I so wish I had started this all earlier

Mandarella · Jan 28, 2005

I feel the same!!! I have worked in hospitals for 10 years. I should have just sucked it up and did this earlier. I am 29 with a 1 year old and a 2 year old. I would like another when I finish school but want to establish myself somewhere first. I will be 31 when I am done, but I felt so old in my nutrition class last night....I am attending a "hospital" school of nursing instead of a community college, so when the program gets rolling the students will likely be a bit older but I feel like I have wasted so much time.

I'm 31...have 2 kids from my prior marriage ( 8 and 5- the "booners). I have been in a relationship for awhile..I know he eventually wants to get married and have more children...I'd like that too. Now I know I will be 34 when I finish the program. Get a job..work for awhile ( def. don't want to get a job and WHAM get pregnant)....so say 36ish...if I have more than 1 more...I'm pushing 40 + holding down a job + my older 2 kids.
*sigh* I could really KICK myself for being such a slacker when I got out of H.S. Instead of staying in school I dropped out to follow the Grateful Dead :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle .
When I look at the timeline it feels as if I am in SUCH a crunch...which stinks because all my classmates are 20-22 and if they don't get in on their first application they have all the time in the world to reapply...and I DONT.
Well, you live you learn I guess. *sigh*

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 28, 2005

I feel the same!!! I have worked in hospitals for 10 years. I should have just sucked it up and did this earlier. I am 29 with a 1 year old and a 2 year old. I would like another when I finish school but want to establish myself somewhere first. I will be 31 when I am done, but I felt so old in my nutrition class last night....I am attending a "hospital" school of nursing instead of a community college, so when the program gets rolling the students will likely be a bit older but I feel like I have wasted so much time.

Don't feel bad. I am 29 and my son is 11 (yes I started young) I got my frist B.A at 27 and I am going for my BSN which I won't finish until I am 32 or so. I too am nervous about going back because I am getting ready to get married and I want to start having more children...which I can't until at least graduation. I am also nervouse about keeping up with the work etc.

But I look at my mother as my motivation. My mother was a factory worker when she came to this country. Then she got a secretarial job. When she was 42 years old (with 4 children) she decided to go back to school...and she has been an LPN for 15 years. Her only regret is that she had a scholarship to go on to RN school and she turned it down. Don't have any regrets the time will pass whether you do it or not. :) Believe me we are all in this together.

Mandarella · Jan 28, 2005

Thank you Falon. I appreciate it. Good luck to you.

Don't feel bad. I am 29 and my son is 11 (yes I started young) I got my frist B.A at 27 and I am going for my BSN which I won't finish until I am 32 or so. I too am nervous about going back because I am getting ready to get married and I want to start having more children...which I can't until at least graduation. I am also nervouse about keeping up with the work etc.
But I look at my mother as my motivation. My mother was a factory worker when she came to this country. Then she got a secretarial job. When she was 42 years old (with 4 children) she decided to go back to school...and she has been an LPN for 15 years. Her only regret is that she had a scholarship to go on to RN school and she turned it down. Don't have any regrets the time will pass whether you do it or not. :) Believe me we are all in this together.

wannabenursetx · Jan 28, 2005

I feel the same way. I'm 39 with three kids (16, 13, & 3) and will be starting my prereqs this summer. I plan to go part-time until my youngest starts kindergarten, then attend full-time, so at this rate, the 2-year ADN program will end up taking me twice as long. I'm sure I'll be in my mid-40's when I finally finish. Sometimes it seems like I'm biting off too much, but then I have to remind myself to take things one step at a time. I'm already stressing about taking the college placement test (I'm studying for it now!) because I've been out of school for 21 years and the math scares me to death. I wasn't good at math in high school, and the thought of doing college-level math petrifies me! :uhoh3:

Everyone (DH and kids) has been really supportive of my plans and my older kids keep telling me "you're smart, mom, you can do this" which does make me feel better on the one hand, on the other, I'm so afraid I WON'T be able to do it, and then I'll disappoint them. Guess the "mommy guilt" is kicking in!:chuckle

Part of me wishes I would have done this fresh out of high school, but there is also something to be said for being more mature, having more life experiences, and all the other things that being older can bring to the table. I might have had an easier time getting my degree when I was younger, but I don't think I would have had the maturity, decision-making skills, compassion, etc. that it takes to be a good nurse. Hopefully, these will be some of the skills I'll have that might end up giving me an edge, because I'm definitely going to need all the help I can get!

BoonersmomRN · Jan 28, 2005

SO glad to hear I am not alone.sometimes I get really down about it:( I got to stay home with the "booners" until they were in school. Actually my 5 yr old is in K and I stay home with him until he goes in (12:15) and am home when they get home. My S.O.'s salary has helped a lot of this..along w/ my Ebay at home job. When I started back I was REALLY lucky to get what credits I did have from my 1rst college stint transferred...and even though I FAILED Math twice back then..since I had originally " tested in" high enough they didn't make me re-test ( THANK GOD!). I started back with just Sociology which was great to get back into the swing..then I took Child Dev. Psych and Eng 102 over the summer and Statistics and Molecular Bio last fall...and have had a 4.0. Now all I have left it to get through A+P I ( I start Tues)...A+P II over the summer ...then I can apply for Spring acceptance to Nursing...I'll take Micro the fall before that...so one more yr. of pre-req's and I am in..( which hopefully if I keep my GPA it won't be an issue).

I stress so much! HA HA HA. Like I KNOW I have to be at Clinicals M,W,F at 7 AM. SO leaves for work at 7:30 and the kids don't start school until 8:40 but they have an "early childwatch" at the school starting at 7 so SO will have to drop them off for an hour before they start... I feel bad about that:(. But I am out by 3pm once I start so that gives me time to get home for the bus at 3:45.

Well, one day at a time, right? We can do this!

bmw804 · Jan 28, 2005

I'm 31...have 2 kids from my prior marriage ( 8 and 5- the "booners). I have been in a relationship for awhile..I know he eventually wants to get married and have more children...I'd like that too. Now I know I will be 34 when I finish the program. Get a job..work for awhile ( def. don't want to get a job and WHAM get pregnant)....so say 36ish...if I have more than 1 more...I'm pushing 40 + holding down a job + my older 2 kids.
*sigh* I could really KICK myself for being such a slacker when I got out of H.S. Instead of staying in school I dropped out to follow the Grateful Dead :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle .
When I look at the timeline it feels as if I am in SUCH a crunch...which stinks because all my classmates are 20-22 and if they don't get in on their first application they have all the time in the world to reapply...and I DONT.
Well, you live you learn I guess. *sigh*

You are not alone. I am 32 with a 5 year old, 2 year old and one on the way in April. I hate that I got my BS in Computer Science and I am stuck in this dead end job. I went on to complete my master's thinking there would be other opportunities but not in this industry. I only got into computers b/c I like to type.

I always wanted to be a nurse since high school, but I wasn't focused in school and I guess i didn't take it seriously. Now I have been accepted into a BSN program, so I will be 36 starting in the spring, when I finish this program.

I will just make sure my kids know what they want to do with their life and help them to stick with it.

sdzta · Jan 28, 2005

I am 26 and have an almost 3 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old. I went to college right out of HS and got a BA degree in education. I know it is going to be rough b/c i am doing it all at night, b/c i don't want to put my kids in daycare. But we will get thorugh it and be better off when i 'm done. i just have to keep thinking that, even when i am having one of those days, or weeks where i think...."hmmm i already have a degree maybe i should have just stuck with it":uhoh3:

lol

Just keep your mind of the goal! We will all make it through!! Good luck!

brwnngj · Jan 29, 2005

I am right there with you all I am 28 and I have a 7 year old a 5 year old and a 2 year old. I started College when I was 27 and it hasn't been easy taking care of a family and going to school so I so wish I had done this earlier but It is for my childrens future as well as mine of course. This quarter I am taking distance learning classes. A&P, Sociology, and Medical Terminology.

My First Quarter in I took Human Biology along with a couple other classes and wow was that a quarter. Then the next quarter I took 2 Chemistry classes. I keep setting myself up for punishment lol

twinbee25 · Jan 29, 2005

I feel the same way. I'm 39 with three kids (16, 13, & 3) and will be starting my prereqs this summer. I plan to go part-time until my youngest starts kindergarten, then attend full-time, so at this rate, the 2-year ADN program will end up taking me twice as long. I'm sure I'll be in my mid-40's when I finally finish. Sometimes it seems like I'm biting off too much, but then I have to remind myself to take things one step at a time. I'm already stressing about taking the college placement test (I'm studying for it now!) because I've been out of school for 21 years and the math scares me to death. I wasn't good at math in high school, and the thought of doing college-level math petrifies me!
Everyone (DH and kids) has been really supportive of my plans and my older kids keep telling me "you're smart, mom, you can do this" which does make me feel better on the one hand, on the other, I'm so afraid I WON'T be able to do it, and then I'll disappoint them. Guess the "mommy guilt" is kicking in!:chuckle
Part of me wishes I would have done this fresh out of high school, but there is also something to be said for being more mature, having more life experiences, and all the other things that being older can bring to the table. I might have had an easier time getting my degree when I was younger, but I don't think I would have had the maturity, decision-making skills, compassion, etc. that it takes to be a good nurse. Hopefully, these will be some of the skills I'll have that might end up giving me an edge, because I'm definitely going to need all the help I can get!

:yelclap:

I also went back to school at 38...for prereqs. I had never gone to college, never wanted to...my parents had 6 kids, and we were raised in the generation...get married and "happily ever after" (my parents are still together after 52 yrs!) ...but it wasnt in the cards for me ...so I am a single mom, now 42, and in my 2nd RN semester ...oh and I have a granddaughter 6mos old now (older son 21 is married), and I am still raising my 11 yr old son at home.

I have a great support system...my parents! And also a great bunch of other nursing students...I am in a great class, and everyone is so helpful and supportive!

The part you said about being more mature going back to school, I have to agree with you! It is amazing to see the difference in students and their age/study habits...of course you have it the other way also at times. But I wouldnt change anything, and definitely have no regrets now!

So go for it, and you can accomplish it! Good luck to you all in your studies and ventures!

twinbee

Sheri257 · Jan 29, 2005

*sigh* I could really KICK myself for being such a slacker when I got out of H.S. Instead of staying in school I dropped out to follow the Grateful Dead :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle .

I think that's what being young is all about. You're supposed to have a ton of fun at that age.

I don't think too many people get serious about school until they're older. Tons of people at my school are in their '30s and '40s.

Don't feel bad about it. The only thing to feel bad about is if you didn't have a good time when you were younger.

:biere:

wannabenursetx · Jan 29, 2005

Twinbee, I think what you said about having a good support system is so true. I think it will be critical for me to know that I can count on my parents, my DH and kids, etc. for support through all of this. I've read other posts on this board saying "you aren't going through nursing school, your whole FAMILY is going through nursing school!":chuckle I'm sure that will prove to be true! My goal these next few months (before starting my prereqs in August) is to "train" my family to be more self-sufficient and not count me for everything. I also need to work on my time-management skills and also get my house organized. Anything that I can do to make school flow more smoothly will help, I think. Any suggestions from those who've already started back? What works for you? I'm also worried about having time (or making time) to study. I know this will have to be a major priority, just not quite sure how I'll go about it!:rotfl: Oh, well, day by day, huh???