Older Nursing Students

Litenurse2b · Nov 2, 2008

Hi mb,

You are so right, about everything! As a single mother, I worked in the administrative/accounting field forever. My mother and grandmother had cancer and I had the privilege of being their primary caregiver til I lost them both within a few months of each other. We sought treatment in the US and Mexico and I learned more than I actually wanted about the medical profession. So I decided maybe I can make a difference...someday. Clinicals are HELL! But I think it is all part of the nursing school design. You know, "Get tough or get out!"

Best of luck. And who knows..maybe we will end up working together. Those of us "Golden Oldies" who aren't patients will be their nurses! Don't know which category will claim me cause school is proving to be extremely hazardous to my health! lol

mb1949 · Nov 2, 2008

Hi mb,
You are so right, about everything! As a single mother, I worked in the administrative/accounting field forever. My mother and grandmother had cancer and I had the privilege of being their primary caregiver til I lost them both within a few months of each other. We sought treatment in the US and Mexico and I learned more than I actually wanted about the medical profession. So I decided maybe I can make a difference...someday. Clinicals are HELL! But I think it is all part of the nursing school design. You know, "Get tough or get out!"
Best of luck. And who knows..maybe we will end up working together. Those of us "Golden Oldies" who aren't patients will be their nurses! Don't know which category will claim me cause school is proving to be extremely hazardous to my health! lol

Amen, I have developed all type of somatic illnesses, my stomach starts tightening up one day before clinicals, I sleep too much or not enough Oh well its a journey, not a vacation, Best to you and I would love to work with you someday!!!!:redbeathe

calconurse · Nov 2, 2008

What a treat to find this link! I turned 50 in July, will retire from my city parks maintenance job next year and hope to begin my nursing training if I get into the MEPN program at UCSF. I want to go into Oncology/Gerontological nursing and go as far as I can go in integrating research, teaching and promoting science education here in the US and abroad. I feel that with maturity and a clearer focus, I am able to do more with my training at this stage in my life. My wife and three teenagers are in full support. Forward march!! :yeah: :bow:

AtomicWoman · Nov 3, 2008

Hey, maybe we should start an "over 50" club! :lol2: I'll be 51 when I start nursing school next May.

deni_in_LA · Nov 4, 2008

I'm 52 and am in my first semester of a MEPN program. It definitely is challenging, but I don't think I am having any more difficulty than the younger students. Good luck to you all.

Litenurse2b · Nov 4, 2008

Let's do it! You will have a blast. I know I am. It's hard but fun. The "kids" (my classmates) don't know what to think of me...and the instructors don't know what to do with me...so I can usually get things to go my way. You will, too!

Lyn In NY · Nov 4, 2008

So happy to read all these comments from us older nursing students. Even though we are probably all from different states and in different programs, all the stories sound familiar.

I just came back from my second test in my first semester of nursing school. I am a bit worried because everyone was saying how terrible it was and I didn't think it was that bad. But with these tests you really don't know how you did til you get your grade. 75 is passing in my school and there are only 3 tests and the final so if you really mess up on one test your out. Luckily I had an 84 on the first - so I have a bit of a cushion. Friday is the day to drop without a penalty and alot of people are begging the teacher to post the grade for today before then, so they can drop on time. It gets depressing because they are dropping like flies and you just wonder when it will be you.

I always thought I was fairly good at handling pressure - but this is tough. I kind of compare it to jumping hurdles, as soon as you clear one there are two more in front of you.

Best of Luck to all of you and don't give up we can do it

Lyn

Litenurse2b · Nov 4, 2008

Dear Lyn in NY (and everybody else),

Hang in there girl (from one "Golden to another)! You can do it! I was in a nursing program just like yours here in Texas.

You say, "Jumping hurdles"? I would challenge the Army, Navy and Marines to "jump those hurdles"! You only think you know TOUGH til you've been to nursing school! lol I guarantee!

But you know what? You will find that you can run circles around the younger students. And I feel so bad that I found such a renewed sense of vitality, even immortality (well, maybe confidence is a better word) from that. But you will understand after you get your test grade back. You did WELL I can tell!

Best of love, light and goodness to you.

And I want to give a huge "'THANKS AND HUGGS, HUGGS, HUGGS" for all the blessed people working behind the scenes that make this website possible for the many of those of us who need this site. They saved my life and nursing career....but that is a story for another post!

Litenurse2b

muskylounge · Nov 5, 2008

I just turned 41 in Oct. My younger bride is also in school and together we started our first semester of 2 yr ADN program. She was working part time but is the manager of our household and quit work recently. I still work 40-50 hrs a week in sales. The workload of school and work is nutz. I have no life and expect none for the next 18 months. The fact that my wife is doing this with me helps tremendously I would most likely be unable to do it this way with out her help. Having a "live in" study partner and someone to quiz over all the time I am at home is a bonus. I am looking forward to my first Christmas Break from Nursing school! :)

LeesaRN · Nov 6, 2008

Glad to hear from all of you.I'm 43 and in my third semester of a two year program. I am the oldest in my class and I have no social life. All I do is study and eat. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. My house is a mess full of nursing books all over the place. Guilt is an emotion I feel often. I feel guilty if I'm not studying or I feel guilty I don't spend enought time with my family. I know this will all be worth it some day, but sometimes it hard to see the forest for the trees. Ha Ha Ha Good luck to all my prayers are with you Leesa:typing

AtomicWoman · Nov 6, 2008

My house is a mess full of nursing books all over the place.

I hear ya! One day, I was doing some Organic Chemistry homework. I had about six books spread out over the kitchen table, plus printouts from the internet, my own notebooks and my laptop. My husband walked into the kitchen and said, "I want to weep openly." LOL! I do try to clean up the books when we eat dinner, though. No need for him to be staring at molecules or whatever I'm working on! I'm sure I'll be exactly like this when I start NS in May. If one reference is good, 10 are awesome! :lol2:

Catedi · Nov 7, 2008

I'm starting my first semester for my ASN in the spring. I'll be 47 by then. I started in 2005 with pre-reqs, but the waiting list at the College was crazy. I just kept taking classes and now have pre-reqs finished for the BSN. Although, I'm not sure if I'll end up going for that.

There are a few things I'm having trouble with.

House work
Laundry

I have two boys at home--a 16 yr old and a 9 yr old. Both have disabilities, so it's all I can do sometimes to get dinner on the table, work with them on homework, and herd them into bed.

I usually don't get to study till after that. Somehow, miraculously, I've maintained a 3.67 GPA. But my house is a wreck and it's driving me nuts.

I know I'm obsessed with getting As and Bs but I'm worried if I let up I'll miss something and won't understand what's going on by third semester. I'm already afraid I can't cut it, but I'm willing to try. Anyone with advise for me would be really helpful. :confused: