34, Mom and a GED

juswannabenurse · Sep 17, 2014

I had a GED mother of six graduated lpn 2013 at 34 working on lpn to rn at 35!! You can do it a GED is not a hindrance!! GOOD LUCK!!

JenniferWilson74 · Sep 17, 2014

I started working when I was 13, moved out of the house at 17, and dropped out my senior year of HS. I got my GED 6 months later. Spent most of my working years as a waitress, bartender, and then restaurant manager. I started my journey to become a nurse when I was 34 yrs old. I enrolled with my local community college, and took placement tests for math and English. For math, I placed in pre-algebra, and this part alone held me back quite a bit, because I needed pre-algebra, to take beginning algebra, to take intermediate algebra, and only THEN could I take Chemistry, one of the 4 pre-reqs to the nursing program offered at my community college. On top of that, getting into all of the other classes I needed was a struggle due to wait lists, but this got better as I gained seniority at my CC.

I don't know how private nursing schools work but for the JC's in my area that offer RN programs, the GED is no problem, but you will need to take placement tests in English and math, and then depending on how you place, you could be looking at getting right into the pre-reqs you need, or you may be like me, looking at over a year worth of school to take pre-reqs to your pre-reqs to your pre-reqs. Once you meet the criteria for admission to the nursing program, then you can apply. Depending on how the program works in your area, you may get in right away, or you could be waiting for years.

Is it possible? Absolutely! You will need dedication, drive, and determination, and you will need to make sacrifices in your life so you can spend the needed time to study, attend classes, and later when you are in the program, attend clinicals. You can get accepted to a JC with a GED, but to get into a university, you will need to achieve a certain level of grades, classes, and units at the JC before the university will accept you.

I'm 40 now and in my senior year at a California State University getting ready to graduate with a BSN. Not bad for a high-school dropout who's mother told her in her teens that she should drop out of HS because she was wasting the states money. It is absolutely possible, but it is a difficult road that takes a lot of dedication.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Sep 17, 2014

I went to a private un-accredited high school so the college wouldn't recognize my diploma. Tried to take the GED & the local votech school wouldn't let me because, wait for it . . . I had graduated from high school. Finally the local CC just arbitrarily changed my record to: GED graduate.

I made the stand-by list the first time I applied to NS, made it into the next class & graduated 2 years later. Years later finished my BSN. Just started a BSN to PhD program (and they are kicking my, well, you know).

My free advice: get that BSN sooner than later. Would have been so much easier that way.

caliotter3 · Sep 17, 2014

I knew someone who never went to high school, obtained her GED at some point, then attended a community college (over 18, you're good to go whether you have a high school diploma or not, at least in my state), graduating summa cum laude. She went to LPN school, then took prerequisites for the RN program. Today she is a prescribing Nurse Practitioner. Not bad for someone who never went to high school. You can do it. Just find a good advisor in your local community college and get started. Good luck.

Everline · Sep 17, 2014

You can do it. Set your mind to it and stay committed. You will have to take pre-reqs and possibly pre-reqs to your pre-reqs. But stick with it and you will get there with hard work. I graduated from high school but had other struggles along the way that I thought would make nursing school impossible. Now here I am graduating in December. Make a plan and go for it!

allnurses Guide · Sep 17, 2014

Look into the schools available before you decide where to move; community colleges are much easier to cope with in a new place, easier to take a few classes at a time, child care on campus, etc. My school is open enrollment, which just means anyone, regardless of GED or GPA, can start signing up. Plus, the admissions counselors are really familiar with the needs of returning adults, academically, financially, etc. They can really put you on the right path. Good luck!

Spangle Brown · Sep 18, 2014

Not a problem. However, it's different then in HS. Grades do matter. Need A's and B's. So take it seriously from the start. Like a job.

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

I freakkin' love some of these stories. Anyway, I believe you can go to nursing school with a GED.

Talk to the admissions advisor about your problems...they may provide you a clearer picture of

what you must do.

phoenoryker · Sep 19, 2014

The first thing you are going to have to do, and I'm talking five minutes ago, is take down the pic of you, or whoever that is in a bra. What is going on this world, did I miss a meeting or a memo about internet accountability. And here you all are with the encouragement, man oh man...society has checked out.

phoenoryker · Sep 19, 2014

And please, even if it's not a bra, it still shouts I am a liability.

Cassyb · Sep 19, 2014

Excuse me, I am not meaning to be rude, but I asked for advice on school. This is NOT a pic of me in a BRA .... this is a Summer top!!!!!!!!!!!! What does it have to do with advice? I think we are sometimes too quick to Judge.