Grab your favorite beverage, pull up a chair and settle in front of the roaring fire...er computer screen. Share your stories, concerns and triumphs over starting nursing program, dealing with homework, balancing study +children + spouse, stingle parenthood + work + school, carying for parents + school, math anxiety,.....study tips and tricks, squeezing in ME time....
We learn more from OOOOOOOOOOOOPS moments than sucess somtimes.
I posted a reply here back in Feb 08 & since then things have changed unfortunately I am no longer in nsg school & I had a very difficult time dealing w/that but I think that I am a little back on track but I am still not going to give up my dream of becoming a nurse but I do wish you all the best with your endevors & will continue to pray each & everyone of you
Way back in Feb I posted to this forum that I was trying to get into nursing school. I got in to one of the best BSN programs in the state and started working in a hospital in the PACU. It's all working out. My wife got a huge raise at work and I won't have to work so much during my first term in Sept. The hospital is set to give me an externship in PACU when I get done with my clinicals in Dec.
I made the right move dumping that factory job at Ford. Being 37 when I graduate will be cool. I don't have any other option but to pass and I will.
To all those who say they feel old in their classes, don't. I am 35 and enjoy school and being around younger people. Hell, I've been hit on by college girls and it's made me feel really good. Just stay young at heart and enjoy it. The thing is, now that you're older, you understand how to prioritize instead of worrying about "somebody told me I look fat" or "My girlfriend went to a party and got drunk." You know what you want, are mature and know how life works. Go for it. I am proud of myself and proud of all the other OLD FOLK on here.
Another thing I like about nursing, you can always learn something. I plan to be a student my whole life in one capacity or the other. The learning never stops. I love it.
I'm 38. I found out I was accepted into the program of my dreams two weeks ago. I'm scared and excited all at the same time. I've been a hairstylist for the past 20yrs. I've always wanted to become an RN. When I was 20yrs old, I took serious steps to make it happen. But then, being a twenty year old, I decided it would take too long. At 36 I decieded to try to get into an RN program. I was told I would have to go back to school and take a few classes. I hadn't been in a class room for more than 18 yrs. I took baby steps. Now, here I am two years later with all of my sciences and math classes completed with a 4.0 GPA, and I will start an ASN Nursing program in the fall. It wasn't easy. I had to make sacrificies. I gave up my car. I had to give up my apartment that I loved and move into a room. I've never been so broke in my life. But as hard as it's been, I feel like there's something pulling me into nursing. I think it's just because I love people. I feel there is a whole new life I am about to start. Thank God for this site and for all of you who share your stories and support.
I'm 34 and going into my 4th semester of nursing school. I also have an 11 year old son.
I started this journey when I was 30, completing my Associates of Science degree which included all my pre-reqs to get into a nursing program. I got accepted into a BSN program, (a very good one with high NCLEX pass rate), and a year ago, my job of 14 years offered me a generous voluntary termination package that I jumped on. I can say I am blessed.
I work as a Nurse Intern currently. I work 3 days a week, nights, and I love it! I get to spend time with my family and enjoy doing the thing I love. Nursing is a good fit for me and I was going nowhere in my 14 year career with the phone company. Granted, I climbed the corporate ladder and went as far as I can go, but I was not happy there. I got addicted to the financial security that the job provided.
Now, I have less than a year to go. I will be 35 when I graduate. I will be working as a nurse on the Med-Tele floor that I now work on as a Nurse Intern. I will complete my year there and then transfer to the OR, which is my dream job.
I'm not the oldest person in my class by the way. The oldest person in my class is a very good friend of mine, she is 52, and is very focused on her studies. In fact, there are a handfull of older students in our class, and we all study together from time to time. We are all doing well.
I have 1 in each level of school: high school ,Jr high, Elementary so I figured I might as well go back to school and do college so there is someone in each level for sure. I am currently on the waitlist to get in to my program in the mean tiome I am taking all the courses I can to do a BA as soon as I get my Assoc. RN. I am planning on working in either PEDS or NICU and would like to get my masters as a Neonatal Nurse practioner and also get my educator certificate.
I'm 38, 4 kids from 23 down to 5 (yep, surprise!!). Also have 3 grandkids. I start NS in August and I'll be 40 when I get my ASN and after working a few years plan to get my BSN and possibly go into Nurse Anesthesia or NP. I figure I will prolly be 45 or 46 by the time I'm done doing what my end goal is but........
I can turn 45 and be an NP or I can just plain turn 45.
I graduate in December, and I will be 50 when I graduate (but I'm still not the oldest in my class...she's 60!!!) It's been tough, but I honestly think it hasn't been as hard as it would have been if my kids were still at home (now they are all grown and on their own, having babies of their own.) I wanted to go to nursing school years ago, but my ex-husband wouldn't let me (think he was threatened by me being successful at something other than baby-making!) Fast forward 10 years, one divorce, and a second marriage to a wonderful, supportive man who NAGGED me to death to go back to school and get my RN! (He regularly teases me that IF I HAD JUST LISTENED TO HIM 5 YEARS AGO, I'D BE DONE!!!!) and here I am, on the verge of graduating in 6 months! My grown children are so proud of me, and my daughter-in-law, who is a medical assistant, says that now she'll have a mentor when she goes on to get her RN when their daughter starts school. Age is just a number, I don't feel any older than my classmates, and going back to nursing school was the best decision I ever made. I will be so glad to be able to read a book that isn't a textbook soon, and I'm so tired of writing concept maps and care plans that I could scream! But I know that their is a method to the madness, and I'll be a better nurse for it.
As for myself, I just got accepted to a 4 semester Nursing Program at the young age of 45!:loveya: I'm excited, nervous and can't wait for the first day of class. Now that does mean leaving a Banking job of 11 years and being unemployed for the first time in about 20 yrs, but I just couldn't see myself stuck behind a desk anymore. With the encouragement of my husband and my kids, Ashley 20 & Brian 25 (both in College) I finally decided to follow my dream and plan to graduate probably the same year as them. I know that my Mom, who died from Alzheimer's last year played a large part in giving me the courage to proceed no matter what. Life is too short, you got to live it.
Well, from the reactions I've gotten from nurses on clinicals, it sounds like we are very needed and very wanted, no matter what our age!! I've already had several nurse managers tell me to come in after graduation and work on their units (but I want to work in NICU or peds, so I haven't taken anyone up on offers yet). We'll see how it goes, but I'm not too concerned. If you are competent and confident, age is a number!!!!
kadell
83 Posts
I am 37 and nearing the end of my first year in an ADN program.
I have 3 kids, -- 11,9,and 7
It isso hard to juggle kids and school.
They are great kids and really understanding but I have a lot of guilt about it