Calling all non-traditional nursing students!!!

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Good day! I hope all is well!! Are there any other non-traditional nursing students on here who are in route to becoming a nurse?! I hope to inspire those who have a lot on their plates and feel as though they need some inspiration, including myself......so let's band together in optimism and inspire one another!!!

Shonta - Future BSN

^ Life kicked my butt. graduated with my bachelors in another area - thought I'd go out there, get a good job, make decent money, etc. I ended up working dead end job to dead end job because I found out (I know, this is how young and naïve I was) that everybody else wanted to climb the ladder as well. I didn't like being in shark infested waters, so I got out of the business world. Nursing seemed like a logical choice - good pay, steady work (if you can find it), and upward mobility.

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@direw0lf:

It was actually a mix of circumstances and my strengths that led me to choose nursing. The right doors were being opened, and the people who support me encouraged me to pursue nursing. Plus all my prereqs were already completed from my previous Bachelor's, so all I had to do was apply (it was a last minute decision, and I think I had only a few days to prepare for the TEAS test).

And the diversity of the field was a bonus. I can find myself becoming unmotivated when something no longer challenges me, but I'm sure that will not be the case when I finally start working as a nurse. Plus, there are always opportunities to learn more in the healthcare field, in general. It is a very fluid sector.

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Specializes in Family and Internal Medicine.

Hi! I'm a 44 yr old Pre-BSN,RN student. I am also a Mom of 3 adult children; 24, and twin boys age 18 (college next week!) I am a Sophomore and will start the Honors program this Fall. Now that my children are out of the house, I think this is a good time to work on me. I have been married to my long term boyfriend for a year. Unfortunately, he is having trouble adapting to my reaching Esteem on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. I hope he is there at the finish line, but if not, it is his loss. I don't breast feed anymore! On that note.. I love this site! It is super informative and look forward to our chats!

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Hi! I am 27 years old, married, a mother of 3 (9,6,5), and am starting my second semester of nursing school on August 24th. I will be the first Nurse in my family, and the first person to even attend college in my family. So I hope I can start a tradition with my family and get my kids to follow my footsteps!

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27 year old mom of 2 (8 and 3). In my second year of nursing school for BSN. Work as a MA at a assisted living, also lead a Girl Scout troop.

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Hey there! I am a 36 yr old mom of 2 boys (15yrs and 3 yrs). I tend to do things in a non traditional way. I am a new grad BSN-RN working in the ED (MY DREAM UNIT) for about 5 months. Nursing school is hard, you will have days where you want to cry, days you want to quit, and days that make you feel so stupid! But you can do it, and its totally worth it, if you are going into nursing for the right reasons. This is my second career and my second degree, all the hard work and late nights melt away when you get that first hug from a patient that tells you "thank you, you really made a difference in my stay". Remember thats why you are there. I see far to many nurses treat the patients badly becuase they are tired or overwhelmed. Please new nurses to be, remember your patients are probably at one of their lowest points if they are in the hospital, you can help turn that around for them and make the night a little easier.

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Hello everyone! I'm a 30 yr old mom of 3 (3 yr old, 2 yr old, & a 2 month old). I graduated 7 yrs ago with a Bachelors degree that has yet to be of any real benefit to my career life. Nursing was always my passion, & losing my job was the kick start I needed to take the leap of faith to return to school. I'm currently working towards my ADN. Your stories only motivate me knowing I'm not alone on this journey!

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I'm soon to be 34, have a two year old boy and worked previously in event management.

Took my GRE in May just finishing up 3 pre reqs, with another 3 starting august end and awaiting the outcome of my Hopkins application.

It was having my son and becoming a mother that gave me the impetus to pursue what I've always wanted.

How can I tell my son to pursue his dreams if I don't lead by example?

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Good for you! It is never too late! I Just turned 41 on Aug 2nd. I begin my clinicals for my ADN program on 08/17th. I do not have kids, but I do have an adorable 7 month old Yorkie who is use to me being home all day (I do corporate travel from home). I also have a spoiled fiancé who is accustomed to my cooking and cleaning. He is very supportive and understands that he will have to become a little more self sufficient around the house.

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It was having my son and becoming a mother that gave me the impetus to pursue what I've always wanted.

How can I tell my son to pursue his dreams if I don't lead by example?

That's what inspired me to go back to school. I actually started a program last year that I withdrew from at the end of February (due to accreditation). I remember that there were some hard days, but all it took was looking at my daughter to keep me pushing forward and knowing that I could do it. I hope that some day it'll inspire her and teach her that it's never too late to follow your dreams.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Non-traditional here -- graduate in June 2016 BSN (I'll be 30).

This is my second Bachelor's (first was in psych).

I've worked FT retail almost the entire duration of the program up until this point and I have been a volunteer health coach since January.

I am absolutely chomping at the bit and ready to take NCLEX and get to work!!!!

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To direw0lf:

I decided to go back to school because my previous job as an accountant / collector put me in touch with people in various stages of the healthcare spectrum and it really sparked an interest in healthcare overall. That, and as a previous corporate / desk- and cubicle-based worker, I was tired of sitting down and being overlooked because I would rather help a person than make a difference in the overall profit margins of the company. I was told I felt too much, so I found a career where this will be a benefit.

And scrubs and nursing shoes are so much more comfortable than suits and heels.

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