age ?

moosiesmom · Feb 3, 2008

I started at 55 will graduate at 59

Please tell me your story !!! That is wonderful ! :cheers:

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

I am starting my pre-regs. @ 50. I have to work my 4 days to help pay for my son's college and the bills. I would like to do the CNA thing first or maybe look into LPN school. Not sure I have what it takes for NS. Some days I feel my age and other days I feel I can do it. I am so thrilled to see other 50+ peeps here. It is inspiring. Please tell me how you guys did it/ and how you are finding the time to study etc. When ever I say anything about maybe going the LPN route, people say just do the RN thing.

I would agree to go the RN route. Don't know if you've checked in to schools in your areas, but it'll probably take longer overall should you decide to go on for an RN eventually. Might as well get it all done at once.

As for the age, I am fortunate I haven't had to work, but a number of fellow older students DO work and go to school. Additionally, my youngest left for college last year when I started NS, so I don't have childcare issues any longer (except my daughter who tries to pawn off the granddaughter every chance she gets!!). I did, however, work full-time while taking my pre-reqs. It's a bit of a sacrifice time wise, no doubt.

Some days I feel my age (physically, not mentally) and others I don't. I try not to think about it too much and just GO. I haven't felt out of place a day during school, nor do I think it's an issue for others. Academics-wise, I am doing as well or better than the majority of my NS peers. I probably don't study as much as I should. I have always been a bit of an overachiever in school and I just don't feel the need to be tops in class at this point. I want to learn what I can; pass the NCLEX and then get the real training and start doing what I went to school for.

Do NS's respect that you have completed LPN school ? Does that help you ? I would work part time anyway. How do you do the LPN program and still work during the day?

I'm taking a stab that you mean NS = nursing students. Yes, we respect the 4 LPNs that transferred in to our 3rd semester, but only so much as they've tried to blend in to our class and respect us as fellow students. We do not respect the guy who thinks he's a know-it-all and lets our whole class know it each and every chance he gets. The other three are just awesome folks, but they struggle as much as we do with some of the material. Keep in mind it's very difficult to join a class that's been together for a period of time already. Those who have been held back have commented that they feel very out of place, very "outside", joining another class and it'll take time to feel accepted.

Many of my fellow students work full-time and manage well. I don't know what their personal lives are like, but several have families and high-school or younger children and/or boyfriends that they juggle. It can be done, and I think organization is the key.

As for your age, I was told before I started, and I'll pass it along to you -- don't think again about it. It's been very irrelevant in school and in the clinical setting. I was hired for an internship last summer while several of my classmates were not. I was one of six granted a scholarship by a local hospital. I'm expecting to find the same welcome as I start my job hunt -- SOON!!

Good luck!!

moosiesmom · Feb 4, 2008

Hi there ! Thanks for your kind reply ! Nah, I meant do you think "nursing schools" respect an LPN student in terms of admission. Does it help ? Were you a CNA or anything before you started nursing school ? Plus, I am an average student. Not sure if my grades could compete either. Alot of days I wish I could just go to school and not have to work as much. But can't right now. I am just glad to be able to go when I can. I think I have a menopausal brain too. Tough to study and keep it all in sometimes. But you are doing it and I applaud you :cheers:. I am, however, making sure that I have good prof's from now on. I feel that that makes all the difference. Micro was a bear. My first class back to school, got a C but wanted the B. Towards the end prof shoved the rest of the syllabus down our throats and that was it. :bugeyes: I got my C. I don't feel I want to retake it, even though I have other teachers that would probably be better for me. That is where my age and time come in. Oh well we will see. but thanks again for your kindness and support. :redpinkhe

RNDreamer · Feb 4, 2008

started pre-reqs last summer at age 27....I'm in my last semester of pre-reqs (thank goodness, I'm soooo over it)...Next semester: Nursing School!

arabmagic · Feb 4, 2008

34 :specs:

I am taking my last 2 pre-req's now. I have a BS degree (from '95) so when I decided to go back to school I had to take 6 pre-req's. :)

candrak · Feb 4, 2008

I am 43 and will finish my prereqs this summer.

SwampCat, BSN · Feb 4, 2008

I just turned 26 and I start classes in the fall! :w00t:

One at a time, though, so I don't anticipate being out of nursing school until I'm in my early 30's.

Best wishes to everyone here!

mrsz1968 · Feb 4, 2008

I am so inspired to see the replies to this question. I am 39 and in the very beginning stages of considering this route. For those of you who are in a RN program, are you in 2 year programs like those at community colleges? I am meeting with an advisor in two weeks at our local CC about starting pre-reqs, and am even nervous about that. I have been out of school for 16 years. YIKES.

Anyway, thanks to all for your stories. They certainly make it seem less daunting to this 39 year old SAHM of two small children.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

Nah, I meant do you think "nursing schools" respect an LPN student in terms of admission. Does it help? Were you a CNA or anything before you started nursing school ?

I think it depends on your program. My guess is that it's easier to "bridge" to an RN program than it often is to get in as a 1st year RN student. But I'm not that all familiar with what's involved. I think for our program part of the equation would be if there is room in our 3rd semester class for additional students. If we hadn't had folks drop over the first two semesters, I doubt they would have admitted additional students.

I was not a CNA or anything before I started NS. I was an IT analyst, working with computers. I had been in a hospital for the birth of my 3 kids, and otherwise never even spent a night in a hospital!!

Plus, I am an average student. Not sure if my grades could compete either. Alot of days I wish I could just go to school and not have to work as much. But can't right now. I am just glad to be able to go when I can. I think I have a menopausal brain too. Tough to study and keep it all in sometimes.
I am, however, making sure that I have good prof's from now on. I feel that that makes all the difference.

I was a "D" student in high school -- obviously MANY years ago. I obtained a bachelor's in business in '99 and found I did very well in school. I had avoided the sciences like the plague and was petrified when I started taking nursing prereqs. I did pretty well -- "B" average overall. Keep in mind, I did those one at a time while working full-time also. I don't think I was menopausal during that time, but sometimes I wonder if that's happening to me now

. Seems like I don't know if I'm coming or going -- at school or anywhere else!! BUT, in talking to the majority of my very young buddies at school, we're all kind of going through the same thing. I don't know that it's worse for me, but it's a lot of info coming fast and we're trying to put it all together. Not fun sometimes.

The second part of your statement is SO important, especially when taking prereqs; in NS we don't have a choice -- the instructors are set and in place and there's two or three per semester that teach specific classes/sections.

We are very fortunate where I go to school (a 2-year school) in that we are put on a wait list once we meet minimum requirements w/a "C" or better on the prereqs. Additionally, we have to pass a dosage calculations test, which we can prepare for by taking a 4 week dosage calculations class. Then we apply, our name gets added to the end of the list, and then it's just a matter of time. No competition like you find in so many other schools. I hope they don't change that anytime soon.

Hang in there; best wishes. If you want this, you can do it!! We have had several students who have failed a semester; there's no shame in that either. They are repeating and will eventually join us in the battlefields, lol....they'll just be a semester behind us!!

moosiesmom · Feb 5, 2008

I think it depends on your program. My guess is that it's easier to "bridge" to an RN program than it often is to get in as a 1st year RN student. But I'm not that all familiar with what's involved. I think for our program part of the equation would be if there is room in our 3rd semester class for additional students. If we hadn't had folks drop over the first two semesters, I doubt they would have admitted additional students.
I was not a CNA or anything before I started NS. I was an IT analyst, working with computers. I had been in a hospital for the birth of my 3 kids, and otherwise never even spent a night in a hospital!!
I was a "D" student in high school -- obviously MANY years ago. I obtained a bachelor's in business in '99 and found I did very well in school. I had avoided the sciences like the plague and was petrified when I started taking nursing prereqs. I did pretty well -- "B" average overall. Keep in mind, I did those one at a time while working full-time also. I don't think I was menopausal during that time, but sometimes I wonder if that's happening to me now . Seems like I don't know if I'm coming or going -- at school or anywhere else!! BUT, in talking to the majority of my very young buddies at school, we're all kind of going through the same thing. I don't know that it's worse for me, but it's a lot of info coming fast and we're trying to put it all together. Not fun sometimes.
The second part of your statement is SO important, especially when taking prereqs; in NS we don't have a choice -- the instructors are set and in place and there's two or three per semester that teach specific classes/sections.
We are very fortunate where I go to school (a 2-year school) in that we are put on a wait list once we meet minimum requirements w/a "C" or better on the prereqs. Additionally, we have to pass a dosage calculations test, which we can prepare for by taking a 4 week dosage calculations class. Then we apply, our name gets added to the end of the list, and then it's just a matter of time. No competition like you find in so many other schools. I hope they don't change that anytime soon.
Hang in there; best wishes. If you want this, you can do it!! We have had several students who have failed a semester; there's no shame in that either. They are repeating and will eventually join us in the battlefields, lol....they'll just be a semester behind us!!

You are a kind soul...thank you so much for your reply. I wish you all the best...you've earned it. :redpinkhe

mcbismark · Feb 5, 2008

53 last year when I started pre-reqs; finished all I needed in Dec.

Interview for an Accelerated BSN next weekend.

I'll be 55 when schools starts in June IF I make the cut...

Mark

butterflyeffect · Feb 5, 2008

I am 35 and just applied to an entry level masters degree program for FNP. I have to say that while I find it sad that so many of us had to invest so much time to finally get into the field due to getting pre-req's and dealing with "life events" it is encouraging to know that I am not all that unique in both my age and my journey. I was seriously considering another field I have been at this for so long but I hung in there knowing that so many others overcame so much adversity and finally finished.

Thank you all for sharing your frustration...it makes it easier to own my own frustration. And, thank you too for sharing your joys as well.

Best of luck to all of us as we each embark on, travel through, and finish our respective journeys.

big hugs-b