any non traditional students here?

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I have met more and more people like me who are going back to school to get into nursing programs.

I am a non-traditional student, 37 years old..been a SAHM for about 13 years, but in the workforce for the past year. I didn't finish school the first time and now I'm starting back next week. I figured out I have about 8 classes to do to apply to the Nursing program.

I am already working in LTC full time, so I think it will take me 3 or 4 semesters to finish those up. I think I'm at a disadvantage with time, but I've got an advantage with a bit of mileage under my belt if you know what I mean. My oldest son and I can commute to college together next year.

Anybody else?

It seems like most nursing students aren't traditional now a days.

Specializes in ED.

Here's another one! I'm 31, a SAHM of a 3 and 6 year old. I worked full time right out of high school and started college by taking a class at the community college in 2004. I kept going on and off taking one class at a time until recently, and now I am in my last semester of pre-reqs. I'm looking to apply for the August class this year, or for the January class next year.

I am also a non-traditional student. I am a 37 year old father of 2 boys. I have worked in the IT industry for the last 20 years. I have worked as an EMT and on for the National Ski Patrol. I decided I really wanted to get back into the medical field. I feel that is my true calling and am really looking forward to it. I have finished all my prereqs and have just turned in my application. I will hopefully be starting the program Fall 09. Good luck to all and stay motivated. We have all experienced quite a bit and I feel it will really help with our future endeavors.

Matt

I was also IT. Almost a 50/50 split between IT and Graphics. I just couldn't ever decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. This is the third company I've worked for that threatened outsourcing and I took it as a sign from God. Finally a voice that was saying, "you should pursue this, you'll be great at it..." So I started my pre-reqs back in March. Turned in the application for the nursing program this morning. I won't hear back till May. However, I can say... that when I started back in March, I thought that this day would never come. The year flew past, I made the dean's list the first quarter while attending school full time at two different colleges in addition to working full time. Once I completed my CNA program, I've made the President's List each quarter. It feels GREAT to be older and finally pursuing a dream. If the next two years go as quickly as the last has, I'll be registered in no time and on to larger pursuits while working in a very fulfilling field.

My hat's off to ALL OF YOU! May all of you have the amazing college experience I am currently having. Get involved. Join organizations, become TA's. Leave a legacy of excellence. Be the students that your instructors use as examples of how to do a good job for the next class. This is what it's all about.

I never understood that when I was young and dumb. This time... it's MUCH different.

i second that....it seems we are NOT the minority anymore...and our age is only one asset...maturity goes a long way nursing!!!

It seems like most nursing students aren't traditional now a days.

I agree. Honestly, the larger percentage of students in all of my pre-reqs are non-traditional. I don't consider myself a 'traditional' student either. I am a 26 year old Air Force veteran and wife to an ex-active duty now reservist. We have a 16 month old son and I have been a SAHM for the majority of the time after separation from the military (Apr 07). I apply to my schools nursing program in May and hope to start in Fall!

Specializes in ICU.

Hi everyone! I'm a 30 y/o SAHM to 2 little ones - a 3 y/o boy and 2 y/o girl. I'm also the wife to a Marine who is currently deployed - its just a little busy around here, haha. I'm applying for Fall 09 to an ADN program. I find out next month whether I'm in or not. Good luck to everyone!!

Sorry to sound ignorant, but i'm from the UK applying to some accelerated programs and i wanted to ask what a 'non traditional' student is?

here is the best definition I could find:

http://www.studentorgs.txstate.edu/ntso/

thank you, i guess i am a non traditional student too! :D

I'm also a non-traditional student. I'm 33 and have been a SAHM to my two boys for the last 4 years. I do have a prior Bachelor's Degree, which I completed in '97, which has really sped up the process of pre-reqs. I only have 2 classes to take before applying, but will take 4 classes so I can focus solely on the nursing curriculum and help my points score for admission (the other two are microbiology and dev. psych and are usually completed during the nursing program). I'll apply for Spring 2010 admission. I'm really excited, and a bit nervous! Good luck to us all.

I am also a non-traditional student. I am 30 years old, it took me almost 10 years to get my first bachelor's degree (going off on and on, full-time, then part-time all while having 2 kids in between). You want to hear something funny. For about 5 years in my twenties I worked the entire time in hospitals on the administrative side of it, and couldn't wait to get into the "corporate" world. I longed to work in a law firm but was unsuccessful for so long. Well, now I work at a law firm, hate it and want to "obviously" work in a hospital again - but this time doing patient care. Funny how life plays out...well atleast I've got some healthcare experience underneath my belt.

I guess you would say I'm a "non-traditional" student. Just turned half-a-century, youngest child is almost 22, have 4 grandchildren and now I think it's time for ME. Took training for nursing assistant my senior yr. of high school, but got married & had 4 kids :bugeyes: instead of pursuing my goal of becoming RN. Still very physically active, in good health, and hopefully still able to learn. Have applied to Galen in Louisville, and waiting (on pins & needles) to hear if I will be accepted, hopefully into the April 2009 program start. My kids are excited for me...hubby not so sure.

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