missflorida91

Hi everyone. I've been on this site for YEARS...I've wanted to be a nurse since I was around 20....3 kids later...different fun careers...divorce...moving across the country for love....this is it. I'm going to start NOW or NEVER. I work full time but there are TONS of schools all around me now. I moved from a very rural area requiring lots of travel to attend school. That area, combined with a full time job, three boys and their lives (which mine revolved around) left me with no time for ME. Well, I made the jump about a year ago and I live here in FL with my love...kids are 18 and up...am I too old? I figure I'd start at a community college and acquire my LPN...then RN...then move on from there. My fears? Getting my job to coordinate with my schooling. I need the money and the insurance at my job, which require full time status. Other fears include getting financial aid or it's a no go...and I need to make sure I can juggle work/school. I would do the 2 year LPN program. I know it will be hard and require sacrifice. I just can't see myself being an office worker until I retire. I've gained 20 pounds sitting all the time. I have a medical transcription certificate and have worked in that field for years. I figure I'll be working until I'm at LEAST sixty two...that's nearly twenty more years! Someone tell me I can do it...I'm afraid of not being able to mesh clinicals/work/classes...I'm nervous my outstanding financial debt (only five thousand) from former college loans will be an issue...but I want this BADLY. I'm willing to work hard and I see the future looming in front of me. I know I can do it. I just need it to work out! I would love to hear from someone my age who was crazy enough to just go for it. I moved across the US and planned to start nursing school, but got a govt. job with great benefits and had to take it. I want this to work! I feel drawn to working with the elderly, the forgotten...I feel like it's their last chance to be treated right and cared for with love. I want to do this badly.

I am 43 and have had reasons my whole life not to move forward with an education in nursing (kids, other jobs, busy)....well I'm working on getting started now. I wish I was 25 when I started! I actually don't mind my age, it's a number and whether I start now or not, i'll still be 60 someday so I might as well do something I want to!