Survey: How old were you when you entered the nursing profession?

Totone656 · Sep 9, 2001

I stayed home and raised 2 great sons. After working as a receptionist at $6.35 an hour I decided I had to do something. So, I signed up for a medical transcription course at a local community college. I was 39....8 years later and a story to long to go into I got 2 degrees and one licence. I do not regret going to college. I just regret some of my personal choices I made to get to this point in my life, but hopefully those choices help improve a nursing department for the better.

dtweed · Sep 9, 2001

I was 20 when I started LPN training. I was 21 two weeks before graduation. Went back and received my ADN when I was 40. But my mother did one better she graduated with her LPN when she turned 55. She altered her birth certificate and drivers license to get a job because no one would hire a new grad that was 55. Yes she did look younger than her age. She had many years of life expereinces that made her a very seasoned nurse upon graduation. She had to go on disability at age 62 from COPD. She stated her only regret was she hadn't done it sooner. I love being a nurse and wouldn't do anything else.

rncountry · Sep 10, 2001

Started nursing school in 1989 at 25 years old, one of the youngest in my class. The day I started nursing school, my oldest child started kindergarten. My youngest was two. I graduated two years later from my ADN program, 10 years after having graduated high school.

Harleyhead · Sep 10, 2001

I was 46 when I became an RN after a long career in the US Navy. When I was in the Navy I despised nurses now I are one.

LoriUSAFRN · Sep 10, 2001

Received my ADN on my 20th birthday! Also the same day I could have my first legal drink!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 10, 2001

1977- LPN @22

1982 - BSN,RN @27

2004- MSN, FNP hopefully... never too late to learn new skills!

lever5 · Sep 10, 2001

I was 37 when I graduated with my ADN and 48 when I recieved my BSN, I will break the 50 mark reaching for the MSN. Education keeps me involved in active learning. improves my attitued and stops that burned out feeling. No age limit, learn for the joy of learning.

babsRN · Sep 14, 2001

I graduated from an AD program in 1976 at the ripe old age of 19. Have been in nursing ever since. After more than 20 years in the ICU, got an undergraduate degree, but in Biology, not nursing. Had this brilliant idea to somehow combine the healthcare background with the coming biotech revolution. Was hoping to go on to grad school and get a dual MBA and MSBiology to further my probabilites in this field. Ended up with a Masters in Public Affairs this year. I've since found out that most of the opportunities in my dream field are going to PharmD's. Research will be my "pre-retirement" job, if I can find someone to hire me. In the meantime, I'll probably get back into school for an MBA or an NP ...as soon as I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. If I had my way though, I'd end my career the way I started it...at the bedside somehow, where the true reward is.

By the way...my mother was a nurse as well...graduated and entered the field at the age of 52...this may not be unusual in today's world...but this was in 1968!

Peace to all, and I pray everyone's families are safe tonight.

monkijr · Sep 10, 2002

I was 28, when I started. My classmates ranged from 18-54, 50% of the class over 40 and 4 males in a class of 23.

Is that normal? Those were the days. Wonder where they all are?:)

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 10, 2002

I was 34, after having served 10 years in the USAF, stayed at home w/my ds fulltime and found time to go back to school around dh's schedule. I have no regrets.

Dazedgiggle · Sep 10, 2002

I was 20 when I became a CNA, and didn't start nursing school until I was 25. In March of 1999 I had full-filled enough requirements in my 2 year RN program to sit for the LPN boards in New Hampshire and passed, then graduated that same year and waited until September to sit for my RN boards and passed those. Still loving it!!

NurseDianne, ADN · Sep 10, 2002

I was 28 when I started LPN school, now at 39 am bridging into the RN program