I'm finally going to do it!!!!!!!

Nora..when you finally realize nursing is something you want to do..something you've always wanted, things like past grades in HS (its been almost 20 yrs), and nay=sayers don't/won't stop you!

I am starting LPN school on Monday, the 12th. A month later I'll be turning 38! I hate hearing.."why do you want to go back to school at YOUR age?!" and "why bother, you have a great job now".

Keep the dream! Don't let anyone's opinion influence what YOU think YOU want/need. Best of luck to you! And...WELCOME!

I'll be 29 in a few weeks, and am finishing up my prerequisites. I didn't take college as seriously as I should have my freshman year. I took a long break after that and returned in the Summer 2005 semester, just a few days after my son was released from the NICU. It's been slower going that I would like, but I'm making progress and will hopefully start the nursing program in January 2008.

I was so nervous to go back, especially with my first class back being Anatomy and Physiology! I worked hard and did well. While most people say they think I'm doing a good thing, (hoping to get into NICU or peds) overall they're not terribly supportive and there are some who have said I'll never finish. I know it's disheartening. Still, if it's what you want to do, then don't listen to anyone and do what you have to do to move forward. It will be worth it in the end! :wink2:

Oh, and I'm not sure how old your previous credits are, but I know for the nursing program I'm planning on attending, none of my grades older than 7 years will be used in calculating my GPA for selection. I've heard that many places will "forgive" older grades, though I'm not sure how that works exactly, it is certainly worth asking someone in advising.

Good luck to you!

Tiffany

Conrats on your decision! I am 37 (in 3 weeks) I graduated with my ADN may 2006. I am starting the process to get my BSN and will be 40 by time I get it done. I have kids, and a great support system. I think the key is your drive and make sure you have a support system in place. It is not easy, but not much worth doing is. (ie) being a parent! SO...Nora, nurse2be best wishes to you.

TamieRN

Thanks Ladies you are so great!! The biggest complaints people give me is wow thats a hard field, the hours, woudn't you rather be a teacher... I get told how hard it will be. I also currently homeschool my 5 children so when I enter nursing school that will have to cease becuase I don't see how I can do both. But this hole that I've had needs to be filled.

~Nora

Don't worry, you should do what makes you happy. I had signed up for two semesters of college and never went...FFFF. I decided to go to NS and have raised my GPA up enough to get into a program..it can be done. You do have your hands full at home..I have four children, but I don't homeschool. I wish you much success and happiness.

Nora, Best of luck to you. I am 39 and just finishing my prereqs. I hope to be in a nursing program by this fall. I still will be 42 by the time I finally get through it all, but hey I am taking my time and doing it right. All my prereqs I took at night because I have a full time job and I am also a mom. It felt like it took forever to get through all the prereqs. and there were some pretty stressful times. Multiple midterms, chemistry, statistics, organic chem. anatomy, microbiology etc.. but I made it through and am finally at the point where I have applied to some nursing programs. It is very gratifying to finally be at this point. I will be one of the older nursing students but it is worth it to fulfill your dreams. So go for it and and really be proud of the journey. Don't let others discourage you.

I am 51 and in my second semester of an ASN program....I stayed home with kids for many years, then finished a BS in Business in '99...after 6 years in the corporate world in my little cube, I had already completed 2 years of prereqs to enter nursing school...I hated sitting in my cube with my PC and working M - F 8 to 5 with the rest of the world....I also needed to really feel I was making a difference...I'll never forget one of the mom's on my son's football team saying to me, "And what if that doesn't work out? Then what are you going to do?" (meaning returning for nursing school)....pfffffffffffttttttttttttt....I'm happy I've got the option to change; I don't listen to others' opinions....I didn't have to work when my kids were younger, so figure I'm just starting down that road where people change careers 4 or 5 times, lol...I'm just hoping I nailed it this time!! So your age isn't even a factor in this....

As for teaching or other careers, while they're admirable, I have a friend who got her teaching credentials and said teaching in elementary school was the hardest, most time-consuming thing she had ever done...a lot of it OUTside class time (she quit doing it after 2 years)...in addition, with a nursing degree, you have countless options for scheduling, working locations, etc., which is terrific with your having kids......not a whole lot of other careers offer that, never mind the job satisfaction and security....go for it and ignore others!!

"As for teaching or other careers, while they're admirable, I have a friend who got her teaching credentials and said teaching in elementary school was the hardest, most time-consuming thing she had ever done...a lot of it OUTside class time (she quit doing it after 2 years)...in addition, with a nursing degree, you have countless options for scheduling, working locations, etc., which is terrific with your having kids......not a whole lot of other careers offer that, never mind the job satisfaction and security....go for it and ignore others!!"

I couldn't agree more! My sister in law is a teacher and she complains about how much work she has to do, not to mention the discipline issues she has to deal with. What I don't understand is why nursing gets so much negative response.

~Nora

Good luck Nora. There is indeed a lot of negativity, but there we're here to support you!

I think it's partly because there is SO MUCH responsibility that comes with being a nurse...they are the front-line person responsible for a pt's care, med admin, assessing their condition constantly, and it can be hard, dirty, back-breaking work....I haven't had the pleasure to deal much with families of pts, but I understand that that can also be quite wonderful....

I think there's some consternation about the pay ranges....with all this responsibility, I think the belief is that the compensation doesn't rate some of the "crap" (literally) that nurses put up with....I see complaints about the working hours....well, I say, amen and bring it on....I hated M - F, 8 to 5, and now that my youngest is off to college, I look forward to nights (not overnights, mind you), weekends, heck, even holidays don't bother me...so for those who are in to a traditional work week, yeah, that would seem to be a problem....I don't want to work 5 days a week....I started out in my younger years working 4 - 10s and loved having the "extra" day off each week....I am definitely non-traditional in many aspects including being 51 and back in school changing to this profession!!

I think it's just like every profession....it has its good and bad points and it just depends on who you're talking to....I didn't like working in the business world and dressing up and working in IT...but there are folks who thrived on it...and those that absolutely detested it...I bet the numbers aren't too different in most professions where you find folks who love their jobs and others who hate it....

Wait a second.....36 old? I think not girl. You're in your prime. There are many older people in my class...I'm actually a youngin' believe it or not. I am 31 and will be 32 when I graduate this year. I am married and have 4 kids myself and I'm getting through it (in 3rd semester now) and you can too. As I always say, if I can do it anyone can. I'm not gonna lie....it's hard girl, but if you want it, you can DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! Never forget that. If you want to know what school's like read my blog. http://my-journey-as-a-student-nurse.blogspot.com/ I talk about school life with a family and kids. I also vent a lot on it too, because well...everyone needs an outlet right? If you know this is what you want to do then go for it. Anything is possible...that is something I know for sure. Good luck!