Going Back at 40 years old...

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I have been a medical assistant for over 15 years. When I was right out of high school, I attended college with hopes of becoming an RN. Life took me on a different path. Here I am, 40 years old, and enrolled in that very same community college, taking gen ed classes. I am excited, nervous, but mostly I am READY. I'd love to hear from anyone else out there that is on a similar journey.

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??)

Safety in numbers, indeed! I'm 45 and I'm starting an ADN program in August. Any and all feel free to PM me and lean on each other as we go forward. Don't be surprised if I message some of you! Us older students need to stick together. We can do this!

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

I started the prerequisites of an AD RN program when I was 50. I just finished the third semester of our college's RN program yesterday. I'll be 53 in the very near future. It is very doable. Follow your dream.

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Specializes in Endoscopy/Operating room.

Hi fellow pre nurse! I too am seeking the elite title of RN. I and currently 38 and I'm finishing up my pre-requisites over the next few semesters. I will be 39 when I am hopefully accepted to nursing school. And, I am planning on going all the way! RN-BSN-MSN(NP). I will be around 46-47 when I am done. Your never too old! Keep truckin'! We have wisdom on our side too! There are so many things that we know that the younger ones may not! I see it as an advantage. And even though I will be a student myself, I hope to help the younger ones in my class should they need it. Carry on and good luck getting your most coveted RN title!

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Hello Everyone. Great thread. I'm 43 and just got accepted to a Graduate Entry Nursing program. I finished up my undergrad in December and finish my last two remaining ore-req's next week. While nursing school won't be easy by any means, I assure you that we can all get through it. Having a support system helps with that tremendously. Nice to "meet" you all and I'm happy to contribute to the numbers we can all find safety in.

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I am 41 and started back to school a year ago. I am finishing up my pre reqs this summer and I will find out in a month if I am accepted into the program. My grades were a lot of A's and B's when I went to college in my 20s. My GPA last summer was a 3.93. I LOVE school at this stage of life. I take it so much more seriously than I did when I was younger.

As for being "old", the kids in class don't make any issue of it. I have 4 teenagers at home so I am comfortable around 18-19 year olds. They really don't care at all. In fact I found some of them look to you as an easy person to talk to because you are a mom.

I do worry that my family will get neglected during nursing school but my husband is super supportive and so are the kids. I know that in two years when I finally have a degree and a career that I will be so glad I stuck it out.

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mom of 2 , turning 30 this summer... doing pre-reqs~ 4 courses to go before nursing school

Good Luck MOMS!

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This thread has truly been encouraging. 40 year old mom of 1 taking pre-reqs and aspiring to be a nurse!!!

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Yes, I have the similarities as you do. Been in the medical field on and off since I was 19 years old. Raised both of my daughters on my own. Had a mortgage payment and have to work several jobs. Here I am today waiting for my letter to be accepted or not. Been a long journey. My heart is in the nursing field. Do not see myself doing anything else. Hang in there, it will get better for you. Have faith and keep going. Take care

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42 here and wrapping up my pre-req's for applying this July (A&P II final in 2 days!!). If I'm accepted, I'll start nursing school to earn an associates in nursing in January of 2017 and between now and then, I have a long list of classes to take towards my future BSN. I didn't get to stay in college for very long fresh from high school so I definitely cherish the opportunity now quite a bit. The youngest of my 3 kiddos is 15, and while that's old enough to fend for herself a lot, I definitely have guilt over pushing her towards the edge of the nest a lot faster than her older siblings. And, while I haven't worked in the medical field, I've been exposed to it quite a bit thanks to a medically fragile kiddo with a chronic condition so the classes and terminology feel a teeny-tiny bit familiar lol.

Safety in numbers, indeed! I'm 45 and I'm starting an ADN program in August. Any and all feel free to PM me and lean on each other as we go forward. Don't be surprised if I message some of you! Us older students need to stick together. We can do this!

LOVE this - we should totally start a "seasoned" student support group! I'm always game for a pep-talk and cheer section, goodness knows I'll need plenty myself on this journey!

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I'm 49 years old and have two days left in my first semester of an ADN program!

I'm loving it! I have no prior experience in human health. (I was in the animal health field for 18 years) There are two other women my age in my class also. I have finished the semester with 3 A's so far.....just waiting to take my last exams in 2 classes.

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I'm really enjoying all of the interesting comments here. I agree that we should all stick together to provide encouragement and support to one another. It is going to be great to have such an amazing support system! :yes:

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I'm 47 and just finished my first semester finals yesterday. I figure between being 47 starting out and being male I am definitely on a mission to pull a 4.0 so the nursing schools won't have as may chances to say no. We're all in this together my friend.

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