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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.
You are absolutely 100% right with the way you feel about "taking care of yourself" or the ability to have that independence. (Not that you would need it since you are happily married) but, I completely know where you are coming from. Having an RN degree, BSN degree or MSN is something that no one can take away from you. Once you have your RN degree and land a job with a hospital that offers tuition reimbursement, the sky is the limit. And don't worry about being intimidated w/ math and english. I too felt the same way, but that is what we have trusty youtube and google for :) You are going to use these resources for the rest of your nursing career for almost every situation/subject you encounter. The subjects you learn in nursing school will forever have you questioning your capabilities, but it is something that is going to push you to work harder and as you said, after you studied the GED book, will have you feeling accomplished and purposeful. That is exactly what is going to make this so meaningful for you and worth the while. Each minor little accomplishment seems insignificant as you are going through the motions, however, once you get to the finish line, you look back and think... wow! All of those little steps I took is what got me here today!!!
You will be surprised with what you are capable of doing once you just hit the go button. Before you know it, you have already made progress and are moving to the next step.
And I promise you, I absolutely without a doubt, know FOR SURE, that everyone in the pre-req's and in the NURSING CLASSES, will have no idea what is going on! lol!! Don't feel intimidated by the material, b/c there will be others in the class that feel the same as you. This is actually what creates the bond between you and your fellow nursing students. Also, we went from being straight A students to being happy with barely passing exams. It's all a mental game of stamina. You've made it this far, so you will definitely enjoy the road ahead!
Nope- never too late. You only get one life (that I am aware of) so do what you want with it. 38 is nothing. I'm 35 and applying to start nursing school next year (retaking pre-reqs now). I had a moment of "is it too late?" but I then quickly thought "what else am I going to do? Where do I want to be in five years? Still doing this or nursing?" You have PLENTY of time ahead of you, and the advantage of a mature and less restless mind. You've gotten the truely hard stuff out of the way already. Raising kids is harder than any college program or job. Edited to add: I have a 3 year old and a 4 month old.
I just want to tack onto this, you will likely not be able to continue your current lifestyle once you're in school and in the beginning of your nursing career. It's competitive, and nursing students have to sacrifice. Im a runner as well and have so far had to learn how to be SUPER productive with my time. Multitasking is key, and your looks will take a backseat. I haven't dyed my hair in months and I go to school without makeup, something I never would have done in my 20s. If I want to run, I take flashcards with me ha!
Well I'm 43 and been a stay at home for 20 years! I have my associates already but now that my youngest ( of 6!) is 13, I'm starting this process too! I have no idea how to really start, but I'm determined to do this! Many of friends have taken this path and have told me
It's not impossible. Good luck !
Well I'm 43 and been a stay at home for 20 years! I have my associates already but now that my youngest ( of 6!) is 13, I'm starting this process too! I have no idea how to really start, but I'm determined to do this! Many of friends have taken this path and have told meIt's not impossible. Good luck !
Good luck to you too! I have no idea how to start either! It's all so scary and exciting! At least you have your associates! What a great start!
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?Any advice? Give it to me straight and I really appreciate your comments.
No, 38 is not too late at all. I waited until my kids were grown before I went back to school to start my pre-reqs at age 42. I was 45 when I graduated from nursing school. I'm almost 49 now and I'm working on my dual ACNP/FNP MSN. I will be 51 when I graduate. Believe it or not, I'm not the oldest person in my classes.
You are never "too old" to pursue your dreams. I put my wishes on hold to make sure I was there for all of my kids' sporting events, choir concerts, etc. While I wish I could have gone to school earlier, I don't regret for one moment the time I got to spend with them. By the time I went to nursing school, my eldest was on her own and my son could drive himself.
I had a job lined up before I even graduated. You can do anything you set your mind to do. Age is just a number!!! :)
Best of luck to you!
No, 38 is not too late at all. I waited until my kids were grown before I went back to school to start my pre-reqs at age 42. I was 45 when I graduated from nursing school. I'm almost 49 now and I'm working on my dual ACNP/FNP MSN. I will be 51 when I graduate. Believe it or not, I'm not the oldest person in my classes.You are never "too old" to pursue your dreams. I put my wishes on hold to make sure I was there for all of my kids' sporting events, choir concerts, etc. While I wish I could have gone to school earlier, I don't regret for one moment the time I got to spend with them. By the time I went to nursing school, my eldest was on her own and my son could drive himself.
I had a job lined up before I even graduated. You can do anything you set your mind to do. Age is just a number!!! :)
Best of luck to you!
Ahhh. This is so refreshing. I identify with this so much. I remember a few times while I was raising my kiddos, there were a couple of comments from a few people..."When is she going to work?" said to my husband. My daughter was only 1 year old, my last baby. I felt a sting of hurt and anger. How could I shuffle her off to a crowded day care so young, how could I miss out on so much, and most importantly, how could they not understand why I did not want to miss out on those things? Especially when we were financially doing okay. I would have missed the easy morning conversations with my little boy, the exploring of the backyard every day with my toddling toddler, I would have missed all of the magic in the smallest of moments. When my daughter was 1 year old, I began the process of thinking of nursing and brushing up on learning in general. I remember sitting there with a ged book and my one year old pulling at the pages, saying mama mama mama! My 6 year old boy telling me to watch this, watch this, mom! And I was feeling frustrated with them because I needed to study and they were getting in the way. Soon after, I closed the book for good and just decided to love in the magic for a few more years. I'm so glad I did. Now they are almost 7 and 13 and I feel that I can prioritize myself without missing out on the whimsy of motherhood. I've been so lucky because I've been able to go to all of the chorus concerts, chaperone far away field trips, and volunteer and be active in their lives. They will always remember that I was there and that I cared, and enjoyed them immensely. That is priceless. I'll be able to take that to my deathbed.
Now, it's hopefully my time to shine, right along with them! Thank you for your response!
I'm 28 and applying for fall 2019 ADN program! I'm sure you could say that I'm a bit younger and i get that. But it was just as daunting for me! And honestly, I was SUPER motivated because I saw a photo of a woman (that I didn't know was attending school) in her 40s with several kids, with her cap and gown and she had just finished Nursing school. After years of thinking "i should, but man, i'm so scared", that photo pushed me to think "i can do this. now i REALLY have no excuse!". I started taking a chemistry class and a math class online in the spring of 2018 to fulfill some prereqs and actually had my second daughter right in the middle of the semester! I let my professors know that I was due and they were willing to be flexible with me, however I never actually needed any extensions on my due dates or anything! Everything went so smoothly and I was able to take my midterms right before i had the baby!
I'm currently taking a writing class and a history class, next semester I'm taking micro and nutrition. It's challenging, but I LOVE IT! I learn something, i appreciate the courses and it's my break from mom life for a few hours every week. I love that I'm making myself better and crushing some of these classes I thought i would completely fail at!
This might be a bit deep for an internet thread, but you really do only live once. You've been a great mom and raised your kids and I know they appreciate it! But now could be your chance to do something for YOU! and your family will be so proud to watch you earn that degree. We live in a time where we have access to technological solutions like online learning that makes A LOT of things easier, and we have the right to an education, which some women in other countries would die for. The opportunity shouldn't be wasted, especially if you have the desire!
I'd say you should definitely shadow a nurse, maybe even a few on some different units. And check to see if you can audit some classes at the college you're interested in going to! You could get a sense if you would want to keep pursuing it!
I think if you have the desire, you should give it a shot!! At the very least, you'll find out that it might not have been for you, but then you'll know and not go your whole life wondering "what if". But really, I think You'll surprise yourself at what you're capable of. Age has nothing to do with it! :)
eduka123
12 Posts
Thank you for this amazing post. It is very inspiring to me as well as I get ready to start the ADN program in the Spring. I loved reading everything you shared and your perspective as someone who has just successfully completed the initial journey of nursing school!
Elle7745, I swear when I read your words I feel like I'm reading those of myself from 3 years ago. I know very well how you feel. Getting a GED book to study is a great idea.
Here is what I have learned: the brain is a muscle. We who are in our 30's and 40's or older and who have not been in school or been engaged in higher learning may feel that our brains are rusty and mushy and that very well may be true; however, once we DO start learning and engaging our brains in all the academic experiences and critical thinking needed for college courses - it gets easier and easier. As I wrap up my last semester of core curriculum/pre-req's, it's crazy how much easier everything is for me than it was when I first started out. My mind grasps things better, but I've also learned more about how my own brain works and how to best maximize its ability to study and retain information. That came from school itself and even the most "basic" courses like English and, yes, MATH!!, lol, have helped me strengthen the muscle that is my brain. That will happen for you too!
I am SO rooting for you and cheering you on. I think the feeling of satisfaction and contentment upon starting to study the GED book says it all. You want this and you can do it! And you seem to have a supportive family and husband and that will make a huge difference too. And yes, like you said, establishing a career for yourself doing something you love and want to do also means you will always be independent and I 100% agree that is priceless.