Single mom, wanting to be a nurse

Bdandy · Jun 1, 2013

First of all: CONGRATULATIONS FOR GETTING YOUR GED!!!!!!!!! GOOD JOB, THERE GAL!!!!!!
Well, all I have to say, is that if you are too old at 30 to go get your RN, I might as well not finish my application that I just received from my university, since I am 55+.... NOT.
I just graduated last week - the oldest person at my graduation of some 400+ folks: 78 years old. She could barely make it back to her seat, as I grabbed her arm when her legs were getting unstable and she couldn't walk in a straight line anymore. I asked her if she was tired, and she said she was exhausted - but SHE DID IT! I wonder if she thought "she was too old" to try?
YOU need to do this, FOR YOURSELF (1) and (2) to show your children how IMPORTANT THEIR EDUCATION IS FOR THEM! It really makes an impact on the kids when everyone is at the kitchen table doing their homework. Besides, when they need help on their Algebra, you will be able to help them!!
Good luck. Push forward. Even on the days you think it is too hard to complete. One day at a time and you will have your College degree and be in Nursing School too!

Thank you so much, GED was a long time coming, I know it was a small accomplishment but to me it's a one heck of a deal to have a do over in life. Also, Thank you for sharing a very inspiring story! And Congratulations on your graduation! that right there just proves that ANYTHING is possible with god's help and hard work. I don't know why I worry that if I walk into a class, that everyone will be 10x more smarter than I am because I assume most of them didn't miss out over 10+ years of schooling, hence why i said I'd hate to feel "dumb" in front of everyone. Next week, I will meet with the academic counselor and I will also be taking the accuplacer test. Did you have to apply for federal student aids? if so, was it hard to qualify? as in my case being a single mother, I have heard a lot of stories where they only paid 500-1000 out of pocket because of federal aids. I am praying and hoping that'll be the same in my case :)!

mz23 · Jun 1, 2013

Im a single mom to a 1year old. I have one prereq to complete. I have had a very rough 3 years. (18-21). I hope when I turn 22 itll be less rough haha. Anyways you can do it. Dont give up!

Mandy0728 · Jun 1, 2013

You are definitely not alone on feeling like its too late or feel too old!!! It's never to late to go back to school :) I'll be 30 by the time I graduate with my BSN. All my friends graduated at 21-22...however, I have a kid...they don't!

Nurse2b2318 · Jun 2, 2013

belledandy27: I am taking my last 2 pre-reqs this summer(A@P2 and Micro) at my local community college. It took me about 3 years to finish because I worked full time. I worked during the day and took classes at night, but there were a few student I had met that worked third shift and took classes in the morning directly after work. For me the general classes like English and Psychology were fairly easy, but the sciences were hard. I still somehow managed to get A's in most of them except Chemistry I got a B-. You should start with 2 classes and see how you feel. If your confident take more the next semester, if not take one at a time. When I got to the sciences I only took 1 or 2 classes at a time. I got accepted into a program that starts in September.Hope this helps and Good luck. Also, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Bdandy · Jun 2, 2013

Thanks for the reply Kristen! Congratulations on finally getting accepted in the program! I'll definitely take your advice, I can't wait to meet with the counselor and see how everything will pan out. Thinking positive here! Wish you the best, and hopefully everything goes well in nursing school!

october_silence88 · Jun 2, 2013

I am 25, I have a six year old, a full time job and a part time job. I also acquired a GED in 2007, and took what my community college called the COMPASS test. After they placed me I elected to take a remedial math course (as I felt unprepared for college algebra), finished all of my prerequisites in two years, and have recently been accepted Into a nursing program. You can do absolutely ANYTHING that you set your mind to. Just keep reminding yourself of the elation you will feel when your children see you working hard to obtain your desired career... And how wonderful you will feel when you do. It is, however, a heavy investment of time away from your children. I sometimes question that aspect... Then I have to remind myself why I am doing the things I am. I do my very best and remember those depending on me. These have been my driving factors.

gaonsi · Jun 2, 2013

You go girl! You can do it. Keep your head up, push through. It will be hard, and you will struggle ( just like we all have) but you will get through. Your kids will look back and say "wow, my mom is amazing". Keeping you in my thoughts! In excited for the road ahead that you are about to conquer.

ReinventingMyselfAgain, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2013

First, I want to say that I think it's great that you want it pursue your education. As a single mom, I think it's very important to be a good role model for your kids, showing them that you are doing positive things to improve your life, not playing victim and not depending on a man to support you. I was a single mom (in between marriages), and was in grad school during great time. Even now, while married again, I'm going back to school for my PhD. our children (especially girls) need positive role models for academic and career success.

BUT: I didn't read all of the replies, but after reading the first page, I came to the conclusion that no one has given this poster the reality if how hard nursing school is. It is hard for anyone, even under optimal conditions. And you do have a few strikes against you already: you have to work full time, you have small children, and it sounds as if your support systems are limited. You have not been in school for a long time, and your highest level of education is a GED.

Your age is the last thing I'd be worried about. There are many students who are your age and older. Some of them have similar circumstances, but perhaps not as many risk factors as you do.

You need to make some serious lifestyle adjustments before you begin this endeavor:

-Have you thought about WHEN you are going to study? You HAVE to study; just being in school is not enough.

-If you are working full time, are you looking at a day or evening program? If you want evenings, what time do the programs in your area start classes? I worked in a school where evening classes started at 4:30. This did not work for a lot of students.

-Have you thought about who will watch your children? Who will get them to school/sitter/daycare when you have an early morning clinical?

-Do you have a car, or a reliable means to get to school and clinical? Do you have the extra finances for gas, bus/train fare, books, extra food/coffee while on the run, technology you may need (tablet, smartphone, etc). You will likely get financial aid, but I'd make sure of that first. And don't assume the aid will cover all of your expenses, especially if you opt to go to a for-profit $$$$ school.

-Do you have a plan for when your child is sick, and you have to go to class? Are your kids very dependent on you (meaning, if they know you are home, will they be ok with you taking "mommy time" to study? If not, is there someone who will assume their care and responsibilities while you are studying? This is very important, because I don't think most family/friends who are willing to help out realize that there is a huge time commitment outside of the classroom.

I am not trying to scare you. My goal is to get you thinking about what the next 2-4 years will be like for you. You can't just go in blindly and figure things out along the way. You need to get all of these specifics out if the way, so you can be in the best position to ensure your success.

determined_30 · Jun 2, 2013

Oh my! you remind me so much of my self. I am a 33 year old mother of four(13,11,4, and 6). I am trying to finish my pre requisites. I started years ago but with younger children it was hard for me because I dont have much help. However, I knew that this is what I wanted . My youngest will be in school full time during the fall so I have time to pick up where I left off. My fiance is a truck driver and works anywhere from 3am to 6-7pm. So I still feel I am on my own even though he is around sometimes. But with all this I love my kids and I feel I am doing this because Nursing is my passion. I received my cna in 2005. I am going to keep striving no matter how much it takes. My kids are going to be much happier in the end knowing I am able to provide the things they need because I pushed my self to be a successful nurse and I achieved my goal. And hopefully it will help them to be strong when they grow up so that they can achieve their goals. I think you can do anything you put your mind right age does not matter never give up on your dreams.

jddm163 · Jun 2, 2013

hmmm, your definetely not too old. You have an advantage, your a mom so you have something to loose, so you will be ambitious, especially since im sure you will want to make a good living for them and set a more positive example... Oh and congrats on getting your ged.

I just went back to get my PN at 32, I have a 11, 14, 16 and get this a 9 month old. I did have med experience, I worked as a medical assistant in a fast paced family practice with a doctor who honed in on teaching me... Then I went back to be a massage therapist and did that for a few years on my own. Ive always wanted to be a nurse and figured I better do it now since the plan was to go back when the boys got older, now i got a new one...

I will give you some advice, LEarn body parts, body systems and organs and their functions along with medical terminology.. read up on disorders and diseases and watch youtube vidoes on body assessments.... It will give you a big boost...

Good luck and dont let anything stand in the way of your dream... Your thirty and youthful, dont keep putting it off and be 70 with regrets.....

Dtermnd2Bgreat · Jun 3, 2013

Yes you can do it! I will be 26 starting prerequisites this fall. I doubted myself too thinking that I was too old, but now I know better. I will also be working full time during school. Although, I don't have kids so I don't know how hard that will be. But I know you can do this! Good luck to you.

Bdandy · Jun 4, 2013

I am 25, I have a six year old, a full time job and a part time job. I also acquired a GED in 2007, and took what my community college called the COMPASS test. After they placed me I elected to take a remedial math course (as I felt unprepared for college algebra), finished all of my prerequisites in two years, and have recently been accepted Into a nursing program. You can do absolutely ANYTHING that you set your mind to. Just keep reminding yourself of the elation you will feel when your children see you working hard to obtain your desired career... And how wonderful you will feel when you do. It is, however, a heavy investment of time away from your children. I sometimes question that aspect... Then I have to remind myself why I am doing the things I am. I do my very best and remember those depending on me. These have been my driving factors.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!! I think the compass test, is the same as my community college's accuplacer test. Did you find it difficult? Did you find the pre-req classes difficult? Did you have time away from school before you finally went back? Basically i am going in this and expecting the worse, I know it'll be one of the hardest, 2-4 years of my life but you are right, you can do anything you set your mind and your heart into. My driving factors are definitely my children, and their future. I know they are more than enough reason for me not to fail, because I know I can't afford and neither to i have more time to lose. Thank you for reply and good luck in nursing school! :)