fear the rejection. Any stories that are similar? Best of luck to all you amazing ladies! and men too! :)

drd18, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2018

In my experience, at least for a second degree nursing program, your "pre-nursing" core are weighted heavier than the other random classes in your undergrad. So really focus on your sciences, and sometimes math and English get thrown in there. Also focus on taking whatever entrance exam is required and scoring well and those points will go a long way as well. I'm not sure if where you live works on point systems but this is how it's worked for me!