Curious. How many "older" students

Nursing Students General Students

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It seems that alot of people are doing nursing for a second career. Just curious. How old is everyone? Who has kids? Is it a mixed group in the professional part of the nursing program (I am still doing pre-reqs)? Where are you living and what school do you plan on going to. BSN or ADN? What area of nursing do you want to go into?

I am 32, will be 33 in August. I am married with 3 kids. I live in Phoenix and will be going to Arizona State University for my BSN. I am doing the BSN rather than the ADN because I would like to be a CNM. Although I am also interested in ICU too.

I was asked by another (young) student if I had any kids.

I said no and asked why? "Because you look like a mom."

The guy next to her moved to the other side of the lab

table. LOL!

I'm 45 years young. My friends have been supportive.

The few people that don't get it, I don't care about.

If they can't handle me going back to school, that's

their problem - NOT MINE.

Samantha

LOL Samantha..... I have to giggle about the instructor question. This has happened to me before. It doesn't bother me at all! I like to think they recognize my confidence level... hee hee.

I've found that as we get into the subjects, the younger students frequently will ask me questions before they will ask the instructor. Which I find very flattering, personally.

Hugs!

MaryRose :balloons:

Is it hard learning algebra???? I am having to teach myself but it feels like I am reading a foreign language...any suggestions????:o

Specializes in Urgent Care.
Is it hard learning algebra???? I am having to teach myself but it feels like I am reading a foreign language...any suggestions????:o

You can get videos from the library. They are geared towards helping you learn for your GED, but it is basic and advanced algebra. It helped me.

Hi. I haven't posted before, but it seemed like as good a thread as any to introduce myself on. I'm not that "old" -- I'm turning 25 next week -- but I am a returning student with a family. I have a previous BA in French, I'm married, and my husband and I have 2-year-old boy plus a new baby girl expected to arrive this summer. I'm taking my prerequisites right now and waiting to find out if I got into the nursing classes starting in the fall.

You can get videos from the library. They are geared towards helping you learn for your GED, but it is basic and advanced algebra. It helped me.

Can you purchase these from a book store?? Do you remember what they are called?

Hi,

I need some advice. (I'm a 49yr. old mother of two sons 19 and 23,and caregiver for my 90 year old mother.) I've been enrolled in a 3 year ADN program and had to withdrawl this week. :crying2: I was failing the lecture portion of the med/surg class although I have an "A" in the clinical and lab portions. Anyway I withdrew because I didn't want to ruin my GPA and will return in spring of 05 to retake this class. (The only time it is offered).

Instead of sitting around for a year, I was wondering if maybe I should look into a Surgical Technologist Diploma? I'm so down on myself from doing so bad on the N-CLEX style exams that I'm not even sure if I could possibly survive the Surg Tech courses either. All I know is that I want to work in a health profession. Any advice would be appreciated.

I didn't know you were a member here! It's a tough decision that you are facing. Taking care of your mother has also been stressful for you. Knowing that you weren't the only one leaving from our class this week SHOULD make you feel like the pace of the class has more to do with your leaving than your abilities. You are more than capable. I felt very pushed this semester and am really trying to stay focused on having a break in August. I would check into the surg/tech courses if that's something that you are interested in. Also, why not complete the paperwork and test for your CNA so that you can work in the field in the mean time. You will be able to pick up things just by working with people and understanding their conditions. In the mean time, if you want me to, I could make a copy of the reading list for the next course so that you can try to cover the material on your own. I think we could all use a little more time between exams to absorb the information.

Hey, folks I'm a 45 yr old male LPN student June grad [come on June]. Early in my class a 20 something fellow student . Said" oh he must fill that older white guy demagraphic" Ouch!! My daughter[13] has just started telling her friends. And she loves grading my math homework with a red pen no less .

Hi, all,

I'm 50! And I am in a BSN program with about 45 other students (numbers dropping daily!). Although I am the oldest in the class, there are about 8 students 35 +. Everyone gets along well in the class, and age does not seem to be a factor in our cohesiveness as a class.

I will finish a year from June. I was originally in the Information Technology world, but because of job outsourcing abroad and other issues, the jobs just dried up there. I am glad I made the switch, so if anybody is thinking of doing this, go for it!

Cheers,

Oldie but goodie

beat everybody so far. in second semester RN program at community college. have two masters. was a pathologists' assistant for five years. got tired of the human parts assembly line. (although i have some good medical examiner stories). getting killed this semester. taking 15 credits. tired all the time. im 52. :rotfl:

Hi, Patti,

Glad to see another student in their 50's! (I am 50). I also have 2 master's degrees. I too, am tired all the time!

We can do it!!

Oldiebutgoodie

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
My daughter[13] has just started telling her friends. And she loves grading my math homework with a red pen no less .

I got a giggle out of this, Needatag ... my 10-year old daughter has been known to say, "Mom, shouldn't you be studying??" when I've collapsed on the couch! Funny how kids can keep you in line!

Good luck to all. :)

Is it hard learning algebra???? I am having to teach myself but it feels like I am reading a foreign language...any suggestions????:o

Here is an excellent site for learning algebra. It saved me!!

http://www.mathtv.com

Hugs!

MaryRose :balloons:

I have topped all of you in age! I turned 57 a few days ago. My story is somewhat different. I graduated from a BSN program way back in 1970. I was 23 years old and worked as a school nurse teacher for two years. They eliminated that position and offered me a job teaching third grade. I got my MA in education and worked as an elementary school teacher up until two years ago when i retired.

I have three children ages 29, 25, and 23. Two years ago, I was very traumatized by marital problems. I am going through a painful divorce, and I have decided to go back to nursing. Although I loved teaching, my dream of being a nurse was never fulfilled. I took a refresher course at a local college for 6 weeks doing clinicals in a small hsopital. I have been studying pharmacology on my own completing the greatest calculations book. I would highly recommend it to anyone worried about calculations like I was. It is called Math For Meds by Curren and Munday.

I was accepted into a reentry program at a very large medical center in my area. It is a 9 week course starting at the end of March. Classes wil be every Wed. night from 4-11, and clinicals will be from 7-3 every Sat. and Sun. I will be working one on one with a precepter. It is a nine week program, and I am very excited about it. When I complete the program, I would like to work in a specialty area. I have considered psych, neonatal and even intensive care.

I have gotten a lot of support from friends and family-especially my children.There have been a few comments that have bothered me, but I am trying to ignore those. My doctor cousin asked me why I would want to work with all 22 year olds. Another woman asked me why I would want to be a nurse. Her daughter is a physical therapist and told her that nursing is the worst, because you work so hard and get paid so little!! I never know how to answer people like that. I can't wait to be a nurse, and I think the pay is good!

I am very excited about going back to nursing, but sometimes I do get some fears about being too old. So if there are other people starting out in the over 50 age group, please give me some support. Also, if any of you young ones have experienced older people returning to nursing and doing well, Iundefined could use the encouragement. I know i can do it. I just feel a little insecure being 57!

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