Am I really doing the right thing?

manna, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

You'll never know if you don't try, and if you have problems in any of your subject areas there's all kinds of resources out there to help - tutoring, etc, etc.

I'm 27, with two little kids, working full-time and waiting on an acceptance/rejection letter as we speak... if I can do it, anybody can! :)

I say go for it, and good luck! :)

Achoo!, LPN · Feb 26, 2004

I am 31 with 2 small children going back. It's challenging but you can do it. I am still doing prereq's myself and can't wait to start clinicals. I couldn't imagine doing anything else outside of the medical field :)

jawbreaker3000 · Feb 26, 2004

I am so afraid to fail this. I am 38, havent even started pre-reqs yet. But this is all I have ever wanted to do. When I read some of these posts, on trying to get in, trying to keep grades up, has me so worried. What if I cant do this? What then? This is my only passion...but sheesh I havent been in school in over 20 yrs! I cant do the simple things like MATH! Please send me some encouragement...I cant turn back now!!

Hi Cindee,

Just remember that you are not alone...I understand that going back to school, keeping the grades up, etc., are terrifying, but you can do it if you persevere. I am going to start on my Pre-reqs next Fall. That feeling of uncertainty is there, no doubt. One technique that I do is instead of worrying about those things (school, exams, grades) and going nuts over those what-ifs, I actually look forward to them -- the school, grades, exam, etc. Regarding grades, instead of thinking that I'm starting from the bottom and working my way up, I always think that I already have an A+ in this class, and it's up to me to keep it up. These two have worked well for me when I was in school going for my BA in Accounting. Since you haven't started on your pre-reqs yet, start reading some/any of those pre-req books that you think you're going to have problems with, and read some of the nursing journals so you can get a head start. I'm not sure if you're having problems with Math, but if you find yourself in that situation, your school should have a Math department and they ALWAYS have someone there who can tutor/help...take advantage of that help.

The only suggestion that I can give regarding your concern of not getting in is to keep trying, and send your application to as many schools as you can. I always believe in the saying that if there's a will, there's a way.

I hope these suggestions help you. Do your best and you'll be fine.

Take care and regards.

Renee' Y-Y · Feb 26, 2004

Cindee, at the age of 38 you are bringing alot of life experience to your schooling...which gives you an incredible edge when most of your "counterparts" will be significantly younger. Plus, it certainly sounds like you are quite driven to make this work...which trust me, many of your "counterparts" will absolutely NOT have your level of drive.

Katnip, RN · Feb 26, 2004

I graduated when I was 46, so yes, it's doable.

Just don't *what if* yourself into failure. Take things one step at a time. Get your prereqs done...don't think about not getting into the nursing program until most of those are done. Work on doing the best you can in those classes. Then apply to as many schools as you can.

Once you're in, concern yourself with the semester you're in at the time. No point in fretting about what's to come until it's time.

It might take more than one time to apply. That's ok. Just keep plugging away at it. Before you know it, you'll be signing your name with RN after it.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

Cindy, I'm a 30 yr old stay at home mom of 3 young kids, I haven't been in school for 13 years, but even when I was in school I was in the bottom percentile of my class. I didn't know how to do math either.

I just started taking pre-reqs last fall. I started off with one class, then I bumped it up to two and three classes per semster. (Just began my 3rd term)

So far, it has been great , and I'm suprised that I have manged to keep a 4.0 GPA.

My college has a "success center", that offers developmental classes and I took academic math which goes over fractions, decimals, percentages, exponents, order of operations ect. I learned more in 12 weeks than I did in 4 years of H.S. Currently I'm taking algebra with geometry. If I can learn this stuff, you can too!

Go for your dream, don't let fear stop you! Just remember..." baby steps."

Best of luck!

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2004

Half the students in my class are in their 30's. It's the majority rather than the minority. Some of us are in our 40's and 50's. One student in my clinical group is just over 60. Don't let age scare you. You just jump right in and test your stuff to see what you're made of. Many of us who are now in a program got our start right where you're at right now. I'm 49. I started with remedial algebra, chemistry and A&PI just over a year ago. No regrets.

belladelicious · Feb 26, 2004

I am so afraid to fail this. I am 38, havent even started pre-reqs yet. But this is all I have ever wanted to do. When I read some of these posts, on trying to get in, trying to keep grades up, has me so worried. What if I cant do this? What then? This is my only passion...but sheesh I havent been in school in over 20 yrs! I cant do the simple things like MATH! Please send me some encouragement...I cant turn back now!!

I can tell you all the 'older' people in my nursing class are the ones I just know will do really well. I think being out of school for 20 years is an advantage! At 20,etc.. sorry, we don't know much. I think older students are better learners, and just more intelligent all around...and I always try to sit by them in class:) You can do it! My mom went back to school at 38, with 3 kids, and did awesome(so many of the older students are the ones who make A's). Especially w/nursing....that's one place where you see a lot of people coming back to school! You'll probably fit in well. :)

Cindee · Feb 27, 2004

Wow, thanks everyone! I needed to hear that! I have a wonderful family who supports me, I know I will do fine. Its just the unknown that creeps up on me! Then I come here and get this wonderful encouragement...you dont know how important every one of you are! Thank you soooooo much!! I will be here till the end, or will it really be my "begining"?!! :nurse:

TRISHnotyetRN · Feb 27, 2004

First of all you have to get the word fail out of your mind and think succeed. I am in an ADN program and have 2 young children and a husband that is in the military and no family around to help. I just decided I can do this and I will do this. I make the time to study but it doesn't consume my life. I have fun and go out, but when it's time to study I study. Nursing school isn't rocket science. Don't get me wrong it's challenging and takes committment, but it has been done by millions before us.

So don't be afraid to pursue a goal. That's what goals are for, to be reached upon. I am 31 and if someone told me 5 years ago that I would have gone as far as I have, I wouldn't have believed them. Next May I graduate!!!!

O.K. I believe my soapbox time is up. I've just been gonged!!!!! :chuckle

RNSuzq1, RN · Feb 28, 2004

Cindee,

I'm 42 and taking the Nursing entrance exam in a few weeks to find out if I'll be accepted into the Fall program. Like you and most people in here - I've wanted this for a very long time and have finally decided that the time was right to do it.

I was also very worried about being "an older student" - but like someone said on a previous post - there are lots of us older students in school and many get better grades than the young kids. I wouldn't say it's because we're smarter - but when you're going back to school at "our age" it's something you've been thinking over for years and want really bad. It's not only a dream, but many of us at this age have families and getting our RN will be a huge financial help to the family - so that's part of what drives us to work harder.

There is a big difference between going to school at age 18 and age 30/40 something. Let's be honest - at 18 there's all those parties and fun things to do instead of studying. OH those were the days!!! At my age the partying years are over - these days I spend my nights studying and helping my kids with their homework, doing the never ending Laundry :angryfire - it's a different world than way back in my college days.

For older students there's just a lot more on the line. To me at least - I'm taking this much more serious than when I was in college over 20 years ago.

Go for it - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!!!