Is it too late? Any advise?

Rosa2Little · Sep 14, 2006

It is never too late. I'm going to be 31 soon, and most of the others I attend nursing school with are around our age. In fact, one lady is 54 in the class ahead of mine!! I too made the mistake of dropping out of high school but I obtained a GED years ago. I would maybe try to get a job as a CNA in a hospital or long term care facility, or become an EMT. I don't know where you live, but many adult and community education centers offer training in these areas either free or at a reduced cost for non-high school graduates. And in those two areas you can usually get your cert. or license in 6 mos or less. That would give you healthcare experience and give you a better idea if nursing is what you want. If it is, then you could do your prerequisites and maybe by the time you get into nursing school your child will be in school and you might not have child care issues like I sometimes do with my 2 and a half year old twins. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Great advice! :yeahthat:

Remember, you are going to be 33/34 (or insert any age here) whether you have a degree or not. Age should never hold you back from your goals.

Signed,

a 40-year old junior in college on her third career change

whose senior year will over-lap with her oldest child's freshman year in college(!)

pyrolady · Sep 14, 2006

I entered school when I was 38 with two children. Worked nights in a bar and studied in what was left of my waking hours. It is a career choice that I am glad I made. I had a classmate who had NINE children and drove 1 1/2 hours each way to attend school while going through a divorce. Another give birth to twins during the last semester. You can do this if you choose to. Your child will ALWAYS need you - mine is 30 now and still does....once you are a nurse you need to prioritize your time and pick your career path and shift to be compatible with your child's schedule ie: home health is very flexible, three different shifts - OR how about the week-end deal where you can work 36 hours, get paid for 40? Go PRN, choose an office job in insurance companies, etc. Student loans??? of course - but you will have a nice income to pay them off with - without them, you wouldn't have the income. Think of your GED as an asset - it takes more to self-study and pass than the regular HS Diploma (I used to administer that test at one time - bet most HS grad couldn't pass it....). Good luck, get going and stop putting barriers and "what if's" in front of yourself. As you get older you will still get older, whether you have a degree or not. Might as well get it. :)

SillyLilly · Sep 14, 2006

It is never too late.

I am young, but in my ADN graduating class, we had quite alot of students 29+. And some with kids.

Do not put limits on what you can do. I think that is an amazing lesson to teach your kids. Good luck, and keep coming back to this site, it is sooo helpful for school and beyond.

Anjann, RN · Sep 14, 2006

You can do this, if you really want to. I graduated with my RN degree 3 weeks ago on my 35th birthday and it was the hardest and sweetest won victory. But now I know I have job security and a decent salary.

Have you thought about attending a Licensed Practical Nurse program first? It would probably be faster and easier to get into and you could start working faster (12-18 months). Then you could slowly work on your RN degree while employed as a nurse and still make a decent salary. Plus with an LPN under your belt, you would not be competing with everyone else for a regular RN spot at a college. Most nursing schools have special LPN to RN programs. There are even some LPN to RN programs that can be completed online if you had no other choice.....

DDRN4me · Sep 14, 2006

there has been much good advice here. i got my lpn at 20, and my rn at 40. there is not a time limit on education. my children grew up with me in school and working and my husband traveling for the last few years. they are now happy successful adults. we found time for each other, even if it was study time together. if this is what you really want then go for it! I agree that a job in healthcare would be a great intro. if not in a hospital or nh, how about working with kids or adults with disabilities? they often require that "little bit extra" that will give you some ideas about caring for others. good luck and keep us posted. we are all here for you! mary

Trauma Columnist · Sep 14, 2006

Its not too late at all. Start with your GED, this will help to get you organized. Then...contact a community college nearby and find out the pre-reqs you need and how long the waiting list is. If you are going back to school and want to get the most bang for your buck (and time), go for the RN. This will give you more earning potential. As you are doing your pre-reqs (many can be done online after your daughter goes to sleep), slowly start to get more organized and focused.

Yes, nursing is stressful, yes it takes time and yes you may be more tired than usual. However, in the end, you will have more time with your daughter.

I did nursing school with two kids ages 5 and 10 when I started. My husband was in the military and in and out frequently. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Yes, definitely.

As to work schedule...I personally worked nights (7pm to 7a) while my kids were in schools so that I could be there for evening activities. I have always worked either nights or days. I had a brief run of swing shift and hated it, so went back to nights.

At any rate - I think you have some good advice here. Hopefully you will get the info that you need. If we can help further, please just let us know. Take care.

Fionasmommy · Sep 14, 2006

Wow, I'm so glad I posted my thoughts on here. Thank you all so much for the wonderful and supportive feed back. It really is encouraging and inspiring to hear all of your own life experiences and how you dealt with similar struggles. I plan on passing my GED and then enrolling in Meric College. I don't think there is a waiting list but they require that you complete the CNA program (2 months) and then they require you work for 2 months before you apply for the RN program. I dont like the idea of going to a community college. I think a school like Meric will help me stay on track better. Wish me luck and thanks again so much for all the support!

texas_lvn · Sep 14, 2006

I just have to tell you that if you're waiting for the "perfect" time in your child's life to go back to school, you'll never get there. Every stage of your daughter's life is precious. At every stage she will need you there. Your decision is one of priority and hard facts.
Do you want you and your daughter to spend her entire growing years groveling to pay the bills, unable to participate in many of the activities and advantages that her peers will have just because, "Honey, we don't have the money."? Telling your child that over and over and over again is so disheartening. It will wreak havoc on your self-esteem and hers.
I LOVE nursing. I raised my kids alone while going through school. I won't lie to you, it was tough! There were times I was so tired and torn but managed to persevere.
As a nurse I've always worked nights or days. Just made it a point so that I could participate as fully in my kids' lives as possible.
Looking back, I've got to tell you that it was worth every minute! The things I learned pales in comparison as to the things my kids learned!
God Bless you. If you want it you can have it. The hardest part is the decision.
BTW, it doesn't have to be nursing. If you find you don't like nursing there are myriad other things that you just may want to do.
Not an easy decision. I have every faith, however, that you can be successful and happy in whatever venue you decide on.

I AGREE!!!!! You can do it. In many ways you can also set your shedule around yourself. You will be the same age in 4 years with a degree or without one. The only question is will you be making 25 plus an hour or will you be making 5.25 an hour and asking "you want fries with that?" Either way, there is not a great big chance you will win the lottery and not have to worry. Good luck, honey. I remember I was once where you are at now, and I will soon have my RN. It was worth it to me.

Rickymom · Sep 14, 2006

I was 53 when I graduated with my RN. Oldest in my class. Never give up