new/but getting old quick

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

Chachi,

Welcome to Allnurses. I moved your post to the Nursing Career Advice Forum so you get more responses. Good luck in your pursuits.

barray · Nov 15, 2006

I have 4 kids (now 4 adult kids--my strongest cheerleaders!). 1st husband left when they were 13,11,8,2. Within 3 mo. I had enrolled in an RN--ADN program. Maxed out loans, grants, etc. Some days I knew I had sacrificed my kids for my education, but it was the only way. My ex-mom-in-law took my youngest to live with her so I could go to school, and my parents pitched in to help with my other 3. Never would have made it w/out all their help.

I have enjoyed my career, and my kids are proud of me--often refer to those lean times--they are ambitious, the oldest is a SFC Army MP, doing a 2nd tour in Afghanistan, another is an orchestra instuctor who also plays in a symphony, another plays in a Bluegrass band--they played on 2 stages at the Walnut Valley Festival this yr., and my daughter is working in LTC.

I was 31 when nursing school started--you are NEVER too old to start!!

Your future is waiting--go to school!!

My tho'ts and prayers are with you.

By the way--I have a wonderful 2nd hubby, and enjoy working PT in Rehab. :-)

bethin · Nov 15, 2006

hi, i am new here. I have been a nursing assistant for 22 years. I would love to go to school to further my career, but due to 4 kids, no time or money, i haven't. But i fear if i don't jump on the bandwagon soon , i never will. I am 39 years old, but due to my occupation, feel about 139. I live in Ohio, and i guess i need to know what i need to do to make this leap. Maybe alot of it is fear, like the math that i would have to take for nursing, or any other career in that direction. Is it better to do the LPN course and then bridge over to RN, or just do the RN from the get-go? As far as LPN, i am not saying i know as much as they do, but after doing what i've done for 22 years, there's not alot left for me to know as far as what LPN's are trained to do. So please give me some input and a kick in the butt to get me going!! thanks....

:groupwelcome: Why not check out colleges/universities and see what their requirements are? When I went to a local community college there were more people over 40 than there were under. No one made fun of them because they didn't grasp adding or subtracting fractions. I think every student realizes that they are not in high school, that they're there for one reason: to get an education. If you're worried about math I found a way to brush up on that ( I did it before I took my nursing entrance exam): go to the library and check out the GED book. It has some basic math problems in it with answers and explanations. It will probably be hard, but isn't that life? Look at it this way: you're 39 now and you go to school and graduate at 43. But what if you hadn't went to school? You still would have aged to 43. It's what we do in our years that matter. Don't be an old lady in a rocking chair, regretting that she never went to school.

If you do what you've always done you'll get what you've always gotten.

And 39 is not too old!!!!! I worked with a new LPN that was 55 and she was going back to get her RN.

Good luck to you!

bethin · Nov 15, 2006

Is it better to do the LPN course and then bridge over to RN, or just do the RN from the get-go? As far as LPN, i am not saying i know as much as they do, but after doing what i've done for 22 years, there's not alot left for me to know as far as what LPN's are trained to do. So please give me some input and a kick in the butt to get me going!! thanks....

When I attended a CC in Indiana, I tried to get into the RN program. I had a 3.5 GPA, and scored the highest on the test but I didn't get into the program. There is stiff competition for RN programs, esp the 2 year RN. If you want to do RN your best bet might be to go the old fashioned route and that would be a bachelor's in nursing. People today want something quick, that's why the 2 year RN programs are flooded with applicants. If you feel that you couldn't spend 4 years, try the LPN route. Much much less competition. Again, it could be different in Ohio.

purplegrape · Nov 21, 2006

I suggest doing the RN. In my state, you can take the PN boards after completing the first two semesters of an ADN program if you choose. :)

goodwitch · Nov 21, 2006

Take first steps first. Begin by gathering information about all programs in your area.....LPN, 2 year RN, 4 year RN. Many programs have waiting lists (I am also in Ohio). Some of your decision about which way to go may be clearer after you have all the information in hand from which to make a decision. You are never to old to try something new! BUT, if you don't at least begin the initial inquiry into your options, next year, you will be another year older and no further along. You CAN do it as long as you believe you can and are willing to do what it takes to reach your goal. I went back to school for my RN when I had a 1 year old, a two year old and a seven year old. I put off going back for my bachelor's for 15 more years and completed it this year....at age 48. Looking back now, I am not sure how I did either one, but I did....and so can you!!!! Best of luck....and start getting that information tomorrow!!!:)