I am almost 29 and have a 2-year-old daughter and one on the way (due 11/17!) I have a few college credits, mostly social sciences, psych, and English and work in medical transcription right now as an editor. I've been doing it for about 10 years. :uhoh21:
I really want to be a nurse and have so much respect for what they do. I'm really not the best in math (at least not algebra!) and need all of my science prereqs before I could even begin... not to mention it would be awhile because of the new baby... am I too old to be considering this? I was going to school online to complete my RHIT and get into medical coding but blah! It's not what I want to do!
Any advice? I could do some prereqs while I'm pregnant and laid up this summer. I've taken the NET twice to get into a 2-yr program but failed the reading part both times so I'd probably just get my 4-yr since I have a ton of general ed credits anyway.
Also, I would like to note, we that are in our 40's have a possible life expectancy of living into our 80's. That means we have another lifetime to live. When you think of it that way, we are not so old! My great aunt just celebrated her 90th birthday. She lives alone and has a male companion (boyfriend-haha!) that she travels with.
As others have already said in reply to your post -- You are NOT too old!
I am 29 (will be 30 in Nov. '06), and will start my pre-req's in Jan. '07. I have a few pre-req's out of the way since I already have a bachelor's degree in another field. I also have 2 sons (ages 3 and 1).
I don't think anyone is ever TOO old. It really is all a frame of mind. I think it boils down to "what you want bad enough" ... And besides, if you DON'T do it, you will still be the same "age" in a few years that you would have been anyway -- ha ha! Might as well go for what you want, no matter what age you are.
And also, my sisters are both nurses and they said that a large percentage of their fellow classmates were in their 30's and 40's. Lots of people decide to go back to nursing school "later" in life. I think many of them have the mindset I do: "I need to do something stable, sturdy and fulfilling ... NURSING!"
You can do it! And congrats on your upcoming arrival!
I'm 32 and have two kids, 5 and 2. I have been out of work for 5 years, out of college for 10 years. I'm going for it. It may take awhile but I'm going to do it! You can too!
Oh, ......I just turned 50 in December and will be starting a RN program in the fall. My body isn't what it was when I was 30, but it's holding up okay. My mom just passed away very unexpectedly after one month into her 69th year at the end of March from what appears to be a massive stroke -- other than a touch of arthritis, didn't have a sick day in her life.
Do I feel OLD?!?! Yes.
Am I tired and beat up right now? Yes.
Do I wonder whether I have rocks in my head to be quitting a pretty high-paying IT job to do this at this point in my life? Yes.
On the other hand, I, too, might only have another 18 or so years and I hate my job and hate getting up in the morning and hate sitting in a cube and trite little meetings several times a day that prevent me from doing any real work. I hate that I've survived 2 layoffs in the last 5 years and wonder when the next will hit. At the end of a day/week/month/year, has most of what I've "accomplished" really mattered to someone? Hardly.
Go for it....do it while your kids are still fairly young so you can spend time with them when they're older and you have flexibility in your schedule to accomodate theirs.
And keep talking to people....on this board, on campus, when you take your kid to the pediatrician. Gather all the info and input you can. It comes in VERY handy!!
Best wishes to you and your newest addition!
Linda
Linda,
I feel the same way about my previous jobs in the communications field -- sitting in a cube at a computer, interrupted by pointless meetings all day, bad hours, and (in my case) bad pay that makes me wonder why I even got a journalism degree (I discourage anyone considering this field). I also look back to the 8 years since I graduated from journalism school -- Do I feel like I've made a real difference in the lives of others? No, not really. It was mostly just fighting the knots in my stomach that always appeared when the alarm went off every morning, and just trying to get through the day ... And always wondering in the back of my mind -- There's GOT to be something else in life. My sisters are both nurses, and they LOVE their jobs. And I know several other people in various phases of life who have decided to pursue nursing. So I thought, you know, THIS could be a true, stable, sturdy, rewarding career where I can see myself feeling fulfilled at the end of every day. Not to mention, good pay, good benefits and a flexible schedule (I HATE 8-5 M-F!) ... I'd MUCH rather work 3 12-hr shifts ANY DAY, even though I know it can surely be taxing. Anyway, I totally identified with your post. Best wishes in nursing school!!! :) I bet you will love your new career!!
You are never too old. I was 30 when I took my first college class, single mom with 2 young kids 9, 5 at the time. I considered myself a good role model for my children. I am now 36 and back in school for my BSN and will probably continue for my masters. Hey if I stay in school forever I won't have to pay back my loans ha ha:lol2: .
Oh, ......I just turned 50 in December and will be starting a RN program in the fall. My body isn't what it was when I was 30, but it's holding up okay. My mom just passed away very unexpectedly after one month into her 69th year at the end of March from what appears to be a massive stroke -- other than a touch of arthritis, didn't have a sick day in her life.
Do I feel OLD?!?! Yes.
Am I tired and beat up right now? Yes.
Do I wonder whether I have rocks in my head to be quitting a pretty high-paying IT job to do this at this point in my life? Yes.
On the other hand, I, too, might only have another 18 or so years and I hate my job and hate getting up in the morning and hate sitting in a cube and trite little meetings several times a day that prevent me from doing any real work. I hate that I've survived 2 layoffs in the last 5 years and wonder when the next will hit. At the end of a day/week/month/year, has most of what I've "accomplished" really mattered to someone? Hardly.
Go for it....do it while your kids are still fairly young so you can spend time with them when they're older and you have flexibility in your schedule to accomodate theirs.
And keep talking to people....on this board, on campus, when you take your kid to the pediatrician. Gather all the info and input you can. It comes in VERY handy!!
Best wishes to you and your newest addition!
Linda
Now this is the post I needed to read!
I am 45 and starting RPN in September. I am also leaving a very cooshy job..weekends off, holidays off, 2 months vacation per yr. $$$$$. I hate it!!
I want to be a nurse. I always have. I can't wait for it to start. The excitement builds up when I think about it. So, why am I a nervous wreck?
Linda, thanks for your great comments. It has given me confidence in knowing that I am not the only one, and I CAN do this.
There are other threads if you did through the pre-nursing and general nursing about the "age" issue....you will see posts by 50- and 60-somethings that are very inspiring....and will show you there are many others leaving their cooshy jobs....
At some point, you realize it's about so much more than the money....my kids are grown and I actually hate M - F 8-5....I prefer to be out and about when the rest of the world is fighting traffic to get downtown at the same time!!
But you're leaving 2 MONTHS of vacation a year?!?! Wow!! Now that I would think twice about -- lolol....
There are other threads if you did through the pre-nursing and general nursing about the "age" issue....you will see posts by 50- and 60-somethings that are very inspiring....and will show you there are many others leaving their cooshy jobs....
At some point, you realize it's about so much more than the money....my kids are grown and I actually hate M - F 8-5....I prefer to be out and about when the rest of the world is fighting traffic to get downtown at the same time!!
But you're leaving 2 MONTHS of vacation a year?!?! Wow!! Now that I would think twice about -- lolol....
Well you see, I fly for a living. I only work 3 days a week, weekends off, fly overseas, good money, most holidays off and lots of vacation time. You would think that a normal person would be happy with that. I was, up to a point. I have been doing this for 18 yrs. But, I'm tired. I'm tired of always having a jetlag headache, I hate the company I work for. I hate driving 2 hours each way to the airport. It's time to keep my feet on the ground and be healthy. Don't let anyone tell you that there is nothing bad about flying.
Having said that, I am ready to give it up to be a nurse. Something that's been on my mind for a very long time. I am ready to learn and do something that I'm happy doing. It isn't always about the money. It's about being happy with your choices in life, do the best you can, and have fun! I think that a person realizes this at some point, a bit later in life.
This is where I am in my life and having one heck of a ride so far!
You did get me thinking about the vacation time though.. thanks for your kind words.
oh my gosh.... you are not too old at all. I'm 40 years old and will be attending nursing school in the fall. I also work and have two small boys. I have been attending school (one class at a time) for the past three years. I'm done with all my prereqs and only have the nursing classes to concentrate on. Look at it this way....it will be three years of your life that will pass by anyway - you might as well take classes and work towards your dream. Good luck to you and press on.:)
Come on! Get real! I'm 53 and by the time I finish the nursing program I'll be 56! :roll I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm too old when I'm laying in the casket. Until then, I have too much life to live. Go for it! What do you have to lose?
thanks for your kind words.
:roll I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm too old when I'm laying in the casket. Until then, I have too much life to live. Go for it! What do you have to lose?
HARRN2b
401 Posts
Also, I would like to note, we that are in our 40's have a possible life expectancy of living into our 80's. That means we have another lifetime to live. When you think of it that way, we are not so old! My great aunt just celebrated her 90th birthday. She lives alone and has a male companion (boyfriend-haha!) that she travels with.