50, Single, and Starting Nursing School in August - Can It Be Done?

notthereyet0 · Jul 5, 2009

Wow, I can't truthfully answer you because I have a husband with a job, insurance, etc - for which I am grateful. I too am an elementary educator who has chosen nursing as a second career. Are you doing the ADN or BSN? If you can, the ADN would be shorter. I know many people who do work and go to school at the same time. They seem to handle it ok. Is your health ok? You will have to take good care of yourself. Advise: if a C is passing it means it is just fine. Don't try to be a perfectionist. May I ask why you got out of education? It seems like you only had a few years to go to retire....Sorry if I am being to personal, but they told me I had to get a masters if I wanted to go back full time after raising my kids, so I chose to do the education in a different field with hopefully better job security. I am pushing 50 so school is possible in our older years. Hope the best for you and God bless!!!

cingle · Jul 5, 2009

School is definitely possible for those of us who are no longer 20-something! I'm 43 and going into an MSN bridge program this August -- is that NEXT MONTH?!

You must have a support system and you'll need to make it yourself. The bad news is that may be more diffiucult than if you had a ready-made support system of family members. The good news is that family members are not always very good support, frankly, and you have the opportunity to pick and choose your supporters now.

Look for co-workers you can call on to help you out when your school work dictates that you must take an hour off of work here or there. Look for supervisors at your current job who are supportive of your goal and will help you out when times of stress come up -- such as finals or if you should get the flu or something.

You also need a personal cheerleader (or more than one) who can boost you when you're feeling low, take you out for a drink to celebrate when you have a great test score or clinical day, kick you in the butt when you want to give up, etc. Also on a personal level, you'll need someone to hold you accountable for eating well and exercising -- you must take care of yourself!

You can see that, even if you were married to the World's Greatest Man he still could not fulfill all these roles. Start looking around to see who is already in your life that can step up for you.

OzarksgalCNA · Jul 5, 2009

I'm not quite in your boat, but I understand where you're coming from. I'm 54, recently separated and soon to be divorced, buying a house because my house payments will be about $200 cheaper than my rent, raising a 16yo son, and headed for LPN school in January and then bridge to RN after that. I became a CNA 10 months ago and work at an LTC (have applied for a job at the hospital) and plan on working just weekends once I'm in school. I have a little savings and will be putting as much in there as possible, plus get grants and whatever I can for school.

I've wanted to be a nurse for over 40 years and I WILL achieve my dream because I know that the Lord will provide for me.

I wish you the best as you push forward in your life.

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 5, 2009

You seem like a very sensible woman Emptynstr2 -- one who has thought this through and made some good choices along the way. I think it CAN be done, but it will probably be every bit as difficult as you anticipate. You may find that the full time night shift job is just a little too much. Keep looking for a better work situation and maybe an opportunity will appear in the not-to-distant future. Also, your employer may work with you on your schedule as you get more seniority in your current job and/or get closer to graduation and they see you as someone they may want to hire as a nurse.

How much debt do you have? Could you cut back the work schedule to 2 days/nights per week and take on a small student loan to make up the difference? I wouldn't recommend taking out a big student loan at your age (I am 54, so please don't be offended) ... but a little one that you could easily repay after graduation might make a big difference in the quality of your life and significantly raise your chances of being successful.

What's your living situation? Can you downsize and save a little money there? etc. etc. etc. If I were in your situation, I would look at every way possible to save pennies daily to enable me to cut back on my work hours so that I could go to school full time and work only part time.

I went back to school for a 5-year doctoral degree in my late 30's and that's what I did. I quit my full time nursing job, moved ... and lived VERY cheaply for 5 years while I went to school. For the 1st semester, I didn't work at all so that I could adjust to student life again. That went through about half of my savings. After that, I worked part time for the next 4 years. Like you, I considered my retirement savings "untouchable" and graduated with them intact -- and with only a $12,500 student loan, that I paid off over 3 years.

Also, look for any possible source of financial aid. You would be surprised at how much goes "unclaimed." Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement and/or any special scholarships for people in nursing school? I am involved in running a scholarship program at my hospital and I am always amazed to find that some of our employees simply never bother to apply. Also, our local chapter of the state nurses' association has small scholarships that often have VERY few applicants. Some of these programs might be curtailed now because of the economic crisis, but keep your eyes open and you never know what you might find as the economy improves over the next couple of years.

Finally, scour the opportunities that might exist at your school -- opportunities that might exist for research assistants, teaching assistants, staff positions in the admimnistrative offices, etc. -- not just in the school of nursing, but elsewhere on campus. With your teaching backgound, you might qualify for a position that would get you tuition assistance and/or health insurance. Such a job might be easier on your sleep schedule and might give you access to health insurance.

Good luck!

shannahan · Jul 5, 2009

Re insurance - can you qualify for state insurance? In some states you can look on their website to see the income levesl to qualify. If you don't qualify at your current salary, could you cut your hours some in order to qualify?

Nepenthe Sea · Jul 5, 2009

I am only 35 and just getting started, but I can tell you that I am SURE you will do great! I am definitely smarter than I was at 20. I have children now, so I have the time management thing down to a science, whereas before I never "had time" to do what I needed. I am more patient, less impulsive, more rational...it goes on. Yes, I am older, but I still FEEL really young, so I don't worry about getting too worn out at clinicals.

You are single, and 50 years old, which means you've got a leg up on all of us in knowledge and wisdom. You are single, so you don't have to worry about juggling family with school and work. Yes, you are working, but again, no family obligations. Since you were a teacher, I am assuming you may have, or at least can figure out, good study habits and time management skills. I can see that you may have to work full-time, but appearantly, there are people who do that and go to nursing school. I read about them on this forum all the time! Talk to them. Come here for support, because this is a good place to get it. Take care of yourself as good as you can. If you can start an exercise program, that will help you to not feel so worn out. Eat good. Find a source of stress relief.

YOU CAN DO THIS. Go for it! I sometimes regret that I will be almost 40 before I get my ADN, but I did not have what it takes to do this when I was in my twenties. I am just stronger now, and so are you.

whodatnurse · Jul 5, 2009

Wow! As a 47 yo single person in the final four weeks of a 1-year accelerated BSN program (who hasn't had a single weekend's 'break' since mid-January), I can't even imagine having thrown a full time job into the mix. My school tells you flat out in writing "you are expected NOT to work", although there were/are some who have done two 12-hours shifts. I'm sad to say that a number of those who didn't make it past first semster were folks who held jobs.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but help you understand just what it is you're signing on for so you can make it to the finish line. What do you mean by an "accelerated" program? Is it two years crammed into one? If you're planning to work full-time you may want to consider doing a regular program instead. You might also want to find out how assignment-intensive your program is before you start too. In addition to keeping up with studying for exams, it seemed I was always working on some big written assignment or other. The demands can be intense, and it's better to know exactly what you're in for so you aren't blindsided as so many are.

You might also want to look into insurance options for students that are available through your school. (I've been running around without any, which I'm not recommending.)

As for support...your best bet is the folks in the same boat as you, who will understand your pain and suffering as no one else not sharing the experience can. You'll make some great friends with whom you'll be able to cry on each others shoulders. And of course, there's always the folks here who'll 'get' what you're going through.

Good luck!

intuition · Jul 5, 2009

We have a 50 something year old in our class, who is also single. She will be graduating with the rest of us in August, so yes it can be done.

siren1 · Jul 5, 2009

Yes you can do it! I just finished school and nclex. I was working only 24 hrs a week, three days a week. It will be a challenge work and school combined. There will be times when you are discouraged but the secret is to not give up. Keep doing what you have to do each week and you will make it though. Now that I'm done I'm so glad that I did it and stuck it out even though there were times when i felt like throwing in the towel. School is only 18mths if you are in an ADN program. 15 weeks then off for a month. 15 weeks and off for a summer. 15 weeks and then off for a month, 15 weeks and you are done! Good Luck and keep us posted on your journey

Emptynstr2 · Jul 5, 2009

thanks to all of you that have shared such helpful information! i really appreciate the fact that you all took the time to send me words of encouragement. the hospital in which i work does have a tuition reimbursement program, and they are a partner hospital with the community college i will attend. as far as working goes, i will try the three nights a week, and if that turns our to be too much, i will cut back to two shifts each week. if i can handle the three shifts though, i would not have to take out any loans....

the student nursing association offers insurance, and i will check that out, and i will meet with my supervisors about the scheduling challenges. maybe i can do this after all. i'll keep you updated on my progress! may the best of luck be with you all!

woodsong001 · Jul 7, 2009

Hi Emptynstr2,

I just wanted to say yes, WE can do it. I am single, starting nursing school in August and I'm 55. I also work 7p to 7a as a secretary at a hospital, and will attend my local community college! I am currently working 4 days one week, 3 days the next but will more than likely be only working 3 days per week come fall. I have no choice because the bills won't wait. I am fortunate in that I live with my sister but the pay scale here in Florida is very low... so it takes two of us to keep the home fires burning. I go from being very excited one minute to being scared to death the next! I have been fortunate to have been granted a scholarship from my hospital that will pay for my tuition and books and I will pay it back with two years of work after I graduate. Most community colleges usually have foundations that work with the community to get scholarships for students. I might be eating a lot of peanut butter and mac and cheese over the next two years but in the end it will be worth it! Let's keep each other encouraged! :specs: