Older and back in nursing school...????

[kcrewfive]

Is anyone here in thier late 40's or 50's and back in school for the second time?? I ask because I was in school in my late 20's-early 30's and hubby decided he didn't want me working so I had to leave school. (4.o gpa and a great student. had nothing to do with my grades or performance) I was going to go back to school in my mid 30's but I had another baby. (that was a BIG reaosn I had to leave before cuz I and hubby wanted me to stay home with babies) So...now I have a 21 month old. I dream, and think about going back to school all the tim. I get jealous of people who are in school. I was a member of this board back in nursing school but took a break ..and came back...and took a break...and came back... because I love it here and I feel at home on the nursing boards. I sometimes get a terrible feeling in my stomach when on here cuz I know I will not be able to go back to school until my 21 month od is nearly an adult.

I am torn. I want so badly to be a nurse, to go back to school. ..but, I also don't want ot miss anything with my baby and I want to be here for him and the older 2 for everything. So...

That brings me to my question.. i want to knwo if anyone here started school and for one reason or another had to leave and then went back when in the 40's or 50's and how was it?? Was it harder or easier? Was it tough being around a lot of younger people, kids?

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Honestly, the "traditional" student is now becoming older and 2nd career people. So you won't feel so out of place.

Also, I am famous for saying this..the years will pass..regardless..in 5 years you can be 5 years older and not a nurse..or you can be 5 years older AND a nurse. No matter what 5 years will pass. I chose to take the bull by the horns and plod through school..no matter how long it takes.

Hey! I thought that was my saying!!! Wink Wink ...but it is SO TRUE and it goes by in the blink of an eye!

to all of you who are thinking about this...in the words of that NIKE commercial...JUST DO IT!

[Five&Two Will Do]

You will never get anywhere until you take the first step. While in nursing school, it seems as thouigh it will never end. All of those early cold morning clinicals! Yuck! But then one fine day you are at a pinning ceremony and happy as can be.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

[/b]

Hey! I thought that was my saying!!! Wink Wink ...but it is SO TRUE and it goes by in the blink of an eye!

to all of you who are thinking about this...in the words of that NIKE commercial...JUST DO IT!

Great minds think a like Diva :)

Honestly, I'm always saying this to people when they are reluctant to do something because it 'will take too long', 'its X years..' blah blah blah..

It's true, those years are going to pass..regardless. Like you said...JUST DO IT!

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Great minds think a like Diva :)

Honestly, I'm always saying this to people when they are reluctant to do something because it 'will take too long', 'its X years..' blah blah blah..

It's true, those years are going to pass..regardless. Like you said...JUST DO IT!

You said it, sister!!

This is funny, but I there are still so many things I wish I had done that I though...nah, it's gonna take too long...like play the piano for instance, about 10 years ago I thought about taking lessons, I even had a piano for my daughter, but thought, nah, I'm too old, it will take too long, well guess, what...I am 10 years older and I STILL CAN'T PLAY THE PIANO.....

;)Diva

[florence66]

I am45 and starting a nursing program in the fall. I was a CPA for 20 years but never had a passion for that. I had a good job though that was very flexible so I stuck with it while I raised my kids. Now I'm finally able to follow my heart into nursing where I probably should have been all along. I've never been happier since the day I went back to school. Age really doesn't matter - it's only a number. Just follow your heart and work hard & you'll do fine.

[Streamline2010]

On being there for your children every waking minute until they are fully grown: The kids don't need it. If you want to sacrifice yourself on the altar of SAHM, fine. But I am here to tell you that I am "older" and I came from dual-career parents. My father was in business, and my mother was a full time teacher. I had baby sitters, I went to kindergarten, I had a younger bro and sis, and I didn't come along until my parents were 31. So, I was 'way ahead of the curve on that, compared to all of my peers.

Kids focus on themselves. So long as they are nurtured "enough," can find something to entertain them that doesn't require a parent's input, and are clearly given the expectation that they are to grow up and be self-sufficient, I don't think they need a mom or a parent there with them every second, if you can get decent daycare or babysitters. My mom spent time with up when she got home. We thought our family arrangement was very normal. I don't recall ever feeling that I missed out on any childhood experiences or had a diminished quality of life due to my mother having a full time career outside the home. How women can tether themselves solely to the home and hearth and give up careers, is beyond my comprehension. Eventually, your kids go out into the outside world, and they'll encounter cultures, morals, religions, etc. that conflict with what they've been taught at home. And they will have to learn to deal with it. And they WILL eventually have the right to choose their own paths, regardless of what you want for them.

As for homeschooling, I am opposed to that, too. The school system is full of the real world, and kids had better be learning to deal with it. If the school is unsafe, two well-educated and well-employed and financially secure parents can afford to move to a different neighborhood. Or, they can put pressure on the schools to make better use of all that taxpayer money and do their freakin' job of educating children, like the citizens are paying them to do.

Woman up, decide what you want, and go after it. Nursing might be one of the few careers that you can start late in and move up. But still, time in job at one location is what moves you up the ladder. If you want to be other than floor nurse, start making plans for daycare, tell the dad he's going to be responsible for kids care, too, start taking online classes, and get moving. Be aware, though, that some schools have an "expiration date" of 3 or 6 or however many years for college credits, and after that you must repeat the classes. Rio Salado online has a lot of what you'd need and those courses run 8-12 weeks year 'round. Your local community college will be less expensive, of course.

LPN programs might be available part time for 24 months. But 24 month programs have higher dropout rates due to it's harder to drag through 2 years than one. There might be evening programs for LPN, like afternoon shift, 2PM to 10PM, in some places.

[exit96]

I am 47, male, and will graduate in December. The only regret I have is NOT getting on with this all when I wanted to, when I knew I wanted to to be a nurse. That was 25 years ago. My advice to anyone at this point is don't wait. Being a stay at home Mom is an admirable vocation, I guess if you can afford it just go to school later. Good Luck!

[whichway]

Let me chime in as a member of the oldie but goodie group. I'm 51 and having the time of life. Wish I had done it years ago. I felt my priority was to raise my children. Done that. Now, it's my turn. No regrets, but I am thankful for the opportunity.

[suni, BSN, RN]

I was 40 when I graduated from a diploma program with my RN, 10 years later, at age 50 I finished my BSN and now at 57 I am in an MSN program. You are never too old to go to school.

[Java_Wench]

Hi there, :)

I'm 38 years old and just getting ready to go back to school for nursing beginning in June (to finish pre-reqs) and hopefully begin my school's nursing program in the fall of next year. I have a one year old daughter.

I have an AA (liberal arts), and until January of 2010 I owned my own business. Now my entire life is rearranging itself (fun when that happens).

Anyhow, I am not sure where you are thinking of going to school, but my school is a community college and has every age range imaginable attending it. When I owned my business (it was a coffee house) many of my every day regulars were nursing students, and 75% of them were older than me, with small to adolescent children at home. Really is was those regulars who gave me the encouragement to go back to school at 38 and completely begin a new career path.

With my daughter, the way I figure it, I've been there every moment of every day for her first year of life. I'm taking online only classes this summer, and part time on campus in the fall, so she will only be in daycare a few hours a day. She could use the outside socialization anyway, and I think now that she's over a year old, she will be able to handle it. Besides, I'm doing all of this to be able to provide a better home and life for her (that's one of my main motivators).

I think you're never too old to go to school, and you're never too old to make a life change! Best of luck in whatever you decide!

[Arica41]

Hello:

I too am starting nursing school later in life as a 3rd career!!! I was a respiratory therapist, then got a master's degree and became a school counselor (bad and expensive move!the schools are getting rid of school counselors ....fast) and now I am returning to healthcare via Excelsior College to secure my RN degree.

I have not illusions that my age is an issue but this is not new....I believe all will work out fine and I am looking forward to it!!!!

Good luck to you!

Arica