being young!

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

You get it done.

I finished nursing school when I was 21 and my BSN when I was 23. (I took almost a year off from school) It's nice to know that I am finished with all that and don't have to deal with that later. I know alot of nurses that have been nurses for 5 -10 years and now have to go back to school to get it. I don't have that problem, I can focus on other things that matter more to me in a personal sense.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Why get your BSN when you're young? That's easy: no spouse, no kids, no mortgage! I'm almost 45 and FINALLY have the time to devote to school again. It still won't be easy trying to juggle time with the hubby, the kids (17 and 20), the dogs, pay bills without my income for a few years... I soooo wish I could go back in time!

PatMac10,RN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Like Christi M said, we, as young people just starting out, mostly don't have the stresses of family, kids, excessive debts, etc.... I will graduate from nursing school at 20 after starting this fall and will have my BSN by the time I'm 22, and I like it that way. I love thinking being a 20 year old, single Registered Nurse! Woooohoooo! I can't wait! Hopefully I will be smart enough to keep it that way for a while.

Jenni811, RN · Jul 13, 2011

You get it done and out of the way. Started school when i was 18, but i was declared Forensic Science my first year. As much as i loved it, i just knew there wasn't much in that field i could do around here. So switched to Nursing, and i loved it!! Finished up and graduated with my bachelors degree when i was 22.

Its DONE out of the way and i don't have to think about it again. :yeah:

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 13, 2011

Pros: Family often pays for college education, and if they don't, you don't have to pay back student loans while worrying about retirement funds.

Cons: The very young can be naive about the long term effects of taking out heavy loans for school, especially if a degree does not point the way to a well paying job.

MyGranniePanties · Jul 13, 2011

Pros: get it out of the way while you don't have more pressing life issues. There is not much to make you second guess your decision.

Cons: if you step into the role of adult, you are expected to act like one. You must be responsible for yourself, how you conduct yourself at work, your license, how you manage your money etc etc.

Make it a priority to pay off loans as quickly as possible, and you will set yourself up for financial independence. While I am not "old", I think about the fact I could of had this over and done with (and be well on my way to paying back my loans) by now.

Two points of view: 1) when I was interviewing nurses before starting my program, one lady (slighty older but not much) explained she wished there was an age requirement for entering nursing school. She felt as if a lot of younger nurses didn't take it as seriously. They constantly called in (ESP on weekends), had drama etc etc.

2) a nurse friend of mine went to lpn school straight out of high school. She had a son at a young age. She bought her first house when she was 25. She is now back in school to get her ADN. She works every weekend 12 hour shifts while in school.

Conclusion: it really depends on the individual and their level of commitment. If someone feels they have some wild oats to sow then they would be doing themselves a favor by waiting (this was my case, I was naughty ). By waiting you will not be putting your license or your work history I'm too much jeopardy. However, if you are level headed and ready for the commitment, then go for it!

Best of luck!

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages about getting the BSN straight out of school when your still kinda young? .......just curious

Most students that have BSN's have started college right out of high school and finished when they are around 22.

So it is not unusual. Being young is not an obstacle as long as you stay open minded.

IUstudent · Jul 13, 2011

TO GET IT DONE! im in pursuit of my bsn at the moment right out of high school and i will be relieved not to have to do any more schooling (unless i decide to do masters) & can start my career by 22/23!

tele jelly · Jul 13, 2011

i skipped the middle man and just got the BSN! why go to school twice?

nightengalegoddess · Jul 13, 2011

GET IN NOW BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY EXCUSES OR REASONS NOT TO!!!!!!! I wish I would've started before I felt the need for a good paying supportive carreer for my son..now I find I am more suited to be a physician! Get it while the goins' good! Besides, won't be long before the only work an AD can get is in a SNF. And if you want to be a traveler...try going to Hawaii or San Francisco, or Boston without a BSN or being extra specialized/certified.......not too easy these days!!! A bedside RN is always more effective if she's a BSN.....the higher thought processes go into that education.....then you have the option much easier of being N.P. if you feel the push.........YAY!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2011

I am a diploma RN grad and went back to school to do an RN-BSN program as soon as I finished new grad orientation (basically I took a semester off). I'm so glad I went back for my BSN, I have since relocated and the jobs in my new locale are much more into hiring BSN only nurses.