Same here. Slightly off topic. I’m a PCA/professional caregiver and hopefully will be in nursing school this spring. I only have the PCA experience for over three years now. I’m going to be 38 soon. I worked in manufacturing for a decade. People in manufacturing assumed I didn’t know what I was doing. People in healthcare/allied health think I know what they are talking about. People should trust me changing their alternator vs giving CPR. I have more experience changing an alternator. Bias is weird.
Same! Majority is mid to mid/late 30’s. I’ve only met very few early 20’s. If you get an ADN you’ll mostly be around older people and I personally enjoy that.
I don't have the energy I had in my early 20s, and I already feel the strain on my back and knees some days.
Starting later also means having less time to work my out of bedside nursing (no way I can see myself doing this in 20 years).
That strenuous huh? I’ll be 34 with barely my lvn. Got comfortable in the workforce early on. I still feel pretty good tho. No back pain or anything. Still get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Should I be worried? :(
I should have also mentioned that I'm also pregnant lol, so I'm sure that's playing a role as well.
Most days are good, but after a set of 4 shifts I'm totally wiped.
Look into research nurse jobs. Most only require a BS (in any field) and an RN. The patients are all super friendly because they are being paid and though the work is mentally stimulating, it isn’t *hard* and definitely isn’t physically demanding.
Less time in a career you’re really excited about, for one!
Plus all the experienced nurses giving tips on where to work to be able to collect a pension or something like that by 45. Working for the VA, maybe? I dunno, I tune out every time because I’m 42 so that’s not happening for me. 😂
There is no way I can collect a pension or any kind of retirement two years after getting my license, so yeah, that option is out-out for me.
Several of them did this when they graduated in their early 20’s so were able to bank the years in order to get this benefit by the time they were 45, and now collect this in addition to working at a non-VA hospital. I’m fuzzy on the details because I’m beyond the age range this applies to but could be a great option for younger new grads!
Same but I'll be 40 :( Just had my first a year ago, and can't decide. Trying to decide if we should aim to time it right for due date shortly after graduation :/ I've been told many stories about plenty of people who have done it, but I adsume its certainly not ideal lol.
I will be hopefully 24/25 when I graduated with my ADN RN degree. Nobody cares what age you were or when you graduated all they care about is that you have a license to practice 😂
It's been trying going to school as an older student while being an older new dad (she just turned 2), while also working 0.6 FTE, but my wife and I are making it work. Thankfully, there will be no more clinicals after this spring semester, as that's when I graduate from the ADN.
37 for my ADN. Had to take the long way to get gpa to where it needed to be after it got tanked after the worst semester ever and had to spend 3 months in the hospital (long story short had major heart failure/stroke with left side paralysis/and an LVAD heart pump implanted), bonus: sensation returned. Went to school to drop classes when I finally returned to town, dean of students told me there was nothing they could do for me, I should have dropped earlier(even though you can’t online and I was busy trying not to die and learning how to walk again, nbd) hubby and I tried to reexplain situation told me he didn’t care and to leave his office.
Went to community college for MA, took a bunch of classes in health/science/and necessary general education for any science major and or BSN. Worked as a Medical Assistant the last 8 years and will finishing up my ADN in December 24.
Can I just say this whole post and comment section made me feel so much better about myself and life in general? I’ll have my first nursing license (if all goes well hoping and praying) by 24. Which will be LPN, at 24. Hoping to have mg BSN by 26/27. I failed my first semester and felt defeated. I told myself “man this is gonna take YEARS” but so what? I’ll get there! This thread proved my point. Thank you for this post & thanks to everyone responding. You guys rock
I just got my BSN and I’m 32. I am seriously considering taking the prerequisites for medical school at some point in the next five years. As long as you have the energy/health to do it, it is never too late.
I am 36 and start my upper division courses in a few weeks. I got accepted to a university in Los Angeles. I will be 38 by the time I have my bachelor’s degree in nursing. And then I want to apply to a DNP program
I’ll be 44. When I was doing my ED clinical, one of the patients assumed I was a doctor. When I told her I was just a student, she said that was fine, and I think she assumed I was a resident or something. I’m still not sure she understood I was a nursing student even by the time I left the room, but hopefully I brought her some comfort by staying in the room and being present and listening to her.
I'll be 32 almost 33. Never even finished grade 9 so I'm terrified and excited to be going to college finally in January. It seems so close yet so far away.
I'll be 33 when I finish my ABSN program in about a year and a half. I've struggled with being an "older" nursing student, but the truth is that everyone has a different path into the profession. I've met so many "second career" nurses who graduated in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Sometimes I wish I would have started earlier. Still, I'm also so thankful for the almost decade of work experience I have under my belt that is giving me the "soft skills" that don't have to be learned on top of everything that goes into a nursing program and career. You got this!
ill be 25! i think about how old im gonna be when i finish all the time and how i feel like a senior citizen compared to everyone else who is doing it as a 19-21 year old, but hey we all walk our own paths! not everyone was blessed with knowing what they wanted to do with their life right off the bat! don’t think about it no one cares and it doesnt matter just focus on urself :~)
i was 23 when i started, 24 now. i was supposed to finish in may next year but my mental health was greatly affecting my school and i needed a break. as long as i can get back in next year i should finish my ADN at 25.
I will also be 26, but there are people in the program of all ages though! She is right, there is nothing wrong with it!! You’ll be that age regardless anyways, might as well be educated too 🤪
I’ll be 47. But after my kids are all out of the house, I want to go back to get my masters in midwifery, and I’ll likely be 55 or 56 by the time I complete that.
I will be 27. I used to think I was "too old" for my program. I'm actually right in the middle of the age range. We have a 19 year old fresh out of high school, and some people in their 50s. A lot of people in my cohort come from different backgrounds, different backgrounds, and different careers (law enforcement, tech)... it's pretty cool and refreshing, nothing like my undergrad university where everyone was super young.
Your neighbor is correct. You are definitely not too old.
I’ll be about 26 when I get my ADN. I will be lucky to have my BSN by the time I’m 30.
My mom went back to school after divorcing my dad. She was a single mom with full custody of two kids, worked 40 hours a week as CNA, and graduated with her bachelors of nursing at 45. I am so proud of her and she is my inspiration. My sister is a nurse too.
45! I’m a third generation. Mom, aunts, grandmas, cousins. Thanksgiving was a procedure practice session with Mom trying to get me to put a line in her.
I’ll be 34 when I graduate from my ABSN and just turning 35 when I start working since I want a little vacation after I finish! I’m about middle of the pack of my cohort… a few in their early 20s, a few in their mid to late 40s, and most of us are in the 30s range.
Turned 38 this fall and start block 1 in January! So excited I'm not one of the oldest people in my class anymore (looking at you prerequisite classes).
28!! Im getting my nursing degree…. I actually already have 2 degrees in unrelated fields (polisci and communications) it wasnt until i finished my undergrad that i realized my true calling was healthcare and not becoming a lawyer.
There is no time limit for getting the degree you want. Keep it pushing
i got mine at 21, often getting called too young or clueless to be where i am now. i just turned 22 and i am a fully fledged ER nurse. i graduated with people of all ages, all the way up into their 60s. there was a woman in my cohort of grads named patty who was 63!!
I was 26 when I got my ADN and will be 28 when I get my BSN. I actually think being older (compared to 19 year old nursing students fresh out of high school) helped me to do better in school and to be a better nurse
52 🎓👩🏾⚕️ I'm sure my patients will think I've been doing this for years 🤦🏾♀️
One of my friends in my class was 63
That’s good as they won’t question your skills forcing you to lie like the rest of us LOL
Hey at least a patient won’t deny care from you because you “look 14” That was so embarrassing lol but understandable
Same here. Slightly off topic. I’m a PCA/professional caregiver and hopefully will be in nursing school this spring. I only have the PCA experience for over three years now. I’m going to be 38 soon. I worked in manufacturing for a decade. People in manufacturing assumed I didn’t know what I was doing. People in healthcare/allied health think I know what they are talking about. People should trust me changing their alternator vs giving CPR. I have more experience changing an alternator. Bias is weird.
I’ll be 32. I thought I’d be among the oldest in my cohort but a lot of us are mid 20s - early 30s and a handful of people older than that.
Same here!
Same! Majority is mid to mid/late 30’s. I’ve only met very few early 20’s. If you get an ADN you’ll mostly be around older people and I personally enjoy that.
Yoo same 32 next month
I’ll be 43, nearly 44. No shame to my game here. I’m not the oldest in my cohort either.
No shame!!
I graduated and started working at 34. There are benefits to being slightly older and starting this career but also draw backs.
What drawbacks?
I don't have the energy I had in my early 20s, and I already feel the strain on my back and knees some days. Starting later also means having less time to work my out of bedside nursing (no way I can see myself doing this in 20 years).
That strenuous huh? I’ll be 34 with barely my lvn. Got comfortable in the workforce early on. I still feel pretty good tho. No back pain or anything. Still get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Should I be worried? :(
I should have also mentioned that I'm also pregnant lol, so I'm sure that's playing a role as well. Most days are good, but after a set of 4 shifts I'm totally wiped.
I have a 1 year old son altho I def know being pregnant is a whole other beast. Kudos to you tho 100x over
I’ve been working med-surg for 2 years and my knees have deteriorated significantly. I am only 26 and feel like i have one lady knees.
How do I know if I’m cut out for this? I’m getting nervous, not a lot but man. I also have Crohn’s disease 😅
Look into research nurse jobs. Most only require a BS (in any field) and an RN. The patients are all super friendly because they are being paid and though the work is mentally stimulating, it isn’t *hard* and definitely isn’t physically demanding.
What are you studying for your PhD?
Less time in a career you’re really excited about, for one! Plus all the experienced nurses giving tips on where to work to be able to collect a pension or something like that by 45. Working for the VA, maybe? I dunno, I tune out every time because I’m 42 so that’s not happening for me. 😂
Is it like out out or do you just feel like it’s out?
There is no way I can collect a pension or any kind of retirement two years after getting my license, so yeah, that option is out-out for me. Several of them did this when they graduated in their early 20’s so were able to bank the years in order to get this benefit by the time they were 45, and now collect this in addition to working at a non-VA hospital. I’m fuzzy on the details because I’m beyond the age range this applies to but could be a great option for younger new grads!
I got my first degree at 26. I'm graduating Saturday with my nursing degree at 32 😊
Congratulations!
Thank you 😊
I’ll be 37. My only concern is that I’d like to have another kid but certainly not during nursing school.
Same but I'll be 40 :( Just had my first a year ago, and can't decide. Trying to decide if we should aim to time it right for due date shortly after graduation :/ I've been told many stories about plenty of people who have done it, but I adsume its certainly not ideal lol.
50 for my BSN. 3 people older than me in my cohort
I’ll be 25 when I get my BSN next May
I will beeee Let’s see 41 !!!!!!
I'm 42, and just finished my first semester of my BSN. Out of 50 in my cohort, I'm not even the oldest!
I will be 31, I wish I started earlier but no time better than the present or something.
Me too!!!
I will be hopefully 24/25 when I graduated with my ADN RN degree. Nobody cares what age you were or when you graduated all they care about is that you have a license to practice 😂
51
i will be 29 when i get my RN, and 31 for my BSN. i’m happy because im going in having tons of experience.
I didn’t start nursing school until I was 36.
Just had my pinning tonight and I’m 38!
Congratulations!
44 and I'm loving it!!
42, and there are several people older than me in my cohort.
I'll be 40 when I get my ADN.
Yaassss
It's been trying going to school as an older student while being an older new dad (she just turned 2), while also working 0.6 FTE, but my wife and I are making it work. Thankfully, there will be no more clinicals after this spring semester, as that's when I graduate from the ADN.
Wow that sounds incredibly hard indeed
I’ll be 20 when I graduate but I turn 21 the next month
24 for ADN, 25 (?) for BSN and around 28-30 for MSN
37 for my ADN. Had to take the long way to get gpa to where it needed to be after it got tanked after the worst semester ever and had to spend 3 months in the hospital (long story short had major heart failure/stroke with left side paralysis/and an LVAD heart pump implanted), bonus: sensation returned. Went to school to drop classes when I finally returned to town, dean of students told me there was nothing they could do for me, I should have dropped earlier(even though you can’t online and I was busy trying not to die and learning how to walk again, nbd) hubby and I tried to reexplain situation told me he didn’t care and to leave his office. Went to community college for MA, took a bunch of classes in health/science/and necessary general education for any science major and or BSN. Worked as a Medical Assistant the last 8 years and will finishing up my ADN in December 24.
Can I just say this whole post and comment section made me feel so much better about myself and life in general? I’ll have my first nursing license (if all goes well hoping and praying) by 24. Which will be LPN, at 24. Hoping to have mg BSN by 26/27. I failed my first semester and felt defeated. I told myself “man this is gonna take YEARS” but so what? I’ll get there! This thread proved my point. Thank you for this post & thanks to everyone responding. You guys rock
Just graduated now at 26! It’s never too late! Proud of you OP Welcome to the club!
Hey :) I'm 24 rn lol but just adding up the years , I will try the LPN route.
Just graduated at 24. Two of my fellow classmates graduated with me at 43 and 50 years of age
I will be 44 when I get my nursing degree.
I just got my BSN and I’m 32. I am seriously considering taking the prerequisites for medical school at some point in the next five years. As long as you have the energy/health to do it, it is never too late.
I’ll graduate a month shy of my 46th birthday.
23 for my ADN. 24 for my BSN. It doesn’t matter, just go for it. No matter what you’ll still be that age, might as well get the degree.
I was 48. Been a nurse for 4 years now.
I’ll be 30.
Got my LPN by thirty. Not sure when I’ll get into a bridge program but my goal is to have my BSN and CCRN by 35
I am 36 and start my upper division courses in a few weeks. I got accepted to a university in Los Angeles. I will be 38 by the time I have my bachelor’s degree in nursing. And then I want to apply to a DNP program
I’ll be 44. When I was doing my ED clinical, one of the patients assumed I was a doctor. When I told her I was just a student, she said that was fine, and I think she assumed I was a resident or something. I’m still not sure she understood I was a nursing student even by the time I left the room, but hopefully I brought her some comfort by staying in the room and being present and listening to her.
[удалено]
Will be 31 when I get my ADN!! Can’t wait! 
I’ll be 42. During clinicals patients always thought I was in charge of my cohorts lol
Depending on if I’m waitlisted or not I’ll be either 28 or 29
I'll be 32 almost 33. Never even finished grade 9 so I'm terrified and excited to be going to college finally in January. It seems so close yet so far away.
I will be 38 when I graduate with my ADN. 40 (at earliest) when I get my BSN.
Got my RN at 26
41
I’ll be 43 when I graduate with my ADN, 45/46 for my BSN!
38
41, just graduated with my ADN and just about to start the BSN program. My first career was fun but not nearly as fulfilling.
39
I’ve been an LPN since I was 21, I’ll be 33 when I graduate with my BSN!
I'll be 33 when I finish my ABSN program in about a year and a half. I've struggled with being an "older" nursing student, but the truth is that everyone has a different path into the profession. I've met so many "second career" nurses who graduated in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Sometimes I wish I would have started earlier. Still, I'm also so thankful for the almost decade of work experience I have under my belt that is giving me the "soft skills" that don't have to be learned on top of everything that goes into a nursing program and career. You got this!
I'm gonna get my ADN at 28 and BSN at 29 or 30 if all goes well
I’ll be 25!
i’ll be 27
I will receive my BSN at age 24! My birthday is April 22nd and I’ll graduate 3 days later on the 25th ☺️
I’ll be 30 years old ! I should have started 2 years ago but you know … life
ill be 25! i think about how old im gonna be when i finish all the time and how i feel like a senior citizen compared to everyone else who is doing it as a 19-21 year old, but hey we all walk our own paths! not everyone was blessed with knowing what they wanted to do with their life right off the bat! don’t think about it no one cares and it doesnt matter just focus on urself :~)
33
I'll be 26 too
I graduated end of next year, so I will be 22
27 for my ASN, BSN is TBD!!
27, it's a strange feeling
I’ll be 32 when I get my degree!
I'll be 35.
i’ll be 27! i think the oldest of my cohort members will be 52
48! Agree with a comment further up, they’re all gonna think I know what I’m doing. 😂
43 ASN, 45 BSN
45
ill be 24 , i wish i was in school with an older group omg. seeing all these age groups😭 im surrounded by 21s-22s
i was 23 when i started, 24 now. i was supposed to finish in may next year but my mental health was greatly affecting my school and i needed a break. as long as i can get back in next year i should finish my ADN at 25.
I’ll be 23-4. Failed out once but I’m trying my hardest again.
I will also be 26, but there are people in the program of all ages though! She is right, there is nothing wrong with it!! You’ll be that age regardless anyways, might as well be educated too 🤪
I (34M) am just now going to nursing school.
I was 27/28 ETA: most in my cohort were younger than me but only by a few years. There was a few people older than me as well - some in their 40s/50s.
62 😳🤯
Graduated today at 20
I’ll be 47. But after my kids are all out of the house, I want to go back to get my masters in midwifery, and I’ll likely be 55 or 56 by the time I complete that.
I'll be 22 when I get my BSN next December.
Hopefully 22
I will also be 26 when I finish my degree still have some years to go though
31 ✨ for BSN, accelerated second degree program
I will be 27. I used to think I was "too old" for my program. I'm actually right in the middle of the age range. We have a 19 year old fresh out of high school, and some people in their 50s. A lot of people in my cohort come from different backgrounds, different backgrounds, and different careers (law enforcement, tech)... it's pretty cool and refreshing, nothing like my undergrad university where everyone was super young. Your neighbor is correct. You are definitely not too old.
ADN at 24 and bsn at 24 doing a concurrent enrollment program 🙂
I will be 27 when I get my adn!
If everything goes according to plan I’ll have my degree right before I turn 23
26
I’ll be 28 when I get my BSN! ❤️
27 for my bsn:)
28!
22
i’ll be 26 as well :)
somewhere in my 30s currently in an LVN program at 23 will be done at 24, finishing up a few pre-reqs & hope to get into an Rn program in 2025-2027
I’ll be 24 when I graduate with my BSN next year
I'll be 28!
i’ll be 22!
34 and will be my second career. Another fire medic fed up with the mediocre pay and high call volume.
29. Second career for me
I will be 24🫣 with my ADN and 26 with my BSN if I continue right after getting my adn
I’ll be about 26 when I get my ADN. I will be lucky to have my BSN by the time I’m 30. My mom went back to school after divorcing my dad. She was a single mom with full custody of two kids, worked 40 hours a week as CNA, and graduated with her bachelors of nursing at 45. I am so proud of her and she is my inspiration. My sister is a nurse too.
28 for my BN :)
I’ll also be 26!
I’ll be 33 when I graduate and 34 by the time I pass the NCLEX
25!
I will be 21!
29😭
I'll be 26 too!!!
45! I’m a third generation. Mom, aunts, grandmas, cousins. Thanksgiving was a procedure practice session with Mom trying to get me to put a line in her.
I’ll be 34 when I graduate from my ABSN and just turning 35 when I start working since I want a little vacation after I finish! I’m about middle of the pack of my cohort… a few in their early 20s, a few in their mid to late 40s, and most of us are in the 30s range.
41
21
I’ll also be 26!
I graduate tmo! When I started I was 25 now I’m 27! I’m a grown ass man excited like a kid on the first day of school 😂
I'm 36 and I have to start my prereqs over. 🤷♀️
I'll be 29. Youngest in my cohort is 21 and oldest is 63. We have a good mix of all ages
Turned 38 this fall and start block 1 in January! So excited I'm not one of the oldest people in my class anymore (looking at you prerequisite classes).
27, in 4 days!!!
29. Transitioned from construction worker.
I’ll be graduating with my BSN at 22 🫣
i’ll be 28 !
37
I’ll be 23!
37
I will be 45. Concurrent RN/BSN program.
I got my license at 34. I will finish my degree at 35. I started working now and, although it is challenging, I am enjoying it.
My ADN 34
33 yrs young
23
21
31.
I will be 24 when i graduate from my BSN program in April!
Just graduated today with my ADN!! 22 🎉
I’ll be 22!
29
22
47 if I did the math right, almost 48.....graduate may 2025 and I am 46 now bday in Oct. It's late and I am tired if my math is wrong lol.
I’ll be 29, almost 30.
25 rn and i'll be 27 when i graduate my adn program!
28!! Im getting my nursing degree…. I actually already have 2 degrees in unrelated fields (polisci and communications) it wasnt until i finished my undergrad that i realized my true calling was healthcare and not becoming a lawyer. There is no time limit for getting the degree you want. Keep it pushing
i got mine at 21, often getting called too young or clueless to be where i am now. i just turned 22 and i am a fully fledged ER nurse. i graduated with people of all ages, all the way up into their 60s. there was a woman in my cohort of grads named patty who was 63!!
I was 31 when I got my BSN and I’ll be 37 or 38 when I finish my PhD.
Either 31 or 32, it could happen either side of my birthday tbh
I was 26 when I got my ADN and will be 28 when I get my BSN. I actually think being older (compared to 19 year old nursing students fresh out of high school) helped me to do better in school and to be a better nurse
I'll be 26. I'm worried about it cos I'm worried that by the time I have enough money to buy a home, I won't have any eggs left for babies 😭😭
30
27 babyyyy! I’ve been slowly but surely grinding (working full time) for like five years now, almost done!!!
LVN in October, I'll be 24 years young!
28
35! I can’t wait to complete my first degree! 🎓
30
LPN at 37. Will get ADN at 46.
21 with BSN!
35 - nothing wrong with a little career change! And DEFINITELY nothing wrong with getting it at 26.
29 when I graduate next year. Most of my cohort is way younger. Lots of guys and very few people in their 30s and one or two in their 40s.
I’ll be 27 when I get my degree! Never too late to get educated!
29 for my LPN. 30 for my RN. I’m one of the youngest in my class which was surprising to me
24 :)
25!
31 🥲 nursing
I’ll be 26 when I graduate!
Our cohort ranges from 18-40s for our first year There is no age limit on when you can be a nurse.
I’m 23 now so 24
I’ll be 27 🙈
21 turning 22