Student Nurses over 35 and Second Career????

[LoveFromAbove]

Hi everyone, new to the site! I love it! I did most of my research on the internet and found that this site was very informational and gave alot of life experience that I needed to help make this bold decision!

Okay, I'm 37 2 kids (age 2 and 13) and a devoted husband. I have worked for a very popular technology company for 14yrs! I've been a customer service supervisor, Buyer and now i'm a Accountant. Needless to say-I HATE IT.

With the economy the way it is, I thank God that I have a good job now but I don't want to mis this opportunity... I love encouraging and working with others, i'm very compassionate with it comes to people and making them better. I have no experience in the Health Care field and i'm very anxious about starting school. My plan: CNA night classes to began in fall 2009. Summer 09 I will take my math, biology, chem (during the evenign) classes for the Nursing pre-req. Spring 10 apply for the LPN program at community college then go into the LPN to RN bridge. I know I will have to eventaully quick my very well paying job at some point (probably when I'm accepted into the Nursing program) and that will be very challenging I expect. But that is why I want to get my CNA so at least I will have some kind of income coming in (75% less income than what i have now).

Is it realistic to believe that with my skilss that I may be able to work 2 jobs to regain my current income?

I currently also work from home 3 days a week, so studying won't be a probably.

Is there any of you that have similuar situations? I would love your feedback! Thank you all !!!!

[Serendipity, PCT]

i'm 53 and starting my cna classes on march 25, 2009. life has just begun! :redbeathe

how are the classes going? :redbeathe

[Serendipity, PCT]

Hi! I am new to the site, I saw this post and loved it! I am 36 and have worked in accounting for about 14 years. I always wanted to be a nuse, but got married, had kids and was never able to go back to school. For the most part due to the fact that I was married to an unsupportive husband. I divorced him and am now married to the most wonderful and supportive man! I made the decision to go back to school in January, planned on working while doing that, but was laid off at the end of January. So, we decided that if I was going to go back and do this, I would not get another job. I applied to school and just got the call on Friday that I was accepted! I start on April 6! I can't wait and I still can't believe that I am actually getting the chance to follow my dream! Good luck to you!

I start clinical's that day, too! :yeah:CONGRATS!

[finallyonmyway]

Hi everyone,

I am 34 with two kids 9 and 10. I have been working on my pre reqs for 2 years. I will be starting clinical at 35 in the Fall of 2010. I have wanted this since I was eight years old. I am very excited to get my career started:) I wish everyone luck..

[localuna]

hello all!!!

today i start my cna class!! i must admit i'm a little nervous!!! but after doing nothing for 3 months, i'm so ready to have something to do every day!! i'm sure everything will be just fine. i'm excited about learning new things!! in a few weeks it will all be over! the book is huge!! so, there is a lot to learn!! but i'm ready!!! i sure hope i'm not the oldest one in the class!! hopefully the teacher is my age or older!! lol!!!

i'd like to hear how your first day went and how school is progressing.

i shall return to share my first day!!

take care!

[Kemet31042]

Did anybody have to take the PSB test for practical nursing? I don't test well on standardized test. The nearest schools require that you take the PSB. There is a school 82 miles away from me where the PSB is not required. Would it be a good idea to travel that distance to school? I am 39 years old. I worked as a CNA for 16 years and got burned out. I've been out of work for 3 years. I live in Georgia.

[ljb1624]

Hello!!!

This is a great site!!! I am 46 and will be taking the CNA class April 13th, I'm really looking forward to it. At times I feel that I'm not going to be able to take in all the info because it's been so long since I have been in a school setting, but the thought doesn't last long. I can't wait. Does anyone have any pointers on how to get through this training with ease.

:)

[OzarksgalCNA]

I am 54 and have been working as a CNA for 7 months in a LTC facility...first step on my road to becoming an RN which I've wanted to do since I was young. I am applying for the LPN school at our local Technical Collage which starts next January, then plan on bridging over to RN after that. We don't have any pre-regs for LPN, but I do have to take an ACT test this Saturday and then a TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education) in June, with interviews in September. They are only taking 24 students and admission will be based on test scores, references, and the interview. I'm getting references from my DON, ADON, and another RN who is our weekend acting DON. Right now there are at least 5 of us from the nursing home applying for this LPN school, and the other 4 are all youngsters in their 20's.

[Labmum2]

This thread is such an inspiration to me and I'm sure, many others. I'm 38 years old and have been a stay-at-home mother for 11 years and helped my husband run his business. Now that we have 2 children starting college this fall (we still have an 8 year old,) it's time for mom to do something. I've always been interested in nursing and I just completed my CNA class and passed the state exam. I'm currently brushing up on my math skills and plan to start taking pre req classes this fall.

[Stephd31]

I am glad I found this thread. I am 39 y/o single mom and FINALLY realized what I want to be when I grow up. I am currently taking pre-reqs part time and trying to figure out when to take my CNA class. I still need to work full time so hopefully I can fit it in the winter semester. Good luck to all Late Bloomers.

[sassyson_989]

Hi Lovefromabove!! I am 38, have been a CNA for 14 years, and am on the waitlist for clinicals. All my pre req. classes will be done at this semesters end. So I am taking summer off, and will start my R.N pre requs. in the fall. I cannot get into my LPN clinicals untill fall of next year..... So I figured in the meantime I would just get my R.N pre reqs. out of the way. I wanted to work as a LPN to get my feet wet before I jump into becoming an R.N, but I guess things just dont always work out the way you want!! If I can offer some advice...dont take anatomy and physiology and chemistry at the same time if possible. That is what I did this sememster, and as you probably can tell by the time of this post, I study all nite long quite often!On top of that, I also work as a CNA part time. I have a 17 year old son, and I am married. YA, its a crazy life (lol) but I love it!!!!!!! :)

[jennifer09]

I think its a great idea!! I am 34 with 2 kids and graduating with my RN in 4 weeks. I know you can do it. I managed to get divorced, work 2 jobs, got my LPN, and am now finishing with my RN. I too worked in the hopital as a CNA my first year of school.

[mcnasty]

hi all- i am also starting out later in life. i am 38- starting a cna course in may. i was recently called out of town (out of state, actually) to take care of my mother. she is bedridden and had infections due to bed sores. it was difficult at first, but i was able to make my mother feel comfortable helping her with daily activities that she could no longer do for herself. she is a very proud woman, and i figured, if i can make HER feel okay, then i must have a knack for it. i am looking forward to starting a career in healthcare. i felt really good making a difference. like no other job i've ever had. this site makes it very difficult to communicate with others in my area, (they will not let me post my email address or post private messages yet) but I am trying to make connections / friends who are also starting out. I cant understand why they would not want people to network and help each other.

good luck to everyone!!! hopefully I will get the chance to meet some of you soon.

jesse