OVER-40 Fall 2012 Nursing Students--Roll Call - Page 3

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  1. Jun 19, '12 by
    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.
  2. Jun 19, '12 by
    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???
  3. Jun 19, '12 by
    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.
  4. Jun 19, '12 by
    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!
  5. Jun 19, '12 by
    Hey JavaWench! It IS why you are tired . . . the two-year-old, that is. I had my first at 35 (I was mortified when my chart had me listed as "Advanced Maternal Age") and my second at 37. They will be 3 and 5 in just a matter of months! I was worried about doing this now, not waiting until mine were in school full time. But, the advice I received was that now is the time because soon enough you'll have school demands, dance class, soccer, midnight cupcake baking, school clothes shopping, karate, piano lessons . . . AAARGH!

    I have the same worries as you do, but I'm hoping the 40-year-old me will have her act together and stay focused.Think about it, we have awesome incentives, those little people who call us MAMA! Crazy as it is, I think they have inspired me more than anything.

    Your reasons for entering are pretty much the same as well. As a matter of fact, I wrote my application essay on the nurse who inspired me, my L&D nurse.

    Sorry about your business. It seems to be a common tale these days and it is really disheartening, but that said, perhaps this was your moment to try something new . . . could be a pretty exciting adventure.
  6. Jun 21, '12 by
    Well, I just got the book list today. Yikes! I am going to be broke! I found out that my first clinical site is the hospital I wanted and oncology which I really wanted. I also got my Danskins in the mail yesterday. I've been walking around in them trying to get used to the weird way they feel. I had orientation last Friday and I just want to get started!
  7. Jun 21, '12 by
    Hello everyone!


    Well, I will be 43 next week and I am currently in Pharmacology and will begin clinical courses for an ADN in September. Hopefully, 18 months after that, I will be getting ready to take the NCLEX so that I can officially say I am an RN!


    I started my prerequisites, along with a handful of classes to put toward a BSN, in May of 2009 and here I am! Even though it seems like so long ago, the time really has flown by and I can hardly believe I am actually finally beginning the clinical classes! I weathered the automotive industry in Michigan relatively unscathed (I still have my job and my condo), but aside from the constant worrying over the years about losing my job, I also needed something more challenging and rewarding. I needed something that “felt” more secure, and more flexible, and that afforded the possibility of greater responsibility and greater income (I’ve been an administrative assistant for 16 years).

    I am also a single parent by choice to a very energetic 4 year old boy and have somehow managed to spend time with him, continue working my full time office job while going to school and maintaining a 4.0 (much to my surprise because my first go around in college 20+ years ago was not that stellar). I had decided that I had always said I wanted to be a doctor when I was young, but came to realize that (aside from feeling seriously to old to attempt pursuing that path now) I likely really wanted to be a nurse all these years. I was actually a candy striper in high school, pink and white striped jumper and all, and enjoyed it a great deal! Seriously, other than that, I have no previous medical experience, but I am so excited to be pursuing a career in nursing!

    Right now, I am thinking that Labor and Delivery or Emergency (YIKES) might be the right place for me. Full of action, thinking on your feet, busy and just the kind of chaos that makes me crazy, but somehow calm (is that weird?). Then again, I have never done any of this, so who knows what I will find most interesting!

    I know that I will at least get a BSN. I’m hoping that my ADN will get me a job that will pay at least in part for the BSN, because money is what stopped me from going straight for the BSN. That first go around at a University 20+ years ago got me to 20 credits short of a bachelor’s degree, something I always regretted not finishing. Never finishing that first degree ironically paid off, because coupled with my modest income and single parent status, it has provided me the opportunity for grants and scholarships which will pay for my ADN in full. I am entertaining the idea of pursuing an MSN, but one thing at a time ;-)

    I do struggle a bit in classes with the younger crowd in class. Mostly the drama. I don’t want to come across as aloof with my classmates, but I seriously am all business! I don’t have a great deal of time for study groups or fretting over an exam or assignment or antics with BF’s or BFF’s or wild parties or issues at rinky dink part-time jobs … my life is a balance of school, work, son … for now ;-)


    I am nervous about my fall schedule, the 18 months of clinicals thereafter and how it will affect the job I’ve had for 16 years … which pays the bills and provides medical insurance for me and my son. I am nervous about finding a job as a bedside nurse, in a major hospital, at 45 years old, with virtually no experience. I am nervous about “only” having an ADN because ultimately I will need a good job to get the BSN for greater opportunities and achievement. I am nervous to transition from working with mostly men to working mostly with women. I am nervous to go from a schedule of Monday thru Friday from 8 to 5, to hours and days all over the map. I am nervous about the possibility of doing absolutely anything that could injure a patient, but I am also SUPER conscientious about my actions and am looking forward to doing something that will help and comfort others.


    This journey back to school has been stressful, but I honestly cannot say it has been difficult. The classes just seem very second nature and common sense to me, so I really feel this is a good fit. I must admit, that although I have somewhat altruistic intentions, I also have selfish intentions. I cannot wait to be finished with the ADN and hopefully (fingers crossed) a higher paying job because my son will be about 6 when I begin practicing. I cannot wait to 1) take him to Disney World, 2) dump my condo and get a house with a backyard, and 3) get him the puppy he’s been asking for! All have to wait until I finish school, but they are going to be very nice rewards for my son and me.


    Well, that’s me in a nutshell! Nice to “meet” (kinda) all of you and good luck to everyone!
    laski likes this.
  8. Jun 23, '12 by
    Great to find this thread. I am pushing 53 and headed into my second year in an ADN program. I already have both a BS and MBA and have been in healthcare over 35 years.
  9. Jun 24, '12 by
    Dharma21 and DReinerMBA, nice to meet you! I'm with your Dharma21, I'm already thinking about my BSN, even looked at a few online programs today. I need to not get ahead of myself, but sometimes its hard not to think that way!

    Like you, DReinerMBA, I have an advanced degree in education. I received my MEd about 7 years ago and worked as an English teacher until I decided to stay home with my little ones. I was in healthcare (EMT, athletic trainer, personal trainer) years ago and always loved the field, so here I am, coming full circle.

    How has school been for you so far? Are you finding it any easier this time around? Does having the background in healthcare help a lot in your classes?
  10. Jun 25, '12 by
    I'm working on my BSN also. I took one class for my BSN during my first semester of nursing It was crazy but I'm one step closer. I applied for a RN-BSN program that conditionally accepts students in my ASN program. I think being accepted and proactive will give me an edge over all the other applicants without a BSN.I am a lot more focused in school compared to my 20's. Even though I had to repeat A&P after all these years. I knew what to expect it was a much easier the second time.