Older Nursing Student 1st Timer

Published

Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.

Hey Guys!

My name is John and I am in New Mexico. I just resigned from my job at Intel as a Technical Project Manager to go to school full time to get my RN. I am in my late 40's and decided that I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life than spend my remaining time in the workforce sitting in a cubicle. I spent a year taking my pre-requisite courses at UNM. Unfortunately, in New Mexico they have 2-3 year waiting lists for the BSN programs and for the ADN programs. I have my Master's of Science in Radiology and my undergraduate degree is in Biology. They made me take A&P I and II, and Patho I and II. I finally got accepted into an awesome program at Santa Fe Community College, it's their first accelerated program leading to an RN. I probably won't go back to get another BS degree since I already have my Master's in a Human Health Science. I am in my first semester and I am so grateful to have gotten in. I am working hard and I have to drive over 100 miles a day but the campus is beautiful and it has an awesome vibe. Best of all, the instructors and faculty are so encouraging and supportive. I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my career life. I want to work in ICU or perhaps go to CRNA school and volunteer with Doctors without Borders.

Anyway, I wanted to hook up with other nursing students and male nurses just to get support and encouragement and to learn from you guys too. Nursing school is going to be challenging but I figure if I worked and traveled full time with Intel AND managed to make good grades at our university in A&P and Patho, then I can do anything. Pathophysiology at the University of New Mexico was perhaps the most CHALLENGING and difficult course I"ve ever taken. It was far more difficult than Organic (in my opinion). I am so glad it's over! I think I am going to have fun in school.

Anyway, Just wanted to say hello and hopefully make some buddies on line.

John

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Congratulations, John.

I'm not sure I could travel that 100 miles each day, and I could certainly see how that might get old quickly. Have you thought about moving (even if it is only short term) closer to the University?

Good Luck,

Michael

Hey Guys!

My name is John and I am in New Mexico. I just resigned from my job at Intel as a Technical Project Manager to go to school full time to get my RN. I am in my late 40's and decided that I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life than spend my remaining time in the workforce sitting in a cubicle. I spent a year taking my pre-requisite courses at UNM. Unfortunately, in New Mexico they have 2-3 year waiting lists for the BSN programs and for the ADN programs. I have my Master's of Science in Radiology and my undergraduate degree is in Biology. They made me take A&P I and II, and Patho I and II. I finally got accepted into an awesome program at Santa Fe Community College, it's their first accelerated program leading to an RN. I probably won't go back to get another BS degree since I already have my Master's in a Human Health Science. I am in my first semester and I am so grateful to have gotten in. I am working hard and I have to drive over 100 miles a day but the campus is beautiful and it has an awesome vibe. Best of all, the instructors and faculty are so encouraging and supportive. I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my career life. I want to work in ICU or perhaps go to CRNA school and volunteer with Doctors without Borders.

Anyway, I wanted to hook up with other nursing students and male nurses just to get support and encouragement and to learn from you guys too. Nursing school is going to be challenging but I figure if I worked and traveled full time with Intel AND managed to make good grades at our university in A&P and Patho, then I can do anything. Pathophysiology at the University of New Mexico was perhaps the most CHALLENGING and difficult course I"ve ever taken. It was far more difficult than Organic (in my opinion). I am so glad it's over! I think I am going to have fun in school.

Anyway, Just wanted to say hello and hopefully make some buddies on line.

John

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey John, I am not in a program yet but I will be applying for programs this fall... It seems like we are on the same path (I want to go on to become a CRNA as well, I get this a lot with male nurses since its the most lucrative) if you have any questions about nursing schools out here in California or any other information feel free to msg me...

BTW... Great Choice! Im 25 and Ive worked 9 different jobs in 5 different fields before I finally had it as well with bad jobs that don't pay enough and didnt allow me to have more than 2 days a week off...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
Hey Guys!

Anyway, I wanted to hook up with other nursing students and male nurses just to get support and encouragement and to learn from you guys too.

Anyway, Just wanted to say hello and hopefully make some buddies on line.

John

:grpwlcm::mnnnrsngrk:

Welcome John, you'll find a lot of support and good info here.... It's always nice to see guys joining our ranks!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats!

I pretty much made the same decision a year and a half ago.

I start at UA's ABSN in 2 weeks. The 115m from home in Tempe to UA in Tucson was too much of a commute (in an accelerated program there isn't enough time in the day to spend 5 hours) to contemplate so I will be living in Tucson and the family will be commuting down on weekends for the next 14 months...

Good luck!

Mark

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi John. I'm 33 and about to graduate LPN in Aug. It looks like I'll be doing my RN online. It would be much easier and I really don't want another year of HELL!!! I'm married with 2 kids. Just hang in there. And when it gets bad just remember there is a light to the endless....sorry end of this tunnel. It seems endless. Angie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello John,

I am at Intel and wanting to do the same and in my late 30s. Currently at CNM doing some prereqs (sciences outdated and need a couple others). Let me know how you like SFCC I may go that route after I get these classes done. I have BS in in computer science and just need a change and want out of the factory!

I am currently planning on the med/surg tech program at CNM also if I have to wait for nursing program. Have met a couple people at CNM that have been waiting 1-1.5 years already and I don't think I want to wait that long. I will have prereqs done by next summer and want to leave Intel after that (sabbatical next summer as well!). My go money route of Apollo or PMI then do RN to BSN later if need be. Looking at going CRNA in the future.

As for the drive to Santa Fe, winter will be the worst of it but worth if much shorter waiting list.:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sounds like there might be more than one person doing the drive... carpool and do nclex flash cards every day... you'd have more review time than any other students!!!

Good luck!

Mark

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Hey ScoobyGirl,

Congrats on the upcoming graduation! :D

I'd like to get started on my RN when I graduate this Sept. from LPN school. Who have you decided to go with to get your online RN? I've heard SO much, both good and bad, about just about EVERY school out there!

How did you base your decision?

Best regards,

Michael

Hi John. I'm 33 and about to graduate LPN in Aug. It looks like I'll be doing my RN online. It would be much easier and I really don't want another year of HELL!!! I'm married with 2 kids. Just hang in there. And when it gets bad just remember there is a light to the endless....sorry end of this tunnel. It seems endless. Angie
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Welcome, John.

Congratulations on escaping cubicle-farm hell. I am (or was, anyway) an engineer and I certainly don't miss that aspect of the career.

I think you'll be pleased being in an accelerated program. I just finished my first semester in an accelerated program and I'm grateful for the pace.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a recovering techie (10+ years) now in my junior year of a nursing program in CO. I considered UNM at one point when it became apparent that I was likely to be laid-off. I survived that scare but when the nursing bug bit I took the next severance package they offered!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Aren't there nursing programs in Clovis and down in Silver City as well?

It seems like UNM could expand its nursing program....Had two cousins and a couple of friends who graduated and became doctors at UNM..

University hospital is sure big enough to accomodate the extra help..and busy enough.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion