Nursing school at 38?

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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.

What it would be like to not NEED a man to support me.

And this is what is one of the primary drives me as well. I'm in an emotionally supportive relationship and we live together. But it bothers me to know that technically, I'm not as financially independent as I'd like. Nursing appeals to me because I know once I complete it, I will always be able to support myself without help. that's very empowering.

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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!

This has been my experience thus far!I'm still struggling at times (mostly with time management) but as the weeks go on I'm finding that I'm retaining the information better.

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And this is what is one of the primary drives me as well. I'm in an emotionally supportive relationship and we live together. But it bothers me to know that technically, I'm not as financially independent as I'd like. Nursing appeals to me because I know once I complete it, I will always be able to support myself without help. that's very empowering.

Exactly. Let's do it.

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Go for it. If you look at my post history I came here four years ago asking the same thing I was 40/41 at the time. Unfortunately, I listened to the negative forces in my head and talked myself out of it. This September, I finally started my first semester back in school, after being out in over a decade! I'm taking my preqs PT in the evenings, while I work full-time. I'm carrying 10 credits: A&P I w labs, Human Developmental Psychology and a language.

Had I had to guts to pull the trigger four years, I would have been done and well on my way into my career. Time waits for no one. Now I won't be starting a nursing program until 48/49. I won't be done with my Masters until I'm in my 50s. And its OK. :happy:

My advice for anyone is to be afraid and do it anyway. Break it down in to smaller manageable pieces, and knock them out one by one. I psyched myself out by thinking of EVERYTHING at once "OMG THE NCLEX, I haven't taken a science in over 20 years, I gotta take Statistics but I suck at math, will i find a job without healthcare experience". I was a ball of negativity.

Late last year, I decided I was sick of my life and was finally ready to do the work. I literally had made a list of basic things (and crossed them off as I got them done) in order to not feel so overwhelmed. Like literally "Order Transcripts from HS, Send to XYZ, Get money order for application, Fill out FAFSA, Order textbooks" It literally helped to not only see what next steps I had to do, but I felt accomplished as I completed each one.

I'm so excited at the possibilities. It's great being in class with other future nursing students or medical professionals. I'm also not putting pressure on myself with strict deadlines. I know I'll make to finish line, I'm just going to take it slow and steady.

So believe that you can and I promise you, that you will! If you can do ultra's you can definitely do this.

This resonates with me a lot. There is a mantra in running and I realized that I started subconsciously implementing it in other areas of life. The mantra is, "Run the mile that you're in." If I go to the starting line of a marathon thinking about "Omg 26 miles," I immediately feel sick to my stomach, overwhelmed, and defeated.

I have learned to break everything down in life by small "Mile-sized" pieces instead of looking at it like "Omg a marathon" aka life.

Right now, I'm trying to get through this GED book to get myself used to learning (and hello, math lol). That's my first step. Next I'm going to make an appointment to talk to an advisor. That step is giving me major butterflies but I try to frame that feeling differently. I'm calling it excitement, not anxiety. It actually helps some.

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This resonates with me a lot. There is a mantra in running and I realized that I started subconsciously implementing it in other areas of life. The mantra is, "Run the mile that you're in." If I go to the starting line of a marathon thinking about "Omg 26 miles," I immediately feel sick to my stomach, overwhelmed, and defeated.

I know exactly what you mean, gotta save something for the tank. In my Tri and running groups the popular saying is also "Your race, your pace". This your newest Ultra! Your are starting to train for by being on here and asking the right questions. Just like with racing, we are your new tribe.

*In other news, doing an Ultra is on my list to do one day. Perhaps in 2020-21. right now I have to get thru doing my next full marathon NYC in Nov. (Which i'm not really prepared for, since my training has been spotty, but I'll push thru). #TeamBackofthePack #SlowButIFinish.

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I know exactly what you mean, gotta save something for the tank. In my Tri and running groups the popular saying is also "Your race, your pace". This your newest Ultra! Your are starting to train for by being on here and asking the right questions. Just like with racing, we are your new tribe.

*In other news, doing an Ultra is on my list to do one day. Perhaps in 2020-21. right now I have to get thru doing my next full marathon NYC in Nov. (Which i'm not really prepared for, since my training has been spotty, but I'll push thru). #TeamBackofthePack #SlowButIFinish.

I love the thought of having you guys as my new tribe. That's awesome. Good luck on your full! I have one on December 15th and I'm going in for a CT scan in an hour because I'm pretty sure my tibia is fractured. It's not going to go well because like you, my training has also been spotty. My goal is to not cancel any races. I've never had to cancel in my life. It would break my heart. I was trying to sub 2 a half this season, hurt my tibia in July, and now I'm just happy if I show up at the line (and finish and not come in dead last) to all of my races. Best of luck to you!!!

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