Going Back To Nursing School at 42

catzy5 · Aug 24, 2007

I am a married mother of two who has decided to go back to nursing school. I have attended one year of college in 1987 and actually was admitted to the nursing program then but had a car accident and had to withdraw.
Since my car accident I obtained my C.N.A. Certification. I presently work in an Intensive Care Unit as a Unit Secretary/Monitor Technician/Phlebotomist/C.N.A. The hospital I work at has trained me to do EKG's and I went through the IV Therapy Class because I am trained as an Emergency Room Technician. I decided to go back for my R.N. because I am already doing a lot of the things that the R.N.'s do I just don't get paid for it.
My husband is not supportive of me going back to school because he says I am too old and he is discouraging me. What he does not understand is that this is something I have wanted to do for 20 years and I have not been able to go because I had a family to take care of.
My children are 18 and 23. One is in college and the other one is preparing for college. Is there anyone out there who has every been in a situation like mine? It would be nice to get encouraged to better myself.
I also had this same problem with him when I was going to school before. He fought me on it because he knows it will take time away from me spending time with him.

I say you go for it, he will apprectiate it in the long run! It could free up more time for him your schedule could be more flexible and get paid more working less hours.

I am 39 also worked as an ICU unit secretary and I am hoping to get in by the time I am 40 lol.

go for it!

Love316 · Aug 24, 2007

I'm reading this and I'm amazed that I'm not the only one trying to accomplish something without the support of her husband. For some reason my husband feels that if I go back to school it will take away from the kids (age13, 7).... this may be true however my courses are when they are in school and study-time is for everyone. I'm pretty good with time management so I can plan to do special things when time allows. I think a year of sacrifice is way better than a life time of regret.

Needless to say the only man I need supporting me is God so with him in front I'm going for it.

rnmomtobe2010 · Aug 25, 2007

I admire those words love316 and I could't have said it better!! You don't know what you have done to me by writing that last sentence. You have opened my eyes to something I never gave a second thought about and I consider myself a religious person, but that statement gave me hope and much joy. Thank You!!! Thank you!!! Thank You!!!!

Mommycakers · Aug 25, 2007

I am 41 and hoping to start a two year RN program next Fall. I am finishing up my prerequisites now. My husband is very supportive of me so I can not really relate but I thought I would try to encourage you to follow your dreams. We have four young kids so we both need to be on the same page if this is going to work. My husband looks to the future and sees a possible shore house and more vacations. He sees that I can do something I will be happy at while working flexible hours making money that we can invest for our future and our children's. We will be able to give more to charity and to our church.

Maybe try to make a list for him of all the benefits that will result in your becoming an RN. Will you have a more flexible schedule? You already seem to have a lot of experience in the health care field and would be a wonderful nurse. Do this for yourself. Your kids are going to be out of the house so now it is your time. Good Luck! Also, search this site for older moms going back to nursing school. I have seen similar posts in the past. Print out some of the stories for your husband to read so he knows you are not too old. You could be working for another 20 or so years. How do you want to spend those years? Also, check out this website from msn. http://moneycentral.msn.com/Investor/calcs/n_savapp/main.asp You can try to estimate how much more money you can earn as an RN vs. a CNA. Then put that figure into the savings calculator. If you put that money into a mutual fund and see how much it grows using this savings calculator. Maybe he needs to see how much money you could be missing out while doing almost the same kind of work. (sorry so long)

WDWpixieRN, RN · Aug 25, 2007

Oh, tell your husband to grow up and get over it!!! :lol2:

I was working a full-time IT job making a pretty good salary when I decided I hated sitting in a cube all day and watching my behind spread while I was supporting the folks who were making the big bucks, getting wonderful trips, etc., and I had to fight to get a 4-10 schedule. UGH!!

I took almost 2 years finishing up prereqs as I already had a bachelor's but the bare minimum sciences. I did this in the evenings while working full-time.

Last fall, I started my ADN program at the age of 50. I wasn't the oldest in my class, nor in the nursing program. No one's looking twice at me -- well, at least until today!! I walked in a pt's room and introduced myself to her 70-something husband as her student nurse. He looked me up and down and said, 'You're a little late to the game, aren't you?!?!" I about rolled over laughing and said, "Well, yes, I am. Thank you for noticing!!"

I figure I'll be working another 15 or 20 years, God willing and Social Security still being available by then. I intend to be doing something I enjoy with the flexibility *I* want during that time. You should certainly be doing the same. My youngest left for college last year; believe me, you will have PLENTY of free time on your hands soon enough. Do you want to spend that time tech'g or nursing?!? If you're going to be on the hospital's time clock, you might as well be making the most of it $$$-wise.

You're already in that environment; you know your age is not a deterrent and I bet your biggest cheerleaders will be your co-workers. Go for it and tell him he can either cheer you on and give you support or get the he!! out of your way!!! :icon_hug:

SunnyCaRN · Aug 25, 2007

I'm 44 in my last year of pre-req's applying for fall 08. My two boys are in HS, one is a junior and the other is a freshman.

I say go for it and unfortunetly your husband could just be feeling threatened by your goals. Don't give him the power to make your life choices, you need to decide and then explain to him your dreams, his place in your dreams and hopefully then he will not see it as a threat and will come on board.

skcrn · Aug 26, 2007

I was 41, and a single mother of 2 (daughter 20 and son 5), when I graduated from nursing school!! It is a good thing to follow your dreams and gives you a good sense of well being. I will now start my on-line RN to BSN in the latter part of Oct. Keep your head high, you will do well.

kynursesomeday · Aug 27, 2007

Hang in there and be true to what you know you are meant to do! I'm 41, started my Bachelor's in 1983 and finished it in 2005. I am now taking prereqs to start a BSN program in fall '08. We are not old! We are just getting started! My husband is very supportive and I know how lucky I am to have that. However, in the last decade, we spent 5 years taking care of his elderly parents full-time, he went through a clinical depression after their deaths, and now my father has COPD and we are taking care of him part-time. I say all of this not for sympathy but I find it helpful to remember if I wait for the right time it is never going to come. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you are making other plans." Go for it and don't let anyone dictate your limits. See you on the commencement podium in 2010!

WVlpn2b · Aug 30, 2007

This is the most encouraging thread and I am so thankful to have found this site! :roll I am 42 also and am beginning my pre-reqs to enter the LPN program at a community college in my area. I am so nervous and excited -- I have a BA from 20 years ago and I need two semesters of PT courses before I can apply.

I have two children, ages 14 and 11 and a husband of 22 years -- thankfully, everyone is very supportive. We'll see how supportive everyone is when they have to pitch in to help me a lot more (I've been a SAHM for nearly 14 years now).

OP, I am very sorry your DH is not supportive but I agree that your age is probably not the reason. I hope he comes around, but meanwhile, I hope you don't give up your dream.

AtomicWoman · Aug 30, 2007

I'm 49, doing prerequisites. I'll be 50 when I (hopefully!!) start nursing school. I didn't want to wake up when I was 65 and say, Gee, I should have gone to nursing school. I'M GOIN' FOR IT NOW! So go for it, at 42, 52 or whenever. Only you can judge whether it's right for you; to heck with everyone else. :yelclap:

Skeletor · Aug 31, 2007

I have alot of respect and admiration for those deciding to reenter formal training in their "more-mature" of years. You all have more movitation and determination than most 20-somethings in school these days. That's awesome, keep learning till you can't learn no more....

Serlait · Sep 2, 2007

Good heavens, look at all the skills you've gained already. Sounds like you're a pretty amazing lady! Please don't let anyone steal your dream. I know it's hard, but sounds like you need to sit down and have a heart to heart with your husband. Listen actively, acknowledge his concerns, but don't waiver in your resolve. Let him know how important it is to you and be sure to throw in your increased earning power. Be realisitic about what this journey is going to involve. If you need to, go get marital counseling, but don't give up your education. Trust me, if you end up on your own in a few years, you'll be soooo happy that you educated yourself and increased you ability to support yourself.

I am 50 and am on the verge of finishing my prereqs. (Lord, help me pass Anatomy and Physiology). I've wanted to pursue nuring for many, many years. Turning 50 finally kicked me in the pants. I decided that in three or four years I'd be 53 or 54 whether I had made strides toward my degree or not. I'd much rather have that degree at the end of those years than to still be sad and frustrated that I didn't pursue my dream. Think about it.

You hang in there and never never let anyone, not even your husband, steal any of your power to attain your goals.

Best wishes.

P.S. A HUGE thank you to all the other ladies in my age group who have spoken out and encouraged. I'm glad I'm not alone!