Looking for advice from "older" students--up

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Hi, I am very new to this forum. Nursing school has been on my mind for years, and as much as I sometimes try to shake it off, I can't. It has been a dream since I graduated high school. Not too many years from now, both our kids will be graduated HS, so now is the time I need to start thinking about what I will do with my future. I have been a SAHM for the past 17 years, I just started doing med. trans. at home almost 2 years ago for some extra money and because I have always had that medical interested.

At this point, any advice from any older students would be a tremendous help. I am 43. I must admit it is very scary yet very exciting to think about returning to school. I actually get this tingly, warm feeling all over just thinking about it.

So, anyway, anyone who has any advice, encouragement or even any things to watch out for, it would all be appreciated.

Thank you so much!

You can do this...jump in with both feet. I'm 38 and I am convinced you are never too old to learn. :)

Lisa

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I started at 42 and just got my license at 46 ...

After being laid off from so many jobs in other fields ... it's so nice to have a degree where I can work virtually anywhere I want to.

I thought about quitting school many times because it is difficult but, in the end, it is worth it.

:typing

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Went back at 52, LPN at 53, working on my RN on-line, should have that this year, at 54.

What've you got to lose?

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Specializes in ER.

I am also in my early 30's. You will find that our age is an attribute, because if you decide to begin nursing school, you will bring much maturity, life experience, and dedication, which is a bonus. I am almost a senior in a BSN program in Chicago and I do see the differences between us (nontraditional students) and the younger students. I am not saying that it is a bad thing, but it sounds like you are definitely ready to begin and will be successful. You know what you want to do and it sounds like you will definitely get there. I wish you good luck.

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I'm 43 and in my 3rd semester of nursing school right now. Funny thing is, the MAJORITY of the students in my class are "older". I've also noticed it seems that it's the younger ones that struggle the most or outright fail.

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I am 50, and in my first year of the nursing program. All the prereqs, done. One day, I was standing in the nursing hallway with most of my class, and one student asked another if they thought we had ANY traditional students (straight out of high school) in our class. The response was, "I think we have ONE, let me see if I can find the one I'm thinking of." :wink2: Good luck with it, you will fit right in, and LOVE it!

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I am starting NS in May, and I'm 40. My youngest daughter graduates from HS this May, so it's really never too late. I know how you feel though, as I had the same concerns. I didn't want to be in a classroom with younger students if I wasn't going to fit in. After reading the posts on this thread and the one I started a few weeks ago, "how old is too old?" I realized that many, many people our age (and older) are doing it every day.

Go for it!:roll

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I have to add my $.02...

I agree with every poster above who said that age doesn't mean a thing. I'm 49, and I will be 51 at graduation. I'm not the oldest in my class.

My advice? Just do it!

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

I was 39 when I started my pre-reqs & 42 when I graduated...go for it & enjoy every minute of it! You won't regret it!

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:welcome: HI,

I AM ALSO NEW TO THIS SITE, AND KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.......I AM A 2ND YEAR NURSING STUDENT, GRADUATING IN DECEMBER 2007... I AM 36 WILL BE 37 WHEN I GRADUATE........I AM HAPPILY MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, A TEENAGER AND A TODDLER...... IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER FOR YOU AS YOUR CHILDREN ARE OLDER.......WHEN I STARTED SCHOOL I FELT THAT I WAS GOING TO BE THE OLDEST IN THE CLASS, BUT TO MY SUPRISE, THERE ARE ALOT OF OLDER STUDENTS........YOU WILL DO FINE, YOU HAVE RAISED YOUR CHILDREN, NOW IT IS YOUR TURN..........GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello-

I am 40 and anxiously waiting for my acceptance letter to a BSN program. I am hopeful. I am not scared because I completed my first BS degree in 2006. I look forward to this new challenge. I have a 15 year old and a 7 year old and will be relying heavily on my husband to handle things at home while I work full time and go to school.

Please don't be scared. Follow your dreams and if it is something you really want go for it! It does not matter how old you are or when you do it. if it is important to you just do it!

Good Luck.

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Thank you. The motivation and determination to do this just keeps flowing from this board! I love it!

Robin

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