Any other "older" new nursing students out there?

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Hi all! I am new to this site and I am a brand new nursing student. I am a retired NYC police officer and a single mom of 4 (2 at home, 2 on their own.) I am excited and terrified all at once!! I am starting my pre-req's in January 2002. I will hopefully be done with them within a year. I guess what I am worried about is the fact that I'll be going to school with people my older kid's ages and I don't wanna be seen as the "old lady!!" I am doing this not only for myself, but I figured after all these years, I cannot preach college to my children if I've not gone myself! Any advice for the new, old woman?

Thanks for letting me get started...I'm sure I'll be here a lot!!:)

CyberKat:

I couldn't have said it better myself. I totally agree with you. The corporate world is so unforgiving and out of touch with the real world, it's a shame the demands they put on people, all for the almighty dollar...which isn't going to the real people who are doing all of the work anyway!!

I just got word here at work that we're closing the office for Christmas and New Year's eve's...great right? Except that our payroll person forces you to take 8 hours of vacation for every day you need to take off, I mean if I needed 2 hours off, she would take 8 hours out of my vacation time, pay me for it and pay me, on top of that, for the 6 hours I did work...all because she doesn't want to deal with broken-up vacation hours.

Well, that leaves me now with no vacation time...yep...you guessed it...I will not get paid for the 2 "extra" days I've just been given off!! I don't understand how companies get away with this...right before the holidays to boot!

I have had it with dealing with families that own businesses. They give the honest, hard working person the short end of the stick.

So see, I feel that I won't get rich monetarily from being a nurse, but my spirit will be happier...which I feel is more important these days.

Sorry, CyberKat, I jumped on the soapbox with you...LOL

I guess great minds think alike!!

Have a good day, all!!

(I feel much better now, thank you....:D )

I'm what you would call a nontraditional student.......I study.LOL

I returned to school at 39 and found an "A" student in me screaming to get out. I never got an "A" in ANY class except for P.E. , but "sniffed" one in Music Appreciation once in highschool.

I run a study group for my microbiology class because I have a 99% in a class that I thought would be difficult for someone with my academic record. I find that I can memorize schematical materials in A&P in a few hours of memorization at work and actually ENJOY the lab practicle!

I'm not saying this because I want everyone to know I have a 4.0 GPA through 12 credits(but it is kind of like a cute little baby that you want everyone to see and adore) I'm saying it because, like you, I had some reservations about being the only pathetic old fart that thought he could go to school and run with the young kids............Well let me tell you that it was difficult when I first started talking about doing it. As a male trying to enter a female dominated field I got razzed from aquaintences and had to endure the smirks and giggles that come from those awkward moments. I had to put up with the fellings that I didn't belong as I took my first prerequisite and was the only student with a potbelly, but that changed when I got my first "A". I had accomplished something that I never had the guts to do before and let me tell you that these A's are VERY addictive. For me it's like being a movie star. When I go to class now everyone notices me when I walk in the room and they all say "oh there's Brad. Ask him that question, he'll know" and "Hey Brad can you look at this and tell me if it's right?" Now there's no turning back. Hell, I can't ever go back to being an average citizen again, no way. I have found my niche in the ecosystem and never want to feel non-vital again. My goal is to continue to be a leader throughout the rest of my nursing career and never look back on "follower "again.

What I'm saying is that with your life experience that you are bringing to that situation, with reasoning skills, experience with failures and successes and the strategies that produced them, you will have no fear. What will seem monumental to thier inexperienced brains, yours will have seen it many times before and will just work out the most efficient way to achieve it.

Although, if you have a potbelly, I would recommend that you get rid of it before the first day of class! ;)

Brad

Brad,

You're a doll!! I really wish you and I were going to class together!

I think your GPA is well deserved. It's a testament to your hard work...it does pay off!

I had attended some college about 4 years ago, was able to obtain a few "A"'s and I agree wholeheartedly..they are addictive.

The world could use a few thousand more people like you..good souls, hard workers, great sense of humor!!

I am glad you've chosen the nursing profession, it will be better with you in it!!

Thanks so much for the kind words, I truly appreciate the support!

(yes, I am currently working on getting rid of the pot belly, so far, so good...man, where did all these achy muscles come from? I don't remember having them in certain places that are now hurting...LOL)

Good luck to you...stay in touch!

Happy Holidays!

Christine

:D :D

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

HI all,

I am also a non-trad sudent. Im fairly new to this board too. I went to LPN school at 33 with three small kids, and it was tough trying to study between ear infections and kids sick.

I made it and have worked as a LPN for 9 years but 3 years ago at 38 I decided that i wanted more so am now finishing my 3rd semester of the ADN program at our community college. It took me almost 3 years to get the pre-reqs and core completed so i could bridge into the program. Still have had to pull three classes this semester which has been my biggest. My kids have for the most part grown up watching mom do homework at the dining room table.

It has been fun though, and hard work. My oldest is a senior in high school this year set to graduate in May along with his mom from nursing school. LOL Big joke around here at the beginning of the school year was who's graduation we were going to. LOL

Of course the "young graduate" comes first.

I guess my course as a nurse started when i was a patient myself, then I was unemployed after the photo developing plant i worked closed. I had thought about it before that but hadnt taken any action on going back to school. I think i decided then i would take advantage of the job retraining and do what i really wanted to do. Guess you could say that plant closing was the best bad thing that ever happened to me. And I wouldnt ever have to want for a job again. I have found through the LPN years that nursing is what i truely was cut out for and I love it.

One more semester left, then ill work for a while and start working toward the BSN I hope. Who knows where this will end up one step at a time.

Good luck everyone

Thank you all for your kind and inspiring replies. I can see that this forum will help me keep the courage to pursue my goal of being a registered nurse!

RE: the pot belly - I figure once I'm working as a nurse, it'll disappear considering what all I hear about how physical the job is!

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

To all the new comers, welcome!

(ASN-RN Student)

(as of Jan. 7, 2002)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Janmae.....

Dont get your hopes up. Physical yes. However nurses also have some of the best munchies stashed that you can find, the ones that bake and cook love to test new recipes on their co-workers. Usually cookies and cakes etc.(easily transported). Especially on night shifts. Nursing hasnt done a thing for my figure. ;)

And OMG!! Christmas, all the candy and junk you can think of.

Ya gotta make the willpower work overtime.

ME too... non-traditional here.

I started taking courses at age 40, now 42, my oldest son 19 is a freshman in college, two other boys 12, and 13.

I'm at a college that has a lot of non-traditional students and I think that for some people we make much better students at our age.

I'm a 3rd generation college student to go back after age 35. My mother and her mother both received teaching degrees after age 35, must be something in the genes !

There is SO much I don't know and love learning.

Don't let anyone tell you it's a midlife crisis, most of us have been wanting to go back to school for many years and some have just been waiting for the right time. Is there ever a right time.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL !

My mom got her BS at age 50 and her Masters at age 60

I'll get my Masters at age 50 (and don't tell anyone but I even think about going for my PhD, what the heck it's only 2 more years :-))

When I graduate in 2003, My family will have had 3 generations graduate from GMU !!! (mom, me & my daughter) AND it has only been around for 30 years !!! (It used to be an extension of UVA.)

I'm trying to get my daughter to get her Masters soon, beacuse THEN we would have 3 generations have their Masters from GMU!!!

I love school !!! (and this is from someone who went to summerschool every year from 4th grade through high school )

Good luck to all of you !! ;) ;) ;)

Kat

KatWright:

Thanks for the inspiration! What fabulous achievements you ladies have accomplished!

Fantastic! See what perseverance does?

That is wonderful! By the way, I believe you SHOULD go for your PhD, finish it off..You've come so far, go all the way!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Happy Holidays!

Christine :D

HEY ! I just read your post and I had to reply. I guess I am considered an "older" student. I am 32 and will be graduating with a BSN in one week. First I want to tell you that there are quite a few "non-traditional students" graduating with me. However, what I most want to comment on is the fact that you are retired from "the job". I was a NYC police officer (Housing for 4 years, PD for 1.....result of merge). I can not tell you how much your past experience will help you in nursing school. In certain respects, you will have so much knowledge you can share with fellow students. For instance, I learned very early in my police career that my job was not to judge people but to help and do my best to get a job done. This helps when your dealing with patients that are non-compliant. I also think you will find that you have mastered the art of being empathetic.....being able to convey a caring attitude, listen and be effective in helping people without being drawn in and overwhelmed by the disparity of a situation. Empathy is a key component to providing the highest quality patient care. Be aware in psych though, and remember while you are doing your psych rotation that you are not a cop anymore. Theraputic communication does not include the phrase "just the facts ma'am" (actually this will apply to all your patient contacts not just psych)! It involves helping clients identify thoughts and explore feelings about what is presently going on. This may feel stange at first but you will get used to it. Anyway, I am proud of you for taking the leap so that you can be a role model for your children. I think you will find that there are many similarities between being a cop and a nurse ( including the fact that nurses have their own jargon too!!). I am sure you will be satisfied with your new career choice. Good luck to you and remember, when things get challenging at school say to yourself "I CAN'T MEANS I WON'T" (does that ring a bell?) ;)

Please feel free to contact me if I can help you in any way!

Mia

[email protected]

HI!

I am 24 and you probably think that is young, but most of my friends are 35. Come to think of it I only know 1 person younger than me at age 22.

It really does not matter your age. The older you are probably the easier it is to become a better nurse.

Plus if you have had kids you probably have an edge over the rest of us. :)

I also have a friend in my anatomy class who is 39 and he is doing the best in the class he is going into the D.O. program at midwestern. So it is never too late to dream and do it!

Best of luck to you!!

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