Too young/ early in life to be in Nursing Program?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hi all,

I'm currently a sophomore in a BSN program. I will be 20 years old this march. I went straight from high school to my college and started prerecs, got accepted into NS first try and now I'm almost done with my first year of nursing school. I'm currently volunteering, but the only "real" job that I've ever had is fast food. I still live with my parents for now, to save money. We aren't rich by any means but they try their best to support me. I choose not to work during the school year because I know myself that it would be difficult for me to keep up with the program if I worked. I don't have my own car because I can't afford one... I use one of my parent's. Sometimes they have to give me rides to school and it's embarrassing because everyone else has their own cars and are on their own.

I can't afford a car because I don't work except for summers but that's what I chose to do because It's how I'm getting through the program.

My question is... am I too young/inexperienced to be in Nursing school? Most of my classmates are older than me, very many with cars and their own homes and children etc, and here i am still at home with my parents helping me get through school so that I can be a nurse. I know for a fact that some of them look down on me because I'm not "independent" and my parents are helping me get through this.

I even heard a few older students talking and I guess they didn't realize that I was there, but they said that they wouldn't let people straight out of high school get into nursing school... they should get out for a few years and be more experienced and then go and be a nurse. How true is this?

Will I not be as good as a nurse because I am young? Because I don't have much life experience? Isn't the fact that I can pass nursing school what really counts? I've talked to my friends and parents and they say that it's best to get it done while you're young. But I'm insecure and I feel like I'm out of place... and I'm starting to wonder if maybe they're right.

I am 18 and in my Junior year of my BSN. Also, I already has an associates.

I can relate!! I am currently 20, and in my junior year of nursing school. The best descion I made was for me to go straight to college after high school. I am grateful I got accepted into a four year BSN program off the bat. I told myself If I work hard now I won't have to have to ever worry about working on a BSN when I have a family one day. This was the best descion you could have made! I am one of the very few "youngsters" in my major and sometimes I do feel out of place when they tease me for how young I am. but at the end of the day it's being one step ahead of the game. A great salary at a young age. Good luck in all you do!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I have served as primary preceptor for new RNS on orientation in our nurse residency program. A few of these have been 18 or 19 years old and already RNs.

Our technical college system's ADN RN program is designed, and can be, completed in two years. There are no college class prereqs. Some students have managed to graduate high school at age 16 or 17 and directly enter the technical college's nursing program.

One nurse I precepted graduated high school at 16, completed the ADN RN (cost $6,500) program by 18, and at age 20 had two solid years of ICU experience, a BSN she got online in a year, paid for by the hospital, had earned her CCRN, and made $130k (over two years) by the time she was 20.

She applied to CRNA schools, was rejected, and went travel nursing for two years, then reapplied and was accepted. She graduated as a 26 year old CRNA.

Obviously an exception person, but her path is open to anyone.

+ Add a Comment