Older Nursing students

MissMcCoy · Apr 13, 2011

Oh I sooo know how you feel.

Sings&Shoots · Apr 13, 2011

I'm waiting to find out if I've been accepted to my first choice school. I have been accepted to my backup and I'm very nervous too. I'm 43. My children are 25 & 19, so I don't have small children at home but I know that I will still be consumed with studying.

studentinnursing · Apr 13, 2011

I am 42 and just got accepted into a BSN program that starts next month. I'm terrified that I won't be able to handle the work load. I have 4 kids (youngest is 6) and I'm worried about them being neglected. I have an extremely supportive and flexible husband whom I am eternally grateful for. I think I'm getting cold feet! I have earned all A's the past 3 semesters for my pre-reqs, but I realize those aren't anything like the nursing classes will be. I know older people with kids do this every day....I think I'm just second guessing myself.
I wish I felt as confident about going to nursing school as all these young kids appear to be.

You got it! Dont worry, I'm 38 with a 3 and 10 year old, split up after 20 years with my husband while doing prereq's, halfway through nursing school. You can do it, especially id you have help; dont let it stress you, never believed the stuff about losing mu As, buy I do now, LOL, and as long as I learn how to be a great nurse, finish my bachelor degree (have all my preqs done for BSN), get into MSN, dont care about my grades. Point is, you can do it if you want to do it, is what it is :)

butterfly journey · Apr 14, 2011

Well, I will be 42 this year and I am 3 semesters into a 4 semester program. Yikes, I won't lie and tell you that it's easy 'cause it isn't. I have a 7 yo son and he and my husband spend "quality time" together when it's time for me to study. I have missed some things that my son has done, but for the most part I've made it to the ones that matter and that's what he remembers. I do make sure that I have time with just he and I so that he knows I haven't forgotten him. And I really make sure to give him all my attention when he approaches me while I'm in my study room so that he knows he's still number #1 over nursing school. I'm happy I made the decision to do this. It's been a real plus in my life and has brightened my future.

juelrybox · Apr 14, 2011

Graduated from RN program at 41 now studying for NCLEX test at 42.

studentinnursing · Apr 14, 2011

You got it! Dont worry, I'm 38 with a 3 and 10 year old, split up after 20 years with my husband while doing prereq's, halfway through nursing school. You can do it, especially id you have help; dont let it stress you, never believed the stuff about losing mu As, buy I do now, LOL, and as long as I learn how to be a great nurse, finish my bachelor degree (have all my preqs done for BSN), get into MSN, dont care about my grades. Point is, you can do it if you want to do it, is what it is :)

Geez, sorry about all those typos, was on my phone when I posted that.

TomRN1 · May 1, 2011

I graduated last year and am 51 yrs. old. I find that the patients I work with respect me as their nurse as many of them are near my age. I also enjoyed a bond with younger students that really didn't care that I was older, in fact they were encouraging. Better late than never! I enjoy learning too! Wish I could be in school full-time, but I have bills to pay!

lrlat · May 1, 2011

I have already been accepted nursing school ....and NO you are not alone! I am 46 grandmother of four, with three grown children. Just felt it was finally time to make my dreams come true:) Even managed to get into 2 Honor Societies!!

Tricia76 · May 1, 2011

I am 35.I will be 38 when I finish nursing school. I am fixing to start my pre-reqs May 31st.

Ayala · May 3, 2011

Congrats to the older students and the aspiring older students.

Age is not a barrier. It's never to late to follow a dream.

My mom is 84 and she still works!

Don't let the pre-reqs scare you. If you want it, you can get it. When I took my prereqs with all these younger folk I felt like manky old cat. I had setbacks, I had bad times, I just never gave up. I asked for help. I tried new ways of doing things. I banned negative self-talk.

Let me tell you, I saw many smart, self-confident, young things crash and burn during prereqs. But the manky old cat still has her nine lives.

The day I got accepted to the program of my choice was the happiest day of my life.

Tricia - go out there and show them how it's done. Hurray for you!

suecon04 · May 3, 2011

I'm 47 and just got my acceptance letter Saturday to start Spring 2012. I was so pleasantly surprised because I didn't think I would have enough points. I am currently finishing up A&P I, Micro, my last eng, and my last math. I am enrolled in A&P II for the Fall. I get a little anxious about my age. I think it is normal. But I am excited about doing something I love, working with people, school is an exciting challenge for me (I am in the honors program, I was not a very good student in high school barely passing with Cs and Ds) and my 4 kids are are so proud of me!! When we get anxious about our age, I guess it's just a little scary facing our mortality. But every day is new and full of opportunity whether you are 25 or 65. Life is good!! And I am honored to be part of the nursing (pre-nursing) community. Good Luck to everyone!!

Oh, by the way, I happened to look at the date my letter was mailed out and it was on my Birthday, April 20. Happy Birthday to ME!!!

FLhusker · May 3, 2011

suecon....Congrats! I, too, have 4 children, am 42 and start my nursing program next week. I'm terrified!! I'm worried that my kids, youngest is 6, won't get their mom for 2 years! I sometimes think that my pre-reqs, which I earned high A's in, were somehow easier than everyone else's pre-reqs and that I won't really be able to do well in NS. I sure hope I'm building it up to be harder than it really is! Good luck to you and all the other non-traditional students out there!