Returning To school at 44?

jcarew · May 31, 2006

Hi and welcome,

I am a second year ASN student and will turn 40 this year. I have a 16 year old disabled son and daughters 13 and 8. Oh and I am divorced. Trust me, you can do it. There are alot of us older nursing students out there. Just remember that the first semester is usually the hardest and can be overwhelmin,g but it does get better. Good luck to you!

APP · Jun 1, 2006

My big problem is that I am 47, and work full time. I really do notr know if I can deal with taking pre-reqs one at a time while working full time and THEN have to do another 2 years. I want to quit working at go to school full-time, but don;t know how to swing it financially (not so much tuition as living expenses).

Thoughts?

creekside10 · Jun 2, 2006

It is so great to have the great encouragement. I am so excited, I can hardly wait to get started. !!!!!!!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 2, 2006

I want to quit working at go to school full-time, but don't know how to swing it financially (not so much tuition as living expenses).

Wow, I'd love to hear some great answers to this one!! Loans are one idea I've seen on this topic, but some student funding isn't an option for those of us still paying for our first degree! :rolleyes:

alabama · Jun 2, 2006

Me too! Im 46 and have been thinking about nursing school for two years now. Even got accepted into several schools to take some prereqs but chickened out. I wonder if there are any folks out there who could comment on what its like for older nurses to find employment. Are employers open to the idea of hiring someone in their 40s or 50 who have no prior experience?

Brazilian · Jun 2, 2006

Me too! Im 46 and have been thinking about nursing school for two years now. Even got accepted into several schools to take some prereqs but chickened out. I wonder if there are any folks out there who could comment on what its like for older nurses to find employment. Are employers open to the idea of hiring someone in their 40s or 50 who have no prior experience?

Hello, there!

I'm 44, moved from Brazil to USA 5 years ago and started working as a CNA, because I could not use my Brazilian Education up here. Well, last year I decided to go back to school. I'll be 48 or 49 when I graduate from ADN. In the company where I work right now (www.prestigecare.com), the "olders" are very welcome! I know I"ll have a job with them, at least. Recently, they hired a 61 years old nurse. She is a very good worker!!!

I do believe that, in health care, there's always a job. We my not be hired by Hospitals, but there's always something else to do out there.

Brazilian · Jun 2, 2006

i'd like to share with you guys something that i learned here, in this web site... a very inspirational phrase.

someone said...

" if you go back to school, you will be 50 years old in 2010, when you graduate. if you do not go back to school, how old are you going to be in 2010?"

isn't that nice? not taking the challenge does not make you any younger. age define your documents, not your soul.

i can't see myself doing the same things for the rest of my life, just because i've added some "number" to my documents. let's keep moving!!

there's nothing more interesting than keep improving ourselfves!! that's why we are alive.

i still want to graduate in photography, after nursing school, an old old passion. " my documents" will be showing 55 or more... but so what? i have the eternity in my mind!

:flowersfo

reese19 · Jun 2, 2006

I'm not an "older" student, but I guess I'm somewhere in between (I'm 29 -- will be 30 in Nov.). But I can identify still, because I wondered for a while if it was "too late" for me to go back to school ... I thought, I'm married with two young sons ... I already have a degree in something else ... So I thought, maybe I'm just "dreaming" about going back to school. But then I realized that it is all just a mind-set ... age ... My sisters are both nurses, and they said that there were people of ages and walks of life in their nursing classes ... And I just attended my youngest sister's graduation -- And to tell you the truth, MOST of the graduates were "older" with children and some with grandchildren (they called out the names of the graduates' children and grandchildren, etc.) ... After attending that graduation, I became sooo much more encouraged.... I mean, the MINORITY of the graduates were under age 25 ... The rest seemed quite a bit older than that! So, you go for it!!! Don't let anything stop you!

illidan01 · Jun 3, 2006

:yelclap: I think older students can do better due to the fact of maturity. Our obstacles deal with raising a family at the same time. I recommend taking one class at a time so you get the feel of college. Then handle more in a few quarters. I am 45 yrs. and going full-time is like a full-time job. Just know in the end it will be worth it. I say go for it! You are not in the boat by yourself and this thread proves it! Great decision to go back to school, be proud of yourself!

lisabeth · Jun 3, 2006

I am a married mother of three boys who has decided on a career change into nursing. I have a 17 year-old, and 10 year old twins. I have been married 20 years. I am so nervous, but excited at the same time. I plan to enter school in Jan 2007. I will be taking a couple of classes before I can begin my Pre- nursing courses. Are there any tips for a beginner?

You can do it. I was scared to death last semester after being out for so long. I just dug in and busted butt, but came out with A's. It has really done wonders for my confidence. If you really want to, and the interest is there, you will fall in love with all the classes.

Good Luck!!!

kayel · Jun 3, 2006

Another old-bie here at age 43, with 4 kids, starting my 2nd year of a BN degree!! Welcome aboard! It's been a fun first year for me and I am so glad I decided to go back to school. Congratulations on your decision -- that fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ingrid m · Jun 3, 2006

:lol2: Hi everyone..

Congrats to all of you.

I am 45 next month and starting the nursing course in Sept. I am also changing careers after 18 yrs. Talk about being nervous and excited at the same time. :bugeyes:

What a ride it's going to be!!!

i