Hi everyone. My name is Lindsay. I am 37 years old and I am married with 3 kids, boy/girl/boy ages 4, 10, 14.
3 years ago I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I began upgrading at my local college and took the required Math, Chemistry, English, Biology courses. It was a lot of work! Anyway, I got an offer a few months ago at a great college and am so excited! I accepted the offer and will be starting school in September.
The thing is, I wish I would have done this right out of high school while I was young. But back then, I wasn't serious about a career. I just wanted to get married and have kids. It wasn't until 3 years ago that I began desiring to go back to school and have my own career. It's just that I'm feeling kind of embarrassed to start at age 37...anyone else start nursing school in their 30's-40's? #justwondering
I'm getting a few pre-reqs out of the way at the age of 43. I'll be able to apply when I am 44. Not ideal, but like you I've been raising kids as well as operating a small business. I'm very excited to be on this path though. Good luck to you!
Thanks for the reply and good luck to you as well! :)
I am starting nursing school in January 2018 and I am 45. I will be 47 when I am done. I have two bachelors degrees....my husband says I'm going for the record, lol. I've always known I was meant to be a nurse, but my mother was a nurse for 45 years and for the longest time I didn't want to be like her. Now, I'd do anything to be just like her! (That's the difference in being 18 and being 45!). So I'm starting my journey. I'm very excited.
I was worried about my age until I was in the class getting ready to take the TEAS test...with my 3 #2 pencils ready and my application to the program burning a hole in my purse (We couldn't apply until we passed the TEAS and I wanted to apply the literal second I was eligible)...and the proctor says "I have some extra pencils if anyone needs them" and I thought, "WHO wouldn't bring pencils to an exam?". My thought was interrupted by five 18 to 20somethings getting up to get a pencil. They brought nothing to the exam..except their phone which we clearly were instructed we could not have. I thought right then and there, I'm going to be ok. Age brings maturity and life experience and the knowledge to bring a darn pencil to an exam.
I'm Kate. I am 32, and a mama of 5! I'm working through my prerequisites now (about to begin semester 3 in the fall). My youngest is 1 year old and my plan is to take my time with my prerequisites, only 8-10 units per semester until my baby starts preschool. That means I'm going to be 35-36 when I actually apply for nursing school.
Sometimes I do wish I started this journey right out of high school. Heaven knows how much easier (and faster) it would be to do this before kids, but I know me and I know it's my life experiences in the last few years and being a mother that ignited my passion for this career. I didn't know I was strong enough until I grew up some, you know? I never considered nursing when I was 18-19. Not even at 25! And I didn't want it bad enough to make it, I wasn't strong enough. Now, I've never been more sure about anything.
Like many of you , this is my second career. After beating cancer, i decided to just change my job. I didnt want to go through life wondering what i shoulda coulda woulda done. Thats the worst when you live life w regrets. If there is something you want to do, d9nt contemplate it...just do it.
We are all living our own path and this is our journey. Dont ever think for a second that you are too old to do anything. We have one precious life so make it a good one.
You are awesome! thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best! :)
I am starting nursing school in January 2018 and I am 45. I will be 47 when I am done. I have two bachelors degrees....my husband says I'm going for the record, lol. I've always known I was meant to be a nurse, but my mother was a nurse for 45 years and for the longest time I didn't want to be like her. Now, I'd do anything to be just like her! (That's the difference in being 18 and being 45!). So I'm starting my journey. I'm very excited.
I was worried about my age until I was in the class getting ready to take the TEAS test...with my 3 #2 pencils ready and my application to the program burning a hole in my purse (We couldn't apply until we passed the TEAS and I wanted to apply the literal second I was eligible)...and the proctor says "I have some extra pencils if anyone needs them" and I thought, "WHO wouldn't bring pencils to an exam?". My thought was interrupted by five 18 to 20somethings getting up to get a pencil. They brought nothing to the exam..except their phone which we clearly were instructed we could not have. I thought right then and there, I'm going to be ok. Age brings maturity and life experience and the knowledge to bring a darn pencil to an exam.
Thank you Kate! :) And, wow! 5 kids, Good for you! :) Looks like you are making a good plan for yourself. I got married at 22. Then I had 3 kids, now ages 14, 10 and 4. (boy, girl, boy) And now I am 37. I didn't even have my high school diploma but suddenly at age 33 I decided I wanted to go back to school and be a nurse! 3 years later I got accepted into a competitive nursing program. I am so excited! I start school on Sept.5. I will keep posting on here! :)
Hi! You are not alone!
I'm Kate. I am 32, and a mama of 5! I'm working through my prerequisites now (about to begin semester 3 in the fall). My youngest is 1 year old and my plan is to take my time with my prerequisites, only 8-10 units per semester until my baby starts preschool. That means I'm going to be 35-36 when I actually apply for nursing school.
Sometimes I do wish I started this journey right out of high school. Heaven knows how much easier (and faster) it would be to do this before kids, but I know me and I know it's my life experiences in the last few years and being a mother that ignited my passion for this career. I didn't know I was strong enough until I grew up some, you know? I never considered nursing when I was 18-19. Not even at 25! And I didn't want it bad enough to make it, I wasn't strong enough. Now, I've never been more sure about anything.
So happy you beat cancer! My 9 year old niece just beat cancer, too! :) And you are right, I totally agree with you that the worst thing is to live a life full of regrets.
Like many of you , this is my second career. After beating cancer, i decided to just change my job. I didnt want to go through life wondering what i shoulda coulda woulda done. Thats the worst when you live life w regrets. If there is something you want to do, d9nt contemplate it...just do it.
We are all living our own path and this is our journey. Dont ever think for a second that you are too old to do anything. We have one precious life so make it a good one.
I am starting nursing school in January 2018 and I am 45. I will be 47 when I am done. I have two bachelors degrees....my husband says I'm going for the record, lol. I've always known I was meant to be a nurse, but my mother was a nurse for 45 years and for the longest time I didn't want to be like her. Now, I'd do anything to be just like her! (That's the difference in being 18 and being 45!). So I'm starting my journey. I'm very excited.
I was worried about my age until I was in the class getting ready to take the TEAS test...with my 3 #2 pencils ready and my application to the program burning a hole in my purse (We couldn't apply until we passed the TEAS and I wanted to apply the literal second I was eligible)...and the proctor says "I have some extra pencils if anyone needs them" and I thought, "WHO wouldn't bring pencils to an exam?". My thought was interrupted by five 18 to 20somethings getting up to get a pencil. They brought nothing to the exam..except their phone which we clearly were instructed we could not have. I thought right then and there, I'm going to be ok. Age brings maturity and life experience and the knowledge to bring a darn pencil to an exam.
Good luck!!
When I was doing pre-reqs at the age of 42, I had a couple of young ladies as lab partners in human physiology. On a major exam, I earned a high A while they both pulled middle B's.They were very interested in learning my "tricks" of doing so well in the course. The weekend before the exam, one of them had a birthday which they celebrated by spending the weekend in San Francisco. I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "dunno..."
This whole thread is giving me life. I'm finishing pre-reqs and will hopefully have my ABSN done right around the time I'm 36. Other threads on this topic, albeit from previous years, are not so sunny. Thank you.
thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best! :)
LindsayRadun
52 Posts
Thanks for the reply and good luck to you as well! :)