A bit of background..I was emancipated at 14 and dropped out of high school..due to stubborn parents refusing to help me, I didn't recieve my GED until I was 22. I started prerequisites for nursing for a BSN in 2012, but then couldn't afford the programs I was accepted to.
I took a year off to gather my life, and now at 27 (soon to be 28 in 3 days) I am applying to a CC nursing program.
I've had alot of negative responses from family and friends..."you'll never be a nurse", "2 years is too long", "you'll be too old or are too old to start a new career".
I had a career that I loved, but outgrew when I was 22/23. Nursing attracted me because of the ability to help others in gaining their health/quality of life back..something that I went through in taking care of two family members with cancer.
I just need some unbiased encouragement, starting to get frustrated with even sharing my progress with people. It's offputting as well to see younger individuals who just know what they want, and I'm feeling in limbo career wise.
I'm in my final year and will be 49 when I graduate. The course has been difficult as my placements are 2 hour drive away. It has been detrimental to my health in a big way. I wish I had done this in my 20s.
You are young enough to do what you want to do careerwise, and to bounce back from any setbacks that you might encounter. It would be a different story if you were 58 or 59 with retirement around the corner. Good luck with your efforts and let us know how things are going from time to time.
It's pretty much a fallacy for many people to think that "retirement is just around the corner." Unless one has a large nestegg or is a broken down wreck at 65, there's no real reason to ever quit work that you can do competently. Remember, the retirement age 65 was set decades ago in a time when many people died in their 40s or 50s and relatively few even made it to age 65.
Age 30 is nothing. Change your career. Enjoy life.
Ah, what utter bosh ! I just turned 50 as I finished my prereqs this semester ! My professors respected the hell out of me, I got the highest grade in Micro AND one of the highest in A&P after being warned not to take them at the same time, and oh, got an A in algebra too, which I SUCK at , lol ! With a 4.0 and a CNA license I am pretty sure I could be accepted at any of the programs in my area, but am choosing the CC college route to save money. In A&P we were talking about the flexibility of the femur in the synovial joints and since it was a pretty chill lab, I put my ankles behind my head to show those young whipper snappers a thing or two !
My dad still works his own construction company at 80 and plays tennis twice a week. I know I have more energy and dedication than many half my age, so if you are willing to work your BUTT off, age is no biggie whatsoever ! Good luck kiddo, never listen to the doubters !
Why do you need "unbiased encouragement"? If you want to be a nurse go be a nurse.
You have had "negative responses"? Ok? I don't get the point of the post. Why do you need people to tell you to be a nurse? If you want to do it then do it. If you decide not to then don't. What difference does it make what people say? There are a zillion reasons "not" to do something and we as adults are allowed to make the decision how and what we choose to do with our life. If you choose not to..PLEASE...do not blame people for "negative responses". It is YOUR DECISION to do what you want.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
You can do it, NO ONE else knows what's best for you, other than YOU! Some of their comments may be jealousy towards yours success too!
I say go for it, as long as YOUR heart is in it you can succeed! I graduated with my ADN when I was 29 and just finished my BSN at the age of 37. You are NEVER to old to go to college!!!!
I did my bachelors in another field, worked for a few years and then decided that I was going to go into nursing instead. Finished my accelerated LPN program this past summer at 32 years old, and am planning on bridging to RN before my 35th birthday.
Speaking to the demographics of my class, I was right in the middle age-wise: there were a couple of 20 year olds and a couple of 50-somethings. Nursing was a second (and in some cases, third) career choice for many of us. The diversity of education and life experience really made it such a great experience.
I would encourage you to follow your heart, make your nursing education happen and seek out positive and affirming family/ friends who will support you.
Well call me old if you like I'm 36 & just graduated in June 2015 with my ASN. Right now I'm studying 4 NCLEX 4 the 2nd time. My goal is to have everything done as far as education by the I'm 40 if not its okay you do have this thing called life & no one knows what will come their way. Go get your degree & become the nurse you desire to be.
Ladybug993
173 Posts
Yes...