Another thread got me thinking about age when it comes to nursing. Is there such a thing as too young to handle the awesome responsibilites of nursing? I know it depends on the individual, and people mature differently....but it seems that most people don't get into nursing right out of high school. Many do it after years of working in other fields, gaining life experience, maybe setting down and having kids. Is there a reason for that? Do most people need to "grow up" a little before they become nurses? I am 31, will be mid-thirties when I get out of nursing school. I never once thought about nursing in my 20's. My mom had been a nurse since I was a kid, and I just kept thinking "nope, not me." I had always been a good kid, never got in trouble, had excellent grades. But I know at 20 or 22, I would never have been able to handle it. I was too immature and could barely take care of myself. Emotionally I was far from ready. But the life experiences I have had in the past 10 years has changed me in so many ways. I needed those in order to get to this place in my life where I felt that nursing is where I need to be. Who else feels this way? If you are going (or have gone into) nursing later in life, do you feel you could have done it right out of high school?
I'll be 24 when I graduate and I believe I will be just as competent as anyone older then me. I've worked very hard to get where I am and just because your in your 20's doens't mean you party. It's been nice to not have the distractions older people have, it just makes it easier to focus on my studies. To me it doesn't matter what age you are when entering nursing but how passionate you are about it and how hard your willing to work. If you are an immature individual you probably wouldn't make it through nursing school anyway. Just my opinion!
I received my BSN when I was 35. I know without a doubt I would not have been able to slug through nursing school when I was in my late teens, early 20's. The wait worked out well for me.
I entered nursing school when I was 19 and now I am 22 and just landed a job in a busy Emergency Department. Ever since I was in elementary school I knew that I wanted to become a nurse. So after I graduated high school I went straight into nursing school. In my program there was a large variety of ages. I feel if nursing is what you truly want to do then there isn't any age that is considered too young or too old. :)
I am 46, two months away from 47, and should be starting the nursing program in May 2009. It's an accelerated program so I will be graduating August of 2010.
Well I am 32 and new!! Hey that rhyhms! Actully I should say that I am a new grad and I am 32 but that did not have as much kick as the other sentence. But we had a variety of ages in my program. And actually the younger students were out numbered by us old heads and one student called us.
And age does not matter one bit. My friend was 20 when she became a ICU nurse and I tell you what she is a darn good one. There is another nurse that I know that finished LPN school when she was 19 and went back for her RN when she was 21. Though she is much older now I bet she was just as good then as she is now.
I am 35 and be graduating in December. I must say that I am very envious of the girls in my class that are in their early 20's. :bowingpur All of them have their heads on straight and are very good students. They study hard and are excellent in clinicals. They will make awesome nurses. I know that at that age there is no way I could have gone through nursing school. I was no way mature enough to study and get throught nursing school much less having someone else's life in my hands. I think for me personally going to school after I got married and had kids was much better. I needed the life experience and that extra maturity. I don't think that age is a factor as much as maturity and readiness. There are many young nurses that are probably more competent than some older nurses. No one can assume based on age whether or not they will be good and competent.
I'm 20 years old have a husband , baby , job and school. I love nursing and the decision I made was the best ever made besides having my daughter . I do go out on the weekends to clubs when I have money and time a little fun is needed when your life is so busy.
Well...I've been practicing for 23 years now. I left for nursing school 3 days after graduating from high school in 1977, left nursing school within 6 months(was scared off when I was told we'd have to give each other injections:rolleyes:). That was mistake#1.
Fortunately, I had the sense to pursue/obtain a BS in Psychology and then started a master's degree. More great learning experiences and psychology is a great basis for any field!
I returned to that nursing program in 1984, dropped to the LPN level(mistake#2 for me) and graduated in 1985. I so regret not finishing the RN program but I'm reaching the milestone of 50 next week and for ME, it's too late to try again. I just don't have the stamina anymore...or the willingness to put up with the crap from nursing instructors. Had I just stuck with the program the FIRST time in 1977, things would've been so different but I was young, easily swayed, easily frightened...and in love with my boyfriend in another state.
Frankly, I marvel at the young nurses who get to start nursing school as early as age 17 and then actually make it through its rigors. Because people are so varied in their maturity levels, it's hard to say when a "good age" is to start a nursing program but inmy opinion, the late 20s/early 30s is best--that gives one some life experience first.
I certainly agree that age is nothing but a number. I am almost 24 just beginning my program. I am engaged, raise my son and also work in addition to my studies. I've always had a lot of responsibility. I have close friends that are older than I am and cannot even care for a dog.
I think a lot of the Nursing career choice also depends on selflessness.
I must say that I am very envious of the girls in my class that are in their early 20's. :bowingpur All of them have their heads on straight and are very good students. They study hard and are excellent in clinicals. They will make awesome nurses. I know that at that age there is no way I could have gone through nursing school. I was no way mature enough to study and get throught nursing school much less having someone else's life in my hands. I think for me personally going to school after I got married and had kids was much better. I needed the life experience and that extra maturity. I don't think that age is a factor as much as maturity and readiness. There are many young nurses that are probably more competent than some older nurses. No one can assume based on age whether or not they will be good and competent.
candiam
23 Posts
I'll be 24 when I graduate and I believe I will be just as competent as anyone older then me. I've worked very hard to get where I am and just because your in your 20's doens't mean you party. It's been nice to not have the distractions older people have, it just makes it easier to focus on my studies. To me it doesn't matter what age you are when entering nursing but how passionate you are about it and how hard your willing to work. If you are an immature individual you probably wouldn't make it through nursing school anyway. Just my opinion!