Mature Student thinking of going back to school and take Nursing

[PiXie77]

Hi Everyone,

i have been lurking around for a couple of years just reading through the articles and the exchanges. I apologize for the lengthy post.

I have been thinking of going back to school and take up nursing for 3 years now, on and off. My reluctance comes from all over the place. ������ Here are some:

A.) I was last in school 20 years ago, educated in a foreign country and did not finished my BS in Psychology course.

B.) I already have a family. My husband travels for work most times and a 15 year old.

C.) I somehow feel that my intellectual capacity to learn has diminished especially when it comes to numbers.

D.) I am always apprehensive about missing time with my family.

and the list goes on and on and on...

However, after all these litany of reasons, I always end up feeling that I want to become a nurse and always ignore it. I have read around here nursing students who are more mature than I consider myself and they have pulled through and some are even single parents. These stories inspire and motivate me and yet after a few days I am back to my old apprehensive/reluctant self. ������������I want to do something for myself especially now that I will be approaching 40. I have discussed these things with my family and they support me. They cheer me on and encourage be but again I end up feeling apprehensive/reluctant again.

Is what I'm feeling normal for a mature student who hasn't been in school for a long time? What are your experiences, will the class/ school environment encouraging and supportive to mature students? What advices can you give me? I need to hear it straight from the horses' mouth. What should I expect regarding classes, clinicals? The job market may be tough for some base on my readings. I need to hear from students moms, how they handled family and school especially when it's become so challenging.

Thank you for all your advices. I will greatly appreciate all your inputs. I really hope I can decide soon and start this fall. ������

Pixie in Nassau County LI

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

How about dipping you toe into the water first by signing up for a couple of classes at your local community college? Slow start, ease your way back into 'school mode'. And as far as missing time with your family- that is going to happen. Accept it for what it is. If you want your life to change (by becoming a nurse) then your life has to change. You HAVE to give some things up to get other things- it is a law of the universe.

[PiXie77]

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking of doing that, perhaps taking the pre-requisite subjects slowly and see how it goes.

[Guest27531]

I think you will do fine in school. It won't take you long to get back in the hang of studying, particularly since you are so motivated. But you need to prepare yourself emotionally for a very difficult profession. You will not be coddled and you will need to be strong within yourself. So, if you really want to be a nurse, stop thinking about whether or not you can do it. Classes will be easy. Then the hard part begins. I did it as a single parent so I know it can be done. I wish you the best!

[PiXie77]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. 😊 I realized that there are a lot of difficulties in this profession. My friends who are nurses are complaining especially these days where the ratio of patients to a nurse is high and challenging to give the very best quality of care. They said there are more politics in hospitals these days compared to when they started especially because some hospitals are being merged and bought by large corporations.

[FutureNurseStone]

I'm 36 years old and just finishing up my pre requisites; 3 more semesters after this one. I find the best students are the older students check out NurseAwesome on youtube for tips on how to manage this anxiety . She's an older nurse who waited until her son graduated high school before applying.