The aspirations of getting into a nursing school is not an easy task. However, it is so incredibly rewarding once the goal has been achieved. Never give up, disregard criticism and negativity from unsupported people, maintain your focus, and above all else believe in yourself. It is never too late to turn a dream into reality.
For all of you out there struggling to get into nursing school, I say hang in there and stay strong!
I decided to start my path to nursing school about 2 years ago at the age of 37. I had friends that criticized my decision to go into nursing so late in life. Ignore those people. They are battling their own insecurities and are not as fearless as you are. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
I first began by becoming a CNA to be certain that this career path was meant for me. Then I took my pre-requisite science classes. I am so thankful I already had an associates degree and didn't need to take any general ED classes. Every semester I struggled to get into my classes. I begged the professors to let me in. I made sure my classes were my priority.
I'm proud to say that I received and "A" in Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Developmental Psychology, and Medical dosaging, respectively. I also started volunteer work through Cope Health Solutions at Riverside community hospital so that I would have exposure to patients.
When the time came, I applied to Chaffey nursing school. The day I received my letter in the mail, I was nervous, excited, scared, you name it!
I was informed that I was selected as an "alternate student". That's not exactly what I was hoping for, but it was better than getting a rejection letter.
I attended the student orientation and then began studying for the TEAS exam. I passed the TEAS, and immediately started the process of completing all the requirements such as updating my BLS card, physical/drug/TB tests, background check, etc. I basically purchased all the equipment and supplies as if I were accepted into the program. Even though the deadline to submit the packet is January 8, I completed and submitted it on December 12.
The wait to receive a phone call to let me know whether or not a space became available was one of the most challenging and difficult periods of my life. Then yesterday, only 1 week before the start of classes, I received the glorious call informing me that a space became available!
After I finished jumping up and down, praying and thanking God for this blessing, kissing and hugging my husband and in laws, I went in to receive my admissions packet. I also registered for my classes and purchased my books. Classes start next Tuesday and I CANNOT wait!
I wrote this post because in the past I would always come on this site to read about other people's experiences and see what they did and how they got in to nursing schools. I know the frustration of waiting, the fear and feeling of doubt, the sleepless nights and worry. Hang in there, stay positive and do your best. In the end, it will all work out. Wishing all of my fellow student nurses the best of luck!
I am so impressed with your persistence, though you are not old! I am in my late 50s and was accepted into a nursing program that begins this May. It is NEVER too late to become a nurse if you are motivated, and there is such a big need. Thank you so much for sharing your story which inspires me to hang in there as I begin this journey!
For all of you out there struggling to get into nursing school, I say hang in there and stay strong!
I decided to start my path to nursing school about 2 years ago at the age of 37. I had friends that criticized my decision to go into nursing so late in life. Ignore those people. They are battling their own insecurities and are not as fearless as you are. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people.
I first began by becoming a CNA to be certain that this career path was meant for me. Then I took my pre-requisite science classes. I am so thankful I already had an associates degree and didn't need to take any general ED classes. Every semester I struggled to get into my classes. I begged the professors to let me in. I made sure my classes were my priority.
I'm proud to say that I received and "A" in Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Developmental Psychology, and Medical dosaging, respectively. I also started volunteer work through Cope Health Solutions at Riverside community hospital so that I would have exposure to patients.
When the time came, I applied to Chaffey nursing school. The day I received my letter in the mail, I was nervous, excited, scared, you name it!
I was informed that I was selected as an "alternate student". That's not exactly what I was hoping for, but it was better than getting a rejection letter.
I attended the student orientation and then began studying for the TEAS exam. I passed the TEAS, and immediately started the process of completing all the requirements such as updating my BLS card, physical/drug/TB tests, background check, etc. I basically purchased all the equipment and supplies as if I were accepted into the program. Even though the deadline to submit the packet is January 8, I completed and submitted it on December 12.
The wait to receive a phone call to let me know whether or not a space became available was one of the most challenging and difficult periods of my life. Then yesterday, only 1 week before the start of classes, I received the glorious call informing me that a space became available!
After I finished jumping up and down, praying and thanking God for this blessing, kissing and hugging my husband and in laws, I went in to receive my admissions packet. I also registered for my classes and purchased my books. Classes start next Tuesday and I CANNOT wait!
I wrote this post because in the past I would always come on this site to read about other people's experiences and see what they did and how they got in to nursing schools. I know the frustration of waiting, the fear and feeling of doubt, the sleepless nights and worry. Hang in there, stay positive and do your best. In the end, it will all work out. Wishing all of my fellow student nurses the best of luck!
I am 57 and have finally reached my last semester. I began my career in medicine when I was 19 working as an EMT and then paramedics. Back in those days, women were only just beginning to work in firehouses. Many years later, it is common to have women paramedics/firefighters. Working for private ambulance companies paid so little I had to resort to medical office work to support me and my daughter. Then I got hit with lupus, gastroparesis, WPW, and chronic pseudo-obstruction. This was unfounded science at the time and many doctors wouldn't help me claiming it was all psychological. It got so bad I had to go on disability. It took me 15 years of fighting for my health to finally begin to crawl out of that hole. One day I decided I had had enough and took my life back. My doctor thought I was crazy for attempting the demands of nursing school. I moved out of the tiny country town back into civilization and started going to school to become the nurse I have always wanted to be. I went to boot camp in a wheelchair but still made it through. Unfortunately I fell prey to my own ignorance of the college system and a school system that happily took advantage of it. I was very unprepared for how much the world had changed over the past 2 decades, especially in technology. I was told I needed to take all my pre-reqs for a BSN before I could apply to an ADN program. Three schools in my district actually forced this by the point system. Without all the pre-req's there was no way to get enough points to make it in. After 2 years I finally looked outside my district and got in right away. It has been a relatively easy journey until this semester with the switch to online. My biggest issue has been learning technology while still meeting the demands of the nursing school curriculum. Then my parents both became very ill the first week of this last semester and I got so far behind I was considering dropping. It has taken me 4 years to get to this point and I'm not about to give up this easily. My GPA has taken a big hit but I KNOW I can still pass this semester and the NCLEX. Thank you for posting your trials and tribulations to encourage us.
Hey you! If you are reading this. YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON STANDING IN THR WAY OF ACCOMPLISHING WHATEVER IT IS YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH.
I wanted to be a nurse since 2009. I was 31 years old then, single mother of 2 young children ( 11 & 12), no family in Houston (moved to Houston just the 3 of use in 2005). Financially and no family support made it very difficult to obtain being a nurse at that time. But I was able to obtain an A.A degree in 2016!
I am now 43 years old (children are young adults now 23 & 24, yay) starting the LVN program this fall. I love this site so such because it gives so much to encouragement and inspiration to those who think it too late, I’m not one of those people, nonetheless the ONLY person standing in your way of doing whatever it is in life you YOU! BLOCK OUT THE HATERS/NAYSAYERS. I don’t care who they are!
Keep applying to nursing school if that what you want. I don’t care how many times you have to apply. My first time applying to the ADN program I was not accepted. So the next time I applied (a couple months later) I said to myself, there is more than one way to skin a cat. I applied to the ADN & LVN program at both Lone Star & San Jac in Houston to give myself a 1 in 4 change of being accepted and it worked though it wasn’t the ADN route!! BUT, I am waitlisted for San Jac’s ADN program ??. Let God’s will be done!
P.S. financially I still don’t not know how I’m how to pull it off but will!
IF YOU ARE STILL READING my post, YOU GOT THIS. TRUST & BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. But of all thing first, TRUST IN GOD if that’s your thing IT’S MINE.
ladyapj, ADN, EMT-I, EMT-P
52 Posts
I am 57 and have finally reached my last semester. I began my career in medicine when I was 19 working as an EMT and then paramedics. Back in those days, women were only just beginning to work in firehouses. Many years later, it is common to have women paramedics/firefighters. Working for private ambulance companies paid so little I had to resort to medical office work to support me and my daughter. Then I got hit with lupus, gastroparesis, WPW, and chronic pseudo-obstruction. This was unfounded science at the time and many doctors wouldn't help me claiming it was all psychological. It got so bad I had to go on disability. It took me 15 years of fighting for my health to finally begin to crawl out of that hole. One day I decided I had had enough and took my life back. My doctor thought I was crazy for attempting the demands of nursing school. I moved out of the tiny country town back into civilization and started going to school to become the nurse I have always wanted to be. I went to boot camp in a wheelchair but still made it through. Unfortunately I fell prey to my own ignorance of the college system and a school system that happily took advantage of it. I was very unprepared for how much the world had changed over the past 2 decades, especially in technology. I was told I needed to take all my pre-reqs for a BSN before I could apply to an ADN program. Three schools in my district actually forced this by the point system. Without all the pre-req's there was no way to get enough points to make it in. After 2 years I finally looked outside my district and got in right away. It has been a relatively easy journey until this semester with the switch to online. My biggest issue has been learning technology while still meeting the demands of the nursing school curriculum. Then my parents both became very ill the first week of this last semester and I got so far behind I was considering dropping. It has taken me 4 years to get to this point and I'm not about to give up this easily. My GPA has taken a big hit but I KNOW I can still pass this semester and the NCLEX. Thank you for posting your trials and tribulations to encourage us.