changing careers

Nurseismade RN · May 23, 2005

Hi there,

wow a 98% drop out rate, that's incredible, I heard too even if you were in the 2% group, getting a job afterwards is very hard, you would need connections. Not so with nursing...... :chuckle I too am older, over 40 changing careers and I just got accepted into the nursing program for fall.

The first thing that you do is contact or go to your college of choice that has a good nursing program. Speak to their advisors. They will most likely tell you what classes you will need to take to qualify for the program (prereqs), that's where you will start. It took me year and a half to complete mine.

all the best :)

Fun2, BSN, RN · May 23, 2005

I am 31 and doing my pre/non-nursing courses. It's not too late!!

Talk to your college of choice. The academic advisors can direct you to which classes you need, etc. AllNurses.com is really good for moral support, general questions, and venting! :chuckle

Good luck!!

micky74 · May 23, 2005

your never too old to accomplish your dreams......

hello all...
i am a 38yr old woman who is currently enrolled in a court reporting program..the school has a 98% drop out rate..it is very tough. academically i am a straight "a" student but can't seem to get the gist of a whole new language & then writing/typing at 225wpm!
so, with that said....i have decided to change tracks & pursue nursing..something i have always thought about.
am i too old? where do i start?
confused about change...

suzy38 · May 23, 2005

I woke up this morning after being on the internet until 3am & was going to look at more nursing sites when I saw your response..I am so thankful for that. I am so confused about where to start & you said it plain & simple.Thank you so much. It's amazing to me that someone would actually take the time to write back. This site appears to be very unique in that respect. Again, many thanks.

Hi there,
wow a 98% drop out rate, that's incredible, I heard too even if you were in the 2% group, getting a job afterwards is very hard, you would need connections. Not so with nursing...... :chuckle I too am older, over 40 changing careers and I just got accepted into the nursing program for fall.
The first thing that you do is contact or go to your college of choice that has a good nursing program. Speak to their advisors. They will most likely tell you what classes you will need to take to qualify for the program (prereqs), that's where you will start. It took me year and a half to complete mine.
all the best :)

suzy38 · May 23, 2005

Thanks so much everyone for writing back...Again I am very surprised at even getting one response. At the risk of sounding silly..I am really thankful. I needed someone to say, "your'e not too old & it's do-able."

I am planning on getting a ton of info in the next few weeks and quitting Court Reporting which is a huge step...it's hard to admit that you just aren't good at something & it's okay to move on.

We'll see what happens.

dream2nurse · May 23, 2005

Hi Suzy38,

Congratulations on choosing a career in nursing! I see you are in California... if you are in the SF Bay Area and need any information on local schools just let me know. I have a ton of information!

Best wishes and good luck!

dettwiller5 · May 23, 2005

Hello all...
I am a 38yr old woman who is currently enrolled in a court reporting program..the school has a 98% drop out rate..it is very tough. Academically I am a straight "A" student but can't seem to get the gist of a whole new language & then writing/typing at 225wpm!
So, with that said....i have decided to change tracks & pursue nursing..something I have always thought about.
Am I too old? Where do I start?
Confused about change...

Hi- I am 36 and finishing up my prereqs in the fall. You aren't too old!!! There are lots of people that I have met during my classes who are well into their forties. By the way, I am also changing careers I was a midle school teacher up until last spring when I decided not to renew my contract. Good Luck! You can do it!

Kim

Sarah Bellum · May 24, 2005

Hello all...
I am a 38yr old woman who is currently enrolled in a court reporting program..the school has a 98% drop out rate..it is very tough. Academically I am a straight "A" student but can't seem to get the gist of a whole new language & then writing/typing at 225wpm!
So, with that said....i have decided to change tracks & pursue nursing..something I have always thought about.
Am I too old? Where do I start?
Confused about change...

Hi suzy

I'm 35, soon to be 36 and am about to get the ball rolling to start prereqs to go into nursing school. I have a degree in education and work in customer service so nursing will be something completely different for me too.

My thinking is that no one is too old to change careers. My cousin who has been a nurse for 30+ years told me her niece went thru nursing school with a 50 something lady with scads of grandchildren ad she was just awesome. Always at the top of her classes, did very well in clinicals, got a job right out of school and is very happy now in nursing.

Momto3andNurse2B · May 24, 2005

I am 37, with 3 children, and I'll be starting my ADN program in the Fall. Am I sorry I didn't do it earlier, sure. It would be nice to have a couple of years under my belt by now. But, I realized that this was what I really wanted and I had to go for it. I'm so excited to get started. Ever since I got accepted I feel like I have a new lease on life...rather than hating getting out of bed for my previous job.

Best of luck to you!!

Richele

smile123 · May 25, 2005

Hello all...
I am a 38yr old woman who is currently enrolled in a court reporting program..the school has a 98% drop out rate..it is very tough. Academically I am a straight "A" student but can't seem to get the gist of a whole new language & then writing/typing at 225wpm!
So, with that said....i have decided to change tracks & pursue nursing..something I have always thought about.
Am I too old? Where do I start?
Confused about change...

To chime in with everyone else, you are never too old to change careers. And if you can get through the pre-reqs (anatomy and physiology in particular) you can get through the nursing program. We are so short of nurses for the growing, aging population, that we can use all the help we can get. You will have your pick of nursing jobs too! :nurse: Good luck!

Jeanne

suzy38 · May 25, 2005

Hi..thanks for the support...I am in Southern California but appreciate the offer of info on local schools. I am still pretty confused but quickly learning what/when/where to go.

Thanks again.

Hi Suzy38,
Congratulations on choosing a career in nursing! I see you are in California... if you are in the SF Bay Area and need any information on local schools just let me know. I have a ton of information!
Best wishes and good luck!