CareerThree

Hang in there!! You can do this. I graduated from our local community college last December and passed the NCLEX with my first attempt in January 2009. I was 65 at that time. I, too, took the requred sciences one at a time while working full time. When I was accepted for clinicals I retired from my job to be a full time nursing student. It is my opinion that the greatest attribute for nursing school is tenacity. Best of Luck!!

Sorry to read about your disappointments. I passed in January 2009. The most effective book for me was Kaplan, not because of the nursing knowledge part, but because the first 13 chapters deal with test taking techniques. For me that was the key to success. I used those techniques to do questions from a number of sources and they really worked. Good luck!!

Dear Imanubee, Thanks for your extensive reply. Thinking about this situation, have you or anyone reading this had experience with a clinic that does not take Government support and thereby avoids Government regulations? I recognize that some rules come with charging any fee for healthcare services. What if no fee was charged? I'm trying to explore all possibilities. Thanks! R, CareerThree

Dear Allnurses Community: Please pass along any experiences you may have had with tho operation of free healthcare clinics. I am looking for models of clinics that have been successful. Our community has no free clinics and some of the local churches are asking about getting something started here, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the people who are loosing their health insurance coverage. I recognize that my request is a one-over-the-world inquiry. Some of you may have had experiences starting small and working toward a full-blown clinic. Any advice, suggestion, experiences (good and bad) will be appreciated. Thanks! R, CareerThree

Dear Amie, The question you need to answer for yourself is, "Do I really want to be a nurse?" If the answer is, "Yes," then go for it. But if you're not sure, hold off. Nursing school is tough. You'll need to be ready to miss sleep, particularly if you're working full time. Recommend you start taking the sciences you'll need to qualify for clinicals. That will give you some taste for what lies ahead. If you decide nursing is for you, go for the ADN first. You can go for the BSN after you are an RN. Good luck! R, CareerThree (I'm more than 20 years your senior and am starting my nursing career. I love it.)

Dear palee51, I have just successfully completed my first semester of clinicals. I'm a guy and I am 63. Tell your brother this can be done. I agree with you about the thinking. This endeavor has cleared a lot of cobb webs from my head.

January 10, 2007 I start clinicals today. I'm 63.

Hi, I've just had a physical and my hearing is below normal. For day-to-day activity outside of health care the doctor tells me it's my choice whether or not to get a hearing aid. I am a student nurse hoping to start my clinicals soon and am very concerned about what my hearing loss may mean for my career hopes. Are there nurses out there using hearing aids? What about taking vitals? Are there stethoscopes available to help those who have some hearing loss? Any advice, suggestions, experience will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!