Asking for advice

the six of us · Nov 24, 2008

Hi,

I am about to start a RN program in Jan. 09 and there are many people in my Chemistry (pre-req) that are in their 30's-40's and maybe even 50's. Don't let age discourage you from what you want to do in life! :nono: All previous college credits are typically evaluated to see if they transfer, depending on the class discription and your final grade, even from 11 years or more. The best thing to do is to research programs in your area and see what pre-reqs they require and such, the program I am starting only requires 3 pre-reqs which they offer before the program starts...Chemistry, Math, and Computers...you can also transfer them in if you have taken them already. Also, you can transfer in any classes for the program that you have previously taken...such as math, english, psychology, sociology...etc.

Hope this helps

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 24, 2008

Howdy! I'm 35, and thier are many older than myself at NVCC in the program. I would bet a few are in their 50's!! Your best to contact each school and see what prior courses they would take! During NVCC orientation, they stated they dont take science classes that were taken over 10 yrs ago!! But best to contact the school and see what their policy is as each differ. Many schools do cater to people that work. best of luck

AlisonVA · Nov 25, 2008

Hi everyone. Thanks for your comments. They really help. I have started to look at different programs and I think the best thing is to look and start talking to people.

krenee · Nov 25, 2008

Yeah, I'm 39 and I thought for sure I'd be the oldest in my class in nursing school - I'm not by far . . . there are a lot of 40-somethings and I think definitely some 50-somethings also. I think the very young ones are the minority - those in early 20s. Probably at a four year school there are more youngsters because they want to go away to school for the college experience. I like the community college for the flexibility and of course the tuition is much lower!

Kelly

al7139, ASN, RN · Nov 27, 2008

Hi,

I was your age when I started back in school. As I had no college, I had to do all the required prereqs for the nursing program.

No you are not too old to go into nursing. In my class the age range was from fresh out of high school 18year olds to grandmothers in their 50s. Most were 20-something or 30-something. In lots of ways you have an advantage over the younger students since you have more real life experience and in some ways, more of a commitment, since you are paying your own way, and are not so caught up in other things (although, I have met some very mature, commitment oriented 18-20 somethings!).

For the most part, you can still work and go to school (at least through your prerequisites), although I worked full time prior to nursing school, I did go to part time and then no work during the nursing classes since so much time was taken up with studying and required activities. There were people in my class that continued to work full time all through school, but it was hard for them. They did make it, but they had family support for babysitting, and very flexible jobs.

As for what transfers after 11 years, you would have to ask each school that you apply for as all have different requirements. It would probably help you to post what area you love in and what schools you are thinking about to get more specifics.

Good Luck!

Amy

caliotter3 · Nov 27, 2008

Lots of people post that they have/had persons in their classes who were in their 60s or 50s. You're not too old. The classes that probably would not be accepted would be the science prereqs: anatomy, physiology, micro, and others if they are over three, five, or seven years old. You can find the requirements of your school online or by speaking with an advisor. Working is never advised by nursing school personnel, but you will never find a nursing school class without people who are working. Somebody has to bring home the bacon. However, you're aware that if you plan to work, you can't use your job as an excuse to miss school or not put forth a good effort. It isn't wise to let nursing instructors know anything about your job because this can be held against you. All they need to know is that you show up for class and clinical and do your work. Good luck with your future plans.

krenee · Nov 27, 2008

BTW, double check on the requirement. I had English, Psychology, and Biology which were over 10 years old and no one said a word to me about it - and I graduate from the nursing program in May, so I know what I'm talking about :nuke:.

Kelly

AlisonVA · Nov 29, 2008

Thank you so much to everyone for your advice and help. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Alison

alem992 · Nov 29, 2008

The only classes that NVCC has a time limit for are the NAS classes. They will not accept NAS 161/162 if they are more than ten years ago. But all of your other classes that you took in college should be accepted. I know it seems like the whole process of getting your nursing degree is going to take forever, but time really does fly. Go for it, trust me you won't regret it.

powers2004 · Nov 29, 2008

I am 40 yrs old and starting nursing school in Jan. I went to school for a year when I was 18 ,and I will start where I left off, everything I took still counts! yea!