sprtngrl47

Wow! A huge CONGRATS to you!! That's awesome!! I love hearing stories like this, they truly inspire me and let me know I'm not the only one! There's been older students in my classes in their 30's, but no one as "old" as me. I'll be the same age as you going into the program. We can do this! All the best to you! :-)

Hi all, I posted a year ago, about the fact that I was thinking of taking my nursing pre reqs at 48. I just finished my second semester of pre reqs, and I've done really well so far. I've received three 4.0's and a 3.5. I'm taking the summer off, returning in the fall, and will hopefully apply to nursing during winter term. My advisor suggested I take dosage and pharm in the fall, and take my HESI over the summer, so that's my plan. But a friend of mine thinks there's some dosage on the HESI. So I have a couple of questions - would you take the HESI before taking the dosage class? And, what's the best way to study for the HESI? I definitely want to purchase one of the study guides. I've looked at a few of them on Amazon. If there's one you recommend, please let me know which one(s) are the best. I don't care about cost, I just want to be prepared for this test. Thanks so much! Robin

I realize I won't be spending a ton of time with the babies as I currently do. I also volunteer each week in the special care nursery at the local hospital, so I realize the time holding and feeding babies is very limited. That's what I'm there for as a volunteer, so the nurses can take care of much needed paperwork and other things. I love what I do, and can't imagine doing anything else. But financially, it's really been tough. I got divorced 3 years ago, and really need much better financial stability. I will definitely look into the Lactation work, but I have a friend who is an RN and a lactation consultant, and I think most of them who are hired into the hospitals are RN's. Thanks for the input and advice! :-)

I would also love to know how you got into travel nursing! I would love to do that!

I was a marketing exec too! Worked in Chicago for Nielsen and Bacardi many years ago, before I had kids. Ended my career years ago but once I got divorced, thought about returning for the money (which was a bad idea - never do a job just for the money). Had a few interviews, but just couldn't get a job. Social media had drastically changed the marketing business (at least food marketing/marketing research, which was my field). It all worked out in the end though, because I honestly hated it. It was a job I loved years ago, but wasn't for me once I had kids. I would love to chat with you. I'm trying to figure out if I should go back to Chicago and make decent money as a nanny, or if I go the nursing route - a tough road I'm sure, but hopefully well worth it. Thanks for your comments, they're greatly appreciated!

Thanks all!! With the exception of the snarky comment from "been there done that". You all have been so helpful and inspirational! xoxo

There are many more classes to take as a nurse, compared to a respiratory therapist - at least from what I can tell, looking at the info sheets from the community college. I know their nursing program is extremely competitive too - the counselor told me they take the top 30 or 40, so you really need a 3.5. I think that's also why she was encouraging me to NOT do the program, as I just don't do well in math and science. Maybe I should reconsider being an RT. I'm sure it's still extremely challenging, but I don't think a 3.5 is needed. The stress level is pretty high though, as with nurses. Just not sure what to do!

I think the reason she mentioned it was because it would get me in a much better financial position, and although I may not be able to work with infants, I could probably still work with children. She's trying to get me in a much better financially stable position in a short amount of time.

Thanks for your encouragement! As far as I can tell, there are physical therapists who work in the NICU, but not physical therapist assistants. Not sure why, but that's what I've read on other forums. If I'm wrong please let me know. Whatever I do really does need to involve working with infants. I'm also highly considering moving to a bigger city such as Chicago, and just keep doing what I'm doing. I live in Michigan right now, and there are times when I'm not working with a family. I realize I may not start out working with babies in nursing. Hopefully my background would help though, and I also volunteer in the special care nursery at the local hospital.

Hi everyone! I'm currently a newborn nanny specialist, and have my own business. My love and passion is working with babies! I help parents after they've had a baby, and help with all aspects of baby care: fussiness, swaddling, feeding/sleep issues, etc. I also cook for the families I work for. I absolutely love what I do, but financially it's been tough. I currently make $20/hour, but pay double taxes, since I have my own business - I'm the employer AND employee. Being self-employed is rough! I've been thinking about going back to school, and of course am looking at becoming a Postpartum Nurse. Being so passionate about babies and helping new moms, it seems like the next step. The problem is, I will be 48 next month!! Not only that, but math and science were never my "thing" in school. I have a marketing degree, so I don't qualify for FAFSA. I would be doing this all on loans. I have met with a counselor at the local community college, and she suggested I do something else, like maybe Respiratory Therapy. She said I could possibly work with babies in the NICU. She also suggested becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant. I don't see how working in that field would lead me to working with babies, so I'm not so sure of that career, either. I would love some advice here!! School will begin in September if I choose to go, so I need to make a decision soon. Thanks!! :-)