Still struggling with nursing school decision

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I am taking pre-req's for nursing school now. I have also applied for a CNA class this summer. I want to try this to the point that I obsess and read these boards daily. I can still go for an OTA degree also. Which would not be as difficult and much faster to get. But....I keep coming back to nursing because it just seems like a bigger reward at the end. Everything about it. Not only the accomplishment but the job itself. It is kind of scary though. All the tests to overcome. The on the job experience I must get. A big question I have is....how much do you have to retain as far as memorization: meds, diseases, anatomy. It just seems overwhelming. I don't know if I'm an A student. I know I could be a B student. And at my age, almost 47, I worry about retaining all this new information. I am looking for some realistic input at this stage. Thanks for listening. :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

There were several 40 yr olds in my graduating class. Also those of all ages on their 2nd or third careers. No one expects you to memorize everything. The most important thing is knowing where your resources are and never be afraid to ask questions. I certainly didnt graduate with a 4.0, it just wasnt possible for me. But Im an RN just the same.

Dont be intimidated. Putting your mind to most things should be able to get you through. It does require a time commitment and sometimes an emotional one. But if its really what you want, itll be worth it in he end.

Good Luck. :D

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Specializes in Home Care.

" And at my age, almost 47, I worry about retaining all this new information."

Please don't put yourself down thinking that you're not capable of learning and retaining information because of your age! I'm 48, a straight A student and damn proud of my accomplishments.

The only disadvantage we have in the beginning of school at our age is that our study skills are rusty from disuse. Get cracking those books and find a study habit that works for you.

Go where your passion takes you!

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My dear, no one expects you as a nurse to be able to recite nursing theory and rationale chapter and verse from memory. Nor know every single drug, treatment etc.... That is why there is a wealth of information in various forms of media at every nurses station or her fingertips (one hopes). From PDRs on down, you will find there will be places for your to reference and or research what you need to know.

What is expected of you is to be aquainted with the basics, the rest will follow as you gain experience.

The human brain is rather plastic, and while it may be easier to learn and or retain information at say 14 versus 44, it still can be done. Indeed the more we learn about the human brain the more it is certain that as we age the need is greater not less, to challenge that organ. Learning new tasks and skills keeps the brain active and developing new pathways. In short as with much else in the human body, it is either use it or loose it.

Do not sell yourself short. As Mama used to say, " you never know what you can do until you try..." :)

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I can only write from my own experience. Nursing school was very challenging for me. I was an A student, until I experienced nursing school. I went to an accelerated one year BSN program, which for me, was way too much information, way too fast. There was so much information I had to cram into my brain, that at some point, I think I just went into survival mode.

I think if you go to nursing school it has to be something you REALLY want because there are big sacrifices - time, money, physical & emotional investment, etc.

I am a new grad, so I can't give much advice, but I can say that nursing school wore me out. It was hard and I did not enjoy it. I hope that is not the case with my nursing career.

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Wow! I'm so happy you posted this. I'm a 46 y/o future nursing student taking prereqs now and hoping to take the NET next summer. I questioned my ability to handle nursing school, 4 kids, and a job in the sterile processing dept of my hosp on weekends. Then I went and paid a visit to some of the units in the hosp where I work, I can tell you thats all it took for me to quit doubting myself. If you feel like you're being drawn like a magnet don't fight it! Go to a nearby hosp. get any permission you may need to take a tour, I've found that nurses love to talk to about their careers and share their experiences. The Allnurese community has given me an insiders view, I can explore all the specialties' pros and cons from the vets.

We are taking our second wind, we are wiser and more focused and we'll make great students...good luck to you as you GO FOR IT! :stdnrsrck:

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Just make sure your doing it for the right reasons. Want a "recession proof career with great pay" look elsewhere...and nursing school can be challenging, but in a one year accelerated BSN it will push you to the limit. I wish I would have done ADN or even LPN and just worked up to RN-BSN over time. Halfway through an accelerated BSN and its kinda vampiring the life out of me in every way. Unfortunately for the next 1-3 yrs at least its going to be extremely tight getting your first job too - however it will loosen up at some point. I dont think the baby boomers and older nurses want to retire at all, and wont anytime soon. They will literally be forced to retire due to physical ailments. They will very inconsistently taper out of the workforce over the next 10-20 yrs...we are in for a tight job market for some time to come. The economy isnt going to bounce back in a few years, and if there is another large scale terrorist attack we could plunge right into recession again...........crazy world out there.

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I'm going to take the ADN to BSN approach... way less stressful I'm told, but you know I'll just have to see for myself. No two experiences will be exactly the same. :)

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

do the RN. it will be much more gratifying than the CNA or OTA. You can do their jobs as an RN, if you are a good RN you still will do what is traditionally a CNA job. The CNA can not do the RNs job though.... you get to do alot more for people and you are compensated better for your time.....

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I know its cliche, but I think you can do anything you set your mind to. If you tell yourself you can't, then you can't. I always try to keep a positive outlook. I'm 36 and I started this journey last year. Its been tough, I won't lie but I'm doing it. Yayyy Mee!!! Getting through Chemistry was hell. Whoosah, I wanted to pull my hair out but I survived it, not only survived it but made an A in lab and B in Lecture. Never took chemistry a day in my life so it was tough, I did not even have the basic knowledge for foundation from high school most folks had.

I was a bit intimidated when I started A&P this semester, I had my first major exam today and I think I did really well on it. Studying A&P is time consuming, so much info and seems like there is never enough time but I just hunker down and do it. I've had to make some rules for myself and for friends and family so that I can maximize my studying time. Not much time for chit chat. I had to tell a few folks today that if I don't return their calls for a few days, don't take it personal. This is a tough course and when I'm studying, I cannot have any distractions.

I am more confident than ever that I can do this. I just need to put the work in and I am prepared to do it. So don't short change yourself. I am sure there are folks who can push themselves to the max and do it, but I think slow and easy does it best for me. I'm taking the ADN route. I want to do the NP program so I don't really have to go the BSN route since there are a few schools in my state that have ADN to NP programs, you need a few years experience first though. But thats fine with me.

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