How many much older (40+) students out there starting classes? (I'm 47)

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi, everyone. Just wondering how many older students like me are starting nursing classes this year? I'm 47 and just finished most of my pre-reqs; starting nursing classes in the fall and am extremely excited! Second career for me after doing data entry for over 25 years and never having gone to college before, but I love it! I don't feel like I could have done this when I was younger - didn't have the determination I do now. And now that my children are grown, there's only my husband and I left so I have plenty of time for studying. This is happening at the perfect time in my life. My ultimate goal is to work as a L&D nurse. I became interested in that 3 years ago when my granddaughter was born and I noticed the nurses helping my daughter through her labor. I thought that was such an interesting and rewarding career. My goal is to have my RN by the time I turn 50! Never thought in a million years my life would take this turn, but soooo glad it has.

The only thing better would be to replace Julia Roberts with Jennifer Aniston. snort.

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After 10 years in the military and almost 20 as a systems and satellite engineer,

What branch were you in? I was in the Navy. I was stationed in Spain from 83-85, and the Norfolk, VA until 88, when I was discharged.

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Hello to all,

I like some are of the older generation, I am 45 and have completed my pre-req's. However, I am getting worried as to how this will play out after reading other posts. Nurses having a problem finding employment is some what bothersome. Then there is the issues with appying to the nursing programs: not having all A's, having w's is counted against you, I dont have a 3.0 gpa, and not to mention the chances I am taking in changing careers in order to fullfill my dream.

I am the sole provider for my three children and will enter a CNA program in two weeks. Working the night shift as a CNA will allow me to to apply and..... possibly receive a chance at entering the LVN Program. Once employed as an LVN I will continue with school until I earn my BNS. The colleges make it extremly difficult on the single mothers who want to earn an academic education. We have to work full-time and the medical classes are only held during the day.

Although I want this terribly, I might have to change my major so that I will be able to support my family and still achieve an academic education.

Im taking a huge risk and wonder if any others have traveled down the same road and could possibly offer some advise. I would greatly appreciate it.

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Wow ! So glad to come across this thread! I needed this! I just turned 41 this month and start my first semester of prereqs Thursday!!! I am so nervous but excited as well. This will be my very first time in a college classroom! I started working in the travel industry in high school and worked my way up through the years with a national company. Long story short - my position was phased out after 20 years with them and I found myself in a strange situation. My kids are 17 and 13, I have an incredibly supportive husband and he told me to go for this! Ive always wanted to go to nursing school but I had too good of a job to consider career changes. If you told me a year ago I'd be starting nursing school I would have called you a liar!! I am so excited about this next phase in my life. I am however, VERY apprehensive about my age!! I dont want to be the class granny! LOL!!!!

This summer I am taking remedial math (yuck) , anatomy and anatomy lab and English.

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Wow ! So glad to come across this thread! I needed this! I just turned 41 this month and start my first semester of prereqs Thursday!!! I am so nervous but excited as well. This will be my very first time in a college classroom! I started working in the travel industry in high school and worked my way up through the years with a national company. Long story short - my position was phased out after 20 years with them and I found myself in a strange situation. My kids are 17 and 13, I have an incredibly supportive husband and he told me to go for this! Ive always wanted to go to nursing school but I had too good of a job to consider career changes. If you told me a year ago I'd be starting nursing school I would have called you a liar!! I am so excited about this next phase in my life. I am however, VERY apprehensive about my age!! I dont want to be the class granny! LOL!!!!

This summer I am taking remedial math (yuck) , anatomy and anatomy lab and English.

Wow, your situation sounds quite similar to mine. No worries, you certainly won't be the "class granny" LOL There are lots of older people going to school now. Good luck and go for your dream!

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42 here and starting nursing school this fall! It's great to see that there are so many of us, it makes me feel much better. I was so worried I even asked my advisor if she thought I was too old to start nursing school and her answer was an emphatic "heavens no!"

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Just turned 48 in May! Not sweating it though- honestly I was not ready emotionally or psychologically to be a Nurse. Had a lot of growing up to do! Graduated: Oh Lawdy ;~) with a BS in Business and had a successful 20+ year career in the financial industry, got plenty of experience in the corporate world. In the meantime, lost 50 pounds (and kept it off), ended an abusive marriage, and buried 3 of the most loved and important people in my life. Lots of baggage has been unpacked and thrown away. Now I am ready to fullfill a dream that I've had since I was 8 years old. Nothing is impossible- the universe gives us everything we need! Godspeed to everyone of you....

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oh yeah BTW, I''m finishing up my pre-reqs. Taking A&P II now and taking Micro in the fall. Taking July and Aug off to study for the TEAS and apply to several Nursing programs in my area!!

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It's so nice to see this thread! I am 50 and have just finished my first semester after 30 years. I took A&P1 and received an A and I'm tackling A&P2 along with some other prerequisites this semester. I am such a better student than I was and am learning a tremendous amount. I have found that the other students (of all ages) in my classes seem to gravitate toward me for study tips, etc. and I hope it holds true if I am fortunate to get into my ADN program. I look at some of the younger students and see myself 30 years ago...I would not be able to handle being a nurse when I was 21. My niece is a CFO at a hospital and she has told me that her hospital loves "mature" nurses--patients seem to trust them more, they don't call in sick as much, and are able to handle difficult situations with ease. Not sure if she is just trying to make me feel better about being a 52yo new grad, but I'll take it! My next big test will be TEAS, but I find that once I study the guides it starts to come back to me..just have to dust the cobwebs off those memory file drawers. Good luck to all of you!

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bump...

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@ adntobe...i will be 50 in october...and i will be in my first semester of an ADN program....i completed all my sciences before i applied and got right in...received As in all of them and while studying for a test or doing homework i often wondered what the heck am i in for...if i am puting this much time into just one class at a time...what is it going to be like in the program....but this is what i want to do and i am going for it!.....5 yrs ago, after being a stay at home mom for 19 yrs,i decided to do an adult LPN program...passed that,worked for a year as a lpn(still at same place) but decided i wanted to do so much more...so i started taking some classes..one at a time..just finished micro and i will be starting pharm 1 on monday online,one less class to go along with my nuring course.....i allready have a previous degree so all my gen ed classes transfer,so i only have 7 credit hrs for fall...

goodluck to you and everyone!!

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I'm 52 this October! Woohoo for older nursing students!!! I totally agree with you on the determination factor...and now that we only have 1 more left in college (out of 5) they are my best cheerleaders!!! I completely understand their "struggles". I have completed all of my pre-req and have submitted my application to our program here; today was the deadline although mine has been in for about 2 weeks.....ANNNNNNND we wait! 6-8 weeks...SO, you can do it!

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