I'm 32 years old and pregnant with my 5th child. I've been on food stamps most of my adult life as well as having used up my 5 years of welfare. I'm sick of being poor. So while this is something I want to do, it is for the money as well. I've always dreamed of being a midwife but thought I would love to start out with nursing and then be able to provide for my family. I want to be able to send my kids to college one day. My grandmother was a nurse and I've been told by many people I would make a great nurse. Blood and poop do not bother me.
I want to start next fall when the baby is old enough to be away from me. My partner is being supportive.
My main concerns are: spending 4 years in scool (2 years to do the pre-req)
Not being able to find a job here on the Big island of Hawaii
It would be impractical for me to move my whole family somewhere else.
Anyone else have similar experience or any advice?
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
Good for you! I went to nursing school at 44 yrs of age back in the mid 90's! I had no young kids in school and that made it very easy to just focus on me. Yes blood and poop you may be "ok" with, but are tons of other things that could "gross "you out. I don't know what the job climate is in Hawaii. We all are hoping by the time you graduate in 4 years the job market for BSN nurses will be much betterI still feel that most hospitals will be requiring you to have your BSN. You are never too old. I once had a neighbor who was 78 years old and going to law school. He said he always wanted to be a lawyer. so it is never too late. Blessings to you!!
I'm a mom of 5, husband was in the military for 14 years of our marriage (he's now retired). I decided to go to nursing school 5 months before my 40th birthday. I graduated 4 months before my 42nd birthday and was number 2 in my class. I showed my kids that with hard work and dedication anything is possible. It was worth every sleepless night, every school program missed and the 50 pounds that I had lost the year before I started nursing school that I put back on. I am working as a LPN now, making good money and loving every minute that I spend with my patients.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
Do you know if you "hook-up" (no pun intended) with the right people in designing clothes, (if you are really good), you could name your price!!. Have you ever pursued that avenue of getting your designs with the right person who could help you?
Today is my Birthday, and I am 41. I am in my first year of pre-req's. I have always dreamed of being a nurse. I wish I would have started at 32. If this is what you really want, then I say go for it.
Look at the job market in Hawaii before progressing and make sure there are openings, although you won't know what things will be like when you're done school.
Does Hawaii not have ADN programs? You could do that and start making money earlier (2 year programs), and then go back to school for your BSN. Make sure your area in Hawaii hires ADN nurses, too.
Also, just do really well during clinical courses, and make a good impression on the units. That may help you land a job in the end.
If the nursing job market looks good there, then good luck! You can live a comfortable life as a nurse :)
I was 37 when I finished my BSN. Altogether, nursing school took me 5 years. If you set your mind to it, you can do it. You will face challenges with having children, but many people return to school while raising a family.
It's hard, but manageable. I started at 38 and it was one of the best things I ever did. As someone told me when I was kicking it around. In two years you can be 40. Or in two years you can be a 40 year old nurse. I'm a 40 year old nurse and LOVING it. Best of luck to you!
I don't recommend anyone begin nursing school at this time. Not that your age has anything to do with it. It's the economy and the fact that you need to work, really need to work. So, having just said that, your time is not as lengthy as the 20 year olds starting out, to wait for the job market to open up. Sad but very true now. Remember, some states will prevent your licensure if you are in school loan debt.
I'm glad I never listened to advice like this. I pursued my dream: graduated with a BSN last May, had a job right after graduation and passed NCLEX 2 months later. Now licensed, working happily in the career I have wanted to enter for several years now. And I live in the NYC metro area, one of the most competitive to get a new grad job. I worked my butt off to make sure I was not a statistic of new grad unemployment. You just have to believe you can do it and you will!
jtmarcy12, BSN, RN
220 Posts
Good for you! I went to nursing school at 44 yrs of age back in the mid 90's! I had no young kids in school and that made it very easy to just focus on me. Yes blood and poop you may be "ok" with, but are tons of other things that could "gross "you out. I don't know what the job climate is in Hawaii. We all are hoping by the time you graduate in 4 years the job market for BSN nurses will be much betterI still feel that most hospitals will be requiring you to have your BSN. You are never too old. I once had a neighbor who was 78 years old and going to law school. He said he always wanted to be a lawyer. so it is never too late. Blessings to you!!