decide to start a nursing career at 40!!

Sooooo scared.I've always had a passion for nursing. Going to do it finally but need some helpful hints from you all.Please help.The courses are sooo intense.They've upgraded since years back.Haven't studied in a looooong time.Starting from sratch pre-req's. and all. How do I start?????

[spitfire]

Originally posted by biscuit:

Sooooo scared.I've always had a passion for nursing. Going to do it finally but need some helpful hints from you all.Please help.The courses are sooo intense.They've upgraded since years back.Haven't studied in a looooong time.Starting from sratch pre-req's. and all. How do I start?????

biscuit: I am 45 and just graduated nursing school.I also passed my state boards RN.Be prepared to not have a life while you are in school.I am glad I am done and can say jeanneRN. Follow your dreams and set goals.I still hae a few good years left in me LOL.jeanne

[biscuit]

When you say you'll have no life while in nursing school,that scares me even more! Is there no balance? Can I squeeze in a movie here and there

[spitfire]

Originally posted by biscuit:

When you say you'll have no life while in nursing school,that scares me even more! Is there no balance? Can I squeeze in a movie here and there

Yes I did not mean to scare you,nursing school is a huge commitment.I found myself always with a book in my hand,typing a report or planning for clinicals,or test taking.Usually at christmas I took a few days off.We always had a test or report due after the holidays other schools are not that cruel.I know everyone in our class found the course intense(2-year)and it was a emotional rollar coaster at times.We had a few awesome instructors and this was a huge comfort and positive leaning environment.Yes a movie or what ever you enjoy ,I found myself taking friday afternoons off,I also worked 24-hours (2-12's)so i was out of the house 6 days a week,Sundays were for catch up on home work-study,and i did get to sleep in late....I would always encourage anyone who wants to commit to a higher education to do so. I found nursing school a huge commitment,former graduates told me I would not have life,but I never realized how true it was,until you are there.You know like no one can ever really prepare you for becoming a parent,in as far as you are completely devoted to a person. peace & love jeanne

[biscuit]

Thanks for the info.What I plan on going to a 2yr college to start.I need to figure out my finances re: books and all.Are they expensive??

[spitfire]

Originally posted by biscuit:

Thanks for the info.What I plan on going to a 2yr college to start.I need to figure out my finances re: books and all.Are they expensive??

Biscuit,Going to a two year college was the best investment I have made for myself.It seems the poorer you are the more aid you can qualify for( both of my children are also in college).I also knew many of the nursing students that graduated the year before I started school and they were more than happy to lend or give me books-some of those texts are 80-100 $.Some of the books I wanted for myself as med -surg and purchased,they will always be a good reference, and a drug book.But who needs a leading and managing in nursing book?Good luck and put the word out there former students can be very generous,esp. with tips and test taking books etc....jeanne

[Silvia]

Originally posted by biscuit:

Sooooo scared.I've always had a passion for nursing. Going to do it finally but need some helpful hints from you all.Please help.The courses are sooo intense.They've upgraded since years back.Haven't studied in a looooong time.Starting from sratch pre-req's. and all. How do I start?????

Hi Biscuit, just wanted to wish you good luck with school this fall. I am starting with my prereqs this fall too. I am trying to get into a 2 year program. The school that I'm going to requires an entrance exam, which I took last Saturday. Do you you have to take one of those too? There are different scores for each of the programs and nursing has one of the highest scores. I passed the writing part, but was a little short on the other two (reading and math), needed a 44 in reading and got a 42. I could just kick myself, but at the same time I'm proud of how close I got (finished high school 21 years ago). I will now have to go to the "Learning Center" and brush up on some stuff there, but I guess I can still take up to 12 credits until they sign me off on the math and the reading. If you have to take a test like that find out if there is a place at your school where you can prep for the test. I did that before I even took the test and it helped. E-mail me and lets stay in touch.

Silvia

[This message has been edited by Silvia (edited July 12, 2000).]

[ShannonB25]

I am going into my senior year of my BSN program. Reading your posts I can see that you are really enthusiastic about nursing. I think the more new nurses out there with that type of enthusiasm and compassion, the better off we will be. I wish you the best of luck with your program. YOU CAN DO IT!! There will be days when you will feel like it's all a cruel joke (geez- how many things can they possibly expect me to be responsible for at one time. 2 papers, 3 tests, a quiz tomorrow, care plans, etc.) BUT we've all been there and have, thankfully, survived. And so will you!

Best wishes,

Shannon

I just wanted to add also that these type of message boards are a real godsend while you're in school. Use them as much as possible for questions, advice, support. We're all backing you up!

[biscuit]

Hey Shannon!

Thanks for your response and encouragement.

I truely believe that I can make it.The first step is the hardest and that's getting everything situated.Financially speaking I think that's what frightens me the most!!

[PPL, BSN, RN]

Biscuit. Hi, and best luck to you on your new adventure. One thing that helped me, was not to look at the whole picture, just take it one exam at a time! I took four years to get through the two year program. The first two years, I took my prereq's, then took my clinicals the next two years. I had three children, 8, 7, and 2yrs, plus worked as a QMA at least three days a week, plus had a commute of 50min. one way. Stay focused and have compassion for yourself. Later, I got my BS when I was 42. Get out there and do it.

[biscuit]

Silly question.I have to take my assesment test to see where I am academically.It's a untimed computerized test.How does one prepare for this type of test.The college does not have a learning center.I know it consists of reading comp. basic algebra and writing. HELP!!!! :-(

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[biscuit]

P.S. hey, if anyone out there can somehow email a sample of oneof there tests,I would greatly appreciate it!!! :-)

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