Looking for advice from "older" students--up

rags · Mar 3, 2007

I was a SAHM as well just turned 40 the 28th of Feb. and decided to go back to school when my two oldest were in high school (they are now 21 and 19). I believe I gave them motivation to decide what to do with their future (not to mention complaining about 'homework' was no longer acceptable). I did a 2 year nursing program and got my ADN in May 06 and passed the NCLEX last Dec. I never regretted a minute of it!

It was VERY scary! I kid you not. My husband was a wonderful pillar of strength for me and my foundation for the entire process. He actually went with me to sign up for classes and took me to campus the week prior to my very first class and walked 'my route' with me. I tried to get him to go the first day to hold my hand and carry my books but he just took my picture as I walked out the door instead.

I did a 2 year college in 3 1/2 years taking anywhere from 12-14 credits of classes a semester. I took summer courses as well (actually started with a summer semester). I suggest taking the hardest pre-rec classes in the summer because you have a condensed version and it only lasts about 6-8 weeks. I did all my pre-recs accept College Algebra prior to starting the nursing program ( I had to take a few review math classes to get my brain thinking again for the college algebra... Algebra makes me cry :scrying: ) I found that class load to be very challenging but doable.

There are also several classes offered on-line now and I took advantage of as many as I could. This allowed me to still remain at home more, which was probably the biggest challenge.

I know that I have grown emotionally as well as mentally from the experience. I would recommend you grab your support person and go grab a college application. You will find going back to school now is nothing like when you were in High School just waiting to get out. It is a very rewarding experience.... and really doesn't take that long to get in the swing of things.

Good luck and feel free to send me a pm if you want. It IS a big step and as I mentioned a whole lot of scary, but worth it!

rags

SiennaGreen · Mar 3, 2007

I am 37 and just beginning this journey. I have to admit that I sometimes get discouraged when I hear talk of how difficult it is to get in. I have a 14yr old BS degree that I had a sad 2.6 gpa. I know I have to retake my science/MATH pre req's, but there is no way it will bring my gpa up to the 3.0 minimum I keep seeing- and most say that 3.0 is a joke.

Have any of you returning students been in this situation and what was your experience as a returning adult student?

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

I am 37 and just beginning this journey. I have to admit that I sometimes get discouraged when I hear talk of how difficult it is to get in. I have a 14yr old BS degree that I had a sad 2.6 gpa. I know I have to retake my science/MATH pre req's, but there is no way it will bring my gpa up to the 3.0 minimum I keep seeing- and most say that 3.0 is a joke.
Have any of you returning students been in this situation and what was your experience as a returning adult student?

I had no college at all when I started my pre-reqs, I got 3B's (Eng I, Psych & Math for Health)and 1 C (A&P I, I cried for days over it) which gave me a 2.66 those are the only 4 in a gpa scale that count (even if you have a previous degree) with the NLN score at ours,(study your butt off and ask your test site if you can practice on old ones, did wonders for me as I made a 98th percentile) then if you tie they look at other classes you've completed ahead of scheduele which I had Nutrition (B), Micro (B) and A&PII (A) and I got into ours first application, it's a very small CC that services several counties, not sure how many applied, but 24 got in, just keep pluggin away

WDWpixieRN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

I am 37 and just beginning this journey. I have to admit that I sometimes get discouraged when I hear talk of how difficult it is to get in. I have a 14yr old BS degree that I had a sad 2.6 gpa. I know I have to retake my science/MATH pre req's, but there is no way it will bring my gpa up to the 3.0 minimum I keep seeing- and most say that 3.0 is a joke.
Have any of you returning students been in this situation and what was your experience as a returning adult student?

Are you in an area that uses a weighted scale for admissions? Our local CC requires only chem and biology prereqs with a grade of "C" or better....before panicking too much, be sure to check in the specifics for the colleges you want to attend!!

WingsEarned21, LPN, RN · Mar 3, 2007

I have had the pleasure of working with older graduates which is becoming a norm these days . I find them to be very caring and enthusiastic about the experience.One I work with now has only been out of lpn school 1 year and is already going back for her R.N. Please understand that it may be a dream of yours there are a lot of recruiters that only have buisness degrees and have no clue about how hard we work and the dedication we give these companies.Alot of times we get really burnt out fast but then we find something new like this forum or a new job or facility that just opened that we want to be a part of making it a wonderful place to work and have your family there.I think that our coworkers and confidants whether they be on a forum or at the actual workplace are what keeps a lot of us going and in the field.I like working with the older nurses that have gone back to school because they have the same work ethics that I do ,not like a lot of the whipper snappers these days.I also heard that the average adult changes his/her profession 5 times in a lifetime.I've been doing this since I graduated high school and don't see myself doing anything else for a very long time although I do fantasize once in a while,lol.So I say go for it and good luck.

zilla704 · Mar 3, 2007

I'm 32 and I'm enjoying every minute of nursing school. I have three kids, a hubby, and disabled in-laws that we take care of in my "at-home life". School is for me and me only. It's my time. Now that I'm older, yes I'm the nerd sitting in the front of class 1. because I want to hear everything she says and 2. my vision just "ain't" what it used to be :) and it's just so important to me. With kids, hubby and all their stuff, I lost who I was as a person. I felt like I lost my identity somewhat. Nursing school has just done wonders for my self-confidence. I feel like it's the first time I've used my brain in years. You can do it and you are going to be so proud of yourself and so will your family. They will all survive without leaning on you for everything as well. I felt really guilty for a while and felt that I was being selfish but I've figured out i'm not and while it is a me thing, my degree will help my family in the long run financially.

Go for it! You'll have a great experience!

robpritc · Mar 3, 2007

You guys are awesome! Thank you so much!

Eaenfermera2--I love your comments about wrinkles, weight and haircolor. They made me laugh!

Lizprn--How is the working world? Are you enjoying it?

Zookeeper247--I like the fact that age isn't a factor, which seems to me what everyone else is telling me, too! Once I just do it, I know things will be fine. I tend to think about doing things too much before I actually do them. The times I have just jumped in without looking back have been the times when things have been the most wonderful!

I will keep everyone posted on my new journey. I know I will need the support along the way.

Thanks again.

Thanks again!

Mudwoman · Mar 3, 2007

I am almost 54 and I'm finishing an LPN to RN program. I went to school and got my LVN when I was 40. There were students a lot older than me in the class even then. One gentlemen was nearly 60. So, if you want to do this, go for it. If you don't, you will always have regrets.

AlwaysTired · Mar 3, 2007

I laughed so hard about zilla704's comment on sitting at the front of the class. I do the same thing. In high school I was a wallflower and always scrambled for a seat at the back of the room. Now I go to class early so I can get right up front. I want to be noticed by the instructor and yes, the hearing and eyesight are definetly a factor!! I just wanted to share what a family member said to me when I was expressing concerns over going back to school at my age. He said "you'll do so much better than in high school because you WANT this". He was so right. The hunger for knowledge is a powerful thing. It propels you. I don't ever remember that feeling in HS, just thought of it as a chore. Yes, it's harder to learn, harder to retain, but it can be done. Just remeber to be nice to the little 18-20 year olds that wear thongs to class and spit out the answers at lightening speed when you have to think about it for a few minutes! LOL! My answers don't come nearly as quickly as theirs but they do come. Seriously, maturity IS an asset. I really don't have anything against the young ones, but just sitting back and watching them makes me wonder if I could grasp this info at that age. I truly don't think I could have. Oh, and btw, if you've raised teenagers then I know you can handle the stress of NS!! GOOD LUCK!!

robpritc · Mar 3, 2007

Wow, Mudwoman! Thanks! That is exactly what I am afraid of, the regrets!

robpritc · Mar 4, 2007

Wow, I definitely did not expect the number of responses I got! They are all awesome! I feel as if I have made many new friends, and you have all made me want to go and start tomorrow. LOL. I actually have tears in my eyes now, because I feel so very fortunate to have already met such a wonderful, optimistic and enthusiastic bunch. I can't give you all hugs in person, so here is a cyberhug for all of you {{{{{{{hugs all around}}}}}}}}.

Thanks!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2007

Whether you like it or not, in 4 years you will be 47. Wouldn't you rather be 47 and a nurse? GO FOR IT!!!!