I have been a stay at home mom for 15 years. I'm almost 38 years old. I haven't been to college. I've just been raising my kids because while they've been young, I've felt that was my duty. Now, I'm having the urge to put me first. But is it too late?
I'd have to take all of the pre-requisites. I don't even know the process of applying for school. I have always wanted to be a nurse...but raising my kids came first.
Is it too late for me? Would I even be considered for a job? I'm an ultra marathon runner, I have always taken good care of myself, so I hope I don't look like a hag or anything. I take nutrition and fitness seriously and I think it shows in my appearance.
I feel almost like this is my moment to try for this but I can't get the negativity put of my head saying that 37 is too old to start.
Any advice? Give it to me straight and I really appreciate your comments.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
You know what? I apologize for making that statement. To tell you the truth, I was reading threads on this website before I posted. I saw a woman posting how she couldn't get a job out of nursing school. The woman was older than me and was much older than I'll be if I graduate.
The nurses were advising her to make sure she dyed her hair, got microdermabrasion, as well as getting her teeth whitened. They assumed it was her appearance. It scared me. I went from hoping I was smart enough to pull this off to wondering if I was young and pretty enough as well.
I saw another post where a lady was starting (much) later in life and someone told her what a physical job nursing was and to not do that to herself. I guess I was trying to assure everyone here (and myself) that I was physically capable.
Once again, I do apologize because that's not who I am at all. My head is just spinning with a million what-ifs and reading those posts certainly added to that list! I appreciate your advice. Thank you!
I accept your apology.
Being 40ish will not hinder your job prospects whatsoever. It did not for me.
Being 60ish might. But my bet is that there were other factors at play.
The prereqs are the most challenging academically, IMO. After that, other things are challenging.
It would take me a long time to even get through the pre-requisites. I did find a list of pre-requisites for my local community college. I'd need to finish those and then I could enter nursing school. So, let's say you get all of your pre-requisites, then you enter a 2 year program for nursing. What do those first classes look like? Is it more advanced Chem, Bio, math? Or is it more hands on at that point?
You're going to have to check the programs to see what specific classes they require. I'll stand by checking to see what degree most jobs you'd be interested in your area require. I think many classes are similar for various programs- some basic english classes, some science including probably chemistry and biology, some basic math courses, some require algebra, a couple psych classes maybe including child psych. If you go to community college, it may benefit you to check which classes will transfer to a BSN program, or if the community college has an accessable ADN-BSN bridge program.
Were you a good student in high school? Trick question because It doesn't matter. My highschool grades were hot garbage. When you're an adult you'll do adult things. You'll work hard and you'll get it done. Or you wont and you'll have to mope about in some job you don't really want for another 30 years wondering what could have been.
Now quit stalling and get out there. Four months until spring semester.
You're going to have to check the programs to see what specific classes they require. I'll stand by checking to see what degree most jobs you'd be interested in your area require. I think many classes are similar for various programs- some basic english classes, some science including probably chemistry and biology, some basic math courses, some require algebra, a couple psych classes maybe including child psych. If you go to community college, it may benefit you to check which classes will transfer to a BSN program, or if the community college has an accessable ADN-BSN bridge program.
Were you a good student in high school? Trick question because It doesn't matter. My highschool grades were hot garbage. When you're an adult you'll do adult things. You'll work hard and you'll get it done. Or you wont and you'll have to mope about in some job you don't really want for another 30 years wondering what could have been.
Now quit stalling and get out there. Four months until spring semester.
I think I'm going to print this out. This resonated with me so much! Savage advice and I love it! Thank you!!!
I am 38 as well! I, too, was a horrendous student in high school and hated every minute of it. Especially math. I never thought I would go to college. I did get a CNA license through a vocational course I took in high school, the best thing that came out of those 4 years for me! So I have a tiny bit of (ancient) experience, but I wasn't a CNA for long and it's been almost 2 decades.
3 years ago, I realized I'd come full circle, and nursing is REALLY what I want to do. I decided I couldn't let my fear of college and of math hold me back and I took a huge leap. I was scared too. But here I am 2 1/2 years after starting core classes - and yes I did have to take a remedial math class because my placement test score was in the tank, lol - I've trucked through all my prereqs, I'm an honors student, have the prettiest GPA I never thought I would see by my name, and I just got accepted to my school's Associate's Nursing Program.
My kids are still a bit younger and it will be hard, but I'm determined and honestly I can't speak for everyone but I know that I would not have been this successful in my early 20's. The older, wiser, more confident and more determined older adult me took over. YOU CAN do this.
All the best of luck to you! I really think and hope you do it. Life is short and you (we!) really are still quite young. :)
This is making me feel so encouraged. How old are your kids? I have a 12 year old and a 6 year old daughter. I don't work, but I do homeschool my youngest. So, that's going to be a little tricky.
And yes, I feel young! That's the weird part about it. I still feel youthful but sooooo much more dedicated, determined, and wise.
I sincerely hope you are not too old for this because I am 49 and I am in my first semester of an ADN program. I had to take some prerequisites and I mapped them out according to when I needed to complete them so that I could apply and start at a certain time. My school only allows people to apply twice a year, September and March, I think. So I took Bio and Chem in the summer, my CNA class and A & P I in the fall, A & P II in the spring, and microbiology this past summer. I barely passed my science courses in high school and college; turns out I loooove them now! My plan is to be an RN at 51, BSN at 53ish and then spending the rest of my working years doing something meaningful and interesting. I promise you, if I can do this, you can too!!!
This is making me feel so encouraged. How old are your kids? I have a 12 year old and a 6 year old daughter. I don't work, but I do homeschool my youngest. So, that's going to be a little tricky.
And yes, I feel young! That's the weird part about it. I still feel youthful but sooooo much more dedicated, determined, and wise.
Thanks for the reply! Best of luck to you!
Thank you so much!
Well our kids are around the same age actually - I have 6, 9, and 13 year old boys. They're hopefully self sufficient enough to be able to do some things on their own as school gets intense, ha. I won't be working either unless I can find a flexible online type job or odd jobs. But kids is a full time job for sure. So I'm hoping these are good ages for them to be able to help out more around here. I was 13 when my mom went back to college and we made it work. :)
Thanks for lifting me up! My science and maths in high school were trash because I had no interest in them. It's good to know that you love them now. Science and math terrifies me, I love English and writing and those have always been my strongest suits. I can't get the curiousity out of my head - what if I was able to pull it off?!
Thanks for the inspiration. Everyone here has been wonderful!
FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN
2,325 Posts
I accept your apology.
Being 40ish will not hinder your job prospects whatsoever. It did not for me.
Being 60ish might. But my bet is that there were other factors at play.
The prereqs are the most challenging academically, IMO. After that, other things are challenging.