msgm

Just wondering how things have gone, Maryea and others. I was in the LVN-RN transition program when I posted in 2012. I finished my BSN this past summer at 57 years of age. Best move I've ever made as I now have a job in management. Hope you are continuing!

I am doing the exact thing in critical care class. Just using the app that came with my phone. It works great.

I asked the same question a few years ago when I went for my LPN. I'm 53. I was a stay-at-home with occasional part-time jobs. Your husband sounds like mine. Anyway, there is SO MUCH to be said for being new and excited, no burn out. Having life experiences will help you so much more than a "young brain". Having memorized facts doesn't mean you'll have the maturity to react appropriately. I'm doing the transition to RN program now. I have a 3.5ish avg. The younger ones memorize for the testing. I work to understand the information, memorize, and know how to quickly retrieve it should I forget. You can do it! I know many 50 and 60 yr olds doing this because they want to! You'll get older no matter what you choose to do! There are mushy brains at all ages and it sounds like you do not have one! LOL!

I missed your reply back in 2006, LVN1974. I did do the program a few years later and am so happy that I did! I'm now applying for the LVN-RN program. There are people older than me going back to school. It's been great!

Sounds like some nurses have developed poor habits and others are not knowledgeable. Follow your gut and what you've been taught.

Do it! I kept putting it off, but decided to go for it. It's easier with kids grown, too. I'm working full-time. It's tough, but worth it.

My two sons had problems for years. We changed to a Sodium lauryl sulfate-free toothpaste and they took L-Lysine if they felt one coming on. They didn't need the L-Lysine after several months of using the SLS-free toothpaste. It's been wonderful!

We were going to be required to purchase it through our program. Yep, expensive! However, a last minute grant paid for ATI for all of the students. It is a required supplement, but grades are not counted. I've found it very helpful and really like it. I'd have to think about whether I'd willingly buy it or not.

I want to be a nurse like the majority that we encountered. As the mom of a former, chronically-ill child, I am so thankful for the nurses that cared for us! My dh or I was with him all day and every night, except for the 6 month NICU stay. However, in PICU, I needed to go to the bathroom, shower, or cafeteria. Since they usually had two patients, it wasn't a problem. On the floor, we were frequently in a room down the hall and no one was near. We were eight feet from the elevator and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone. I only needed help when I ran to the cafeteria when meals weren't provided. I LOVED having the hospital volunteer "Grannies" come in to take care of him. They were wonderful and we had no family nearby to help. They spoiled him rotten and would stop by and ask me to "go have some fun" for an hour or two. There were also student nurses who would volunteer to help. Since we were in so frequently and for long periods of time, it was so nice. It's been 10 years, but I haven't forgotten their kindness. I'll never forget David in PICU, who practically ordered dh and I to go out to eat and to a movie. He had one patient "knocked out" and wasn't scheduled to get any new admit. He wanted to watch a football game. Dh and I returned to find him rocking our son and watching the end of the game. LOL! We also had wonderful nurses who grew close to our other son who was three years older. I also remember the nurses who made us feel like a request for anything was a bother. We had the rep of being devoted parents who never complained, so it wasn't that we were constantly a problem. Those nurses didn't remain in pediatrics very long. Working with kids and dealing with their parents can be a challenge!

This is exactly what my mom said to me today! I just turned 48 and am considering taking a 12 month LVN course 25 miles from home. I would have to drive an hour for the associate degree and that would be more difficult right now. I've wanted to be a nurse since going through the medical experience with my special needs son (now 14). Dh, older ds, dd, parents are very encouraging. I was concerned about my age being the barrier in getting accepted to a program. Your posts have really encouraged me!! Maybe I do have a chance! Thanks! I really believe that I can do well in all aspects of the program. My son was very medically-involved for his first five years, so I proved to myself that certain aspects of nursing wouldn't bother me. His medical problems have been resolved, but he has problems that I'm sure are due to Hypoxia-related events. He's such a joy! Since he was NICU for seven months and the PICU for one month before heading home, I saw much--nursing, politics, patient attitudes. I'm sure it was only the surface. Since they test in Jan, Feb, March & April, I have a wait ahead for me. I'll use that time to research, brush up on testing areas, and get my "ducks in a row".