Nursing Students over 35

Cfitz · Feb 7, 2008

I'm 43, 44 in August, and in my last semester of nursing school - WOOOHOOOOOO!!! I'm married (20 years) and have 4 sons, 10, 14, 17 and 19.

It has been interesting... I have battled burnout here and there. We had our psych rotation in the summer along with our leadership rotation, and our instructors would like to have killed us with busy work and paperwork, and that was the most difficult semester. I about wanted to quit. But plugged on, and here I am, finished in 12 weeks!! I can't believe how quickly it went by.

The problem is, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. L&D? Nursery? ED? OR? I just don't know! And I need some cool nursing shoes for pinning. Any ideas about any of that? : D

~Christy

Kunda · Feb 8, 2008

Scrubaway, I tried a couple times to go to nursing school. The first time I was enrolled and ready to go and my son was diagnosed with cancer. The second time my husband had a heart attack.

I find myself a widow now with grown children and needed to get a life. There was simply no other option. I've spent so much time sitting in hospitals watching and being grateful to the nurses.

I know I could be a wonderful nurse but as far as being a student, I'm obsessive and stressed to the max. LOL like every other nursing student.

Batman24 · Feb 8, 2008

Late 30's and will be in my 40's by the time I officially start NS. I have 5 (maybe 4 if my challenge goes through) and a HHA course to complete while on the waiting list. I figured better late than never. If I don't try it I will regret it. Cheers gang!!

Batman24 · Feb 8, 2008

Scrubaway, I tried a couple times to go to nursing school. The first time I was enrolled and ready to go and my son was diagnosed with cancer. The second time my husband had a heart attack.
I find myself a widow now with grown children and needed to get a life. There was simply no other option. I've spent so much time sitting in hospitals watching and being grateful to the nurses.
I know I could be a wonderful nurse but as far as being a student, I'm obsessive and stressed to the max. LOL like every other nursing student.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your son is doing well.

My mother went to nursing school and graduated when I was 10. She was lucky in that she didn't need to work, but always wanted to be a nurse and my father encouraged her with all his might. Fast forward 4 years and my father died in his early 40's of heart disease quite unexpectedly. Thankfully we were left in a great place financially. My mother has been so grateful that she became a nurse because it gave her purpose. She also found great solace in the fact that she would always have a job if needed. I bet your husband would be proud as well.

Cfitz · Feb 8, 2008

Kunda and Batman, I'm sorry for the losses you've both experienced, wow.

Batman, my youngest son is 10 and I'm just about finished with nursing school. It has definitely changed our relationship to some degree - some good, some bad. He is more self-sufficient than he was before I was so busy, which I think is a good thing. But the time we used to spend together - going places, playing games, hanging out - that has decreased quite a bit since starting school. I know he sees me doing my homework and studying and I think part of him is proud, but I also think he partially resents the time that has been taken away from him. My husband felt that way at first - I was a stay-home mom for 17 years before this - but once he adjusted it was all good.

Overall I think nursing school has been good for me and my family, despite the struggles with time and the stress it added. I hear what you said about your father dying unexpectedly - it's tough to think something like that would happen, but as you know too well, you just never know what's in the "plan". I will always have nursing to sustain us if we need that.

I wish you all the best - those of you just beginning this journey, and those of you in the middle of it. It's tough, but it's doable. Nursing is a calling, and when you're called to something, a way will be made.

gaajr1, RN · Feb 8, 2008

Scrubaway, I tried a couple times to go to nursing school. The first time I was enrolled and ready to go and my son was diagnosed with cancer. The second time my husband had a heart attack.
I find myself a widow now with grown children and needed to get a life. There was simply no other option. I've spent so much time sitting in hospitals watching and being grateful to the nurses.
I know I could be a wonderful nurse but as far as being a student, I'm obsessive and stressed to the max. LOL like every other nursing student.

Kunda, my heartfelt sympathy to you. I can now understand your state of mind. Before I go any further, can I ask you how your son is doing? I sincerely hope he is on the road to recovery.

Being a student added to all that is going on is definetly difficult but not impossible. You are so exhausted just tackling the day to day problems that you stop thinking of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here are a few things I would like to suggest, see if it helps;

If not everyday, every week take out time for yourself for atleast an hour and do something that relaxes you. It can be as simple as reading a book, listening to music, taking a walk or just doing nothing! Trust me, it works miracles.

If you have family/ friends around, explain how burnt out you feel and would like some help. Specify an area you need help in, and go from there. You will be surprised how supportive people can be and what a difference it will make for you.

That said, it is really a good idea to continue your studies and become a nurse. First, this will help you be financially independent and stable; second, it will give you an outlet from the demands of home; you will meet new people and that will give a new perspective to your life. Last but not the least, once you are a nurse, you will in turn give back to the community that helped you in time of need. Just imagine how many lives you will touch.

You will cross this difficult time and if you ever need to vent out or want someone to just listen to you, we are all here. Take care and good luck.

rockenmomRN · Feb 9, 2008

Okay ladies, I'm 33, can I still join you? I have two kids and a husband who has banned me from studying tonight. I'm in may last year of nursing school and if I look at another EKG I may need one myself. Yesterday my 8 year old son told me that he feels like the last time I wanted to play with him he was a baby. He said the only time I ever spend any time with them is snuggle time in the morning...

I know i'm not 35...yet, but I am one of the oldest in my class and only one of 3 that have children who i have to ignore.

eccentricRN · Feb 9, 2008

I am always willing to lend a hand volunteering, but hate when the leaders of various organizations at my kids schools, scouts, church, even nursing school, try to do a hard sell on how I should be giving more of my time (!). Seriously, my time is so limited that personal hygiene is at risk!

:lol2: Seriously TOO FUNNY...personal hygiene definitely went up against alot of things when I was in school...I managed to shower most days...but shaving legs....ahhhh, not so much!!

eranne · Feb 9, 2008

Hi all,

I too am (dare I say it) over 40. 45 to be exact. I find being older my memory isn't what it use to be. Harder to remember and recall information. Especially when you have to read 400 pages in 1 book for 1 test with 25 questions. :bugeyes:

Anyway, I work full time as an LNA in a busy southern NH Emergency Room. I will conitunue in the ER after I graduate in May and take my NCLEX in June.

I have three boys twin 8 year olds and a 6 year old. My husband is great being home after school to get the kids because Im in clinicals or at work. He even cooks dinner and cleans the house. Ya, Im lucky.

Thank goodness Im not the oldest in the class im the 4th oldest. Oh well my classmates are so great there is no generation gap.

Hopefully all his and my hardwork will pay off and I will pass this last semester.

Susan863 · Feb 9, 2008

Rockenmom, I feel for you. I can't speak for the whole group of us, of course, but I personally would vote for you getting support here if you want to! Age being just a number, after all, and circumstances being what we're really up against.

Regardless, you can feel free to PM me personally if you want to. I'm as busy as everyone else on this particular thread, but will try to reply within a day or so to messages asking for support.

Hang in there. You are doing something worthwhile. My mom gave up her career (had no choice) to be a stay-at-home mom, and as a child, I often perceived her as not so happy. Having a mom who has school and work endeavors shows kids of both genders that women can (and should!) have lives of their own, too.

Susan

lvnhopeful · Feb 9, 2008

Saw this forum, read the replies and had to add my own.

I started an LVN program last July and will graduate this July. The class started with 60 students, with one the same age as me (I am fifty five years old). The group is down to 58 now, and may lose a couple more before the end. It was hard in the beginning when I felt as old as the hills and every one around me looked like they should still be in high school. One instructor is older than me, the rest are a lot younger. It was a little uncomfortable in the beginning, only because my conception was that maybe they would have trouble with me as I was older and they would'nt want to try to correct me or tell me what to do. That did not turn out to be true and I am glad. It does make me feel good that outsiders think that I am an instructor when they see me with the youngin's, but I set them right. Also, the younger students come to me with problems and questions and that makes me feel really good too.

As Annal said, my memory isn't what it used to be. I don't have a job and am glad as I don't know that I could get through all the homework and try to keep a family afloat at the same time. My cap is off to all of you hard-working heads of households!

Fortunately, I love A and P and the sciences so I have no problem there, but darned if pharmacy isn't kicking my butt! I don't seem to be to remember meds or even the catagories of meds. This is my pet peeve at school. In every other module I am at the top in grades. I have missed no days and have not been late. (Don't want them to have any regrets for sticking an older woman into the program:))

Maybe I will go on and bridge to RN, but I will not be traumatized at this point in my life if I decide to be an LVN. They are good nurses and have as much to offer as RN's and CNA's.

One last thing, I am happy to let my daughters (I have three, no sons) see that their mother can achieve her goals and that they can do the same.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2008

Just finished my BSN at age 48. I'm young!!!