Newbie here.. asking for some help ~ a bit long

klkozicki · Aug 18, 2008

I can't tell you what is best for you but I can tell you what I am doing and maybe that will help you out. I am 37 and a mother of two girls 9 and 5. I started back to school last fall because after 20 years of being out of school I had to rebrush up on some basics. I am hoping to get into nursing school fall 09. I am taking four classes this term and 5 the next. It all depends on when you want to get in and how much time you have and what you are willing to do to get there. Good luck with your classes, and don't worry you won't be too old.

Dancinagain · Aug 18, 2008

I'm 42 and just starting back myself. I have 3 years before I even start nursing school. Do you feel old and unable to learn? Probably not. It's never too late.

I'm a vegetarian myself and I hear ya about the dissections, but like a friend of mine said to me, the kitty is already dead and nothing you can do about it. The cats are not cute and cuddly like ours at home. Think of it as giving it's life to your future learning. Otherwise it died in vain. Just like you need to separate yourself emotionally from your patients you can separate your sympathy for the animal from your need to learn.

Hope that helps.

jennileigh8182 · Aug 18, 2008

I'm 26 and currently finishing up my pre-reqs for an accelerated second 2nd degree nursing program (just pharmacology to go!), but there have been students in my prereqs classes that have been 50+. Now THAT, I thought a little old to be starting a whole new career, but they're going for it.

I would talk to the school and see if that timetable is what they recommend or what they require. I did two things that a lot of students consider foolish:

1. I took Anatomy and Microbiology in the same semester, as well as Human Development (and got 4.0 in all three classes)

2. I took Physiology as a condensed summer course (8 weeks instead of 16 - and got a 4.0)

I also work full time and have a husband and 7.5 month old child. It's just all in what you want to put into it. I work during the day, so I take my classes in the evenings (usually starting at 5), so my mom picks up my son (husband doesn't get out of work until 6:30) from daycare on those nights. I usually take most of the day Saturday to hang out with the munchkin, play, and have mom-son time while the husband works. Sundays, he's off work, so he takes care of the little one while I spend the whole day studying.

My anatomy and physiology classes were separate, not combined. We did dissection of animal organs, but not a complete animal. I believe that we did heart, lungs, kidney, and eye - from cows, sheep, or pigs. Also, we got no points for our dissection, so it wasn't mandatory. My only points in my anatomy class came from exams and lab tests. I guess it depends on what school you're going to.

Because there is no difference in pay, I have elected to get an ADN instead of a BSN, then go back in a few years (when loans are paid down!) to get my Master's (no BSN required, believe it or not! - and only a 2 or 3 year program) for either nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner. I started my pre-reqs last fall. My schedule:

Fall 07:

Biological Foundations to Physio (prereq to anatomy)

PSYC 100 (intro to psych)

Healthy Lifestyles

Spring 08:

Anatomy

Human Development

Microbiology

Summer 08:

Physiology

Fall 08:

Acute and Long-term Care (CNA class - not required)

Spring 09:

Pharmacology

And start nursing school in the fall, with any luck, for a 14 month program.

My son was born two weeks before my anatomy/micro/human development semester started, and I managed to go back to work when he was 6 weeks old full-time, take care of him, and 4.0 all of those classes. If you're committed to it, you're not too old, and there's no reason you can't do it!

c+k=<3 · Aug 18, 2008

wow! what great responses a huge huge huge thank you.. I knew this places would b incredibly supportive and helpful.. Im so glad i joined instead of lurking for another month :)

now just have to fnish up the financial aid issues and hopefully will b starting bak to school on the 27th of Sept! I'm very excited and nervous.. first up Chemistry! holy crap! saving physics for last.. I dont even know what physics is! its gonna b rough :)

Cilantrophobe · Aug 18, 2008

I feel you on the whole skinning the cat thing, that would be difficult. Just out of curosity, what would one learn by skinning a cat? There are so many models of the human body (without skin) that I can't imagine why you would need to see a cat without its skin...It's not like you are going to school to be a Vet.

NanaOf8 · Aug 18, 2008

Becoming a nurse at 39 is GREAT! When did 39 equate to old? You asked for it……Reality Check….SLAP! :smackingf I will officially become a nurse when I am 49.

I left my 24 year, 24x7, thankless IT career in 2004 and have never once regretted that decision. I have sincere respect for you, staying home with your children in order to be there for them. :bow: I missed out on so much because life was ALWAYS an emergency in the IT world.

I knew nursing was for me but I had many ”what if” questions and some HUGE fears. College?...Me?…I could barely spell the word let alone thinking of attending one! So, I became a CNA and went into home health. Hooked! I’ve been seriously “poking” at classes since 2005 and was just accepted into the Fall 2008 program. I would take 1 - 3 classes, depending on the difficulty of classes and sometimes take a semester off to enjoy life. I DO regret taking A&P and Microbiology during my very first year. I wished I had taken all the writing, math and “other” classes first, leaving A&P and Micro “fresh” in my mind.

As far as dissecting, in our lab we had a lab partner and we used rats. I was fortunate to have had a partner who liked to cut so I just made sure I understood all the organs. We were never graded on the actual dissection, just on identification. Ask your fellow students to recommend their favorite A&P professor and why. Then, talk to or email the professor before signing up for the class to explain your dilemma. I think you will be very surprised at their expectation and cooperation.

Classes can be scary and sometimes overwhelming…if you let them. Once you finish your first class, you will never second guess yourself again. You CAN do this ….you youngster you! :up:

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2008

I don't understand why schools still insist on cats or fetal pigs...YUK! I know they say they are anatomically more like humans, but I got nothing out of it. Our tech school has a cadaver and that is awsome! You see where everything is and at the right size, shape, place etc. There are virtual sites that look really good as well. I was told that if a student refuses, they'll be writing a huge research paper to accomplish the same thing as the actual lesson (whatever that may be)

You are not too old to get into ns. You seem to have alot of enthusiasm so go for it! I'll be 39 this year and I'm a student. It's the best decision I've made! Good luck to you. :yeah:

AtomicWoman · Aug 19, 2008

I'm 26 and currently finishing up my pre-reqs for an accelerated second 2nd degree nursing program (just pharmacology to go!), but there have been students in my prereqs classes that have been 50+. Now THAT, I thought a little old to be starting a whole new career, but they're going for it.

Wait until you're in your 40s. Then 50 won't seem so old any more. :chuckle BTW, I'm 50 and starting my nursing school career. It's exciting, and it's keepin' me young! Not to mention keeping my brain young... :)

c+k=<3 · Aug 19, 2008

Thank you guys soo much! I have no idea why they use cats. I just know from what she has said and also when i looked on A&P here at Columbus state it says Feline and Human cadavers i cringe.. but its okay.. i can do it! and I will do it and get an A! or a B at least haha :)

im feeling not so old today! maybe when i posted that yesterday i was 'moody' and feeling 107.. I cant wait to get to know everyone much better .. I have a pretty long road ahead and im excited to share it with you guys! :)