I am 42 years old and have been out of school for over 22 years. I have spent those years working to put my dh through seminary, raise 2 kids, and get them through college. I am just now at a point in my life where I can finally do something for me. I plan on starting at our junior college in January and will apply to the 2 year nursing program in March.
I have no idea what my chances are of being accepted. Although my GPA is very good (4.0 the last time I went to college), it is also 22 years old!
I am working through an ACT test book and have ordered some math books since this is my weakest area. If I can learn the math, I am confident that my ACT score will be high enough.
Though I am extremely excited about going to college and learning, I am wondering it they'll think I'm too old. Will being over 40 make it less likely to get into nursing school? Is age a factor when they decided who will be accepted into a program?
How many of you are over 40 or are going to school with students my age?
I guess my greatest concern is that it will take me forever to complete the training. My only previous college experience was so long ago, and since I was a music major back then, I doubt if I have any credits that will transfer. So, I'm starting from scratch!
I do think I can test out of some of the English and composition classes, but the math has me a little worried. I looked at some of the sample questions on the ACT site and didn't understand them at all. Both of my kids are trying to explain math concepts to me, and I have to go over the same thing several times before I "get" it. LOL! I'll probably have to take remedial math!
I do think that it will all be worth it. And taking it slow may be best for us financially anyway.
And I agree with the sentiment expressed by many of my fellow late in life pre-nursing students: all of my years of living will help me as a student and later as an RN. I feel I have so much to offer. I didn't believe that back when I was young, though I know now that it has always been true.
Thanks to all of you for the supportive and encouraging words!
I am absolutely invigorated by the idea of being a student again!!!!
No one is ever to old. I am 43 and will graduate with my LPN next may. The last time I went to school was 11 years ago and that was for medical assissting. The older I get the more I love school. Looking forward to my RN. The best of luck to you, 'YOU CAN DO IT"!
Miss Jen- I have a friend who is in early 50's finishing up the nursing program. She decided after raising her three kids she wanted to go back to school and become a nurse. I don't think there really is any age requirement, as long as you are motivated. There are lots of career options available to nurse's. Good luck to you!!
I am absolutely invigorated by the idea of being a student again!!!!
That's great! I know the feeling .. I was lucky enough to have a few transfer credits from my prior degree and you likely will too. Also, I took a Stats course the year after I graduated so that counts toward this degree as well as it's good for forever (whew!). I also am feeling a little rusty on the math and chem but I am just going to take it as it comes and if I need a little brush up, I will. There is a resource at our university where you can go and work on math skills, writing skills, etc. if you need to. My neice tutors Statistics as well so I was going to pick her brain for ways to review old materials.
Have you checked with your school to see if any of your credits are good for this degree? The ones of mine that were good were .. English, electives in the pre-nursing year and year 3 and of course the Stats. I figured a couple of less courses would be a great idea anyway and it works out that I have a 60% course load to complete my first year.
I just got back from registering at the college. They gave me a math test. I'll have to take a lower level algebra course, but it will count as my math requirement, and I'll re-learn something that I had completely forgotten, so it's all good.
They also accepted my English hours from 1982!
The only hitch is that the Biology course I need is full. The registrar told me she would put a sticky note on her computer monitor, and wants me to call her every day at 8 a.m. to see if someone dropped. There are two time slots that would work with my schedule. Registering so late limited me to only one slot for sociology, and everything else has to work around that.
If I don't get Biology this semester, I won't be able to apply to the nursing school until March of 2007. Oh well, that will just mean one extra year.
I just got back from registering at the college. They gave me a math test. I'll have to take a lower level algebra course, but it will count as my math requirement, and I'll re-learn something that I had completely forgotten, so it's all good.
They also accepted my English hours from 1982!
The only hitch is that the Biology course I need is full. The registrar told me she would put a sticky note on her computer monitor, and wants me to call her every day at 8 a.m. to see if someone dropped. There are two time slots that would work with my schedule. Registering so late limited me to only one slot for sociology, and everything else has to work around that.
If I don't get Biology this semester, I won't be able to apply to the nursing school until March of 2007. Oh well, that will must mean one extra year.
I am feeling mighty happy right now anyway!
Awesome!!!! That is so exciting! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you over the Biology! So can I ask what kind of minister (i.e., focus of ministry, denomination, whatever) your husband is? (snoopy lol)
When that sort of thing happens, it's a shame -- a sad situation for everyone involved. The person has made a huge investment of time, energy, and money that hasn't paid off. The school has "used" a precious space in its nursing class for someone who doesn't actually maintain a nursing career. Potential nursng students are stuck on waiting lists for schools whose classes are filled. etc. etc. Nobody wins.
I see your point, but I don't really agree with this. Whenever you go into a course it is never a "waste". You grow as a person and help others if nothing else. And honestly people aren't going to know if something is right for them until they go through it. I'm sorry if people can't get in to programs because others are in there that eventually won't stay in the profession, but I'm afraid that's just a fact of life. It happens with other professions also. It's just a risk you take when you go into any program.
I see we have a lot in common!! I am Baptist and my dad is a Baptist minister. PM me if you want to chat back and forth sometime! It's nice to have met you!!
I see your point, but I don't really agree with this. Whenever you go into a course it is never a "waste". You grow as a person and help others if nothing else. And honestly people aren't going to know if something is right for them until they go through it. I'm sorry if people can't get in to programs because others are in there that eventually won't stay in the profession, but I'm afraid that's just a fact of life. It happens with other professions also. It's just a risk you take when you go into any program.
well said...education is never a waste, IMHO. It is however a good idea to go into something w/ your eyes open. Perhaps those that left before they'd 'paid their dues' so to speak would have done so in any profession. I am certainly not looking forward to missing out on times w/ my family, however my husband spent the first 3 yrs of our marriage working holidays. A day late or early never hurt anyone...
thanks for this thread! I am 31 and feeling like a kid :) Personally, I am a much better student this time around! Good luck to everyone!
missninaRN
505 Posts
Me too!
I guess my greatest concern is that it will take me forever to complete the training. My only previous college experience was so long ago, and since I was a music major back then, I doubt if I have any credits that will transfer. So, I'm starting from scratch!
I do think I can test out of some of the English and composition classes, but the math has me a little worried. I looked at some of the sample questions on the ACT site and didn't understand them at all. Both of my kids are trying to explain math concepts to me, and I have to go over the same thing several times before I "get" it. LOL! I'll probably have to take remedial math!
I do think that it will all be worth it. And taking it slow may be best for us financially anyway.
And I agree with the sentiment expressed by many of my fellow late in life pre-nursing students: all of my years of living will help me as a student and later as an RN. I feel I have so much to offer. I didn't believe that back when I was young, though I know now that it has always been true.
Thanks to all of you for the supportive and encouraging words!
I am absolutely invigorated by the idea of being a student again!!!!