I am 33 years old, with no college maybe a credit or two i only went for Six months, a very long time ago!
anyway I worked in the city ever since 2006. I got married and started working for my husband, thats a whole nother story. I just had a baby a couple of months ago. My question is, is it to late for me to become a nurse, have I missed the boat for this career? It sounds like 3 years of school, if i get accepted. I just wanted some honest personal opinions, as I am torn!
IT's not too late but there are practically no jobs right now for new graduates. Well, very few jobs for new grads, I should say.
By the time you graduate, the economy might be different. Or not.
It is going to be tough to do school while your baby is so young, but many, many other people have made it while also working and raising kids. You will need lots of babysitter help and infallible transportation, lots of back-up vehicles. Instructors cannot let you off the hook due to lack of sitters or transportation. Each state requires a certain minimum nunmber of hours in class, lab, and clinical (bedside care) in order to sit for the licensing exam and/or obtain a license in that state. When the schools tell you you have to attend, they are not playing. So take it totally seriously and do not plan to be absent except for death. I mean it.
You are going to need to do the pre-requisites for the Nursing program first. These are English, chemistry, physics, maybe sociology, not sure exactly what you will need but you can do some of this online maybe. If you want to save money, attend a community (junior) college. You can do your pre-reqs there and get on the waiting list for the N program. They can advise you on what the rules are for admission to their N program.
You need to think about when and where you will study, how you will have enough time to keep house, sleep, have time for your husband and kids, and still make it through school. It is very difficult but lots here have made it. You just need to be aware that some marriages don't survive the big changes, such as the wife saying she doesn't want to live the husband's dream and wants to pursue her own dreams. I wish you the best with that. Do you think your husband can handle that? In a way, it's rejecting him, although you have to be true to yourself, too. It's a tough call.
Sorry if I'm getting too personal.
You have a choice of online school or in person school. You can get an AA degree (2 years at jr. college), BSN (4 years at a college or university), RN diploma ( 2-3 years at a very few hospital-based schools in the USA - most schools no longer offer the RN diploma, most have gone to the BSN), do a dual BSN-MSN (if you want to become a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Specialist, teach Nursing - later you will need a Ph. D. to teach - or become a Nursing Administrator). It's all tremendously confusing, I know.
Or, do you want to take a 1-2 year course and become an LPN/LVN (the title used for licensed practical or vocational nurse depends on what state you live in). Lots of people first become LPN then go for their RN later. This is the quickest route but there might be fewer for LPN's (not necessarily but something to explore) and the pay is lower than RN. Many LPN's do eventually get their RN.
What type of Nursing are you thinking about? Children? Psychiatric? Surgery? Other? Have you talked with any schools yet or checked into financial aid? Maybe you should talk to hubby first, too, and some nurses.
Whatever you decide, I wish you well. Just do your homework first, go into it with eyes wide open, especially knowing how bad the job market is for new grads.
Another go for it! I became a LPN at age 42 and am currently in my last semester of RN school (age 47). I plan on pursuing my BSN after I get settled in as a RN. I am married and still have a 16 year old and 11 year old at home.
I am 33 years old, with no college maybe a credit or two i only went for Six months, a very long time ago!
anyway I worked in the city ever since 2006. I got married and started working for my husband, thats a whole nother story. I just had a baby a couple of months ago. My question is, is it to late for me to become a nurse, have I missed the boat for this career? It sounds like 3 years of school, if i get accepted. I just wanted some honest personal opinions, as I am torn!
Thanks in advance!!
My friend, one day, you will be 40 years old. Or 50... you will still have to be that old. So now that you've accepted that fact, you can chose to be a nurse at that age or not.
You have no choice in getting older. The real question is, do you want to be a nurse or not.
IT's not too late but there are practically no jobs right now for new graduates. Well, very few jobs for new grads, I should say.
By the time you graduate, the economy might be different. Or not.
It is going to be tough to do school while your baby is so young, but many, many other people have made it while also working and raising kids. You will need lots of babysitter help and infallible transportation, lots of back-up vehicles. Instructors cannot let you off the hook due to lack of sitters or transportation. Each state requires a certain minimum nunmber of hours in class, lab, and clinical (bedside care) in order to sit for the licensing exam and/or obtain a license in that state. When the schools tell you you have to attend, they are not playing. So take it totally seriously and do not plan to be absent except for death. I mean it.
You are going to need to do the pre-requisites for the Nursing program first. These are English, chemistry, physics, maybe sociology, not sure exactly what you will need but you can do some of this online maybe. If you want to save money, attend a community (junior) college. You can do your pre-reqs there and get on the waiting list for the N program. They can advise you on what the rules are for admission to their N program.
You need to think about when and where you will study, how you will have enough time to keep house, sleep, have time for your husband and kids, and still make it through school. It is very difficult but lots here have made it. You just need to be aware that some marriages don't survive the big changes, such as the wife saying she doesn't want to live the husband's dream and wants to pursue her own dreams. I wish you the best with that. Do you think your husband can handle that? In a way, it's rejecting him, although you have to be true to yourself, too. It's a tough call.
Sorry if I'm getting too personal.
You have a choice of online school or in person school. You can get an AA degree (2 years at jr. college), BSN (4 years at a college or university), RN diploma ( 2-3 years at a very few hospital-based schools in the USA - most schools no longer offer the RN diploma, most have gone to the BSN), do a dual BSN-MSN (if you want to become a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Specialist, teach Nursing - later you will need a Ph. D. to teach - or become a Nursing Administrator). It's all tremendously confusing, I know.
Or, do you want to take a 1-2 year course and become an LPN/LVN (the title used for licensed practical or vocational nurse depends on what state you live in). Lots of people first become LPN then go for their RN later. This is the quickest route but there might be fewer for LPN's (not necessarily but something to explore) and the pay is lower than RN. Many LPN's do eventually get their RN.
What type of Nursing are you thinking about? Children? Psychiatric? Surgery? Other? Have you talked with any schools yet or checked into financial aid? Maybe you should talk to hubby first, too, and some nurses.
Whatever you decide, I wish you well. Just do your homework first, go into it with eyes wide open, especially knowing how bad the job market is for new grads.
Thank you so much for your response, and your right def alot to think about, some serious choices to be made. yes my husband will probably be extremely upset, but ive made the decision that its not about his happiness anymore, its about mine. Ive been working for him for three years and its been a nightmare for me. Its about time I focus on me and only me. babysitting is no problem as i have parents and my inlaws that cant get enough of the baby. Im not sure what type of nurse i wanted to be, but i did picture a hospital atmosphere, maybe the maternity wing? not sure if this is easy to get into or not. I am calling my local schools and inquiring it will probably take me a few months to make this decision as there are many other things to be considered! again thank you for your response!
One quick question, how do I know if there is a high demand where I live for LPN or RN's? Would the school know? I know you said the economy is bad, but Ive heard that nurses have been high in demand for a few years, dont know if this is still true, but where could I go to get accurate info on this?
One quick question, how do I know if there is a high demand where I live for LPN or RN's? Would the school know? I know you said the economy is bad, but Ive heard that nurses have been high in demand for a few years, dont know if this is still true, but where could I go to get accurate info on this?
Thanks!!
Check your local hospitals on the internet, and see what types of jobs they are offering. I don't know what part of NY your from, but most says that area of the nation is over loaded with nurses who cannot find jobs easily. Most places now only want experienced nurses. Who knows when that will change. There used to be a high demand for nurses, now there is a high demand for nursing jobs. Go to your state forum on here to see what's being said about your area. That would be one good way to sort out info!
indigonurse
216 Posts
You are still a young un. If this is what you want to do I find no reason why you cant do it. I think it is a great idea.