New Mid-Life Career Changer

kat1956 · Jul 1, 2007

Hi. Yes, I did the same thing. At 47 years of age, I was working full time and going to school at night. It draining and frustrating. So you need to decide how serious you are about pursuing the degree. If you honestly don't want to put the work in (and there is a ton of it between now and graduation), then stop now. If, however, you will do whatever it takes, just put your head down and keep slogging through. It seems to take forever but eventually you do make to the end. I'm now waiting to enter an RN program after taking classes for the past 4+ years. You can do anything you set your mind to do!! Good Luck!!

Kat

DoveWing · Jul 1, 2007

:studyowl:Thank you Kat. I will keep slogging! Congratulations on completion of your pre-reqs, you worked hard for it. Will you be working while you're in nursing school also?

kat1956 · Jul 3, 2007

No, I won't be working as I've started an LVN program and will transfer to an RN program next year. There simply isn't enough time to work FT and complete all the homework, etc in the program. I do work part time with great flexibility. Hang in there!

fmrnicumom · Jul 3, 2007

Just wanted to wish you tons of luck! I am not working full time, but I have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years. I've been taking a class or two at a time since summer 2005 and will be applying for January start. There have been times I've wondered if it would be worth it (or felt that it is taking too long) but it's yet to take more than a few minutes (or few hours! lol) before I say yes, it is worth it. Something that has helped me has been to think that the time is going to pass whether I'm in school or not - would I rather be a nurse in X years or am I okay with being X years older and not a nurse.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Tiffany

angiepangie8298 · Jul 3, 2007

Hi There!! I'm currently working a demanding full time job in a different field, I have been out of college for four years and I'm trying to get into a 2 year RN program. Luckily the prereq's I was taking in another state transfer so i will only have to take the nursing courses. Hang in there!! Its hard work but you can do it!!

SHELL75 · Jul 3, 2007

Yes Dear, There Are More Of Us Out There. I Work 40 Hrs A Wk As A Loan Officer In A Finance Co. And 16 Hrs A Wk Working In Er Admitting At Local Hosp And Taking 2 Classes A Semester At Night. I Was A Pediatric Asst In A Private Clinic When The Doc Sorta Went Psycho And I Left. Couldn't Find Another Job In A Office So Took A Job With A Finance Co At The Time. That Was 7 Yrs Ago, Having Been In Finance Ever Since. Now I Am 31 And Bored To Death Doing This So Decided To Go Back And Do What I Should Have Done At 17. It Will Be Well Worth It In The End. Just Hang In There!!!!

LMRN10 · Jul 5, 2007

Right there with ya!!! I have been going to school for the past three years (after taking a 10 year break after high-school :uhoh3: ) and I have worked full-time through the day while doing that. Usually taking two classes at a time. I did have a baby as well in Fall of 2005 and I took the Spring 2006 off as well as last summer and this summer. Other than that, just plugging away at it! I am now done with pre-req's, taking a class in the fall that I don't need because I didn't get accepted for the Fall semester, so praying I get in for spring to finish up.

It isn't easy by any means, but if you are determined, you will get there. Math was my first class...once you get into the swing of being back in school, it isn't so bad. Best of luck to you!!!

MotivatedOne · Jul 5, 2007

Hi, I'm not really a mid-life career changer but sometimes I feel like it. December 2005 I received a BS (literally) degree in Information Technologies. Last October I decided to purse a degree in Nursing. In January 2007 I got my CNA 1 certification...not doing a thing with it. I've been doing research after research on finding a good nursing program to apply to. I've debated between getting my ADN or BSN. Luckily during my research I discovered they have Accelerated BSN programs. So now I'm just taking my prerequisites to get into one of the ABSN programs in NC. I just feel like it's going to take forever but it's just my patience or my lack of it when it comes to being successful that's getting in the way. It's going to take some time and I'm sure it'll be extremely stressful but if it's something your really want to do then the end result will be well worth it. Good Luck!

Lericalpoet · Jul 6, 2007

Where do I start? I'm a 37 year old male hair stylist. I make great money but I've always wanted to go into nursing. What encouraged me was my clients. I do a lot of nurses. I was surprised to find out how many became RNs in their 30's, 40' and 50's. Some took one class a semester. Some took four. I had one client that took one class a semester for "ten" years. But guess what. Shes a nurse, RN BSN MSN!!!! I'm taking two classes a semester during the day and working at night in the salon. We just have to ask "How bad do we want it?" and we can't put unrealistic exspectations on the time it will take. Just do it. Pace yourself. And remember that a year goes by very quickly so you might as well use the time to educate yourself. Good luck to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Med School 707 · Jul 6, 2007

Anyone here trying to get an associates degree while working full time in another field? I have to take a lot of math before I can even start pre-reqs.:uhoh21:

Hi DoveWing, You can do it and never let anyone including yourself tell you that you can't. There are a whole lot of us forty somethings out here that are hitting the books. I am taking my last pre-req class now and planning to enter a RN program in the fall of this year. I live in Michigan and the job market here is a disaster. So many people are losing their jobs and businesses that we thought would never go out of business are closing down so fast that displaced workers have no where to go, so us baby boomers are packed in class rooms like sardines in a can. :lol2: There are a lot of folks in their 40's 50's and a few 60's that are activly persuing a carrer in nursing. Some of them are like me, doing what I can to secure my future because I know that I will be out of a job soon. I make around 60 grand a yr. and I can keep my income and do something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I work a hectic job, I'm a mom, and active in my church. I just remind myself that two yrs. from now I am going to be doing something so it may as well be what I want. Nursing school may be demanding but I know that school will not last forever and there is a great carrer waiting for me. So do not be discouraged and please don't give up. However many yrs. you may spend in school you are going to live anyways, so live them making your dreams come true and one day you and I will walk across that stage ( I don't care if I walk, crawl, or cross over in a motorized wheel chair I'm goin! ) and celebrate big time in grand fashion:balloons:. So take one day at a time (sometimes for me it's one moment at a time) and you like so many other people will reach your goal!!!!

nalanismama · Jul 6, 2007

I'm 39, and for the last 2 1/2 years, a stay at home mom. 10 years ago I graduated from a Medical Assisting program in CA and worked in a large clinic for 5 years. I loved it and always wanted to be a nurse. 5 years ago, we moved to MS and nobody here would accept my education because the school in CA, although credentialed in CA and a few other states, was not credentialed here. So, I've just been accepted to a PN program at a local community college and have to take everything again. In CA, I am certified for venipuncture, injection, etc., but not here. I guess it will make school a bit easier. Most of the students are very young, but I have life and work experience over them. After the PN program, I intend to do the next year for PN to Associates Degree RN. Then, online for BSN, then Nurse-Midwife. I guess I should take one at a time? 3 years ago I started at another CC with the prereqs and found out I was pregnant and had to drop out because we needed the $$ and insurance from my job. If I can do it now, anybody can! Good luck everybody and hang in there.