I'm 42 and I'm new here !!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I came by and read many of your entries. I am 42 years old and having been laid off from my job in Silicon Valley three years ago, I'm now enrolled in a community college - wrapping up my prereqs for the Nursing Program.

I can identify with starting new again, especially in my forties now. I thought that there was something wrong with during those first few semesters because I would sit in the parking lot before the first day of class and cry in my car. I was scared to death to go to my class. I'd grab my new binders and backpack and put on a pair of sunglasses as I ventured into the young people on campus, afraid of standing out. I have to say that all of my prereqs have been awesome. Public Speaking was often terrifying and I have some great stories to comfort anyone with stage fright -- you couldn't possibly blow it worse than me, but I got an A in the class all the same. I struggled through Anatomy and came away with a B, and now I'm freaking out in Physiology.

Next is Microbiology and that scares me. I sometimes envy the people in the pottery classes as I trudge by their rooms on my way to Physio.

I'm so glad to be here and I will be back often!!!!

Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

Pixiesmom,

Absolutely!!! She's the best kid a mom could ask for! She is my pride & joy! I wouldn't be where I'm at without her!

Specializes in Oncology, OR.
Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I came by and read many of your entries. I am 42 years old and having been laid off from my job in Silicon Valley three years ago, I'm now enrolled in a community college - wrapping up my prereqs for the Nursing Program.

I can identify with starting new again, especially in my forties now. I thought that there was something wrong with during those first few semesters because I would sit in the parking lot before the first day of class and cry in my car. I was scared to death to go to my class. I'd grab my new binders and backpack and put on a pair of sunglasses as I ventured into the young people on campus, afraid of standing out. I have to say that all of my prereqs have been awesome. Public Speaking was often terrifying and I have some great stories to comfort anyone with stage fright -- you couldn't possibly blow it worse than me, but I got an A in the class all the same. I struggled through Anatomy and came away with a B, and now I'm freaking out in Physiology.

Next is Microbiology and that scares me. I sometimes envy the people in the pottery classes as I trudge by their rooms on my way to Physio.

I'm so glad to be here and I will be back often!!!!

Welcome! You'll definitely find a lot of support here. Congrats for taking the leap into nursing, I think it's awesome that you are moving ahead and doing it inspite of your fears. Good luck to you in reaching your goals! :)

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I came by and read many of your entries. I am 42 years old and having been laid off from my job in Silicon Valley three years ago, I'm now enrolled in a community college - wrapping up my prereqs for the Nursing Program.

I can identify with starting new again, especially in my forties now. I thought that there was something wrong with during those first few semesters because I would sit in the parking lot before the first day of class and cry in my car. I was scared to death to go to my class. I'd grab my new binders and backpack and put on a pair of sunglasses as I ventured into the young people on campus, afraid of standing out. I have to say that all of my prereqs have been awesome. Public Speaking was often terrifying and I have some great stories to comfort anyone with stage fright -- you couldn't possibly blow it worse than me, but I got an A in the class all the same. I struggled through Anatomy and came away with a B, and now I'm freaking out in Physiology.

Next is Microbiology and that scares me. I sometimes envy the people in the pottery classes as I trudge by their rooms on my way to Physio.

I'm so glad to be here and I will be back often!!!!

I am 46 and taking prerequisites ;) I fyou can do A&P you will be alright in Micro....speaking of the pottery class....I took it years ago and had the time of my life...it was sooooooooo much fun! Public speaking was also a class that scared me half to death, mind you I have an accent and grew up in another country...but thanks to a great teacher who made it fun it helped me get over chronic shyness. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. You can do it!!!!!! Good luck

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I came by and read many of your entries. I am 42 years old and having been laid off from my job in Silicon Valley three years ago, I'm now enrolled in a community college - wrapping up my prereqs for the Nursing Program.

I can identify with starting new again, especially in my forties now. I thought that there was something wrong with during those first few semesters because I would sit in the parking lot before the first day of class and cry in my car. I was scared to death to go to my class. I'd grab my new binders and backpack and put on a pair of sunglasses as I ventured into the young people on campus, afraid of standing out. I have to say that all of my prereqs have been awesome. Public Speaking was often terrifying and I have some great stories to comfort anyone with stage fright -- you couldn't possibly blow it worse than me, but I got an A in the class all the same. I struggled through Anatomy and came away with a B, and now I'm freaking out in Physiology.

Next is Microbiology and that scares me. I sometimes envy the people in the pottery classes as I trudge by their rooms on my way to Physio.

I'm so glad to be here and I will be back often!!!!

You will find that the youngins will seek you out because of your commitment. I actually had a 20something groan at me at registration..."Ohhh, you old people...you be comin' to class "all focused", makin' A's, throwin' the curve off...". That still makes me smile. Because it's true. We have all that crap that comes in our 20's (or in my case 30's) out of the way. School is now a priority. We can excell. Yeah us! Good luck to you. I'm in Micro now. It's consuming. It's fascinating. I'm having to WORK for my A. But it's do-able. Hang in There. Older is GOOD.

You remind me to realize how far I've come -- there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I remember two years ago, looking at my long list of prereqs and general ed and I can't believe that I'm almost through those. I enjoy the youngins and it does feel good when they hang close like I'm their big sister! hee hee I don't have any children -- I was actually pregnant during summer school when I was taking English 1A but had a missed miscarriage...it brought me to my knees, but I was back in class the following week. It seems like it's been one family tragedy after another since I've gone back to school......I'm hanging tough though. I am in recovery and have had 3 wonderful sober years, despite the pains, it's made me stronger..All of these experiences are giving me a compassion and understanding that I will carry with me when I am a nurse.....I I am so glad to be here ! Thank you all for writing.....Rine

Specializes in mental health.

;) Hi, I am 45 and just made the decision to go for it as a student nurse...I have completed the psychiatric technician program which is kinda the flip side of vocational nursing here in Southern California. I have a lot of prereqs done but am hoping to finish at least by end of next spring semester...so I will be 46 by the time I am accepted in a nursing program but it is worth it to me...

Good to see I am not the only 40-something here...

Andrea

Hi PTGirl1,

I'm in California too -- up here in Santa Cruz! I'd love to hear what you thought about the pyschiatric technican program. That's an area I'm very interested in and I am looking for resources to see if it's a good fit for me. I'll be 43 next month and I am hopefully going to be able to apply to the Nursing progam at the end of the Fall semester -- add a two-three year waiting list and I'm looking at graduation around age 47-48. I'm excited about it. Time seems to be flying as it is now!!!

Specializes in mental health.

Hi, Rine...

Nice meeting ya online...

Regarding the PT program, I would check out www.bvnpt.ca.gov. There are lists of schools in NoCal that would be located in your area. I loved the program at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. It was grueling but I learned a lot. I gave up a fulltime day job for it but in the end, I am hoping it is all worth it. I'm hoping to qualify for the advanced placement at MtSAC as soon as I finish my prereqs by end of next spring.

If you enjoy dealing with clients who are developmentally disabled or have some form of mental illness, then the psych tech program is a great way to go!!! Gotta warn ya, Rine, the job can get NASTY...some of these clients are like none you'll ever meet!! Also check out the Yahoo group for psych techs...I believe it's under CAPT website that you can join 'em.

Andrea

Specializes in mental health.

Hi, Rine...

Nice meeting ya online...

Regarding the PT program, I would check out www.bvnpt.ca.gov. There are lists of schools in NoCal that would be located in your area. I loved the program at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. It was grueling but I learned a lot. I gave up a fulltime day job for it but in the end, I am hoping it is all worth it. I'm hoping to qualify for the advanced placement at MtSAC as soon as I finish my prereqs by end of next spring.

If you enjoy dealing with clients who are developmentally disabled or have some form of mental illness, then the psych tech program is a great way to go!!! Gotta warn ya, Rine, the job can get NASTY...some of these clients are like none you'll ever meet!! Also check out the Yahoo group for psych techs...I believe it's under CAPT website that you can join 'em.

Andrea

Specializes in ER, telemetry.

Good for you, keep up the good work. One thing I learned was to get over the competitiveness of most prerequisite programs. Learn to work in teams to study and if at all possible, get a job in a hospital as an NAC. That's the best experie3nce you can get. Should be a requirement as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, keep plugging away and good luck.

Specializes in mental health.

Hi, GDean...

Thanks for the encouragement. I am definitely gonna need it as time goes by...LOL

Andrea

+ Add a Comment