I started college at 18, but it took 10 years to get my first Bachelor's degree. That was in education. I taught for 9 years. I became an EMT to decide if I really wanted to be in the medical field. I was 46 in July. I graduated with my LPN in November of 06. I am slooooowwwwwlllllllyyyyy working on my RN. I too hope to go forward and get my MSN. I was just given the administrator position in my current job which is in geriatrics. I love it, but....I think I want to try forensic nursing. I would also like to be an ER nurse.
Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't matter what age you are, you just always need to keep moving forward. It can be a challenge. I have always worked fulltime and been raising children, my youngest (14) with health problems. You can all do it. Half the fun is the challenge.

I feel so much better know there are others like me who are starting out at a nontraditional age.
I started nursing school at 18, but at the time it just wasn't for me- I guess I just wasn't ready for it yet. I dropped out and took other college classes, but never graduated.
At 26, I went to school and became an LVN. Now, at 36, I am working toward my RN. One of these days I will make it.
Although I haven't quite decided my career goal,it will either be in forensic nursing or holistic nursing.

countrygirl- You go girl! Nursing is so large, no need for a concrete career decision now. experience all the avenues open to you and then decide. Life is one long, large learning experience. Enjoy!

When I started college I was 22. Then I quite school and had children and now I am back in school to get my nursing degree.

I was 30 years old when I started my nursing classes. I wish that I had started sooner but life's lessons had to be learned first!
The Nurse Practitioner's Place

The first time I went to a business college at 20 however I did not take it seriously and droped out. Now I am a married mother of two sons and I take my college courses very seriously.

Lpn courses were available in my high school junior and senior year but it wasn't something I was intrested in so I passed.But when I moved to Ala.it was the only job available so I became a cna (was scared to death)I found that I loved it.The Ltc facility was going to send me to school and pay for it I just had to contract there for 2 years but we moved back to La.Then I got busy with life.Put school on the back burner for a few years.Hopefuly I'll get in in May if all goes well.PLEASE wish me luck! I will be 44.

When I was in highschool, they had a future teachers club there. I originally joined the club to be a teacher, because my aunt and cousin worked at a elementary school, as a Instructional Aid. My aunt use to take me to work with her, and I use to help her and the teacher, help prepare class assignments. Life got in the way with that. It doesn't matter if we have these resources in school at a early age, what matter's is how we use those experience and knowlege throughout our lives. I use that experience, by being a stay home mom , and teaching my children at home. Eventually, I made a contribution to the school's because my children were reading before they started Kindergarden.

I have been in and out of college since I was 23 taking whatever floated my boat at the time. I went back to school seriously at 26 and took up Court Reporting. I stayed there for two years, but I desperately needed a job because I saw my three kids going without and it was hard being a single parent living on $149 a month. I was hired at the hospital in which I am currently employed and I had to give up the court reporting because it needed my full attention. At least a year in a half ago, I recieved a scholarship from the department I work in to get my ADN. I was so excited and just kicked off. I commend all the late bloomers for returning to school especially all of us single parents. We show so much to our kids about getting that education and self-fulfillment. I am glad that these comments were posted because I feel so much better being 34 and getting my ADN because I was feeling a little drawn back until I read this. Thank you all and keep your dreams alive!

I was a car mechanic in high school, then joined the USAF and became an aircraft mechanic, then left the AF after the initial 4-year enlistment and was an auto parts manager for a year and then went to school for a BSN (24.5 years old). At this point I've been a nurse for 28 years.

I started nursing school at 38 years old. I was ready. I had the money and the time. I was 39 when I got my LPN and 39 when I passed the NCLEX.

I have taken college classes off and on since I was 19 years old. I'm 36 years now. I finally had enough credits to earn a bachelor's degree but have now gone back for my ADN. I graduate in May!

Katherine said:

I first went right out of high school. I actually started when I was17! Four years later I had my undergrad degree and then about 12 years later I started classes again!

I went for one semester right after high school. I hated it and failed out. I worked as a rest. manager for 7 years and then went back for my BSN at 25 and graduated in 3 years with a 3.95. I guess I just wasn't ready at 18 and had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up.

I was brought up to believe that women didn't have careers, they got married and had babies and that's what I did. After 5 children and a divorce I knew I had to do something to survive on my own so at the age of 46 I began taking classes at the local University. I struggled with Math but I was able to pull thru it and now have my LVN license. Eventually I will go back and do the upward mobility program for my associate degree. Gotta do something to pay of all these student loans........YIKES!!