I'm 44 and changing careers!

World International

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Hello everyone,

I am soooo new here and have read a lot of your posts. Most are very encouraging and others reconfirm the daily happenings of life. I have so enjoyed reading them.

I am presently a Flight Attendant with a major airline in Canada. I have been doing this for 18 yrs and now feel the need to keep my feet on the ground. Nursing has been on my mind for about 10 yrs. I have made several attempts to go College, but felt the timing wasn't right. NOW, the timing is perfect. I have been accepted into The Georgian College RPN program. I am going in as a Mature student. I haven't been to school in over 20 yrs, have never written an essay in my life, and I am scared to death. Nursing is something I have wanted since I went into the hospital for an infected appendix, at 14.

School starts in Sept., but I will be quitting my cooshy job in July. I feel my present job has prepared me for a good start in nursing. Passenger abuse, sick people, med. emergencys, poop, vomit, and shift work.

I am extremely stoked (excited) for this new carreer. This is something I really want to do.

My biggest dilema is this. How big is the workload in the first year of RPN?

Would it be possible to work the entire weekend and still handle the school work? I need not work at all, however, it is a struggle to decide if I should quit the airlines and just concentrate on studies, or keep the perks of the airlines and work my butt off. I know that many of you go to school and work. I don't know how some of you do it. I am just trying to figure out if I can. I can't wait for this new and exciting change in my life, but it still scares me half to death.

All the best to you.

i:mad:

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It can be done. Plenty of people in my course did it. Just make sure you are organized and keep up with your sleep.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Good luck.You are starting a very exciting journey.I am in the RPN program at Georgian as well.I am taking it 2 nights a week and I was in your shoes too. Hadn't been in school for 20 years ( I was 38) and scared witless!I agree with the previous poster, stay organized and get your rest.The biggest part of the work load I found was the reading,but it really pays off to keep up with it.:nurse:

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Specializes in Psych, Palliative Care.

Congrats to you!!!!

When I was doing my RN I managed to work each summer between semesters; I worked in activation, I worked as PSW and then I got into psych. I don't know how heavy your work load for school will be but it is dooable to work and go to school full time. But the first chance you see it being too tough, drop the job, if that permits, because the school is what matters. Where I presently work as an RN, they were SOOO flexible with me when I was in school, it was great. Would you consider working as a PSW while in school?? I found that to be the best experience I could have. I appreciate the work that they do and a lot don't. But do what your'e comfortable with!!!! Good luck as well :)

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:balloons: Congrats to you!!! It's really gutsy to do the career-switch. Have a great time in NSG school!

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