Ok, so I am waiting to hear if I am accepted into a post-Bacc program for next fall. If accepted, I will be 34 when I start. I would like to hear from those who went back to school. I will be over 10 years out of college. Was it SO hard to go back to the study-mode? I am hoping that going back as an adult will be different and I will be able to study more efficiently. I have been working as a teacher for 10 years. That is using my brain in a much different way. I guess I am just scared that it is going to be so hard to go back to being a student. I did complete my Masters few years ago, but that wasn't so hard.
Just want to hear from those who have gone back and what your experience has been!
oh, I am also married with 3 kids 5 and under. I know I must sound crazy, but I really want this.
I'm *only* 31 lol BUT I can identify with you, first time I set foot in a college class room period was for my pre-req's almost 3 yrs ago and I"m in my last semester now, I have 3 kids ages 12,11, & 9 and also take care of my brother in laws kids ages 10,8, & 5 (we're brady bunching it cuz of his unexpexted single parent status, because he's a police officer his shifts run very much the same as a nurse except every 2 months he is mandatory nights, makes it hard on the kids to shuffle them around from house to house) it's all about organization, my oldest is gifted and helped me study during A&P I & II and Micro and I was really surprised how much he learned, the kids also thought it was great to remind mom she had homework too haha of course now the conversations have switched to "when your a nurse we can do/buy this...." little monkies lol
So like the old adage - you are as young as you feel. Some days I feel old, and that is OK. Some days I feel on top of my game. Sometimes it is just scary enough to be invigorating. I find as I am becoming More reluctant to take physical chances - extreme sports and what-not, this is in its way an exhilarating risk. Go for it!
Hot:
Your reply was a hoot!! Thanks for putting in to words so much of how I often feel in school. While my grades are usually way over the top of the hotties, sometimes it does feel a bit more difficult being the oldest one in the class!! I sure envy them their youth, but know I wouldn't appreciate it anymore today than I did then....I loved your comment on using staff bathrooms, lol....several times patients have looked to me for second opinions during clinicals in the hospital...I guess my mature looks makes them think I'm the boss!!
And for the OP, I am 52 and will graduate with ADN in May. I have no previous health care background. I completed my first degree in '99, so did have more recent college experience, but I ran across my old high school transcript recently -- my GPA my senior year was a 2.0!! Yikes!! I obviously had more important things going on than school, lol!! My GPA as a "non-traditional" college student -- 3.8.
I think you'll have a richer appreciation for what your reasons are for being in school at this point in your life, in addition to knowing what you're giving up timewise with your family and friends to help keep you plenty motivated and successful!!
While I was applying, I was looking at my college transcripts (graduated with a 3.3) and realized that college wasn't that hard and why didn't I study and work a little harder then? I am excited to go back as an adult because I know it will be so much more meaningful. I can only imagine I will do better.
Of my 3 kids, I have twins that are 10 months old. I guess that is a big part of my worry becuase we are still very much in the "thick" of things. Worrying if they will sleep through the night, etc...Even though I work full-time, THEY are also a full-time job! We do have great support, though. Sometimes I think I am so stupid for trying to take this on, but know if I don't now, I will regret it later.
You are all a great inspiration for someone who is just embarking on this journey. Thanks for sharing your stories!
I'm so glad I found this forum that has women "d'un certain age". I'm seriously considering the back-to-school route in nursing - it's a desire that's nagged at me for years - and now I'm going to find out if it's possible. I figure I still got a few years left in me to contribute, if I can get the old brain in gear. If I look back at my college transcripts, it's pretty scary. I had no direction or guidance. I'm amazed I made it through at all. I've worked for lawyers most of my life. Can school be any worse than that
I've worked for lawyers most of my life. Can school be any worse than that
I did that in a major D.A.'s office many years ago....no, it's not a lot worse than that, lolol....your maturity will be a huge asset. Do so searches within allnurses for 'age'...you will see we are surely not alone!! :heartbeat
I am in my first year of nursing school and I just turned 40, have a son (granted he is a lttle older, 15) and a husband of almost 19years. I started knocking out prereq part time at night (held a full time job almost 21 years) and this is what I discovered. #1 Going back to school you take it far more seriously. My GPA was night and day better. I was able to get into all the nursing schools I applied to. #2 You also are better at organization. It is amazing how good at multitasking you become as a parent. #3 I wasn't the oldest and yes there are the 18 year olds in my nursing classes but the average is probably in the 30's.
EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED IS SO YOUNG, EVERYONE IS IN THE :redbeathe. I personally am a young women, 21, however out of my graduating class, I am the baby. The oldest is 63! His factory shut down, again free schooling. He worked there for 40 + yrs. Next is a women who is 60. She is a stay at home mom of 7! Next is a women 58.
Stay young in the :redbeathe and you will do fine. I am young but my study group is 21 (me) , 35, 37, 29, 50, 45. Good luck to everyone, once you are in the program, you age is the last thing on your mind.
All I can say is "hang in there". I too have returned to school this semester after graduating from high school 15 years ago. I have two children aged 1 and 3 and work part-time as an ER Tech as well. I'm finding it hard to juggle staying at home with my kids, working weekends and nights, studying and everything else. My goal is to one day complete my Nursing degree (RN) and this is what I think off as I survive on 4 hours sleep a night!!!
I just wanted to say that I was 28 when I went back and 33 when I graduate in two years. Whew, 5 years of school for this degree. Because it had been 10 years since HS I had to take a lot of classes over, like Biology and Chemisty. I am also married with three kids, although only 1 under 5 but none the less, kids.
ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN
913 Posts
I'm *only* 31 lol BUT I can identify with you, first time I set foot in a college class room period was for my pre-req's almost 3 yrs ago and I"m in my last semester now, I have 3 kids ages 12,11, & 9 and also take care of my brother in laws kids ages 10,8, & 5 (we're brady bunching it cuz of his unexpexted single parent status, because he's a police officer his shifts run very much the same as a nurse except every 2 months he is mandatory nights, makes it hard on the kids to shuffle them around from house to house) it's all about organization, my oldest is gifted and helped me study during A&P I & II and Micro and I was really surprised how much he learned, the kids also thought it was great to remind mom she had homework too haha of course now the conversations have switched to "when your a nurse we can do/buy this...." little monkies lol