frogdream

I have just completed my first 11 months as a new RN (2nd career with lot's of other work experience). The first 4 months were the worst work months of my life. I really, for the first time in my life, began to doubt whether I was up to it. I stuck with it and things got better and better. I feel much more confident now and am able to handle the job. I am always aware of how much there is to learn. I say give it 6 months at least.

HI! I had just turned 59 when I graduated from an ADN program last December (2010). I have other degrees, decided to go to nursing school 3 years prior to that. I then go a job in administration at a major hospital, working for a top MD. I found an evening/weekend ADN program, so I was able to work full time, take advantage of tuition reimbursement and many connections made on the job. The hospital hired me 4 months after graduation. I have now been working > > 2 months. I compare notes with a group of young 20 something new grads that started when I did and don't have any different new grad experience or difficulty than theirs. I did hear from a PCT on my floor in the beginning who told me to my face that the nurses were wondering why they hired an "old" person! (I think she was the one who had the problem with it) but I just carry on and now feel like I am getting more and more accepted into the group. I know that takes a little time. Don't give up if that is what you want to do. Take the advice to network really well, I think maturity is recognized at being very important.

I graduated Dec '10. the only people in my class who have jobs so far, have jobs in the hospital they were working in already. I worked in administration, one was a CNA, etc. I would suggest CNA or unit clerk - wherever you will have contact with nurses and nurse leaders!!

I really like the solution you have outlined above! Sit down, look her in the eye and ask her how you can both work this out in order to make it a little less burdensome for both of you.

As an older experienced person, but new grad nurse who is 2 months into a 4 month orientation, I would like to give you my perspective about preceptors. I have been working with 2 different nurses, mainly. Once in a while 2 others. I have gained a lot hearing things from different perspectives, some have ways of doing things that I can relate to better than others. One thing they all have in common is that when I asked a question about a drug or compatibility, etc, I am told to look it up. I don't ask anymore! Perhaps your new grad would benefit from another person's teaching methods. From your point of view, if you shared with another preceptor who had your same results, you have more documentation to do what you have to do!

I suggest finding a job in a major hospital where you might want to work as a nurse someday. I came from Finance, lost my job, decided to pursue nursing school, was hired in administration in a great hospital, once I finished school, I was hired as a nurse and am very happy. So far the only classmates that have found jobs are the ones who were already working in hospitals as CNA's, or administration. I attended a weekend-evening ADN program and worked full time. I have no children and nursing school was all-consuming. I am now working towards my BSN online. I took the longer route, but you need to know that eventually you need the BSN these days.

I have an ADN (BA in another subject), just started my 1st RN job in acute care and start an online BSN program next week. I am only taking one class to start with. I can put it on hold if I can't handle it. I assume that the remaining BSN classes will not be as difficult and time-consuming as the clinical Nursing classes - I don't think anything will be as difficult! But I will let you know.

There are lots of admin jobs or even unit clerk. I came from finance, found a job as an administrative secretary in the hospital. There are also many types of service jobs. I think the fact that I told them at all interviews that I had decided to become a nurse (but would be there at least 2 years in that job) helped me get the job - i.e. interest in healthcare.

I just graduated from an ADN program in Jan 2011, and passed the NCLEX last week. I turned 59 in December 2010. I have an RN job lined up because I have been working in a hospital while going to school. Personally, I found myself to be much more focused, disciplined and determined to go through nursing school successfully than when I was younger. It was tough, but extremely satisfying. If your mother hates her present job, maybe she can find work in a hospital until she completes her studies.

You have to understand that you are an adult and need to take charge of your own situation. Don't give the instructor any excuse to misunderstand or doubt the quality of your work (it must actually be quality). You may want to make an appointment to see her privately to discuss how you may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but you should be as diplomatic as possible, take the high road and be humble. You may be able to turn her preconcieved ideas around.

I am in the same situation. I am applying to Utica College, NY. It is a "brick & mortar" college with a good nursing program, fully accredited. The RN-BSN is all online and costs about the same as a NY State University school (in state). You may want to check it out.

I just finished nursing school (yippee!) and 20 lbs heavier! I also work a full time office job which doesn't help. I am actually looking forward to working as an RN for many reasons, but one important one is that I know I will not be planted in front of a computer screen all day as I have been for the past #?! years!! Snacking has also been way too easy and hopefully won't be so easy when you are running around all day.

This month (Dec 2010) I turned 59 and graduated from an Associate degree RN program! I worked full time during the 3 years it took me to get it. (Prereq's + 2 year program). I studied like never before but I have a huge feeling of satisfaction. You can do it if you really want to and are ready to put everything into it.

In September I will start my 4th (out of 4) and last semester in an ADN program designed for working people. All prereqs were done in advance. We have classes in the evenings and our clinicals on Saturdays (8 credits a semester). I work full time in an administrative job. It is really tough, you have to clear you calendar, explain to family and friends that you are not available for the most part when school is in session and put all of your time and energy into work and school. I also have to thank my wonderfudl and supportive husband! One more time and I will be finished, God willing!

I lived and worked in Italy for several years and was under their universal health care system. My income taxes on a salary of approx $50,000 were 60%! Everyone who could afford it, with any kind of serious illness or possibly serious illness worked the system by paying full price to private doctors, and getting tests and drugs paid by the system. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was a surgeon and so when I had to get a diagnostic test done at a hospital, instead of waiting 4 months on the waiting list, he got me in in 3 days. That is what happens in such a system. The poor people without funds and connections go to the back of the line!! I am totally against it. This is the direction we are going in. Why don't members of Congress fall under the new system? Why are certain Unions exempt? They know how the new system will work!

I took both A&P I & II on line through Cayuga. It was great, demanding and well worth it. I am now in a clinical nursing program and am surprised at how much A&P I retained. The entire course (including lab) is online. When you get your transcript it does not mention that it was online. They transferred without a problem into my program (CCNY). Good luck

I am pursuing nursing as a second career. I also have a BA in another field (Psychology) and an MBA in Finance. I came to hate the finance/legal fields! I got an administrative job in a hospital, and I attend an Evening/Saturday Associate degree program. This new job enables me to leave at 5:00PM! I would have loved to do an Accelerated BSN program, but I could not afford to stop working (and pay tuition) for a year. Once I have finished the ADN(Dec 2010) I will first take the NCLEX, get my license, get a nursing job, and start going for the BSN which you can do much of online, then I will decide about the MSN! I am 57 years old!

I am lucky enough to attend a community college, and in addition, I work at a hospital (non-medical administration) that does tuition reimbursement. I couldn't have done it otherwise - too old to take on all that debt!!:bowingpur

I just finished the first semester of Clinical. I had to complete all prerequisites before. I go evenings/weekends and work full time. I have 3 more semesters to go. Oh - I am 57! Lots of work, but I love it and love the challenge.

I just completed my first semester of clinical nursing at BMCC. There is a Math exam at the very beginning of the semester. If you don't get an 80 or better, you can repeat it once. If you fail a second time I believe you fail the class. There are 10 questions, no partial credit, you must get 8/10 correct.

I am 57 and just completed my first semester of clinical nursing (3 to go). I work full time and go to school at night/Saturdays. I love it! It is very demanding at times, but I see the younger students suffering just as much as I do, so its not a matter of age! As was said above, if you are in good health, have good study habits and a good support system, nothing should stop you.

Has anyone heard yet if they were accepted to the BMCC Evening program for Spring 09?

I too am just finishing pre-req's. I applied to many hospitals, many times over for an admin type job which is where all my experience is. When I was finally granted an interview with a live person I explained my desire to pursue nursing. I think that when you are passionate about something, people pick up on it. I told them it would take me a few years, so I wouldn't be leaving real soon. I got the job and the pay cut was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be!! Keep trying!

Hi "older students"!! I am 57 years young. I got really tired of the corporate world and decided to do something to help others while I was still "young"! I have a BA in Psychology so I just (just) had to take the science pre-reqs. I started last spring with Chemistry, took A&P I & II over the summer online, and I am presently taking Microbiology and Math for Nursing. Since I am working full time I hope to get into an evening/weekend program in the spring. I will be finished in Dec 2010 at age 59! I have a study buddy who is a year younger than I! I think maturity and life experience contribute a lot to success in going back to school. You are only as old as you feel! Frogdream

Dear Penguin, I started back to college last spring. I am probably older than you and have not worked in the medical field. I started with Chemistry. I worked extremely hard at first, I had to get back into the Math. I worked then worked very hard. But it paid off. I got an A. What I noticed was the difference in maturity and all the life experience we have had, not to mention the motivation gave me a great advantage. Instead of complaining about an "unfair" exam, I just looked at what I got wrong and studied some more. Most it seemed like stuff from outer space at first, but if I read it over a few times it began to come to me. Study groups definitely help! Good Luck!