Question for nurses who came into the career late...

Cryssi · Apr 17, 2003

Thank you all very much for your replies..I am very encouraged! It isn't too late to fulfill dreams/goals. If you wait too long, you never know what may happen, huh? You could all of a sudden come down with a debilitating illness; lose limbs or even your life, all while waiting for the right time to come. Not to be gruesome, but what I'm trying to say is we never know what tomorrow brings, so shoot for the stars today.

God bless us all,

Crystal

Linda49 · Apr 18, 2003

Always wanted to be a nurse, flunked out the first time at 20. Took classes all the intervening years with the idea I'd go back when I could. Applied to a BSN program at 49, was accepted and then was terrified. I am a social animal....would I have any friends or would they all be my kids' ages and not talk to me? Would I be able to keep up with the "kids"? Would I like the program? Would the professors even talk to me since I might be older than they are?

Well...I had friends and was even voted to be the class speaker at graduation. My dearest friends/study buddies were 32, 28, 27 and 22 and they didn't have kids (my kids were 18 and 23 when I graduated). I was one of the the class nerds, and there were some that beat me by a ton, so I couldn't keep up with them. There were many things I could teach them that I never knew about and LOTS they taught me! I didn't like everything about the program, but I loved becoming a nurse. The professors DID talk to me...about school, our kids, my prior careers, their attempts at returning to school to get their doctorates!

Today I had lunch with the director of our university program to discuss what my friends and I would like to see changed, improved, kept the same. Becoming a nurse is the best thing I ever did...except have my kids! My husband thought I was nuts, but supported me. My kids were the most proud....except maybe for my parents! DO IT! "You'll be 52 anyway..may as well be doing what you want" was my motto! Take ONE day at a time and know that dumber people than you are have done this, so you can too! Ha! Good luck.

Ashera, LPN · Apr 18, 2003

Just got my LVN license a month after I turned 50 and am now working on a fast track from LVN to BSN!

JUST DO IT!!!

Pamela

RN4jewels · Apr 18, 2003

YIPPEE, I am among good company here. I graduated at 41 from an ADN program 2 yrs ago. I was a Cert. Med Asst for 10 years. I was going to school, having babies, taking care of elderly parents and working. I have a 3 and a 7 yr old. I did take off for a year in my clinicals (hey I am not superwoman). I graduated with honors. I think we mature adults study more, smarter, and appreciate school more than we might have earlier in life. Not meaning to dis young people cuz I have had the honor of working studying with you all too and there is dedication. So go for it. What do you gain by not trying? Any knowledge is power. JMHO

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2003

What everyone else said. You've many productive years you can give. We need you. Good luck!

zudy · Apr 18, 2003

Loved reading everyones stories and comments. Cryssi, you are in great company here!

Riseupandnurse · Apr 19, 2003

I think there are some advantages to being an older graduate. I got my BSN two months before I turned 40 and my MSN shortly before turning 50. Now I'm 51 and thinking of getting my doctorate. The older students in my class had more life experiences to draw upon and were more dedicated and organized (we had to be!), so I think the classes were easier for us. The transition to actual nursing was harder, I think, though, for some of us. People expected me to know more, just because I was older. Right out of school, I had a GI doctor berate me for not knowing what some "raw" CBC values meant. "You're an old nurse!" he shouted at me. And the physical labor wears me out a lot faster than it would have at a younger age, there's no doubt about it. But it is entirely possible to succeed as an older nursing student; no doubt about it.:wink2:

giggles66 · Apr 19, 2003

Hello, Members:

I am a 37 year old single woman with a teenage son and I work as a nurses aid. I have chosen to take courses that will transfer to an ADN and BSN programs in the are I live. I really want to recieve my BSN. I would settle for my ADN , but math is tough for me exspecially Intermedite Algebra I can't seem to get through. I really like science and the other course aren't too bad. I did not do so well in high school so I am paying for it now plus I am a a slow learner. I am really dedicated to becoming a nurse though I have had people tell me that I should be realistic in my goal to become a RN and perhaps consider becoming a LPN. I have nothing against becoming an LPN except that I want to be an RN. I have considered becoming an LPN, but I do not want to be limited to the place where I can work and I have worked very hard academically to get where I am now. I had to begin with remedial courses and work my way very slowly up to the higher level courses and I feel good about that because when I first started I didn't think that I was going to get to this point. so why should't I continue on with the other courses I would need for my RN degree? I have taken most of my courses except for my sciences and I like science. I know they will be tough, but because I will enjoy them it might make getting through them a little easier. Is there anyone out there who did not do well in high school and had to start at the remedial level with their classes, and is struggling to get through the higher level math courses or any courses for that matter? if so, what courses are you taking now? How are you doing in them?

Carmen:specs:

rosemadder · Apr 19, 2003

I will be 42 when I graduate this May! I plan to continue on to get my BSN and then MSN. Who knows?? Maybe a doctorate. You are never to old to learn!!! Education is never a waste. Go for it!

sweethny43 · Apr 23, 2003

You go girl.....I am 45 soon to be 46 just graduated and passed my boards this past August. It was a bit harder than the younger ones I had to study a lot due to being out of school so long...by the way I am not a high school graduate I quit school at 15 then in 81 got my GED plus got my CNA certification worked as a aide for almost 25 years then became a nurse so if it is meant to be it does not matter what age you are...Go for your dream no matter what age!!!!!!!!!!!!

jschut, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2003

I became an LPN at age 39 (2 months before 40) and hope to have my ASN by the time I am 42.

The way I look at it, I will be 42 whether I go to school or not, so I may as well go for something I enjoy, and you should too!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Julie

klosses · Apr 24, 2003

I was 41 when I graduated from a Diploma RN program. I started by taking my pre-req's and some nursing classes that were being offered by the local community college during the evening. The fact that I did much better in the classes than the younger students, motivated me to quit my job and start classes full-time. I,also, lived in a rural area and had to drive in to the city--approx a 30 min. drive for all my classes. We had some severe winter driving conditions but I made it to most of my clinicals and classes.The biggest factor was the support and commitment of my family. My daughter had already been working as a nurse for 3 years when I graduated. I did some of my clinicals in the hospital where she worked and actually had her as a preceptor. She was probably tougher on me than another nurse would have been. I also have 4 boys. One was in University at the same time, 2 were at home 5yrs and 15 yrs. I was lucky that my husbands job allowed him to take over chauffering duties, to and from activites. I am 55 yrs old now and would like to train as a nurse in the NICU. Wish me luck!!