Confessions of a 30-something RN grad

(only difference is that i was 21)

It is great to hear so many inspiring stories!! I am 38, and a single mom, will be 41 when I am finished. I dont think everyone can appreciate how much is riding on this journey.....except if you are in the middle of it. Almost done with pre-req, taking it one semester at a time!
Best of luck!

You did a great job of telling "MY" story as well! I graduated nursing school at 36 and passed the NCLEX with 75 questions as well....I thought "either I did REALLY good or REALLY bad"!! I had to wait a bit longer than you, for some reason my name did not show up online for almost 2 weeks. I thought for sure that I had failed. But here I am, 11 years of being an RN....it's been a blessing most days and somedays a curse...but I'm still here alive and kicking! It's never too late to "reinvent" yourself!!

I dun know.my tears rolled while reading your story. I am not 30-something but I just had a baby 2 months ago. Mind you I was breast feeding and just wanted the computer to shut down. Noooooo...freaking computer went on and on until 144th questions and I was almost about to pass out. Churning stomach, pounding heart as well as filled boobi**es.
Finally, done and ran to the parking lot where my hubby was waiting with my angel, and empited out as fast as they were filled......

After being rescued by my son, then again filled with the anxiety and fear. It was thursday and had to wait the two longest days in my life with the uncertainty. Then....saw my name on the BRN...oh my God...the second happiest day in my life ever...
God bless every nurse out there

Wow I felt the same way taking the PN boards on June 3rd except I'm 46!!!!!!Congratulations and lookout this LPN just signed up for the RN program starting in Jan2010!!!

I LOVE this thread. I am a 35yo retester and I was beginning to give up because I didn't see anyone else like me trying to become and RN. You all are a breath of fresh air. Nursing is my callling and destiny and I am not going to stop until I (with God's help) make it a reality. Thank you all for sharing.

Wow, back in 1995 when we were the first class to test on the computer, I answered 275 questions and it took a while to find out. I can't remember exactly how long it took (I think I blocked out that angonizing detail) and we didn't have the computer to check. It was on the phone or wait until the envelope come in the mail.

Your story is such an inspiration to me...I believe in writing down goals...I just got accepted in the nursing program and I am so excited...my goal is to complete the program in two(2) years...kudos to you.

Reading your story was like reliving the exact same experience I had taking the RN boards! I was sure I failed when that screen went black after 75 questions! I remember going through the security fighting to hold it together until I could get myself into my car and cry my eyes out, which I did. I called my hubby and could barely get the words out that I was sure I must have failed! A few days later, I checked the sight and found I had passed! What a relief and again crying but this time for joy!

When I took my LPN board exam back in 1992, it was all on paper, and you had to wait until you were notified my mail about 6 to 9 weeks later! I was told if it was a big envelope, you had failed and it was paperwork to reschedule the exam, which was only given in Minnesota twice a year. If it was a small envelope, you passed and it was your license. Well, it was a medium sized envelope and I had my husband open it, I passed and was very very happy! But back then, most of the questions were pretty common sense and I felt sure I had passed. With the RN boards, it was way different.

Congrads to you for passing. It is a great accomplishment no matter what age you are!