OVER-40 Fall 2012 Nursing Students--Roll Call

[laski]

I've posted and read other posts about the *slightly* older student and the overwhelming sentiment is "Wow! So great to hear I'm not alone!"

I thought it would be helpful and encouraging to centralize the over-40 newbies in one thread so we can refer to it for inspiration! And, those who are in their 30s can feel young again :)

So, list your situation (first degree, second career, other), your school, and your ultimate plans once you receive your nursing degree. Any other details about your decision to become a nurse and the aftermath (how have others reacted, what challenges you've faced or will face . . . ) would be great too!

***

I just turned 40 and am about to begin my ADN program at a local community college. I have a BA in English and a MEd in Teacher Education. I was a high school English teacher prior to staying home to be with my two children (ages soon-to-be 3 and 5). I have two years before they are in school full time so I figured NOW is the time . . . before soccer, baseball, dance . . .

While I know it will NEVER be easy and I am going to be struggling to maintain any semblance of a life for the next two years, I did work hard to get rid of every class but my nursing core. I would ultimately like to attend Ohio University (it is near where I live) and bridge to the MSN or FNP program...I've looked into it and it will require that I just take the nursing core for the BSN since I already have a BA. I'm hoping that will still be well received, but I'm still awhile away, so I'm sure I'll get plenty of advice between now and then.

I decided on nursing because I have an ANCIENT background in healthcare and an abandoned pre-med major. Life happened. I loved to write. Loved technology. Explored both as careers. Loved them. Life happened again in the form of two little people and I thought WHY NOT!?! Plus, how cool to tell my children all that mommy did and that I GET it when they say they just don't know what they want to be.

I've encountered a few more challenges than I anticipated. Of course, there is the element of time, the fact that I can't stay up late and function like I used to, and the somewhat disappointing response by some of my friends, though, I get it. I thought that I might end up in a PhD program in education, but something kept telling me that was not what I wanted, at least not now. I LOVE education, perhaps that's why I very well may be a perpetual student. I believe nursing has a lot of the components I loved about education (and I'm sure quite a few I may not love--you'll get that anywhere). Plus, who knows, it would all come full circle if I became an nursing instructor . . . or professor :)

Well, that's me. Your turn!!! Eager to hear . . .

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

i will be almost 44 when i graduate next spring. second degree but 20 years in the medical field. community college asn program connecticut, hopefully gyn oncology, most of my friends are nurses and they are world of knowledge and support.

[azjen43]

celtchick68, I had my youngest at 42, also. It's definitely different birthing and taking care of a baby in your 40s than in your 20s, but everything works out doesn't it? I can't imagine going through a c sec and then returning to school so quick. Even though my last pregnancy was a surprise (to say the least!) the timing was great. I took my 12 week maternity leave, then returned to work for a week, then it was summer break, (I was a teacher at the time.) So effectively I had 6 months off. This after a fairly easy (if you can call it that!) natural birth at home. I found that even with lower energy, my age gave me lots more patience and perspective than I had with my older kiddos, and I was able to nurse long term and really enjoy my little one's baby time. So, congrats on the late baby and on finishing your degree. That is so awesome! I can't wait to be where you are!

[SC4Nurse2B]

I just turned 48 and am starting the ADN program at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron, Michigan. The 20th of June, I will have been married 25 years. :redpinkhe I have 2 children. A daughter 24 who is married (expecting our first grandchild) and a son 22. I was a CENA and I went to college right out of high school, but had a bit of wanderlust and joined the Navy where I worked on jet engines.

Upon my discharge from the Navy, I was a stay at home mom, only beginning to work again when my kids were in junior high. I worked at a series of jobs; high school cook, milking on a couple of farms, veterinary clinic; but when my son suffered a pneumothorax in 2009, I knew I still wanted to be a nurse. He was in the hospital for almost a week. The smells, the hustle and bustle, the kind nurses, I loved it. So applied, starting attending the winter of 2010, and I haven't looked back.

My husband has been awesome through the entire process. I know it gets tough now, But I am ready. I do plan on obtaining a BSN through U of M when I complete my ADN. One of my want to's is to go on a medical mission trip through Word of Life NY (my daughter and son in law are employed there), and I am thinking home healthcare will be my niche. I live in a pretty rural area.

That is all. I have enjoyed reading eveyone's stories.

Patty

[loliver410]

I hope there are more out there who post! And I don't want to exclude those in their 30s, I was you just a few months ago. If you are "mature/older/sage/seasoned/advanced" and starting on the nursing journey, it would still be great to hear from you!

I'm 36 years old and have been accepted into the community college's ADN program and as a transfer student into a BSN program at a private college. I've decided to go the BSN route because of the amount of academic scholarships and grants that I have been awarded. What's one more year, right?

My husband and I have two children. A 19 year-old daughter in college and a 15 year-old son in high school. (I know, we started YOUNG) I have been working as a school bus driver for the past 12 years. This was a wonderful way to earn money and still be home with my children during vacations, snow days, and summer breaks. I'm going to miss this job, but it's time to stop dreaming and start doing!

I have always wanted to go to nursing school but didn't think I could handle the work load. I'm happy to say that I was wrong. I actually feel bad for the younger group because they tend to have more of an active social life than I do. I don't know how they juggle it. I wouldn't have been able to at their age. More power to them!

I have lurked on these boards for the past 2 years. I finally joined today and I look forward to getting to know everyone.

[laski]

jollylama! Congrats on the first year down! Funny, I worked for an automaker in Detroit as a summer worker and then got rolled over to full time. We have PhD-ers on the line! The lure of big bucks was huge, especially for someone lucky to make minimum wage during school breaks. Good for you for going for it! How was your first year? And, is your youngest going away to college? Empty nest???

celtchick68, I know you've gotten my message, but I'll say it again . . . wow. Just WOW. :)

studentnurseCT, you are like me, the second degree (actually for me, I guess it'll be a third, since I went BA, MEd and now, ADN . . . then maybe BSN-MSN bridge? Heck, who knows? So great that you know where you want to be. What did you do before in the med field?

Patty, you are from my original neck of the woods. I lived just outside of Detroit and we went to PH often. I have family in the area as well . . . it is awesome that you have such a great support at home. From reading these boards, I am finding out that THAT can be the key to success in school (and let's be honest, in LIFE).

loliver, so happy you posted! There is something about the slightly older of us banding together. There is this wealth of life experience that I hope will be an asset. Lord knows I'm not gonna have the energy, though after chasing around a toddler and preschooler (I started LATE), all day, I'm proving to myself that while I'm no Olympian, I'm fairly quick on my feet (we won't discuss how wiped out I am at the end of the day . . . ). When I hear that once you start school you have "no life," I always wonder just what that means. If I were 20-something, it would mean one thing, but now, my life revolves around my family. That's pretty much it. No real "social" life to speak of . . . so, I'm hopeful that maybe I'll have plenty of opportunities to BREATHE. What was it that drew you to nursing??

[Fiat40]

I am a 38 year old wife and mother of 5 girls! My youngest is 3 and my oldest is 17. I was accepted in to the community college ADN program and start in August.

I graduated from a medical assisting program in 1996. I worked off and on in pediatrics and OB/GYN in between times of staying home and taking care of my kids and babysitting some as well. After 6 years of that, I knew that I eventually had to get out!

I decided to go back to school and began taking pre-reqs in 2010, taking everything I could online, so I wouldn't have to leave home. I babysat some kids, and then went back to work in an OB clinic for a year. I recently quit so that I would not completely lose my mind when I start school in the fall. I don't handle stress well, so I am hoping and praying I can handle the next 2 years!

I have wanted to be a nurse since I was a junior in high school, I just took a bunch of detours and something lead me back.

It is nice to meet you all!​

[laski]

Hey meghen! Welcome! Congrats on the beginning of a new adventure! FIVE girls! Wow, you must be busy (and you must hear that from people all the time). You are going to be such a huge inspiration for them, as I am sure you are already!

I just finished looking at all the books and materials I have to buy for the fall and I suddenly got overwhelmed. I've been kinda zen since my acceptance, but now the reality of it all is sinking in. I only have three non-nursing courses to take, one of which I'm taking this summer. I was going to retake anatomy (my course is sooo old!), but the requirements and costs were insane for an online class. So, I'm reviewing on my own so I'll be ready for A & P II in the fall--which I'll take with a fundamentals and procedures class.

Every few days I can't help but think, WTH am I doing??? But then I get all geeked about learning again and I'm OK . . . and then I look at my little ones and it starts all over again.

Best of luck to you! I think you, all of you, will be in good company :)

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

Ok, I admit it, I am "only" 39 but I identify with the older students more than the younger!!! I was just accepted to Dixie State College (in Southern Utah), and I will have my RN (hopefully) in 18 months! I am a wife and mother of three teenagers, and during my pre-req classes I was frequently annoyed by the work ethic of the younger students. I am looking forward to being in a nursing program of 32 students where EVERYONE fought to get there!

Good luck Ladies!!!

[midlifecrisis1]

My friends don't be dismay, I will be 51 my next b'day. I will start NP program at UAB in the fall. I can't wait. It's something I have wanted to do for approximately 7 years. I have 22+ years of nursing ( BA Psychology/Sociology &. BSN). I have worked 16 years in ICU/Trauma, last 6 years in PACU/ Pre-op. It's now or never, kids ages 21 & 26 grow, one is finish college the other is a senior at USA. It is time for ME. I am thanking God for the opportunity.

[laski]

midlifecrisis1, you are where I may be one day and I won't have half the experience you have. NP, heck, you are climbing WAY up that ladder. I'm on the bottom rung :)

Seriously, it is great to hear from you! You are what so many of us aspire to be What do your children think about you heading back to school? Are you excited? Ready???

[jme123]

I am also 36 and just starting the nursing program in august at a local community college. I am married with 2 daughters 19 & 16 (I also started young) I have been a stay at home mom since I graduated high school so I never went to college until last year (taking core and prerequisites) I always wanted to be a nurse but never pursued it because I was busy raising a family. Now it's my turn & I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm glad to hear others are starting later also. I think life experiences will be a great asset to nursing.

[Java_Wench]

Well, I'm not quite 40...I'll be hitting that mile marker in January. I'm beginning an ADN program in the fall at a community college. I've got an AA and prior to 2011 was a small business owner. The economy forced my doors closed and I decided to pick up the pieces and go back to school.

I have a 2 year old daughter, my first (yes, at my age! LOL) Explains why I'm tired most of the time, I guess. :)

I've always had an interest in the medical field, and honestly I've had some fabulous nurses (both from ankle surgeries and during the course of childbirth) that inspired me. Plus, I'm tired of being broke. I am fully prepared to work my rear off to make a decent living. I worked my rear off at my store and barely scraped by.

I finished all my pre-reqs over the last year and a half and I'll tell ya......20 year old me would have never made it, let alone done well. I guess I'm a late bloomer all around!

I'm nervous about the nursing classes, mostly because I have a young child and a husband and I don't want them to forget what I look like, but I'm also extremely exited for a future (hopefully) where I can land a decent paying job and take care of people, because as a patient, I know how much the kindness of the nurses meant to me. I want to repay that.

It's hard to say where I'll wind up, but right now my interests are in ortho surgery, OR in general, and L&D.

So yeah, that's me. Hi! :)