Just found this board and am hoping it will be a great support over the next few years. After being out of school for 10 years, I have decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Unfortunetley, most people think I am crazy to make this decision. I am 36, have a three and five year old and have a WELL-PAYING executive level job with the Federal government. I started on my Masters degree in Public Administration a few months ago, but it is just plain obvious that it is not my real love. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the human body, medicine and the idea of nursing. I was steered towards a degree in business as that was the "place" for women to make the dollars. I am just plain fed up with my bureaucratic job and sitting at a desk all day!!!! I am hoping to complete my pre-nursing courses over the next year (Biology in September and then A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc) and begin my journey to Nursing school. I will be blatently honest in saying I am TERRIFIED as I am understand the commitment I am about to take. On the other hand, after reading some of these posts, I KNOW, I am heading in the right direction. Any advice, words of wisdom etc, you all can provide (stories of other moms doing the same, other second-career nursing students, etc) would be VERY, VERY much appreciated!
Heavens no....you don't have it made compared to me. Sure we have different difficulties, but not really one being harder than the other, KWIM? Also, I didn't mean we don't need money, heck with 5 girls we need TONS of money. I just meant that people think I'm crazy because they know I don't HAVE to be doing it and so why would I, ya know? It's in my heart, that's why! lol Just like you said, even though people think you're insane to leave a good paying job, it's in your heart and money isn't the most important thing. You'll be so glad you are following your passion!!!! Anyway... suggestions: NOTECARDS (I live by them to study) haha, recorder (I record all lectures and if I miss something the professor says I write down the time on my recorder and then I can go back quickly and find what I missed when I'm studying), eating REALLY REALLY REALLY healthy, don't get pregnant LOL!!!!(like I did), precook meals(like on the weekend) if you usually eat at home because meal preparation and clean up can just be so time consuming, make sure hubby is sharing the workload of household chores, and try to find a teeny bit of 'me' time to squeeze in during the week if at all possible. If you don't have a quiet space at home where you can study or will be bogged down by all the 'home' stuff that needs to be done go to the library. Most public libraries have study rooms with locked doors where it's a little quiter than being in the big open areas. Also, NEVER be afraid to call or e-mail your professor. Being able to ask questions and not feel bad about hown many times I called or e-mailed is definitely what got me through with A's. Good luck....I think you'll do great!!!!!!!!
BTW, sorry if this was kind of jumbled up. I am wiped out tonight and my brain just really isn't functioning.
I know EXACTLY what you're saying, It's in my heart and i've wanted this for as long as i can remember. People at work are saying i'm full of it that i'm not going to quit but that's ok that can hide and watch..lol. I'm going tomorrow to buy a recorder and i've downloaded this cool program that types out what you dictate to it i'm curious to see if it works. Also you say using notecards, i know this is a stupid question but do you make them from the notes you take and from the lectures. As for my hubby he works 2nd shift so that hits where it hurts, i thought about making a chore chart for all of us because as it stands now i'm pretty much doing it ALL plus working 6 -7 days a week that's another i've got to find another job because next year they're telling us there will MORE overtime than this year...GREAT huh. :chuckle
No, really. I'm 42, and have 2 10-yr-olds (with ADHD!) as well as 24- and 21-year old stepchildren. The 24-year old is married and has a new baby.
I've worked almost 21 years for the same company, and am paid well. The job is not difficult, though it is sometimes frustrating. I am the primary wage-earner for my family -- my husband is at home with the kids and has a small home-based business.
When I was in college, there was a lot of pressure to pursue engineering or computer science, especially since I did well in math and science. I've NEVER been happy with the choice, but kept on doing it because ... well, I just tend to finish things I start. Now as I see all these corporate bail-outs and professional employees who have worked a long time for a company losing their pensions, I just don't see that the benefits of staying outweigh the risk of pursuing something I really want to do. If I'm going to have to work for the next 25 years, shouldn't it be in something more fulfilling?
MOM2TWINBOYS,
you need to do what is in your heart because you won't be happy in life unless you do, and hubby is just going to have to understand and help take some of the load off of you so you can persue this, it will all work itself out just take it one day at a time and as for (adha) i understand completely my 11 year old brother has it as well and i know it can be very trying or rather it is for my mom she is 54 and she hasn't been able to work because he stays in so much trouble at school, i think all it takes it just a littlw patience, but if you really want this you WILL be fine!!
Well, let me tell you my story! If I can do it, anyone can. I was 30 when I made the big step into nursing school. I worked as a nurse aide for 7 years and I told mysely that when my son started school I would also. Well I didn't! When my son turned 7 and I tryed to change my career by taking different jobs and for some reason or another they never worked out. I finally told myself that nursing school is were I need to be. I got to take the placement test on the very last testing date before school was to start and everything just fell into place from there. It was ment to be. My husband worked away from home so I was pretty much on my own. My husband alowed me to not work the whole time I was in school so we had to live on a short budget ( but not short enough to get help with school, I had to pay every penny.) The best part of my story is about to come, I had tryed to get pregnate for 3 years with no luck. So on my winter break I decided I would start taking the pill again and wait till later to try. I never started my period so I never got to start the "pill". You guessed it! I was pregnate and getting ready to start my 2nd semester of school. My baby girl was born in my last semester of nursing school. I had to have a C-section so I got to plan a little. She was born on Labor Day weekend which gave me a holiday on Monday and I only missed 5 days of school! I made up all my test my first week back. My husband was still working away so I had a hard time with babysitting but if you want something bad enough you can get it! My little angle is getting ready to turne 3 in a couple weeks. I am an LPN but, I am getting ready to do it all again and get my RN. Good luck to you. I know you can do it. You will feel like you are going in a hundred different directions and that you are neglecting you family but, I had to keep telling myself that I was doing it for them to make a better future for them and my pt. I care for daily.
Hello all!
Just found this board and am hoping it will be a great support over the next few years. After being out of school for 10 years, I have decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Unfortunetley, most people think I am crazy to make this decision. I am 36, have a three and five year old and have a WELL-PAYING executive level job with the Federal government. I started on my Masters degree in Public Administration a few months ago, but it is just plain obvious that it is not my real love. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the human body, medicine and the idea of nursing. I was steered towards a degree in business as that was the "place" for women to make the dollars. I am just plain fed up with my bureaucratic job and sitting at a desk all day!!!! I am hoping to complete my pre-nursing courses over the next year (Biology in September and then A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc) and begin my journey to Nursing school. I will be blatently honest in saying I am TERRIFIED as I am understand the commitment I am about to take. On the other hand, after reading some of these posts, I KNOW, I am heading in the right direction. Any advice, words of wisdom etc, you all can provide (stories of other moms doing the same, other second-career nursing students, etc) would be VERY, VERY much appreciated!
Also you say using notecards, i know this is a stupid question but do you make them from the notes you take and from the lectures. As for my hubby he works 2nd shift so that hits where it hurts, i thought about making a chore chart for all of us :chuckle
Yes, before a test I will make up notecards from the lectures(notes). I will ask a question or put a vocabulary type word on one side and the answer on the other side. Even though hubby works 2nd shift he can still help out around the house. You don't need to be doing it all. Good luck to you. Keep your head up and in 2 or 3 years you just might be treating some of those negative co-workers in the hospital!!! haha :)
I went to LPN school when I was freshly separated from my ex-husband and my 2 kids were toddlers. I was successful and graduated. After working for 10 years as an LPN, I applied and was accepted to the RN program and just graduated this past June at the age of 38 with honors while working full time and being a single mom. You CAN do it. If this is what you really want, GO FOR IT!!! :)
Wow! I really respect you for what you are doing!! I think you are making the right decision. I just read an article today about this same issue. Oprah Winfrey magazine "O" has an article about women leaving their present jobs to pursue things in their lives that make them happy. I have never had a constant job history, so it has been very diffcult for me to take care of my family. I was married for almost 13 years and I have eight children. I have a eight children (19,18,15,14,13,10,8,7). I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be left taking all of responsiblity for my children. After my divorce I was left with no job history and no training or degree to fall back on. Anyways, during my marriage and during raising my children I have always manage to take a class here and there. I have an AA degree in Liberal Studies (Very proud of that). Well, it just hasn't stop there for me I'm still in school trying to get my ADN or BSN in nursing. I will make it even if it takes me into my latter 40's. Don't give up your dream!! You have made the right decision and all of us at allnurses.com will help you through this. I'm 40 years old and I still dream of becoming a nurse one day. I will not give up!! I need a better life for my kids. I also want to pursue other things in my life and I want to give back to other also. GO GIRL!!!!
Just found this board and am hoping it will be a great support over the next few years. After being out of school for 10 years, I have decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Unfortunetley, most people think I am crazy to make this decision. I am 36, have a three and five year old and have a WELL-PAYING executive level job with the Federal government. I started on my Masters degree in Public Administration a few months ago, but it is just plain obvious that it is not my real love. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the human body, medicine and the idea of nursing. I was steered towards a degree in business as that was the "place" for women to make the dollars. I am just plain fed up with my bureaucratic job and sitting at a desk all day!!!! I am hoping to complete my pre-nursing courses over the next year (Biology in September and then A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc) and begin my journey to Nursing school. I will be blatently honest in saying I am TERRIFIED as I am understand the commitment I am about to take. On the other hand, after reading some of these posts, I KNOW, I am heading in the right direction. Any advice, words of wisdom etc, you all can provide (stories of other moms doing the same, other second-career nursing students, etc) would be VERY, VERY much appreciated!
Thanks!!!
Hi there,
I am 37. I too had an " executive job" with great pay. Due to downsizing and the economy, my position was eliminated. I was not ready to "start over" again and made the decision to follow up on my desire of being a nurse. I work fulltime (I do not have the option of not working/have to pay the rent) and attend school. This fall will be the last of my pre-reqs before actually nursing school. I have 2 step children 17 and 20 that will give anyone a run for their money. I have been out of school for 20 years. It is always scary when you do something new. I'll be working for the next 25 years- so I want to do something that I will enjoy. I was terrified when I made the committment- but once I committed, I knew there was no going back. It is not easy to manage financially while in school, (I don't qualify for financial aid-I could get a loan ....but I just keep putting my tuition on the ol' credit card) but I have faith that everything will work out in the end.. You sound like you would be a great nurse.... Good luck to you in all of your endeavors!!
Yes, before a test I will make up notecards from the lectures(notes). I will ask a question or put a vocabulary type word on one side and the answer on the other side. Even though hubby works 2nd shift he can still help out around the house. You don't need to be doing it all. Good luck to you. Keep your head up and in 2 or 3 years you just might be treating some of those negative co-workers in the hospital!!! haha :)
Melissa
Thank you Melissa, it's nice to meet another Melissa....btw i went today and signed up for tutoring for just in case, everyone there has been really nice and helpful with everything, will be back here Monday and tell ya how the first day goes.
My undergrad school gave me "advanced standing credit" for English composition (6 hours) based on entrance exam scores (640 verbal on the SAT, 31 English on the ACT). The nursing school here doesn't want to accept that as meeting their grad requirements. What? I'm a degreed professional and I have to prove to them at this point that I can write an essay? My option is to take a 3 hour exam which fortunately only costs $5. But that doesn't get me credit, it just "exempts" me from the class???
My SAT score is "too old" and "not high enough" (wow -- I was pretty proud of it)
I guess what's bothering me is not really having to take this exam, but just the fact that I'm being treated like some kid who barely got through high school and as if I might have been smart at one time, but got stupider through the years. And I think they ought to be glad to have me!
I am a true believer that you can do anything you put your mind to. When I was doing all my pre-requ's it was blood sweat and tears, but I got through it because I knew I needed to. Now in nursing school, I am excelling. There will be many times that you want to give up and wonder "why am I doing this" but trust me, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's important to stay determined. I heard a quote not too long ago from that tv show "grey's anatomy" that has really stuck with me. It goes: "why do I keep hitting myself in the head with a hammer? Because it feels so good when I stop" I think that sums up nursing school, lol, but it really is great to say you are going to be a nurse. People tend to show a little bit more respect and appreciation to you. Good luck to you!
Hello all!
Just found this board and am hoping it will be a great support over the next few years. After being out of school for 10 years, I have decided to pursue a degree in nursing. Unfortunetley, most people think I am crazy to make this decision. I am 36, have a three and five year old and have a WELL-PAYING executive level job with the Federal government. I started on my Masters degree in Public Administration a few months ago, but it is just plain obvious that it is not my real love. Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the human body, medicine and the idea of nursing. I was steered towards a degree in business as that was the "place" for women to make the dollars. I am just plain fed up with my bureaucratic job and sitting at a desk all day!!!! I am hoping to complete my pre-nursing courses over the next year (Biology in September and then A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc) and begin my journey to Nursing school. I will be blatently honest in saying I am TERRIFIED as I am understand the commitment I am about to take. On the other hand, after reading some of these posts, I KNOW, I am heading in the right direction. Any advice, words of wisdom etc, you all can provide (stories of other moms doing the same, other second-career nursing students, etc) would be VERY, VERY much appreciated!
PedsRN&momto5girls
69 Posts
Heavens no....you don't have it made compared to me. Sure we have different difficulties, but not really one being harder than the other, KWIM? Also, I didn't mean we don't need money, heck with 5 girls we need TONS of money. I just meant that people think I'm crazy because they know I don't HAVE to be doing it and so why would I, ya know? It's in my heart, that's why! lol Just like you said, even though people think you're insane to leave a good paying job, it's in your heart and money isn't the most important thing. You'll be so glad you are following your passion!!!! Anyway... suggestions: NOTECARDS (I live by them to study) haha, recorder (I record all lectures and if I miss something the professor says I write down the time on my recorder and then I can go back quickly and find what I missed when I'm studying), eating REALLY REALLY REALLY healthy, don't get pregnant LOL!!!!(like I did), precook meals(like on the weekend) if you usually eat at home because meal preparation and clean up can just be so time consuming, make sure hubby is sharing the workload of household chores, and try to find a teeny bit of 'me' time to squeeze in during the week if at all possible. If you don't have a quiet space at home where you can study or will be bogged down by all the 'home' stuff that needs to be done go to the library. Most public libraries have study rooms with locked doors where it's a little quiter than being in the big open areas. Also, NEVER be afraid to call or e-mail your professor. Being able to ask questions and not feel bad about hown many times I called or e-mailed is definitely what got me through with A's. Good luck....I think you'll do great!!!!!!!!
BTW, sorry if this was kind of jumbled up. I am wiped out tonight and my brain just really isn't functioning.