Am I crazy? Need advice

brighella · Jan 4, 2008

hi Robyn,

Im in NS now as an older student, having gone back to develop my 2nd career, and had to start all over too. A basic biology class might be a good idea, not even as much for the information in the class, but to see how you do with being in school - study habits, motivation, persistence etc. I remember very little math in Microbio - and none in A&P unless you include counting and memorization of ranges as being math. An algebra class may benefit you if youre that concerned about it, and I know it did help me ultimately in drug dosage math with NS. Doing the prerequisites will help you to determine whether NS is something you want to do, and allow you opportunities to get the grades you need to get in the door.

A good third of my class is people over 30 (many over 40), and in my experience because of what they have done to get there, they are highly motivated, and set the bar for the rest of the class. The added experience we have allows us to be able to filter some of the "away from home for the 1st time" noise. Your experience with patients, with some of the procedures, ability to talk to doctors and other health professionals as a professional are absolutely assets in the clinical setting. You'll have a much different perspective than your 22 y/o classmates.

It hasn't been without its challenges, but thats what ultimately makes the achieving those goals more valuable. In 5 years, I'm going to be 5 years older, not matter what else I decide to do with that time, which in turn makes age less relevant. :)

Good luck!

Sarah

PMHNP10 · Jan 4, 2008

I am 35. ( a bit old to start this.)
I am a medical assistant. I love my job, but got laid off. So now I have been thinking of going back to school to be a nurse. I would like to know a bit more of the why we do things in the medical field. ( I can draw blood and give injections but I would like a more in depth education as well)
But I would have to start at the begining as my classes from my RMA won't transfer. I am scared that I am too old and won't make it. I also am terrible in math. How hard are these classes? Is there a lot of math in Microbiology and A and P 1 and 2? I know I will have to take some math before I can apply because I don't remember algebra. Does anyone recomend a lower biology class before these for those out of school for a long time?
Any advice would be well taken. Thank you.
Robyn

At 35, you are absolutely not too old to become a nurse--not even close. I graduated with a 55 y/o. In fact, it is my opinion that the older you are, the better student you are...more mature, responsible, goal directed.

As for math, the only math you will need to know is drug calculations which will require some ability to solve for "x", but I don't recall any math from micro nor A&P

Good luck.

robynv · Jan 4, 2008

Thank you.

I really enjoyed my job as a MA. I worked in OB/GYN and loved it. But I keep kicking this idea around every year or so and now I think is the time.

I think I will take the lower Biology and math. Why not? I love school. I was just reading on here though about how hard NS school is. That in of itself is enough to give m pause... It almost seems that if an instructor doesn't like you for whatever reason then you are toast. No matter how well you do!

That is scary, maybe it isn't everywhere and hopefully not here. On Monday I think I will go up to the local CC and see what I can do to enroll. That first step is always the hardest.......!

brighella · Jan 4, 2008

The value in any educational experience is what you make of it. Theres going to be turds and whiners and gradehounds and the truly poisonous out there, instructor and classmate alike, but there will also be those people who if you show them that you're there to learn, they will support and teach you what they know, and cheer you on all the way.

Sarah

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 4, 2008

You are definitely not too old!

As someone else has said, having a little bit more age and experience can be a very good thing.

If you keep coming back to this idea, then you need to at least give it a try. If you don't, you will always regret it!

Also, don't forget that what you usually read on here are the vents. Remember that you're only reading one side of the story, as well. You don't know the whole situation from the post, and you only hear the bad stuff.

I say go for it!

angieleelee · Jan 5, 2008

Your not too old!!!! Go for it, I know around here MA's dont make anything, they go to school for 2 years and only make $8-$10 an hour!!. Lpn's around here start out around $15 straight out of 1 year of school. I have asked several people I know in the medical field why that is. I keep hearing bc Doc's are cheap lol.

robynv · Jan 5, 2008

Thank you everyone.

Now onto the other problem.. how to pay for this! I know loans, loans, loans....sigh.

Couldn't I just win the lottery??

jerrylundergard · Jan 6, 2008

I was kind of in a simillar situation as you. Im 33. About a year ago I decided I wanted a change and looked into this nursing deal. I also had never passed an algebra class but needed to get up thru college algebra to be able to take statistics. So I checked out that math help link above and found the wtamu math lab. I worked on that religiously and its an excellent algebra tutorial. I started off on tutorial 1 on basic beginer algebra. It goes step by step and theres never any suprises. I only did that for the first 5 months at night after work. 2 hours a day minimum. Im now kind of a algebra ace after working thru all of them up thru their college tutorial. Then I tested into precalc after going thru that series. When I took my first actuall ns prereq, chemistry, I had an easy time because my algebra was strong. Chemistry is very usefull for both ap 1 and 2 and microbiology. If I were coaching someone I would first tell them to get their math up and take chemistry. Then take all the rest in basically any order. Good luck.

kukukajoo, LPN · Jan 6, 2008

Never too old. In three years you are still going to be 38- with or without a nursing degree.

I finish in May and I will be 39 and I am in the midrange of age for my class. Oldest is over 55 and one of the smartest in our class, if not the smartest.

Follow your gut and your dreams!

catzy5 · Jan 6, 2008

I am 35. ( a bit old to start this.)
I am a medical assistant. I love my job, but got laid off. So now I have been thinking of going back to school to be a nurse. I would like to know a bit more of the why we do things in the medical field. ( I can draw blood and give injections but I would like a more in depth education as well)
But I would have to start at the begining as my classes from my RMA won't transfer. I am scared that I am too old and won't make it. I also am terrible in math. How hard are these classes? Is there a lot of math in Microbiology and A and P 1 and 2? I know I will have to take some math before I can apply because I don't remember algebra. Does anyone recomend a lower biology class before these for those out of school for a long time?
I started my pre-reqs when I was 35, I am 39 now and will be 41 when I finish school (if all goes well). I never knew 35 was too old to start school I never considered my self old, it was just the age I was ready and had everyone elses needs met. Granted being older and having more responsibilities I had to take it slower, but hey I am not ready to pack it in yet, I need something to do as I grow old right? hahah
as far as the difficulty, no it is not difficult at all, it is a lot of work, a lot of studying and time management, but if you love what you are doing and have a goal in mind then no it's not difficult! Go for it if your already in the medical field you have a leg up on many people, you know this is the place for you and you just want more!
good luck!

catzy5 · Jan 6, 2008

Thank you.
I really enjoyed my job as a MA. I worked in OB/GYN and loved it. But I keep kicking this idea around every year or so and now I think is the time.
I think I will take the lower Biology and math. Why not? I love school. I was just reading on here though about how hard NS school is. That in of itself is enough to give m pause... It almost seems that if an instructor doesn't like you for whatever reason then you are toast. No matter how well you do!
That is scary, maybe it isn't everywhere and hopefully not here. On Monday I think I will go up to the local CC and see what I can do to enroll. That first step is always the hardest.......!

If there is one thing I learned, it's don't listen to the horror stories! you just take it one day at a time and focus on yourself and doing YOUR best. I have heard so many things and gotten my self discouraged about this or that, and have learned over the past 4 years, that it's all about me. I am the only one that can work at this and make myself successeed, what anyone else says or does is not going to effect me. Please please don't let others discourage you.

i am starting NS in 8 days, I made it this far, I am scared to death and hear all the horror stories but I am trying to block my ears and take care of myself.