PBryce

I'm confused, are you still completing the final prerequisite course? If that is the case from what I read then you would not be ready to apply. Also, what do you mean about 2 classes with a B working against you? Perhaps the advisor meant they are not helping boost your GPA, which could very well be the big call out here. Noting that you needed more time to complete the physical and requirements is something we all have to do so if the application is submitted 100% complete by a deadline that is all that matters. Most schools assign a randomized date/time stamp anyway, but they are also competitive with minimal GPA's getting qualified near 3.8. It's a tough competition with the sheer numbers being so high of applicants. Try not to take it personal and focus on the facts, keep a log of communications without emotion so your judgement is not clouded. Make an appt with the nursing advisor once you have a timeline of FACTS to present and ask how you stack up to the competition for the applicants selected in the next round. I personally think showing humility and drive to better your own situation goes a long way. Believe me, I am in my 40's and felt like faculty black listed me after failing ONE mid-term exam in the 2nd of 4 semesters in Dental Hygiene. I have over 30K in debt and it took me 2 yrs of prereqs, 2 yrs of waiting, and almost fully invested in the 5th of a 6 yr journey only to be dismissed over one exam. I was eligible for a retake as many other students were allowed, some more than once...and as the oldest student felt like I just couldn't win. My point is that I wasted a couple months being depressed that I was not given a fair opportunity. I prayed and realize my path may have been clear to me, but it just was not meant to be. We are not alone in these frustrations, but we will be left behind if we don't dust ourselves off and move on. Best of luck to you!

I'm in nursing school now and will be considering CRNA at Wesleyan in the future. I would love to hear about your successes and observations a little further down the road. Specifically, your background and what you experienced in the application/approval process would be helpful. I have been discussing the challenges I've read about the CRNA programs to try and prepare my family. They are supportive and I hope having personal testimonies will help us be proactive and prepare. Best of luck to you!

AZNurse2B18 It sounds like you will possibly start Maricopa Block 1 Fall of 2017 correct? If that's right then we are in line together. :) I am doing the MAT course in Aug so will apply to Maricopa Nursing in January '17, should hopefully then start block 1 in the fall next year. What do you understand to be the big differences b/w ASU vs. NAU? Anyone else please chime in, I think that effects whether I take MAT 141 or 142. I've had conflicting info on that... Thanks

Hi, I'm peaking in here ladies so happy to see this thread. I am finishing my last pre-req then applying to MCC/ASU CEP. Anything you can share with me that would help? I switched from Dental Hygiene so I want to be sure I don't have any surprises this time. I haven't 100% decided on the university actually. I hear a lot of good things about NAU but it seems like they have more prereqs. I don't know anything other than what's on paper about Ottawa, and ASU I hear is easy to get into but is not student focused. I only need the MAT course, and the universities all require a different one I think? I hate college math, so that's my issue. I appreciate your advice and perspective, and best of luck to all of you! Oh by the way I think MCC has 85 out of 100 spots dedicated to CEP is why they can place so many and announce early, from what I was told... Take care.

Hi Brianne, I'm taking my last pre-req for MCC Nursing and want to do the CEP with ASU. Care to share any insights about the program, especially your impression of MCC faculty? I had a really bad issue with another faculty/program that has been hard to shake, she made negative comments about my age (over 40). Not that she was any spring chicken, but anyway I just want to get a sense of what I'm walking into. I don't want to spend thousands of more dollars to have a lot of back stabbing going on. Feel free to PM me if that's easier. Thank you! Anyone please chime in also, thanks again!

Hi I am taking the HESI tomorrow and applying for CEP also. I just withdrew from Dental Hygiene at MCC and praying my wait will not be too awfully long. I am drowning in student loans. :-( In that program we were at school about 32 hrs/week plus externship. It seems like the nursing schedule has less on campus hours, although of course both programs have a heavy study load. What were your schedule like? Please let me know how long you waited, school, and ANY advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kudos to you, I know how hard it is! I am 45 now and went back to school at 40 after suddenly losing my job. It has been the hardest yet most rewarding choice I also changed my major twice partly due to the experiences I had. At this age it's hard to be discriminated against for my age, and to be talked to like I'm an idiot. I also found it harder to make friends but my focus was on getting good grades. Mind you that I WAS in Dental Hygiene, lots of nepotism and pretty young girls with their lives ahead of them. I'm competitive but know once in the lrogram.just compete with myself. Now I'm going into Nursing with a very bruised heart and self esteem. BUT...we have to support one another and know it CAN be done. A strong supportive home life is crucial so you have good time management skills, study habits because retention is HARDER, and time to sleep. Make sure your family really is with you, it makes a big difference. Try not to stress about the Financials, when NOT IF, you succeed the pay off is also in your self awareness and achievement. Remember, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you"! Feel free to add me and we can share positive hints to get through. Best of luck, never give up on YOUR dreams!

Can anyone give me somewhat of a current run down on the community college programs (pros/cons) and class sizes? I am applying for CEP to get associate's and do online classes with ASU to get bachelor's at the same time. Any advice, recommendations, and experiences that you can share are greatly appreciated. Also, since I am 45 and ran into some age discrimination in my previous major I'm just curious if the classes have a variation in student's age? I don't feel or look my age (as I'm told lol) but I hope to never hear the negative comments I heard in Dental Hygiene ever again. Especially since we pay for our education and work out tails off to get into a program. I know it's hard work, and I'm willing to go the extra mile to achieve my goals! Thank you!

I am getting ready to apply for CEP also. Do you have any advice for me; how long did you wait to start? I switched from Dental Hygiene program at MCC after a nightmare experience. That schedule was Mon-Thu 1:00-4:15 lectures, then patient care in clinic at A.T. Still University from 5:00-9:00 also Mon-Thu. Then we had clinicals on Thurs am and sometimes all day Friday. It was a LOT of hours at school roughly about 32+ not counting student gov't meetings and externships that were 4-9 hrs each. I was used to working about 55 hrs a week so it wasn't as much of an adjustment for me personally or for my family. But there was little time during the week to study and prep for daily exams and skill evals. Can you tell me what your schedule is too please? Thanks so much I really need insights ASAP. :-)

Thank you, from what I've read the age limit is 47 for USAF.

I am 45 years old and recently changed my major from Dental Hygiene to Nursing. I am still on the wait list for my local community college, to do a concurrent enrollment with a university. This will allow me to get my associate's then take the NCLEX, while completing university courses online. After the associate's there are only 8 more weeks/8 credits needed to obtain a BSN. Due to change in my major and lots of prereq classes my debt is outrageous. Also I have always considered joining the military because I want to provide healthcare for Vets. A lot of my family members are veterans so I figured it is in my blood to want to serve my country and provide care for them. After reading the USAF website I believe my understanding is that if I want to apply for the scholarship to pay for my student loans then I will have to commit to 2-3 years of AD. I know my husband will not go for that and I don't want to move my daughter around while she is in high school. I understand there will be commitments to leave my family in the reserves but how are you paid for that time? So my questions are: 1) Is it possible to join the Reserves and become a CRNA? 2) Can I join with just an associate's degree in science to be a commissioned officer and finish my nursing education, then CRNA with the AF? I would imagine I would have to be AD to do so. 3) What was the biggest thing that you feel was misrepresented as a healthcare reservist and/or CRNA? 4) How do I find a healthcare recruiter vs. a regular recruiter? 5) Is there still an excess of CRNA's in the AF, meaning no openings? 6) Any trends or changes on the horizon that you can share, that may effect me potentially? Anything else you can share about your experience is greatly appreciated. At this point I am overwhelmed and really feeling the pressure due to my age. On top of it all, I had the worst experience in hygiene school with the director making comments about my age and questioning why I chose dentistry in my 40's. I have thick skin so it took a lot of words, actions, and other situations to mount before I finally walked away. I deserve the opportunity just like everyone else...did the courses and got all A's and waited 2 yrs to get in like everyone else. I just wanted to get an education and to work hard to prove myself. Too many petty women in one program is more than I want to deal with. Thanks again!

I saw your post mentioning 2016, now that you have been out in the civ world what are your comparisons? I am just researching joining the reserves but I'm not a CRNA yet. Do you feel that financially it is best to get my CRNA education through AF, is it worth it? I am newly married with a 12 year old child and do not want to be AD. I have been reading a lot of posts and USAF website but not quite sure which path makes sense for me in particular. All bets may be off as I am 45 now and it looks like the age limit is 47. So is there a demand for CRNA's now in 2016? Any advice you can share on any aspect of this topic is priceless, thank you.

Hi, You may have received a previous msg from me or maybe not, due to my laptop dieing.. I am 45 and on the waiting list for my local community college's nursing program. Since I changed my major from Dental Hygiene I have tons of debt and thought about joining the USAF Reserves, serve my country, save on education, and have a respectable career. Is it possible to get my BSN without enlisting, I would rather do reserves (newly married with a 12 yo child). But I guess I will still have to get my Associates and RN before anything, correct? My goal is to continue and become a CRNA. However, I am afraid that I will be past the age limit. Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. Oh by the way, I am only 2 courses away from earning an associate's degree in science if I need to have a degree finished up quickly I can go that route. I plan to start a new thread also to get some info. Thank you!