Please give me advice

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Jun 16, 2003

I just started nursing school in May at the ripe old age of 30 (turned 31 earlier this month). So far, so good. My husband supports me and does so much that sometimes I feel guilty.

My children are 9, 6, 6, and 4 (no, it's not a typo, it's twins) and seem to be ajusting fairly well.

Keep us posted as to what you decide to do, but my advise is to go to school. I am doing this for many reasons, but one of them is because I want to feel like I have accomplished more in my life than having babies and keeping house.

fulwood · Jun 16, 2003

Scrappergirl - never too old. I'm 41 and changing careers and own't graduate until I'm about 44. If you can get some prereqs out of way basic stuff like Eng 101 etc if not already done so. See if school you wish to attend wll accept old credits or if you can clep out of some classes such as Intro Algegra, Reading or whatever.. Just go for it. You will never know unless you try.

acuteobrn · Jun 16, 2003

Hey GIRL,

You CAN do it!!!! Although alittle younger than you I went back to school when my daughter was 3 months old got my CNA, finished prereqs and graduated from nursing last month!!!!! My daughter is now almost 3 and I have a 5 year old son too, They are awsome, almost always understanding mommy had school. My son got a kick out of it when he started preschool, how cool to go to school like mommy! Anyways, it was long and tiring, but it went by fast and I survived, doing what I love. Like all the girls who posted before me said

GO FOR IT:biggringi

Someone once said to me, "You are entering the most noble of professions, what an honor..."

Best of luck!

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · Jun 17, 2003

I started nursing school when my daughter was 18 months old. I did this FOR her. I started just going at nights to get the prereqs and then after a year of part time school went to full time. After my daughter was born I often looked at her and wanted her to go for every thing she wanted...I thought by going for what I wanted I would teach her by example. I graduated this past May and take boards July 1st...good luck it will be hard but worth it.

mommajoe · Jun 23, 2003

Pray, pray, pray. If this is your journey let nothing stop you--only you know that. I got a clear message. I would never have made it thru nursing school had HE not wanted me to. I hated LD in nursing school because we were not allowed to do anything but watch. However after getting some experience under my belt on Medical/Surgical floor, birth of 1st child, and the death of my father (age 47)--I decided to try something new with the advice of my director of nursing. You will love caring for your patients---if it's meant to be. But don't worry about the time. Being Mom right now is very important---not to say you shouldn't go now. Most students who are at the top of their classes are under the most stress (work, family, etc). My best friend in college had 3 children, I had none and she did better than I did. Their are so many things you can do.... it's great being an LD nurse!!! I wouldn't trade anything for my experiences in LD.

NURSEFLA · Jul 2, 2003

I was 28 years old, had a 3 year old and a 7 month old, divorced

single mom. It was not easy, but it was very rewarding going to

school every day knowing I was providing a better life for my

children.

I am now 45, kids are grown, and so glad I did it!!

Go for it!!! and don't look back

kimmicoobug · Jul 2, 2003

Howdy.

I am 25. I have two children. My daughter is 5, son 2. I was in school for four years towards my ADN. I started school when my daughter was a little over a year old, and even went through a pregnancy while in nursing. It can be done. I just graduated a few weeks ago and I even had a job 3 weeks before school ended in OB. One word of advice. Put your all into clinicals, be a team player, and really see it as the learning ops that it is meant to be. Ya never know who may be watching. This is how I got my job. The RN's on the the unit was watching me, as well as the director. I had no clue the director had been watching me from the get-go.

Good luck in your decision making. If you reallywant to do this, then GO for it.

DawnG · Jul 21, 2003

Hello, I am 32, mother of three, one grandson, yes, he just turned one, I started early and now my baby has a baby, My dream is to work on the Maternity Ward also. After giving birth and standing in on a couple it is the most amazing thing in the world to me. I understand things can and do go bad but I have so much love for this field I know I too will love my job. If any of you have suggestions on what to do before completing school to help "get my foot in the door" on the L&D it would be greatly appreciated. And good luck to you all!

Dawn in Alabama

bergren · Jul 21, 2003

Go for it!! You won't be anywhere near the oldest in the class. You will have 30 years left in your career when you graduate!!

Dayray, RN · Jul 21, 2003

I agree with the others age is only as much of an issue as you make it.

I just graduated and I'm 29 with 4 children. As far as an apprenticeship they're really isn't any for nurses. You will have to learn all areas of nursing to become an RN. Nurses train as generalists so that means you'll have to learn the basics of every area and do clinicals in those areas. Many L&D units require that you have years experience, as an RN before you apply others don't.

If L&D is where you want to be you'll make it but don't close your mind to other areas or you may miss a great career path. I never, ever would have guessed I would have wanted to work L&D. I wanted to be an ER or ICU nurse. In nursing school I fell in love with L&D and although it has been a hard road that's where I am now.

Anyway good luck just remember weather or not you go back to school time will pass so in 10 years you could be 40 with a degree and loving what you do or 40 and wondering what it would have been like. Just think how proud your kids will be and how you will feel when you hear them say, "my mommy is a nurse"

SoulShine75 · Jul 29, 2004

Hello, I'm 28, married with 4 boys ages 10, 8, 8, (twins) and a 17 month old. I start school going nights full time this fall for my pre-req's. I want to better my life for my family and also have a career that I love. Hopefully I can pull this off. :uhoh3: It works out perfect because by the time I graduate (hoping in 3 years and 1 semester) my youngest will be in pre-school so God has a way with giving you the right timing. Reach for your dreams and don't let anything stop you...ever!

nrsnan_1 · Jul 29, 2004

I had one youngster at home and during my 7 year part time schooling for my BSN, was pregnant and nursing twice more! The key word here is "exhaustion". I was one tired person but made it through. I have been a nurse for 16 years, primarily in OB, and there are days when I wonder why I did that to myself (nights, weekends, holidays, short staff, full moons). However, I wouldn't trade it for a million bucks. I love my job and recommend it highly to those who feel called. Best to you.