First day inside a classroom in 22 years!!!

jodyangel, RN · Aug 22, 2005

Well I've decided to go there too hehe. And I've been an LPN for over 30 years. And its been (lemme think)......32 years since Ive taken a class LOL.

So yeah, Im in there with ya sister!!

fairytalebelievr · Aug 22, 2005

Well I've decided to go there too hehe. And I've been an LPN for over 30 years. And its been (lemme think)......32 years since Ive taken a class LOL.
So yeah, Im in there with ya sister!!

:chair: My first day back as a "co-ed" in 28 yrs!

It's scary. I have NO medical background, just a desire to fulfill a lifelong dream and become a nurse. I'm retiring from my current job, taking my pension, and going back to school. Most of my pre-reqs are done, and I'm waiting word on whether or not I've been accepted into the CON at Arizona State. I'm just holding my breath. I feel like I'm jumping off a cliff, and I'm not sure if I have a parachute strapped on or not!! Good luck to all of us and I hope we'll be remembered in the prayers of our soon-to-be peers.

Micci · Aug 22, 2005

Tonight I start my prereqs for my ADN and I am SCARED to death!!! But also very excited. I think it's just the fear of the "unknown" and worried whether I'll still be able to retain information in my "almost 40 yr. old" brain.
I'm at work and trying to focus on it but it's hard. All I can think about is "I'm finally doing this!!!!!!!"
Anyone else starting today after a long hiatus???

It's been 13 years for me. I was very intimidated. The first student counselor I talked to was discouraging, telling me how many people apply, how hard science classes are to get into. I decided to turn her negativity into a postive, and I stood up and told her, "fine, then I will just get straight A's." More bravado then I felt, but I have been getting straight A's. In addition to a 13 year break from college, I have also had an 8 year break from being in the workforce. I am applying for CNA positions, but I am kind of scared of going back to work too.

Since going back to school, I have met lots and lots of women in their '30's and '40's who are going into the nursing program. I have made friends and study buddies too. In my Biology lab class, most of the older adults sat at the same lab station and we were very hard workers. The teacher used our experiments as the examples for the class of how the results were supposed to look. I have found so far that older adults who go back, know exactly what their major is and know exactly what they want to do with it. Many younger people do to, but I have noticed more undecided majors and unsureness among younger adults. Possibly because they have not experienced as much life and are understandably not as sure about locking themselves into a career. I was the same way at 18-19. At 32, I've had alot of time to think about it and get a feel for who I am as an adult and what I enjoy doing. I think you will find school very rewarding.

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

good luck to all of you!! you will find that you all have a wealth of useful knowledge that you haven't been giving yourselves credit for and you will be able to contribute lots of life experience!!! I went to nursing school when I was 21, not exactly a "mature student" but not fresh out of high school either and just those 3 years being out on my own and living life gave me a different viewpoint than some of my classmates who were 18 (not to say those people didn't have anything to contribute)

you will all do fine!! just remember to breathe once in a while and laugh a lot!!!

Spearfisher · Aug 22, 2005

It was 12 years for me. I have done all my pre-req.s and just finished first term in the program. It is do-able. Being older gives you many advantages over the "kids". We may not absorb the info like sponges anymore, but we are more focused and have a stronger determination that only life can give us. I was sooo nervous my first day back, and so was everybody else (young and older). Budget your time, study hard, know that there may be times you want to quit, then stay with it and get your nursing degree.

Good Luck.

oregonrene · Aug 22, 2005

I'm almost 40 too, and I'm a much better student now that I am older, than I was when I was younger. I'm more dedicated, more serious, and more organized. However, I'm not sure if the retention is as good as it used to be - but cram it into my brain enough times and I will remember it! :lol2: Good luck to you - have fun! And also know that you will probably not be the oldest one in your class. That's what I was worried about when I went back, and I found other 'older' students just like me.

missninaRN · Aug 22, 2005

I'll be returning to the classroom tomorrow after a 23 year "hiatus".

I was feeling fairly confident of my ability to learn until I developed a kidney infection this weekend. I tried to read the first chapter of my Psychology book today and nearly feel asleep. Hopefully I will feel sharper mentally when I am well. :eek:

Nathalie · Aug 22, 2005

You will be just fine!!! :) Have a relaxing day, make sure you get everything done early so you are not doing everything at the last minute and running like a chicken with its head cut-off. :chuckle . Oh boy, here I am giving you all these advice and I will probably be as scared and nervous as you are when I start in January. Today is your day! Good Luck and be back to tell us all.

SkanauxRN2009 · Aug 23, 2005

Tonight I start my prereqs for my ADN and I am SCARED to death!!! But also very excited. I think it's just the fear of the "unknown" and worried whether I'll still be able to retain information in my "almost 40 yr. old" brain.
I'm at work and trying to focus on it but it's hard. All I can think about is "I'm finally doing this!!!!!!!"
Anyone else starting today after a long hiatus???

I started school a year ago, after 17 years away from college. I too am almost 40, just shy by a week , I love school! I found that being older with two kids and a husband, the most struggling issue was finding study time at home without interruptions. I also found that studying at least 2 hours a day helped with memorization greatly. I would go to bed early and get up at 4 or 5 a.m. to study in quiet. I was too tired at night to study after everyone went to bed. It also helps to make buddies with a study partner. I am sure you will find it rewarding going back to school. Good luck to you!