forestlover

I didn't want to post this but I feel compelled to help future nursing students trying to decide where to go for their ADN. Please DO NOT choose Chaffey if you have a choice. Their program is just what you probably heard it was. It is mean, spiteful, and incredible toxic. Ask any graduate from Chaffey and you will probably hear the same thing, if they are not too scared to admit it. The level of paranoia is very high. They do not hesitate to kick out 4th semester students with a couple of weeks to go. The director has been there way too long and has no empathy what-so-ever. While the instructors seem kind, in all actuality they are just plain evil. The students are treated so poorly, and teachers pets are a real thing. The chosen few get the best hospitals for clinicals, and even jobs at the end of the program. I went into the program knowing all of the above thinking "aw it can't be that bad", but it was worse! I didn't make it, and I can't even remember why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place after the experience. I saw it first hand, and it is real and I am so sorry I thought I could overcome the rumors. Do your research before accepting a place in their program!

Morgan....You gave the best advise I read. I just finished my first semester and my advise is DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING! If you go in with ANY preconceived ideas it will screw you up. I listened to too many people, too much bad advise and I did not do my best. This semester I am not talking to anyone about semester two, and I am looking forward to it, not dreading it from all the negative reviews I got in the prior semester. I am going to a not very popular school, known for awful instructors and high failure rate, so I have to fight very hard everyday. Like Morgan said, agree with everything an instructor says, don't challenge them. I pretend I know nothing, am empty headed waiting for them to fill it up with all this wonderful information. Keeps me safe. Good luck to you, don't let the naysayers get you down. And they WILL try!!

Thank you for your encouragement Stcroix. Reading some of the posts were rather discouraging, and caused me to doubt myself, but hearing from someone who is actually doing the job and succeeding helps tremendously. You are awesome!

Myra- 57 years old is exactly when I started with my pre-reqs also. I am now 62 years old and just completed my first semester of nursing school. Took me 5 years, but I did it, and I am on my way now. It was tough when I was going through it, but now that I am actually IN nursing school, it seems easy. Stick with it, there will be a lot of tears, angst, joy and feelings of accomplishment. The only thing I would change is I wish I had really studied physio better. I kind of breezed through it, and forgot a lot, but boy, do I need it now. Have fun Myra

Hi everyone Just wanted to let potential nursing students know that age is a non-issue to some nursing schools. I am currently 61 years old, and just got accepted to the school of my choice, first time applying. It took me 4 years to get here, and much angst about having to pass the TEAS V test, but I did it, so I am in! I will be almost 64 when I get out, and I am planning to have a lot of fun these two years. Retirement is just not for everyone. I would be bored silly not working, so I took a gamble and it paid off. If you are reading this because you are thinking about starting, just bite your lip and jump. Being around mostly 20 somethings is a heck of a lot of fun. I have learned so much from their young minds, and they from mine. They gravitate towards me because I was such a serious student, and they could get better grades just hanging around me, and studing with me. Very rewarding 4 years for me. Good Luck to you all.....Here goes!!!!

Hello my fellow senior students- My last post was April 2010, when I was struggling with Physio. I made it through everything, now I am going to apply in April 2011. Had a few life glitches along the way, and found with the sciences it was easier to take one class at a time, including micro lecture, and micro lab. But I maintain a 3.1 GPA, and am hoping to get into the program at my school. I sure hope my age does not work against me, but as the baby boomers age, doesn't it seem that they would prefer to see someone their own age come into their room to care for them, than a 20 something that hasn't been there, done that? I am keeping a positive attitude that I WILL get in, and start nursing school in October 2011. Let's keep it up, it seems there are a lot of us out there, not wanting to retire to a live of gardening and quilting!

Wow- I don't think wanting to work later in life is an "American thing" I think it's a people thing- A mind set thing- Being in shape and sharp in wit thing- I still feel vibrant and young! Like an earlier post said, I want to work until they cart me out feet first I want to be productive and contribute back Gardening and quilting, or whatever retirement means, just won't fit the bill So American, Canadian, Egyptian-whatever-it's how you feel!! WaitinginNJ-I would love to have personal contact with you as you are the only person I have heard in my situation, but I don't know how to do it. I would be so interested in what you are experiencing. If you are interested, do you know how to do it???

I find that, unbeknownst to ourselves, that most people feel that way, but are afraid to approach other students, and shelter themselves in the safety of people they recognize. I am at least 30 years older than most of my classmates, and felt like I wouldn't fit in at all, but I put out feelers to the people sitting around me, and found some were very open to conversation. Some blew me off, but I nurtured the students that seemed open to talking to me. Now I am with a very cool group of people, and I fit right in. It takes courage to speak up, but what do you have to lose? I try now to talk to students standing around alone so they will have a chance to have friends in class if they want to.

I appreciate the supportive posts, and have been thinking about the age factor. At first I WAS nervous, but I think as time goes on, and baby boomers (such as myself) will find retirement is not as great as its cracked up to be. Frankly, I was bored to death, then decided to give nursing a try. Its is fun to be the token "old" person in all my classes. The younger ones look to me for guidance, and to speak up where they cannot. My instructors appreciate my "re-entry", and do give me a lot of support because I am not afraid to admit I am afraid and don't understand some concepts. Again, I am not sure I will make it, but I'm not gonna go down without a fight!!!

Hello everyone- This is my first post, but I am curious....When I finish nursing school (if I even get in) I will be 62 years old. Is there anyone out there in the same situation? I am currently struggling through Physiology, and am not sure I can get the required B, but I don't have a lot of time to waste taking it again. Do you find learning is harder because you are older? This is my final dream, to become a nurse. Done everything else I have ever wanted to achieve, but this just might be not possible. Thanks