Going Back at 40 years old...

cobbigirl · May 4, 2016

I'm on somewhat of a similar journey...I'm 42 years old and have thought about nursing as a second career for a couple of years now. I am currently taking prereqs and things are going pretty well. I do not have a medical background but would love to work in labor and delivery. I, like you, am very nervous but ready. Good luck!!!

glaserRN67 · May 4, 2016

I am 48 years old and just today I found out I was accepted into two of the nursing programs I applied for so I am so excited, but now I have to make a decision between the two. I think being older was one of the things that helped me get to this place. I'm married and we paid for the two years of classes I needed to apply to the programs, so when the money is coming out of your own pocket you want to do well, plus we know there is a time crunch; we don't have years to wait if we don't get accepted and that is enough motivation to study and do well. I also have to imagine that you don't have young kids around, which helps when your not pulled between family and school. I went through xray school when I was 31 and I had a young son, it was very difficult and I felt very guilty. So congratulations on your decision and I am sure you won't regret it, it's hard and I know the RN program is gonna be hard but remember, nothing worth doing is easy!! Good Luck!

Lindsay0925 · May 4, 2016

I'll be 34 next month and I'm just starting my prereqs. I've wanted to do this for years but finally found the guts to do it. I'm scared and excited at the same time. Good luck to you!

kjkolesar · May 5, 2016

Best of luck to you!

kjkolesar · May 5, 2016

Thank you for your words! My son is 5, and starting kindergarten. .my husband is very supportive thankfully. I'm going to continue working full time as a medical assistant, I'll be doing the modified night/ weekend program. .I'm excited to finally go after a dream I dreamt about so long ago :) Good luck to you as well!

blackberry74 · May 5, 2016

Good for you! I started college courses back in 2012 at 36 years old and was paying cash for them as I worked my way out of retail and into healthcare. I got a job as a CNA, and continued plugging away at prereqs until finally, I go that amazing letter telling me I was accepted. It was a dream come true that I had avoided for several years because of a math allergy of all things...now I wish most of the test questions I get are dosage calculations because I love math! It is a great thing to be going to school, even at 41. I am not the oldest in the class, which was a fear of mine, but I see an amazing group of supportive, loving, and caring classmates who genuinely care for each other at LSSC!

Peachez1, ADN, BSN · May 5, 2016

43 years old here and just completed my first semester of Gen-Ed while working full time. You got this!! We'll have your back! (safety in numbers right??)

Dreamer05, BSN, RN · May 5, 2016

I'm 27, I know I'm still pretty young. But I didn't attend college right after high school. I am now married with kids. I'll be starting school on May 31st. I've always dreamt of becoming a nurse. I do work hands on in patient care. It feels so good to actually have my dreams soon become reality. My husband works two jobs to provide for our family. I really would like to take the burden off of him. I felt sort of out of place registering for community college. Like I there was sign above my head, telling the world my age. I'm guessing do to the fact there were so many high school graduates registering. Needless to say, I'm overly excited.

Mrsveracity BSN, RN · May 5, 2016

I'm 37 with 4 boys (14,6 and4 year old twins). I start the summer BSN program at USA. I think being older puts everything in perspective. When I was 18 and took my first A&P class I made a C. I took chemistry last summer and aced it. I had different priorities back then... I think we all did. Good luck everyone. We've got this!!!

PlzClarify · May 5, 2016

Well, it looks like we're all in good company here! I am 43 years old with a family -- my youngest is 7 years old. The oldest is 25 and we are going to school together for the same thing. She wants to do Mother & Baby care, and I want to do L&D. In the long run, we both want to become CNMs and we are hoping to go into business together. I've always wanted to be a nurse but being a mom was my first priority. I was mostly a SAHM and do have some guilt about not being here all the time for my younger kids, but they really respect what I am trying to do.

I have been a CNA for over a year now and just applied to the LVN program at my local college. Once I am done with that, it is straight to RN and I will graduate with an AD at that point. Then it's on to our local University for the BSN, hopefully while working as an RN -- but we'll see how it goes at that point. I know our local hospital has a new grad program for nights in L&D, so I am hoping to get in there while I work on my BSN and eventually my CNM. I currently do home care and am interviewing this Friday for per diem work as a CNA at a nearby extended care center. I'll be doing Micro this fall, which is my last pre-req for the RN program, and I will do Anthro later, because I heard the BON likes it.

Yes, I know it is a long haul, but it is something I have always wanted to do and I feel like a very young 43, if I do say so myself. I am healthy and try to stay fit by doing cardio and strength training 5 or 6 days a week. I know it won't be easy and I know it won't all be roses and sunshine once I achieve my various goals but I do know this is the path I want to take and I'm willing to work incredibly hard to make it happen.

It is encouraging to see so many of us in the same boat. We can do this! :)

Carrie

(With all the info I've shared, I will need to post under a pseudonym if I ever want to rant!)

neuron · May 5, 2016

I never considered nursing up to a couple of years ago. I just attended an info session and the age range was across the spectrum. Same as working a CNA, the age ranges were/are across the spectrum. I have gotten over the 'age' thing. I can stand a 'little' discomfort. In fact, I studied alone in A&P 1 + L because I felt uncomfortable, but still got an 'A'. I hope it won't happen again but I am prepared.