I feel Discourage and need help with questions

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2014

I go to a Tech college. It has the one of the best nursing programs in the area. The only one that is better is the private, christian college in the area. Most of my credits transfer to a 4 year college. I sit down and research what does and doesn't transfer before taking the class. I am a little confused though on what you are taking. How are you taking a 2000 level anatomy class before a level 1000? You generally need to take lower level before higher. Look and make sure you are taking the right class. Like I had to take 101, then 102, and am now taking 201 in A&P. I thought the level 1000 and 2000 classes were really hard. But as long as the tech program is accredited and is a good school, I would go there. Talk to an advisor.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2014

Good day, Lizzly:

I started working on my prerequisites at age 50 starting last summer; don't let your young age trouble you. See your professor to talk about your test to discuss their thoughts on what you can do differently to be better prepared for your next test; do take your book and notes with you so you can show the professor how you've been taking notes in case that's part of the issue. Do see if your college has a tutoring / learning center where you can get help.

In terms of tech schools, the main concern I would have with any school is accreditation. I have 93 credits from a tech school (prior to going back to college) -- ALL of them completely and utterly worthless as NONE transfer (and that's even with a 3.98 GPA from the school -- NONE TRANSFER). So I would advise extreme caution going to any school that is not properly accredited. That, rather than one's age, is a HUGE WASTE. Why? Because sometime down the road, you may want to go back to school... then find you have to start over because NO CREDITS TRANSFER.

Thank you.

scrubgirl16 · Feb 4, 2014

First, I would make sure that your classes transfer if you want to go forward to a BSN. I went back to school at a community college at the age of 43 and love it and all my classes transfer. A&P 201, 202, nutrition and micro are all classes you have to put work into. Don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't better yourself. If you want to be a nurse do it. Can you take a class at a time so you don't have as much of a workload while working? Nursing is very competitive and you want to keep your grades up if possible.

iPink, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2014

Hi Lizzy, first and foremost setting an appointment to meet with your professor to go over what questions you missed and what you may not have understood with the material is priority.

Many people have to work while going to school, but that includes many sacrifices to succeed. That includes sometimes forming late night study groups/sharing class notes/regularly meeting with your professors during their office hours because nursing school won't be easier.

Secondly, regarding tech school you would need to speak to the Admissions office and discuss if credit can be transferred. You will know your answer if tech school is the right choice for you by your conversation with them.

Lastly, if you make age a hurdle in terms of reaching your dreams, you can either knock it down and forge ahead or stop and turn around.

Lizzly · Feb 4, 2014

Thanks all for the great advise. I feel better today about my whole situation. Even if I don't graduation till I am 47 years old, aiming for 46 yr old, I will still have a long time to work. A LPN at work is 70 years old. I heard many tech schools went to a 2 year college, unsure what that means exactly but I'll talk to an adviser at my school and an adviser at the tech school before making any big decision. We start learning about bone on Wednesday and already studying the bones in skull so I won't fall behind. To answer your question, I am taking a 1212 without taking a lower 1000 level class because when I asked an adviser, she said I didn't need a lower level biology. ..Nursing Program has their own rules on some stuff. I had to take psychology 101 before taking the Development of Psychology. When I took Psychology, I went back to school to be a social worker which something that doesn't hold my interest now. I appreciate your help. xo

Lizzly · Feb 4, 2014

One last thing, my sister has been an RN for over a year now. She said she took Anatomy alone without taking any other classes because anatomy was so hard and made the comment she'd think highly of me if I make an A in Anatomy and in History while working 32 hours a week. I must make A's in both classes to prove it can be done while working 32 hours a week. It's a good motivation for me to prove a point.