Older Student Getting Frustrated

[alliestar]

Hello, I'm an older student, 36. I currently have a bachelors degree in a field going no where. I have been wanting to be a nurse since I was 29 and started taking pre-reqs then. Since then, life happened and kept me from pursuing nursing. I now have a 12 month old, husband and dog.

Right now I make pretty decent money, but we still live paycheck to paycheck. Things in the house are breaking, cars are breaking and baby is growing.

To go back to school, I will cut our income by 60%. Hopefully I can get into the 15 month fast track program.

I'm questioning my doing this because I feel like I'm asking my family to go into some serious debt for me and when I get out, I will be making less than I do now. About $20,000 less. BUT, by the time I'm 40 in this business, I will probably be weened out by younger people. Not to mentioned that I don't enjoy this line of work anymore.

We need a bigger house, currently its 1100sf. I'm sooooo frustrated because I'm causing my family to digress financially. I honestly feel that if I follow through with the BSN and then a masters in nursing that I will be able to put us in a better place in the long run. Or am I completely misguided by this?

Any input, Signed-SAD and CONFUSED

BTW, I was talking about study habits in my class the other day and mentioned that now before a test I get a really good nights sleep or I can't focus as well as I used to. She, 20 something, responded with "Well, you know after 35, your brain just doesn't work as well. At least I have a few good years left."

I wanted to CRY!

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

BTW, I was talking about study habits in my class the other day and mentioned that now before a test I get a really good nights sleep or I can't focus as well as I used to. She, 20 something, responded with "Well, you know after 35, your brain just doesn't work as well. At least I have a few good years left."

Oh, puleeeeeeeeze.....I will be 52 in December and finishing up my 3rd semester of an ADN program. I just completed a BS in Business in 2000 and graduated Magna Cum Laude after transferring from from CC where I had graduated with Honors.

I worked in the business world in IT for 6 years after getting that degree and realized I was going to die a cranky, unhappy old lady in my cubicle if I didn't get moving and soon.

Right now, I am carrying more-than-decent grades and that's honestly only 1/2 trying. The 20-somethings have dropped like flies over the past few semesters.

This program takes a LOT of dedication and hard work. It takes the ability to prioritize and commit. Those are things some of those 20-somethings haven't figured out yet. Believe me, I know. I am the mother to a few of those!!

I wouldn't waste tears on a comment like that; I would laugh. She has no clue much as we had no clue at that age.

Best wishes; I'm sure you will figure out the best way to accomplish your goals.

[mmeserve]

It's a scary thing deciding to go back to school. I'm a 35 year old married male with four kids and a full time job. Going through school is a struggle but luckily for me, my wife and I are a team and we just have the attitude that we will embrace all challenges together. We just roll up our collective sleeves and bull our way through it. I know it sounds cliche but where there is a will THERE IS A WAY! You can make it. You will only be held back by your own limits you set on yourself. So take a deep breath, see your goals and reach them! Try to develop tunnel vision! Find different ways for motivation when the times get tough. I know it sounds silly, but when I begin to feel overwhelmed, one of the things I do is watch all five Rocky movies! They inspire me in that as 30ish adults with responsibilities and against all odds I will prevail!