Terrified

andrea3434 · Apr 9, 2016

You are going to be great! I just started a BSN program and I am a 35-year-old mom of 3, with absolutely NO healthcare experience. Talk about a fish out of water! I envy the fact that you have so much experience already. My first day of clinicals I was so jealous of the PCA that day because she was so sure of herself and great at her job.

I know it's scary but you can definitely do this. The actual school work will be tough (just because it's extra work for you!) but you'll get through it.

Maevish, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2016

I'm confused. Are you in the program (you said the hours of the job were conflicting with your clinical hours so it sounds like you are) already? If so, and if this is something you really want, it's most certainly possible! Is dad on disability or something that makes it so he can't get a job, even part time, or are you just never home to help with the kiddos (I obviously don't know their ages and other details)? It sounds like you're mostly worried about your age & the timing of this change in your life, the uncertainty of a job, etc and those are very valid points! However, I will say that, when I was in school (I graduated in 2006), nearly half of my class was on their second or third career and a quarter of them were over 40 years old. I even had a single mother of 6 in my graduating class so it IS possible! I'm not saying for one second that it wasn't tough and very taxing on everybody, but don't let age stop you. My mom should have been a nurse years ago (a family friend offered to pay for school, for daycare for me once I was born, a place to live with dad, and everything. She didn't because she didn't want me to be in daycare) and she's finally decided to take the LVN-ADN route. I'm nearly 34 and she's 24 years older than me so, well, you do the math haha :) I hope you get things figured out and that you get to live out one of your life dreams because it's one of the best jobs you can have (after you have all these fears and anxieties all over again as a new nurse hahaha). Your family should obviously come first, but if they'll allow for your time away and studying instead of going to every school function, they'll thank you later and be so proud! Keep us posted and good luck with everything! xo

Maevish, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2016

You are going to be great! I just started a BSN program and I am a 35-year-old mom of 3, with absolutely NO healthcare experience. Talk about a fish out of water! I envy the fact that you have so much experience already. My first day of clinicals I was so jealous of the PCA that day because she was so sure of herself and great at her job.
I know it's scary but you can definitely do this. The actual school work will be tough (just because it's extra work for you!) but you'll get through it.

I felt the same way about classmates that had been CNAs because they were so sure of themselves! If I'd been in the OB rotation I would have been fine, since I'm so used to babies, but the old people? Scared me spitless! lol

NurseEmmy · Apr 12, 2016

I'm confused. Are you in the program (you said the hours of the job were conflicting with your clinical hours so it sounds like you are) already? If so, and if this is something you really want, it's most certainly possible! Is dad on disability or something that makes it so he can't get a job, even part time, or are you just never home to help with the kiddos (I obviously don't know their ages and other details)? It sounds like you're mostly worried about your age & the timing of this change in your life, the uncertainty of a job, etc and those are very valid points! However, I will say that, when I was in school (I graduated in 2006), nearly half of my class was on their second or third career and a quarter of them were over 40 years old. I even had a single mother of 6 in my graduating class so it IS possible! I'm not saying for one second that it wasn't tough and very taxing on everybody, but don't let age stop you. My mom should have been a nurse years ago (a family friend offered to pay for school, for daycare for me once I was born, a place to live with dad, and everything. She didn't because she didn't want me to be in daycare) and she's finally decided to take the LVN-ADN route. I'm nearly 34 and she's 24 years older than me so, well, you do the math haha :) I hope you get things figured out and that you get to live out one of your life dreams because it's one of the best jobs you can have (after you have all these fears and anxieties all over again as a new nurse hahaha). Your family should obviously come first, but if they'll allow for your time away and studying instead of going to every school function, they'll thank you later and be so proud! Keep us posted and good luck with everything! xo

I was accepted into the program, classes start next month. My husband could work, but it would be impossible for him to hold down a job with my schedule. He does have some health issues which flare up when he works as well so that would only add to our costs. Thank you for your support and hope. I know I can do it, I am just having a moment of panic with leaving my job for another. :)