Hi everyone. I am new here and so far I really enjoy the information and experiences that everyone is sharing.
I just turned 35 years old in Jan and after years of not knowing what I wanted after I left the Navy, I have finally chosen the one career that my Great-Grand mother told me that I was going to be. Matter of fact every since I was a little girl she would always ask me, "So, you are going to be a nurse like Florence Nightingale, right?". And I would always tell her that I would.
So far, I have really liked what I've learned and have even passed my A&P I with an A. I have always liked feeling like I am making a difference in people's lives and I want to help people get better physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.
Are there any other 30 something year old people out there that have just now chosen nursing as their career and do you ever feel like sometimes you may be too late in choosing although you know there is no way that you want to stop now? (Sometimes I feel that way)
Hi everyone. I am new here and so far I really enjoy the information and experiences that everyone is sharing.
I just turned 35 years old in Jan and after years of not knowing what I wanted after I left the Navy, I have finally chosen the one career that my Great-Grand mother told me that I was going to be. Matter of fact every since I was a little girl she would always ask me, "So, you are going to be a nurse like Florence Nightingale, right?". And I would always tell her that I would.
So far, I have really liked what I've learned and have even passed my A&P I with an A. I have always liked feeling like I am making a difference in people's lives and I want to help people get better physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.
Are there any other 30 something year old people out there that have just now chosen nursing as their career and do you ever feel like sometimes you may be too late in choosing although you know there is no way that you want to stop now? (Sometimes I feel that way)
At 35, after having my youngest child, I decided I wanted to do something more, get out and make a difference. I am now 37, have finished my prerequisites (almost through the BSN since I had so many sequential prereq's and just kept filling in the holes in my schedule) and am awaiting my letter for an ADN program, hopefully acceptance for fall this year. I have had great grades and it's because I absolutely love school and definitely, as another poster said, am probably doing better than I would have when I was younger. It's funny because I had a career working at home, was always there for my oldest to go on field trips, volunteer at school, etc., and never thought I'd want to do anything else, loved being home for my family. Then when I had my youngest child 8 years later, more than one nurse touched my life while I was on bedrest for a while in the hospital before delivering; then I wanted nothing more than to get out of the house and start 'doing' instead of 'being.' I have gotten over the guilt of not being home every day for my youngest, putting him in daycare at about a year old, broke my heart, but everything I do every day is for my children--and will one day take care of other people's children and grandparents and sons and daughters, so it just doesn't get any better. I do not feel that I am late in choosing, feel like the right time chose me and that nursing chose me. I haven't felt like I wanted to stop yet, other than thinking about taking one class over summer and relaxing a little before I wear myself out for the next two years yet again. But I have my Saunders comprehensive review/practice questions to do for "fun" this summer. I'm such a dork!
You sound like you'll be a very caring nurse. Good look to you!
I decided to be a nurse when I was 31. There was something about turning 30 for me that made me realize that I needed to make something of myself. I am now almost 35, and I'm still trying to achieve it. I've had some set backs, but I'm bound and determined to accomplish it. When I was a little girl, I also wanted to be a nurse. Hopefully I will be able to get into a BSN program after I finish my prereqs. I wished I had tried this in my 20s, but then I think about how I wasn't able to at that time. I don't think its ever too late to do something you desire. Good luck with everything.:)
I found your letter amusing since I am old enough to be your MOTHER and started nursing school this Jan. However, I am not in nursing school after the first week since I had a series of events that led me to missing my first clinical. I realized what had happened from another first semester student, we were volunteering at the bookstore at the time. She said her back hurt from the first clinical. I was shocked! I thought the first two weeks were online. My mistake!
Anyway, I wrote an email to my instructors apologizing for having missed my clinical and stated I would be there next time bright and early. I received a response to come to mandatory meeting with my two 101 instructors. ( I stated that I knew I would receive 3% reduction in my grade for missing this clinical as stated in the handbook. You also could only miss 2 clinicals per semester. I had expected some kind of reprimand for my oversight.)
What I received was this: "You have no recourse but to withdraw since you missed the first clinical. You can not make this up. The program advisor has backed us fully on our decision." I was totally shocked! I was told since I had missed this very first clinical, actually it is called ACE for "Alternate Clinical Experience". I had thought this was to mean it was online due to the online videos we had to watch etc.
The first week of school was confusing. The nursing website was a joke. That was my mistake pointing out the website was a scavenger hunt as you had to check it "every day" to check the updates. Also, the online modules were confusing. Some were through the school website and some were through the Elsevier website. Only there was no differentiating the two options. The daily changes to the syllabus were confusing as they told you to complete Module #xyz but you weren't told if it was the college's module or the Elsevier website which is our online book website. It was chaotic to say the least. At the end of the first week, the secretary to the director emailed us some updates to the website to navigate it easier. This was great but a little too late for me.
So, I withdrew, very much in shock and awe. I felt like I had been chewed up and spit out. This program does not want you to succeed. They just took my money and I left. Oh I did get some of it back. So if you do go to nursing school, don't go to a 2 yr. public college here in Southern NV. I even reapplied! Glutton for punishment. I am waiting to hear back. I am almost finished being upset. Writing this is very therapeutic. I have always wanted to be an RN. My husband warned me against it. Nurses eat there young you know... even before you get started.
"So, I withdrew, very much in shock and awe. I felt like I had been chewed up and spit out. This program does not want you to succeed. They just took my money and I left. Oh I did get some of it back. So if you do go to nursing school, don't go to a 2 yr. public college here in Southern NV. I even reapplied! Glutton for punishment. I am waiting to hear back. I am almost finished being upset. Writing this is very therapeutic. I have always wanted to be an RN. My husband warned me against it. Nurses eat there young you know... even before you get started."
I am SO sorry for your misunderstanding, then to face having to withdraw for that. Doesn't seem fair at all. And your husband not supporting your decision to pursue nursing? Must be hard.
As for "nurses eating their young" -- Well, I agree that some nurses are very hard on their fellow nurses on some of the allnurses boards. But here on the student/pre-nursing board, we are all very encouraging and supportive of each other. This is a long hard road for most of us, after all. Hang in there! If you got in once, you can do it again. What's 1 semester in the scheme of things?
35 is young! I was 53 when I went to nursing school and have been practicing for 4 years now. I just turned 60 and plan to nurse until I fall over! Go for it!
Hi - I will be 40 in May and I'm just 4 months into my pre-reqs in Nursing School. I had the same fears and sometimes I still do but I look at all the nursing graduate pics on the walls of my school and see many who are older than me and know I'm going to be just fine. (My Mom and Dad were both registered nurses too so I'd better make it!!)
I read this entire thread and I'm so very glad I did! I'm a 35 year old mother of three and a full time employee finishing my pre requ's this the fall. I will be able to apply for the 2011 accelerated bachelors to associate RN program at my local community college. I've been so discouraged with my age but I have kept on trucking through the classes making stellar grades! Thank you for starting this thread. It was truly inspiring. I'm going to keep on keeping on and have high hopes of an acceptance for the 2011 nursing program!
No your not to old. I'm 40 and still taking my prereq's mother of 2 and working a full time job.. Just stay focus and try to become the Nurse that you are called to be..
I appreciate the feedback and support from Walomom. That's the first positive thing I've heard lately about nursing. I didn't mention my husband has been a nurse for 26 years no. He's a little burned out...:heartbeat
I agree that starting a career (or second) at 35 or older is a good idea. By that age you know what you want to do in life and what you don't. I starting taking prereq classes when I was 31 and temp lost my job. I was rehired but kept going to school at night. Then at 32 heard my clock ticking and started a family. I will enroll this year to take Comp I and Bio while my mom watches my 2 1/2 year old at night. Once I made the decision to do this it really felt right, something I have never felt in my entire career (15 years). I too have doubts at times but when I think about staying where I am I get really depressed and feel trapped. I do worry about the 12 hour shifts and caring for my young son, but people do it all the time. Good Luck and kudos to everyone who is entering the field.
Must be hard. 
studentinnursing
255 Posts
At 35, after having my youngest child, I decided I wanted to do something more, get out and make a difference. I am now 37, have finished my prerequisites (almost through the BSN since I had so many sequential prereq's and just kept filling in the holes in my schedule) and am awaiting my letter for an ADN program, hopefully acceptance for fall this year. I have had great grades and it's because I absolutely love school and definitely, as another poster said, am probably doing better than I would have when I was younger. It's funny because I had a career working at home, was always there for my oldest to go on field trips, volunteer at school, etc., and never thought I'd want to do anything else, loved being home for my family. Then when I had my youngest child 8 years later, more than one nurse touched my life while I was on bedrest for a while in the hospital before delivering; then I wanted nothing more than to get out of the house and start 'doing' instead of 'being.' I have gotten over the guilt of not being home every day for my youngest, putting him in daycare at about a year old, broke my heart, but everything I do every day is for my children--and will one day take care of other people's children and grandparents and sons and daughters, so it just doesn't get any better. I do not feel that I am late in choosing, feel like the right time chose me and that nursing chose me. I haven't felt like I wanted to stop yet, other than thinking about taking one class over summer and relaxing a little before I wear myself out for the next two years
yet again. But I have my Saunders comprehensive review/practice questions to do for "fun" this summer. I'm such a dork!
You sound like you'll be a very caring nurse. Good look to you!