Going back to school at 30

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello everyone, I just signed up today to discuss some things with you all. Get some advice, etc.

I graduated high school in 2004, and I went straight to a community college with the plan of becoming an RN. I took all by basics, etc. then got into nursing school. I went for two semesters until I made a 74.4 in one class, which is of course a failing grade. Instead of going back, I switched my major to business management. I graduated from the community college, and then went to a four year college. I graduated with a bachelor degree in business management in 2009.

After that I started working for our family business, which is where I have been since then. I hit 30 years old this year, and I have been having regrets about not continuing in nursing so I am contemplating going back.

I was just wanting some tips or advice about going back to school so many years later. I'm of course afraid of failing again, but I don't a husband or kids so now would be the perfect time if I did go back.

You definitely aren't too old for nursing school. However, most schools won't accept transfer credits for nursing or science courses that are older than 5 years (technological and scientific advances) so make sure to ask about that when doing your research. Depending on your program, they still may accept a good number of your liberal arts courses without a time limit (communications, psychology, sociology, etc). Some schools have great resources available such as tutoring, NCLEX reviews, etc. Make sure to take advantage of all that is available. Good luck!

Thank you you for the advice. Thankfully this college doesn't have an expiration date on when courses were taken. This is what the nursing program card states which is in the link in my previous post:


  • Eligible for ENG 101, BIO 201 and MTH 100
    There is no expiration date on general education courses(ENG, BIO, MTH). Requirements are subject to change.

You can do it! There are plenty of non traditional students (i.e. those who aren't the typical 18 yr old just graduated high school) in the nursing program, and in my opinion they do very well if not better than the traditional students. You're bringing more knowledge and wisdom having probably interacted with the health care system as a patient. It's perfectly normal to be afraid of failure but why live with regret when you don't have to?

30 is young, i had 50 year olds in my batch, good luck.

30 is young, i had 50 year olds in my batch, good luck.

Thanks! Did it seem like the older students did better than the younger?

Specializes in Hospice.

Failure will always be there so as winning or being successful. Your fear is probably not getting the return from your money and time you will be investing in school.

I am afraid of failing myself. You will be able to know if you will like nursing after you've taking the pre requirement subjects like anatomy, microbiology and chemistry, unless you excel in them.

not me its a struggle. I have taking the those subjects and passed it, now am in nursing, our instructor is making the subject difficult for us to learn specially me am petty much the oldest in the class. At this point I would say, failure is just around the corner and am afraid to face it but I have too. they are other health care career you might be interesting to you. Good luck.

I know this question was directed towards me, but I'm going to answer anyways :)

Thanks! Did it seem like the older students did better than the younger?

In my prereq classes, I think the non-traditional students are doing better because we've been in college before and/or we have the maturity that comes from being in the workplace. To give one example: I'm taking a General Chemistry class, and the younger students are blatantly cheating on homework and tests, complaining about the workload, and constantly asking if the exams can be open book. Maybe their high school was super easy, maybe they're lazy, I don't know. But the older students who need this class for a reason seem to take it more seriously. We know that what we learn in the classroom is necessary for success, whereas many of my younger classmates just want to put it behind them, not realizing that they do actually need to *know* something about chemistry.

Long story short: in my limited experience, the older / non-traditional students are doing better because they're more focused and they take their classes seriously. They have life experience that helps them realize that doing something the easy way is not the same as doing something the right way.

Specializes in Hospice.

Let me add on this this, the older student l me, this could be our second career and their taking it more serious.

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