Older student with ???

rholman · Oct 18, 2008

Hello,

I am also 42 and had to start from the beginning. I started this past summer and I am going for my ADN. I think its your call which you want to pursue first. If you pursue the ADN, most likely you become an RN faster than if you go for your BSN and the cost will probably be cheaper at a community college. It's totally your call.

I also was scared but just push past your fear and go ahead with whatever your decision is. At the end of this semester I would have completed 4 classes already. Considering I am a little older I have to study a bit harder to retain the info but it's doable.

Good Luck:up:

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Oct 19, 2008

Going to school at an...uh...advanced age is certainly scary, but it can be done. I was in my late 30s when I started, hadn't been to school in 20 some-odd years. God willing, I'll graduate with my ADN in May of 2009.

I'd never had any thought of working in health care. I'd spent 15 years or so working on death row for the state prison system, and a few years supervising a credit card call center.

I don't believe in letting your age stop you from doing anything you can still physically do.

dsomday · Oct 19, 2008

I too am 42 years young. I started 3 years ago from scratch. After I took the Compass, I found that all of those years of math in high school had not really paid off, as I remembered zilch! I decided though if I wanted it bad enough that I could do it, so I started out with pre-req's and just loved it. I never thought I would love school so much! I was preparing for an ADN program, but life happened, and I was unable to finish. I am now trying for acceptance into an LPN program that starts in 5 weeks, and I am so excited! I too worry about my age and if I will be able to keep up, will it be too hard on my back, etc. But at least I can say I tried! Good luck to you, and know that you are not alone!!

tagevans · Oct 19, 2008

Thanks everybody for your answers. I am just so afraid because I really have to do well. Being out of school for so long is absolutely frightening and I am terrified that I will not be able to make it. I also am just worried about how am I going to be able to make all my bills when I get into the actual nursing courses, cause I have read so many posts that say u can't work and GPA has to be extremely high.........talking about pressure!!! :bugeyes: But thanks again for answering and hopefully I will be a student in January

dreameyes1 · Oct 19, 2008

hello there,

I have had the pleasure to be in class with mature students.

I have attempted myself at becoming a nurse twice.

The first time in a ADN Pogram , i had several mature classmated and they took it in stride. One of my most memorable classmates/ friends turned 51 the week before graduation and bought a Hummer for herself as reward . So yes it can be done . You have more live experience and will not be rattled easily when the younger students stress out. I did not complete the ADN Program due "Life happening". So I went and tried a LPN program instead. I am proud to say that the median age in my class was 35yrs. Had several people that were 51yrs +. SO if you really want to be a nurse .... :nurse: you are the only one that can stand in your way. I myself am 39 yrs. graduated in July and got my license in August. And I worked FT in a group home to support two kids. I wish You good luck !!!!!!

tagevans · Oct 19, 2008

Dreameyes how long did it take you working full time? You are truly an inspiration because I am so concerned that I wont be able to work and study. But one thing you said that is so true is that the only person who can stand in my way is me. Now I just had to fight the financial aid battle.

MrsTLC · Oct 19, 2008

Hi there tagevans,

I am 33 years old and a "professional student". It took me over 5 years to get my AA degree because I went part time... I am now back in school for my medical assisting certification and in January I start taking the rest of my prerequisites for my BSN.

Once you start school you will wonder why you were so worried. I was the same way. The first day of school for the first time is hectic... but after a class or two you will ease into it and it will come naturally to you, I promise. Most students are very mature, regardless of age.... and if you need help, most likely there will be someone in the same situation and will help guide you. College isn't just for "kids" anymore... many people go back to school now after raising families to start their career and its the norm to see quite a few older folks in the classes. Most of my night classes at the community college were between the ages of 28-45... so you wont be alone. Heck... one of the wonderful ladies in my microbiology class was in her 60's. She was retired from her previous career and decided to get into nursing. She was our backbone... we actually had sleepovers at her house when we studied... (all girls, of course)... we became very close.

PLUS, all of us on this board will help you see it through... with encouragement, study tips, and a shoulder and ear to lean on when you need it.

Take care,

Tami

labchic · Oct 19, 2008

Hi!! I'm in the same shoes as you are. I'm 39 and getting my pre-reqs so I can try to get into a nursing program. I'm really nervous about how I'm going to make ends meet, how my time is going to be organized, if I can still retain information, and really if I can even end up getting into a program. My son is 10 and next year he will be riding the bus so I won't have to pay for before and after school programs so that will help on making ends meet. It also looks like I'm going to have to get a bunch of student loans and apparently I will probably be dead before I get them paid off(the up side of this is the financial aid office says that if you die before student loans are paid off your family isn't responsible for them. yeah!! lol) I don't want to waste any time and apparently this next semester they don't have any night A&P classes but they do have an online class. I'm thinking about taking the online class so I don't waste time but then to get into a Nursing program you have to have almost straight A's so then I'm worried about that. Uggg.

I'm just going for my ADN for now and then I'll probably try to finish up my BSN. I might have to start out as an LPN just to get into a program. Good luck!! I'm sure you can do it...we old girls are the bomb!!

dreameyes1 · Oct 20, 2008

Hello there tagevans,

It took me all together 3 years off and on. I ended up taking out a school loan to make sure that I had the finances ( uniforms, textbooks etc.) and made up in my mind that I would work as long as I can but if it interfered with nursing school I would quit work and try my best to focus on finishing school. Had to study:typing many nights until midnight or later and I was really sleep deprived:zzzzz but I am positive that ALL that are here can do it. And we are here to help each other . I had to learn that lesson form my then 11yr old daughter. When I did not pass my midterm in the ADN Program , she sat and cried with me:cry:.After about 5 minutes she stopped and asked " So Mom what school are you going to , to get your nurse???????":nurse:. I did not want to hear anything about nursing but she did not let me give up MY dream. And we will be there to help You reach Yours!!!! WHen the last semester of LPN school started and we all knew that we had only 8 wks to go the entire class got nervous. But we encouraged each other & helped each other in anyway we could even if it meant just lending an ear or helping with some study tips , babysitting so that someone could catch a few moments to themselves ( trust me those will be very few).You wil need to rely on friends and family a lot but it is all worth it. :yeah:

Got my fingers crossed for You and all that are on that long journey to follow their dream and their heart.:grad:

seaspray700777 · Oct 21, 2008

Hi: I am 50 and I really had to start from scratch. I had to take adult ed math courses to be admitted to college. I am now in my last class before nursing school. Sometimes I get stressed and think "can I do this" then I look at the paper hanging on my frig. I keep a paper and mark off the courses I pass and I do see how far I have come. I dont take anything for granted. I worked for all this. but as I posted on another post, just know when you become a student of science, people especially your family will think you are an alien because you think different. case in point, one post said "I study so much I confuse myself" this is me. As far as going for your BSN, go for it if you think you can balance work and school. I had to cut back to 24 hours a week. Overnignts every weekend 12 hr shift. You can take out student loans to help get you through. I did. Just know you are not alone out there. You can do it. It is the most wonderful thing I have ever done for myself even thought since I started I have more grey hair but oh they are so pretty:redbeathe:nurse:

tagevans · Oct 21, 2008

Seaspray,

Thank you for the words of encouragement!! I am really stressing right now. Sometimes I just dont see how I am gonna make it with work, home, school and just everyday life. I now find out today that I may miss the Fin Aid deadline and can't start until May. That is so disapointing, but it may be for the best. At least it will give me time to brush up on math and some other skills. Good luck to you and i wish you all the best in school.