Any nursing students with special needs kids?

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Hello all - I'm a practicing Medical Assistant for the last 20 yrs and am thinking about starting nursing school. I have a high functioning Autistic son who I'm trying to get transitioned to adulthood and am wondering if anyone else has the same challenge. It's getting to the point the I need an RN degree to be effective in my job. Any thoughts? Also I'm 45...is it too late?

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Hi. I'm 22 and I have a 3 year old with Autism. I start nursing school in fall. It's never too late to go back until you're dead, in my opinion. But I would advice against it if it would put you in serious debt. You don't want that while saving for retirement.

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It is possible, and it's never too late. My mom started nursing school in her 40s, and I had several people in my cohort who were around your age.

My daughter was diagnosed with autism about a month before I started nursing school. Juggling all my daughter's appointments and getting her transferred to a new school while going to school full-time and working part-time has been the most difficult thing I've ever done. Also, for some reason I decided this was a good time to have another baby. It's been a crazy ride, but I survived. I just graduated with honors last week, at 7 months pregnant.

The biggest thing that helped me was family support. My mom has been amazing with helping me get my daughter to her appointments when I had class or work. Do you have family or friends that can help out when you're busy with school?

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I'm 34 and just graduated nursing school, with honors. Both of my kids are considered special needs, one to a higher degree than the other.

My older child has a genetic disorder and was diagnosed bipolar during my first semester. He was in and out of the hospital three times for suicide attempts/threatening behaviors.

It was hard and it took some major rearranging but he's doing better and I made it through school.

You need a solid support system in place to help you. Don't be afraid to arrange time to study outside of you home. And let your professors know ahead of time if there are problems cropping up. They will be more likely to help if they know what's happening.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

I started working on my prerequisites for a RN program at 50; I just finished the 3rd semester of RN school at 53. Yes, it's doable. Go for your dream.

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Thanks

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Yes, I do have brothers that can help with out. He is high functioning, can be alone while I work or go to school. He's capable of cooking his own meals etc. I guess there's some hesitancy on my part because he's not as independent as I would like for him to be...still needs some guidance and assistance with life skills.

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Yes, I do have brothers that can help with out. He is high functioning, can be alone while I work or go to school. He's capable of cooking his own meals etc. I guess there's some hesitancy on my part because he's not as independent as I would like for him to be...still needs some guidance and assistance with life skills.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

My older daughter has pretty severe ADHD with anxiety and some sensory issues as well. Melt downs are no joke in this house and she has appts and school meetings and such often. It's def doable to manage a needy child/adult and school if you have a good support network.

As as for your age, one of my friends at school was early 50s when she started and is a working nurse in a hospital today. 45 is not too late as Lon as you're in generally good health.

Good luck.

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