Any other pre-nursing students over 45?

rdsxfnrn · May 11, 2010

I graduated when I was 45 and I was not the oldest in my class. Your age is a number........... GO FOR IT!

Anne36, LPN · May 11, 2010

Im 39 and I agree age doesnt make a difference. You are getting smarter the older you get, hopefully. LOL

Juryizout · May 11, 2010

Me....I'm a pre-nursing student who is turning 47 this year. I took algebra and psych this spring, now about to take the nurse's aide course. This fall, I'll be taking another psych and A&PI . Don't worry, we'll make it. :up:

fleur-di-lis-RN2b · May 11, 2010

I've been working on mostly non-math courses so far and I will be finishing up most of my pre-req's including Mth120 and A&P 1 at the end of Fall. I'm concerned about the NLN pre-entrance test for RNs. Has anyone on this forum over 40 taken it? Thank you in advance for any responses!

I am 47 and on my birthday last summer decided nursing was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life...but looking at what I had to to do to get into school and first take the Compass pre entrance/assessment test... well, checking my long dormant math skills, I couldn't answer one practice math problem correctly to save my life!! How little I thought of my chances to get into my community college, much less nursing school!!!....But I bought books and studied studied studied and relearned math, algebra, and geometry and 4 months later I took the pre-entrance Compass test for CC and got perfect scores in English, Reading and tested out of developmental Math. It was then that it seemed like this all might be possible!

I just finished my first semester of AP1 and English (A's in both), and am taking AP2 and Micro this summer. I am studying for the NLN right now while I am between semesters because I am taking it in July. I am studying from the Review Guide for RN Pre-Entrance exam study guide by McDonald. I feel that the test should be pretty basic, based on what I am seeing in this Guide. Most of the science one would already know if they took AP1, AP2 and Micro, but I have been particularly studying up on the physics portion in the study guide since I've read on this site that a lot of the science was on physics. The word origins in the verbal/vocabulary section is a bit difficult, because a lot of those words I have never seen in my life (anyone know what pusillanimous means :eek: ???) even though I read a lot. And again, I am reviewing math since it will be timed and we are not allowed a calculator.

When will you be taking the NLN?

I am a little nervous but I know I can do this and you can too, if one devotes their time to studying areas they are weak and reviewing where they are strong they will pass this just fine...It's not an age issue, it's a determination issue!!!!

Anoetos, BSN, RN · May 11, 2010

I'll turn 45 not long after my program starts this fall, does that count?

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · May 11, 2010

47 and waiting for my acceptance letter into the nursing program at our local CC. In order to do well on the math placement test, I studied the Idiots guide to Algebra to brush on my skills. It took about a month to get through the whole book. If there are other subjects you feel rusty in, find a study guide and even if you don't get the study answers correct, make a note of the correct answer. Eventually you will understand. We don't take the NLN. Entrance to the nursing program is based on grades in 7 pre-req classes and an essay.

Anoetos, BSN, RN · May 11, 2010

Oh yeah, math was ancient history when I took the compass.

mrluciano2u · May 11, 2010

well I'm only 41--the first time I've felt young in months! glad to hear there are others like me out there! took the NLN last week--didn't find it that hard but you probably want to review the math and science sections before going in

aliveword · May 11, 2010

WoW! It was a surprise to come home from work and see all these replys and helpful suggestions!

I am actually turning 46 this month and it is great hearing from other folks close to my age doing this. Do any of you work outside of your home? I will try to continue to work while I finish up my pre-regs and then cut back on some hours later during clinicals.

"fleur" like you, I will be starting from scratch. I still have to take the Compass placement test. I'll try the Idiot's guide that "JROregon" suggested so I can hopefully test out of Algebra! I really don't want to take a class in it. I was hoping that later I could study the NLN guide and take the test late in the fall before the two colleges that I've looked into take their applications. I can actually take A&P 2, Nutrition(with Chemisty) and the second English in the Spring after acceptance but before their program clinicals which would begin in Fall of 2011. After that point, I'm looking at 4 semesters of clinicals. Looks like I'll be 49 or so when I get done, Yikes!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement! We will all make it! :yeah:

NurseExorcist, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I turn 47 next month. Nursing is my "retirement plan." I finished all the general education and science pre reqs LAST year and I'm still trying to get into a program.

Schools here use the TEAS. The company that makes the test offers an online practice version which accurately predicted my score on the real test. Maybe there is something like that you can take to ease your mind?

Anne36, LPN · May 12, 2010

omg, this is a good topic too because there was a guy in my A&P 2 class tonight that looked over 50. Dont take this the wrong way but I feel sorry for people who have to go thru this at that point in life. It would hopefully be a time when you feel settled in your life and done stuggling. I guess this is why it bothers me, it makes me think they must have lost thier job by downsizing or outsourcing.