Going Back at 40 years old...

Jy0423 · May 8, 2016

I'm 38 and a dad of five kids. Just working on my prereqs right now. Hope to be graduating in the next few years. Will keep an eye on this post to see how things go with everyone.

Zooey72 · May 9, 2016

I think I have you all beat. I was 43 (now 44) male, and going back to college in a predominantly female field and feeling as uncomfortable as you can imagine on my first day of class, my lab instructor passed out a safety paper we all had to sign (after answering some questions). One of the questions was "If you think you are pregnant, what should you do before entering lab?". I had to laugh to myself, "Have a serious conversation with God".

RN to be soon · May 9, 2016

My mom went to a community college when she was 42 and got her associate degree in nursing when she was 47. It took her 5 years. She took her time because she had work to do and had two kids(me and my sister). And she's now going for BSN and she's 49 right now! I am also following in her footsteps :) you're never late!!

Fancychicken · May 9, 2016

I am 42 years old and just got accepted into a BSN program. I have been dreaming of this for so long, so I know what you mean when you say that you are "ready"! It's been a long time coming, so I know that even though it will be difficult, I will relish the experience. We're all lifelong learners, no matter where our jobs or degrees take us. Best wishes to you on your new adventure!

PennyS · May 10, 2016

Started my prerequisites when I was 40 with 4 children (3 months, 21 months, 5, and 6). Entered an ABSN at age 43. Passed the NCLEX at 44 and started working full time at a pediatric hospital. I love my job and have zero regrets. I am not going to say it was easy but it sure was worth it! You can do it!

APL. · May 10, 2016

Congrats on following your dreams! I am in your same shoes! I am 40 next year, found myself going from a stay at home mom/housewife, to now divorced no degree or current job experience and raising a 6 year old son alone. I was a medical technician in the Airforce 10 years ago, always had a passion for nursing. Thankfully I still had time left on my GI Bill. I went back to the same community college which now has an amazing AD nursing program and ASN-BSN program. Took me a little over two years of doing all my pre-reqs between work and my son. I recently took the HESI entrance exam and applied and was accepted! Just be patient and don't give up!! I was shocked I made A's in all my classes except Algebra 1- C phew!! and scored above 90 on each portion of my HESI. Hard work and self discipline will pay off!! I feel so blessed, I never thought I would get this far. It's truly never too late. If I can do it, I know you can! and what an advantage to have so many years of being in the medical field! You got this!

MomAndSonInMD · May 10, 2016

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.

I'll be 40yo next month. I have zero experience in the medical field (my b.s. and entire career is focused elsewhere). I too am considering becoming an RN / NP or PA at 40yo. Go for it if you want it. At least you have experience. You're better off than some of the other 40yos like myself. :) I am also an only parent with a special needs 2yo (by "only parent" I mean, no dad to take every other weekend), a bad hip, a bad knee, and a lung condition since giving birth that Hopkins can't figure out. I'm still going for it.

Larry2016 · May 11, 2016

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.

Me.

When the economy was bad and I lost my job, I went to get a medical assisting diploma. A week before starting my 6 week externship, I decided that this is not what I wanted, and rather wanted to be a nurse. The next year enrolled in my pre-requisites for Nursing (BSN). Started at 39.

Here I am, 43 (almost 44 now), graduating this saturday and pinning tonight. So I know where you are at. Just remember nursing is similar to MA technical skills, but a LOT different philosophy when you start learning nursing theory.

HavasuSun · May 11, 2016

Went back for pre-req's in my late 30's and here I am today at 40 years old in my 1st year of nursing school! So Cal is EXTREMELY impacted and it took me awhile to get in... but I kept improving my points and kept re-applying and WELLAH!!! So grateful, so appreciative, this will be a great 2nd chapter of life for my family!

mayenne1979 · May 11, 2016

I went back to school at 33 after being out for 15 years. I had been a pharmacy technician for 13 years. I had just given birth to our 3rd child when I went back. Daycare was too expensive for 3 kids so thats why I decided to go back to school. I set a goal that I was gonna finish in 3 years from doing pre-reqs and 2 year adn program. Low and Behold, I graduated last Dec 2015, passed my NCLEX in Feb and here I am now, an RN at a med surg/oncology unit. It is doable!!! I am an army wife with 3 kids in a place, we dont have any family. Me and my husband teaming it up and made it happen. As long as you put your mind into it, you will achieve it! Good luck on your journey!

Zyprexa_Ho · May 11, 2016

I'm waiting on my acceptance letter for my local CC's ASN program after getting a BA in the liberal arts. I know I haven't been in this as long as you have, but I can relate to the struggle of "starting over." Best of luck to you!

lesleydiaz · May 11, 2016

So nice to hear from other older students! I'm 35 and start my nursing program (Associates in Nursing) in August (today is the orientation meeting! :) This is a career change for me, as I was a teacher for 8 years and just wasn't happy. I so wish I'd done this sooner. Thought about it for years but was so scared with all the practicalities of it. I, like so many others on here, notice a difference going to school now versus when I was younger. I have so much more at stake & therefore am much more determined and focused with my classes. I have all my prereqs and coreqs done with straight As. :) My husband supports my career change and is going to be working 2 jobs to help makes ends meets while I barely work during school. Good luck to everyone!!! :)