Older Nursing Students

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Anyone out there who are older nursing students who work a part time job too? Any advice on how to study the material? Feedback would be helpful. I am in in fast paced 13 month program and have a medical background... it is administration.

I was working FULL time and going to school FULL time for most of my schooling (had to leave my position October 3).

I used an NCLEX review book to study alot of the time. Saunder's is a great resource. It's got an outline format, which I learn well with, and then great rationale for the questions. If I then needed more help understanding something, I went to our ATI books.

In our program, we are given (and pay for, of course) a package of ATI books (http://www.atitesting.com/global/students/review-modules.aspx) and DVDs that have great info to prep you for NCLEX, but it was really helpful to use when learning complex subjects.

I didnt' have the energy to read our textbooks. I would fall asleep after a few pages or simply read paragraphs over and over and not "get it." When I gave that up...I did much better. I use the text when I need more help with a subject...but it's not my first step.

I don't know if it will work for anyone else, but that's how I've made it to my last semester (and done quite well!)

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I am 54, recently retired from teaching elementary grades and taking my first pre-req for nursing. I don't have a background in the sciences....I am "quaking" a bit but am determined to learn. I am in the Atlanta area and anxious to hear from those of you who may be in a similar situation. I feel pretty sure I am one of the OLDER ones in the groups.....doesn't bother me.....just thrilled and excited that I am having the opportunity to begin what I have dreamed for a long time. Thanks for all the great messages. I have been reading on this site each night and finally decided to join in on the forum.

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Hi, I was wonderong how your schooloing is going? Im 52 and taking the last 2 pre-reqs b4 clinicals. I sure hope I get in. I live in the LaGrange area. Its nice to see someone else my age going for it too.:yeah:.

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I am so proud of all the women here I am 41 and about to start school, I know we can do it!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

If I can do it, you can too! I graduated NS 2 years ago at 53

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Was getting into NS really hard?

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Specializes in IMCU.
I'll join! Graduated with BSN as a 52 year old, now 55 and am a certified wound/ostomy nurse.

I really doubted my choice at first, but now I have found my niche.

Go, oldies!

Oldiebutgoodie

Its really great to find so many of us on here. Where I work there are quiet a few nurses my age and older but they are all old veterans. There is one resident who is probably in her late 40's early 50's but I haven't had a chance to get to know her yet. I really am glad to hear from so many either in school or who started in their 50's. I think the issues we share may be a bit unique. Put me down for the over 50 club!

Mahage

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Specializes in IMCU.
Was getting into NS really hard?

It wasn't hard for me. I applied to two programs and was accepted in both. Our community college program accepted me on my first application. I chose to go to a private program because it was summers only. It was considered very hard to get into the community college program because there was so much competition. I needed to work as much as I could, so I felt the summers only private school program was the best option for me as it was 3 summers where we went for 4 months. This was an accelerated 12 month program. They told us it would be like "taking a shower under a fire hose!" They were right. But our program was great. Everyone passed NCLEX in our class. Our professors were incredibly supportive. It was worth the extra expense.

It is hard to believe all the horror stories I hear about nasty nazi instructors and the "elimination approach" that many schools take to keep their NCLEX oass rate up. Our instructors took it as a personal failure if any of us did poorly, thus they were very motivated to go the extra mile with us. This proved to be a God send for me as my daughter became very ill before my first summer ended and my instructors allowed me to take all the time off I needed and to complete my clinicals in Oct. which I would have completed in Aug. had she not become critically ill. This school really went the extra mile with me and several other students that I know of.

Explore all your options. Don't just limit yourself to one program. If you don't get in the first time, reapply. Many quality people don't get in the first time. I had prereqs with another gal who was younger than me but her kids were grown. One was an RN. She and I were always neck n'neck in our prereq grades and she wasn't accepted first go around. :confused: She only applied to the community college. I heard she went into the LPN program with plans to do transition from LPN to RN. That is an option for some.

Good luck to you and every one else working on prereqs.

Mahage

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Thanks for the encouragement. Great idea about sitting in on an additional class!

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I have six pre-req to go before I apply to NS, 2 are A&P , I also have to take the ACT and make a 19 . I think if I can do all of that I am going to be ready for anthing!! I work as a hairstylist now and have a husband and a 4 year old so I know things won't be easy but reading what all of you have done really moves me!!!!

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Specializes in IMCU.
I have six pre-req to go before I apply to NS, 2 are A&P , I also have to take the ACT and make a 19 . I think if I can do all of that I am going to be ready for anthing!! I work as a hairstylist now and have a husband and a 4 year old so I know things won't be easy but reading what all of you have done really moves me!!!!

A 4 year old, wowie! You may have a few years on some of the others but you are going back because you really want to. That makes you a very appealing candidate for many programs. I don't envy you however going to school with a little kid. Your husband will need to jump in there and help out. One of my classmates had 3 teenage sons and her husband was a cop. He asked her what she needed him to do when she was in school and she answered "everything" without skipping a beat. Her kids were pretty disciplined and everyone had to increase their load while Mom was in school during the summers.

I had to sacrifice a lot of time with my grandkids. I plan to start school in Jan. for my FNP and I want to have better time management so I can spend more time with them. They say FNP school isn't as hard as AS was. I hope that is true. BSN wasn't as hard as AS was but it took a lot of time to do all the papers we had to do particularly in Community Health.

I know when I start my clinicals, I may have to cut back on my work schedule. We will see what happens.

Mahage

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I wish you luck in FNP!! I am scared to death ,and hope that the teachers have patients with me. The ACT Test is my worry now, I am going to continuing edu for that

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Thanks for the encouragement. Unless you have been thru this - It is hard to understand. All my friends are looking forward to retirement within a few years and here I am just beginning - AGAIN.

Well

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