Considering Nursing school, need advice

purplemania, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2004

I started nursing school at age 45, while working full time. My kids were grown, however. It is not easy, you have to focus on what needs to be done right now, and learn to let some things slide. I think adult students do better because they are able to focus and prioritize their time. I regret not doing it sooner---don't be like me and put it off so long.

SSTnurse2b · Jul 14, 2004

Hi everyone, I am soon to be 36 years old, and seriously considering nursing school. I started about 12 years ago but do to financial reasons I didn't get far. Every day I regret not finishing. I work full time and have 3 kids. I was wondering if any of you went to school "Later in life" and if so how did you handle raising kids and holding a job while going to school? Quitting work is not an option, so I would love to hear from some of you who have done it. Thanks so much for your time, and have a great day everyone:)
Kim

another option for you may be distance education. It takes a bit longer to do, but with kids and a job etc. it can be tough to go to school as well. It can be done, but its hard. Good luck!!

azgal40 · Jul 15, 2004

Thanks everyone. Karen, I was definitely planning on distance learning, I think that will be the only way I can make it. I should do well with that, I am pretty good about working on my own.

Kim

hypnotic_nurse · Jul 15, 2004

I started nursing school at age 40, after a difficult divorce, with a load of bills, and 2 kids ages 13 and 9.

It was not a distance learning program, but it was close by (within 5 miles). As I had to carry a pager for my job, my kids could page me while I was in class or clinicals if they needed me (as they were in school then, they didn't need me much). My employer was OK with school...in fact, my boss suggested it, saying "We could pay you double if you had a nursing degree."

Cleaning the house went to the wayside. The kids and I spent a LOT of time studying together -- that was often our family time, all three of us sitting around the kitchen table and reading.

healinghand · Jul 15, 2004

Hi everyone, I am soon to be 36 years old, and seriously considering nursing school. I started about 12 years ago but do to financial reasons I didn't get far. Every day I regret not finishing. I work full time and have 3 kids. I was wondering if any of you went to school "Later in life" and if so how did you handle raising kids and holding a job while going to school? Quitting work is not an option, so I would love to hear from some of you who have done it. Thanks so much for your time, and have a great day everyone:)
Kim

:) :balloons:

How I am able to do it??????

Evening classes after kids returned from school.

Wonderfully helpful and encouraging husband.

A strong desire to do SOMETHING with my life

Not giving up when quizzes and exams made me totally depressed.

Ready to face any hardwork if it was there.

You can do it.

Rewards are sweet.

Age has nothing to do with starting fresh.

Good luck :)

azgal40 · Jul 16, 2004

Thanks for the encouragement healinghand. You summed it up perfectly "The desire to do SOMETHING with my life". I have worked at the same job for over ten years and I feel like I am just wasting my life. I know I can do it, and knowing that all of you are here for support makes it a little less intimidating. :)

Thanks!

Kim

Daryn · Jul 19, 2004

Hi everyone, I am soon to be 36 years old, and seriously considering nursing school. I started about 12 years ago but do to financial reasons I didn't get far. Every day I regret not finishing. I work full time and have 3 kids. I was wondering if any of you went to school "Later in life" and if so how did you handle raising kids and holding a job while going to school? Quitting work is not an option, so I would love to hear from some of you who have done it. Thanks so much for your time, and have a great day everyone:)
Kim

Kim:

Getting through nursing school is not easy but if you have some kind of help at home with the kids such as a spouse or realatives or friends who are supportive it helps a lot. I got through nursing school back in the mid 1990's with being married and having a bady boy. In nursing school there is a lot of reading to do and the pace is fast. If you are determined though, you can do it. Good luck. I hope things work out well for youl.

Sincerely,

Daryn

Georgia peach RN · Jul 19, 2004

:balloons: I went to LPN School when I was 32, It was hard it required the whole family working with me to complete with a 3.7 GPA I am now 36 and attending a local college working on my RN. It is the hardest thing anyone can do with a full time job, husband and two children (17 and 11) at home but it is all well worth the investment. Just always remember appriciation goes a long way. We divide up all house hold chores and if something doesn't get done the world will not end because of it, be flexible. Your children will be as proud of your good grades as you are of theirs. We do our homework together and we quiz each other when studing for test.

Best wishes hope you do very well on your new adventure :rolleyes:

Hi everyone, I am soon to be 36 years old, and seriously considering nursing school. I started about 12 years ago but do to financial reasons I didn't get far. Every day I regret not finishing. I work full time and have 3 kids. I was wondering if any of you went to school "Later in life" and if so how did you handle raising kids and holding a job while going to school? Quitting work is not an option, so I would love to hear from some of you who have done it. Thanks so much for your time, and have a great day everyone:)
Kim

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 20, 2004

Hi Kim,

I'm presently doing a distance learning program, have a full time job and an almost one year old baby at home. The challenging part is finding the time to study. I squeeze study time into every and any "free" time I have - I rarely get a chance to sit down more than 1-2 hours straight. I keep the ultimate goal in mind and realize that this lifestyle won't be forever - one day soon I will have some free time for myself and perhaps a hobby....one day! haha

You can do it!

Good Luck to you!

:)

angela05 · Jul 20, 2004

I started nursing school at age 45, while working full time. My kids were grown, however. It is not easy, you have to focus on what needs to be done right now, and learn to let some things slide. I think adult students do better because they are able to focus and prioritize their time. I regret not doing it sooner---don't be like me and put it off so long.

hi! thanks.I am inspired bec of your message. i hope i can finished my nursing school october next year. been back to school again after i worked in California as a nurse attentant. and discovering my love in this profession. i am struglling right now to finish this BSN here in the Philippines. sooner i'll be back to Ca. for good and for a better future with my 3 kids. being a single mom with my parents support its really hard to go back to school again. but being positive and focuzed i know i can make it. i am just wandering if you can help me or give me some ideas on where to concentrate(subject matter) now. that can give me good foundation to have a passing score when i take the NCLEX Exam after i graduated. more power to all nurses!

charliegirlnurse · Jul 22, 2004

Go for it girl. At 41 yo, 3 sons and going through a nasty divorce I decided to go to LVN school. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA. I am now a very, very busy surgery nurse and will be going back to school part-time while working to obtain my RN. I will succeed and so will you if you truly have it in your heart! Good luck and keep me posted. :balloons: