RNKat23

It's absolutely possible! :-) I had always wanted to be a nurse, but wasn't sure I could do it. After earning a business degree, and then being a SAHM for 10 years I decided to take the plunge. I went back to school at age 35, graduated at 37, and am now (at 39) working as an RN in a local ER and LOVE IT!!! I have four kids, 16, 14, 12, and 8 and a wonderful husband who supported my dream. Was it tough? YES! Was it worth it? YES!!!! And what an example it set for my kids! One word of advice - if it seems daunting, just take one pre-req. I was so nervous about math that I signed up for an algebra class, thinking "if I can't do this, I can't do the program". After passing that class with an 'A', and enjoying being in school (and around adults!) again, it made those next steps so much easier! Best of luck to you!!!

As many have pointed out, in small communities this is unavoidable. In my ER from 3:30a-7a there are only two RN's, so if someone comes in that I know, it's pretty much a given that we'll be seeing each other! I have received several comments from people I know that I've either taken care of, or talked to while they were there, that they were happy to see a friendly/familiar face, and that it's eased their worry about being in the ER a little. However, if it is someone I know and it's an invasive/uncomfortable procedure (NG tube, foley, vag exam, etc) I would most likely ask a fellow nurse to take over for me.

Just wanted to encourage all of you - you can do it! I went back to school at age 35, and am now 38 and have been an RN for 6 months. I LOVE my job, and am so happy I made the switch. I have a business background, and then stayed home with my kids and did home daycare for 8 years before going back to school. I got a job as a PCA/UC (Patient Care Assistant/Unit Coordinator) at our local ER right when I started my pre-req's. I wanted to make sure this was the right field for me. I was fortunate to get hired in with no experience (knew some people, which helped!), and my boss said she thought I had the right attitude, and could be taught the things I needed to know for the job. It worked out great, and I have no doubt that the 2 years of experience I gained there helped me be among the top of my class in nursing school. I was thrilled to be hired in as a new grad (in the same ER) working with the fantastic people who helped me through school. I can now call them co-workers, and am loving every second. Good luck on your journey!!! Kath

I'm in Northern Michigan

I'm a recent grad (6/09), had a job waiting when I graduated, and am loving it (even though there's still lots to learn!). People like to complain, so the ones with the good stories may just not be posting much... My four best friends from NS are also working at the same hospital, and they all like it so far too! Good luck!

The trick worked for me! Took the test on Friday at 8:00, tried to register that afternoon about 4:00 - got the pop-up! I found out this morning at 9:05 through Quick Results that I PASSED!!!! I can't believe I'm an RN - went back to school at age 35, graduated at 37, took the boards at 38, and passed! YIPPEEE!

I'm just finishing up an ADN program just shy of turning 38. You can do it! :-) It's been one of the best things I've ever done. I've loved nursing school, and can't wait to hit the ground running when I graduate!

I'm just starting my last term too - yeah! We have 180 hours of precepting - works out to about 2 12-hour-shifts a week for 8 weeks. I'm going to be in the ER - can't wait! :-)

Suctioning either trachs or vents, helping during codes (patients may vomit during codes, and RT is always right in there helping with suctioning or tubing), dealing with coughing patients, elderly patients who may have excess sputum. Anything that comes out of the mouth/throat/nose/chest, etc. fluid-wise, will be dealt with by respiratory therapists. I'm sure there's more, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Not really answering your question here (I don't really know the difference between RT degrees), but do you know how much sputum, phlegm, vomit, and other fluids that respiratory has to deal with on a daily basis? Even with all that nurses have to deal with I've always said that I couldn't stomach being a RT. Ick. Just something for you to think about...and possibly research a little more before you make a big leap! :nuke:

So glad I'm in the program I'm in. They want us to get experience with anything we can. We did IV's in our 2nd term both in lab (on mannequins and each other) and by spending a day in outpt surgery starting all the IV's before they went to surgery. This term (4th), we spent another day at a local surgery center starting IV's so we would be ready for our preceptorships next term. We've given all types of meds (except chemo), and even hung blood with an instructor present. Our clinical instructors have been fabulous, and are always on the 'hunt' to find us things to do that we haven't had a chance to yet. I, also, don't agree with the 'trained monkey' line of thinking, and actually find it insulting. I realize that we will build on our skills when we get into the 'real world' of nursing, but not having ever done something? I'd be a nervous wreck. I'm glad our school feels the same way. Critical thinking applies in the starting of IV's and other procedures too - I wouldn't expect someone with no concept of the anatomy of veins and the reasons to use one over another to just be taught to 'just stick it in - no big deal'.

I'm 37 and in the middle of the pack of my nursing class - the oldest is around 48, and the youngest is 23.

I'm an "A" student. I work 30-40 hours a week, spend time with my family, work out 6 days a week, and drive an hour each way to work and school. I do not spend all of my time studying, or neglect other responsibilities. I do pay close attention in class, take advantage of the additional tools made available to me by my school and this website, and budget my time wisely. >>>> :yeahthat: Thank you - I wasn't very happy with that earlier statement either. I just finished my third term in NS - all A's in classes and clinicals. I have four kids and a husband, and work in our local ER. I am a leader in our class and am usually singled out by clinical instructors for being an excellent student. Do I work hard? Yes. Did I have some experience first? Yes. Does some of this come naturally to me? I think so - but I think part of it is just that I love learning this, so I don't feel like I'm cramming for tests, but learning for a new career. I think the fact that I'm 37 and finally figured out what I want to do with my life helps me too. I have a lot of life experience (daughter with cancer, eight years of daycare, ER experience, etc.) that helps me out, but I also really enjoy reading about new things and seeing new things in clinicals. I think it shows that I'm interested, I ask lots of questions, volunteer for things, etc. I guess just watch the assumptions - in my class, for the most part, the students that get B's are the ones that seem to have trouble 'getting it' or don't put the time in, but there is one (a good friend of mine) that is one of the smartest people I know, but she struggles with NCLEX-type questions on tests, and her grades show that. She will be one of those people that will be an excellent nurse, but her grades may not reflect who she really is.

This would be a moot point at my school - to get in and stay in the nursing program you have to have a B- or better in every class (and clinicals). One point below that and you're out. It's interesting that schools have such a different view on grades!

My 2nd semester (Med/Surg) I got to see a laminectomy and a laparoscopic cholecsystectomy. This semester (OB/Peds) I've seen two c-sections. Very cool to watch and I'm glad I had the experience, but it drove the point home that surgery will not be my niche as a nurse. Too clinically detached from actual patient care for me...

I agree with the OP that sometimes people can use their families/children as a scapegoat for a reason for bad grades, but I would just like to remind them that there are many who do not. I have a husband and four wonderful children (14, 12, 10, 6) who are very supportive, very helpful around the house or with child care. I can't imagine making this journey without them behind me. I have NEVER complained about my family creating problems for me, and am sitting fairly close to the top of my NS class. I work very hard, never compare my life to my friends in NS, and NEVER try to sell anything (I hate fund-raisers anyway). Of my four best buds in NS - two are not married/no kids, one is married/no kids, and one is married/1 kid. It's just not a big deal, and we're all very supportive to each other. I also work PT in our local ER as a PCA and have always worked my share of holidays. If my kids are sick, I have back-up. If I'm working on Christmas, we celebrate the day before. I do not, nor have I ever, expect to be off just because "I have kids". I realize that family is important, and single people enjoy the holidays with their families just as much as anyone. Just my . Remember not to lump everyone together in one group - we're all different! :-)

I took the Hesi last Spring and got a 96%. The Hesi Study Guide (the thin green book) shows you exactly what to study. It is timed (I don't remember how much exactly), but it's plenty - no one I know had time issues. I'm now heading into my 3rd term at Baker (up north) in the ADN program. You can do it! :-)

Ours is 84% on final grades each term - if you don't have 84% you are dropped from the nursing program... Our classroom grades are based on tests, homework assignments, papers, etc. Clinical grades are 50% instructor eval and 50% assignments.