Too young to be a nurse?

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I'm 19 years old and I'm halfway through nursing school, by the time I graduate, I'll will be 22 years old and with my BSN. When I've spoken to nurses in the hospital they've always been very encouraging and think that the fact that I am young will actually help me more because I'll have more patience. One of my nursing classmates who is a CNA and somewhere in her 30's I would say flat out told me "this isn't a profession for young people" and "you should do something else and then go for nursing later on" and I know the average age of a nurse is about 30 or 40 but still. I know some people don't realize how hard nursing is but I've studied this program inside out, I've read up on the classes and clinical rotations and the type of things you have to do so I am very serious about it.

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Are you doing your pre-reqs now or are you actually in the nursing school? Seems like a long school.

I'm 22 now and I graduate in May, the hospital I work at now is full of young people. Tell her that she is a goofball.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I had my nursing lisence (RN) when I was 20 years old, making me the youngest RN in my unit. I don't think age has anything to do with it. Wether or not you are at the right place in your life to be a nurse should be based on maturity and responsibility level, not chronological age.

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Are you doing your pre-reqs now or are you actually in the nursing school? Seems like a long school.

I'm 22 now and I graduate in May, the hospital I work at now is full of young people. Tell her that she is a goofball.

I'm in my last year of pre-reqs lol so I'll start the actually nursing classes next year but they consider us pre-professional nursing students.

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Specializes in Home Health, Med/Surg.

Don't listen to them...if it's meant to be it will be. Can't let what other ppl say dictate your choices....good luck!

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Specializes in Acute Care/ LTC.

i was 21 when i started out..of course you will have some "no it all's" who don't want some young wipper-snapper around. But you know what, who cares! Be proud of what you are about to accomplish.

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Specializes in Aged care.

Don't listen to her. I'm a 39 yr old student nurse, and in my opinion most of the young girls in my classes will make wonderful nurses as they are caring and compassionate. You keep going and ignore people who try to put you down because of their own insecurities.:yeah:

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I completed an LPN program in high school. When we graduated, my classmates and I were 17 and 18 yoa!

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I think it is great you have your life together at this age and know what you what to do with it! Nursing school has people of many ages- you are all in the same boat of class assignments and workload. Maybe she is just a bitter person.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I was an LPN at 22 and an RN at 24. I heard it all the time then. I don't hear it now at 30... I am the same person and same nurse... I don't see why age matters. An inexperienced 20 year old is the same as an inexperienced 50 year old, IMO.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm amazed at you young-ins, I couldn't have done it at your age. Good for you and if you have the maturity and smarts to do it I'd love to have you on my team!

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dont let any one deter you from your dream. if you werent old enough the boards wouldnt allow you to take the test and there would be an age requirement to go to school. Personally, there were about 4 people 21 and under in my class and only one 19 year old is left. She is very mature, doesnt like to go out and party and has a good head on her shoulders. Yes i agree most nurses arent the age youll be, but so what. Youve worked hard to get where you are, you put your time in and dedication- nursing school is really alifestyle(i think) and i think if you make it your life style, then you deserve it, no matter what your age. Dont let her talk down to you! stand up for yourself! And maybe she is just saying that because she wishes she had went and it may not be purposely to hurt you maybe she just wasnt ready at your age and thinks that everyone else is the same. Congratulations on findin out what you want to do with the rest of your life at such a young age. I regret not knowing this decision, but also, If i had went any earlier I probably wouldnt have made it through- i just wasnt mature enough- But its great to see someone succeed, especially at such a young age! Any one in this feild should know how hard it is and we need to support one another!:yeah:

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