Question for nurses who came into the career late...

Nurses General Nursing

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I am not a nurse, but I want to become one. I am 35 and a SAHM of two, one will be 5 in a few weeks and the other will be 7 this summer. I would like to go back to college in the fall when my5 year old goes off to school, but it doesn't look possible. We live in a rural area and it would be a bit of a ride for me-which is definitely manageable, but we have terrible winters esp. in my neck of the woods where we don't have snow plows and salt trucks. My main concern is I wouldn't be able during times like that to get to my kids when I'm needed due to slower travel times, and that doesn't sit well with me, so until we move to the city, maybe in a couple or more years, I will have to put college on the back burner for now.

Now, (sorry for the babbling) what I want to know is, for those who came into the career at a later age-how old were you? The way it looks, I may be in my 40's before I even become a nurse. And how long did it take you to fulfill that goal? I want to be an lpn, and even though years ago I did take a lot of the pre-req's needed, I would have to take them again along with the necessary nursing courses, so it might be a while for me to finish. Thanks for your assistance.

Cryssi

Good Morning:

I would like to say thank you to all the replies that I have recieved thus far for my response to this post. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU and GOD BLESS!

Carmen

Hi there! I will be 52 years old when i complete my BSN. I don't think there is any difference in how old you are! What counts is if you will be doing what you love! I have waited for over 23 years of motherhood to go back to school! Both of my kids are out of college now so its MOMS turn! Sure there are some days where it is a drag to get moving, but it will be worth it all in the end!

Hi there! I will be 52 years old when i complete my BSN. I don't think there is any difference in how old you are! What counts is if you will be doing what you love! I have waited for over 23 years of motherhood to go back to school! Both of my kids are out of college now so its MOMS turn! Sure there are some days where it is a drag to get moving, but it will be worth it all in the end!

I agree, Just Do It !

Good Luck and much success to all of you !

I agree, Just Do It !

Good Luck and much success to all of you !

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Go for the gold, girlfriend!

I returned to college around the age of 25 taking courses here and there as my three children and marriage would allow. I was first in the real estate business and took mostly business and business law classes. I continued on in college taking english, sociology, psych, and other math courses not knowing which direction my education would be headed in. I certainly never had a thought in my head at that time about becoming a nurse. I did want a college education...that much I knew for sure. I didn't put any pressure on myself, I just kept taking and passing those classes until one psych class a student behind me talked me into looking into the nursing program. I hesitated at first, then said, Okay. And a few years later....I became a graduate nurse on her way to take state boards at the age of 35. :)

At 51, I am going back to college. Long range, I'd like to get a Ph.D. If I stay in nursing, I will only settle for the following positions: Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator, Patient Educator, or Director of Nursing. So, a BSN is only a step towards getting my MSN...on to my Ph.D. :)

Older nurses still rule today, so go for it and join the rest of us! :kiss I wish you well!

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Go for the gold, girlfriend!

I returned to college around the age of 25 taking courses here and there as my three children and marriage would allow. I was first in the real estate business and took mostly business and business law classes. I continued on in college taking english, sociology, psych, and other math courses not knowing which direction my education would be headed in. I certainly never had a thought in my head at that time about becoming a nurse. I did want a college education...that much I knew for sure. I didn't put any pressure on myself, I just kept taking and passing those classes until one psych class a student behind me talked me into looking into the nursing program. I hesitated at first, then said, Okay. And a few years later....I became a graduate nurse on her way to take state boards at the age of 35. :)

At 51, I am going back to college. Long range, I'd like to get a Ph.D. If I stay in nursing, I will only settle for the following positions: Nurse Manager, Nurse Educator, Patient Educator, or Director of Nursing. So, a BSN is only a step towards getting my MSN...on to my Ph.D. :)

Older nurses still rule today, so go for it and join the rest of us! :kiss I wish you well!

Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

I love the replies for the older students! What we choose to do at any age is in our own hands. We can become more educated with a better job or stay where we are in a lower paying, less satisfying position. I will hit the books, study and teach, the Good Lord willing, the rest of my life! AMEN!!

Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

I love the replies for the older students! What we choose to do at any age is in our own hands. We can become more educated with a better job or stay where we are in a lower paying, less satisfying position. I will hit the books, study and teach, the Good Lord willing, the rest of my life! AMEN!!

I turned 31yrs old this past February... I will graduate in July from LPN school. I'm a single mom, my son is 5yrs old. He started Kindergarten this past August 2wks before I started school. If I can make it through LPN school as a single mom on my own, ANYONE can! He's at a good age for me.... there's not much homework in kindergarten ;) and he pretty much entertains himself when he has to. Be prepared to sacrifice some important family time.... or at the very least, learn to juggle it all. I've been fortunate with the support of my parents & ex-inlaws (outlaws?) to babysit anytime I've needed them. I don't regret this at all! My ONLY regret is that I didn't do this 10yrs ago! I wasted a lot of time sitting in an office behind a computer.. bleh! Losing my job last April was the best thing that ever happened to me :) I start my pre-req's for RN in August.... I can't wait!

Good luck to you.... :)

I turned 31yrs old this past February... I will graduate in July from LPN school. I'm a single mom, my son is 5yrs old. He started Kindergarten this past August 2wks before I started school. If I can make it through LPN school as a single mom on my own, ANYONE can! He's at a good age for me.... there's not much homework in kindergarten ;) and he pretty much entertains himself when he has to. Be prepared to sacrifice some important family time.... or at the very least, learn to juggle it all. I've been fortunate with the support of my parents & ex-inlaws (outlaws?) to babysit anytime I've needed them. I don't regret this at all! My ONLY regret is that I didn't do this 10yrs ago! I wasted a lot of time sitting in an office behind a computer.. bleh! Losing my job last April was the best thing that ever happened to me :) I start my pre-req's for RN in August.... I can't wait!

Good luck to you.... :)

Originally posted by giggles66

Is there anyone out there who did not do well in high school and had to start at the remedial level with their classes, and is struggling to get through the higher level math courses or any courses for that matter? if so, what courses are you taking now? How are you doing in them?

Carmen:specs:

HI Carmen :)

I graduated from HS - barely! I was like 5th or 6th from the bottom, I think. I did as little as possible to squeeze by. I'm happy - no, i'm THRILLED!- to say that I've managed to keep all A's & B's through school. As my instructor says, desire is half the battle :) As for becoming an LPN vs. RN. For me, I didn't feel like I had a choice. As a single mom, I couldn't afford to be off work for more than a year, so now that I'm almost finished with my LPN, I can see that RN title in the not so distant future. Who knows how far I'll go.... especially now that I know I CAN! :D

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