I started the LPN program in Aug of 2004. I was 45. My hubby was not happy about me wanting to go to college. He thought it was too much for me to handle. I had signed up and promised I wouldn't go if he said no... I missed the 1st week of school because he couldn't make up his mind, Monday morning I told him that he better tell me if I could go or not and he wouldn't say anything so I took that as a yes and went to college.... I went to my 1st class and it was Nursing 1 the instructor took attendance and afterwards she asked me to pick up my books and step out into the hall she said that I couldn't start a week late that they have already taken a test and I missed the lecture. So I didn't say a word and went to the councilors' office and asked if there ANY of the programs in this college that the student guide didn't applied to. He said no, so I turned right around and went back to the class. Sat down asked if I could have the power point. And she handed it to me. After the lecture she said I would need to take the test tomorrow. I said fine. I took the 1st test and the second test on the same day... I failed the first test because they take 10% off for taking it late. I got an 80% (a C) on the second one. So I just plugged away... continued on. At Midterm my instructor pulled me aside and told me I was at a high D... I asked her if she was kicking me out. She said no because I had perfect attendance. I told her that it's not over until the fat lady sings and this fat lady hasn't sung yet!!! I paid for this and I was going to go to the end even if I failed it... I would just take it over if I had to. I passed with a B!!! I only had one wrong on the final! The second semester I took 3 classes online A&P II, Psycho social & med terminology that helped with the sleep issue. I could do them on my own time. Our school has open enrollment and I took 18- 21 credits a semester I graduated with a 3.5 GPA in three semesters. I continued taking my Co required pre- req. classes so that my work load would be lighter later in the RN program. I worked 5 nights a week as the Charge nurse on the night shift, and 3 day shifts. I was accepted into the part time program. So my RN program was 3 semesters long. I only had the core classes left.... Thank God. Those classes were the hardest classes I have ever had. Organization was one of the keys to my success I bought a large day planner. Everything about school and personal life was in it. I knew when my tests were and when projects were due. If future papers were on the agenda I kept a list of ideas or things I would like to research. I always kept in mind what my future practice would entail. (Geriatrics) It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had many struggles though it I worked for local nursing home full time. I work 10 shifts per 2 week period. And usually work 1 to 2 - 12 hour shifts if someone called in. I graduated with a 3.12 I didn't get any time off. With school and work it was 12 days straight until my weekend off. I told the "kids" the other students that this is just a short Blip in my life and I will get through it. I graduated in May of 2007. Took the NCLEX the same day my 1st granddaughter was born...(I knew my daughter was in labor but she and my husband did not want me to postpone it) well I took the test and made it back to my daughters side to have my hand in on the delivery. (Another story some day.) I found I had passed the NCLEX the next day. I worked in Geriatrics for 4 ½ years. This January I started at the Local hospital in the In Patient mental Heath Unit. I have enjoyed this immensely. They have asked me to apply for the Clinical Nurse Supervisor but I have decided that I no longer want that responsibility. That's my story.... Yes keep going don't stop... it is so easy to let life get in the way. And you know what... what other people think is unimportant. The rewards are great. I finally have job satisfaction!!