They say they only take the best......

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 16, 2005

I'm a 29 yr old mother of three and I am a first year nurseing student. And i've been told time and time again that the nurseing part is very hard to get into and that they only take the top people.cDoes anyone have any advice for an old foggie meaning i'm not young anymore and that means it is worse for me. and on top of that i've been out of circut for along time. any advice would help thanks so much.
Gerri

Go to a community college, they have to do it by a lottory. At least that is how it is in California. That is why I am going to also apply for the UC. I have a 3.5 with 3 years medical experience, at the JC they don't care, they throw my name in the hat with the other 290 applicants to battle for one of the 20 seats. At the UC level they look at your grades and past experience. The JC might be best for you, plus out JC is a 2 year program. A lot of back to school mom's were in my pre-nursing classes.

gerrihorses · Jul 16, 2005

Go to a community college, they have to do it by a lottory. At least that is how it is in California. That is why I am going to also apply for the UC. I have a 3.5 with 3 years medical experience, at the JC they don't care, they throw my name in the hat with the other 290 applicants to battle for one of the 20 seats. At the UC level they look at your grades and past experience. The JC might be best for you, plus out JC is a 2 year program. A lot of back to school mom's were in my pre-nursing classes.

I am, I go to a community college. but it's a spin off of the university and I will ahve to go to the university to finish and they say it's tuff to get in. My husband says to do my best and hope for the best. maybe i'll try that also. thanks fo ryour reply

ftr_bb_catchr · Jul 16, 2005

Go to a community college, they have to do it by a lottory. At least that is how it is in California. That is why I am going to also apply for the UC. I have a 3.5 with 3 years medical experience, at the JC they don't care, they throw my name in the hat with the other 290 applicants to battle for one of the 20 seats. At the UC level they look at your grades and past experience. The JC might be best for you, plus out JC is a 2 year program. A lot of back to school mom's were in my pre-nursing classes.

I live in Cali too but our CC NS admittance is GPA based, not lottery. I am 31 years old and re-entered college at the "ripe" age of 29. I am older than some of my classmates but I thin life experience is worth a heck of a lot. I probably wouldn't have been a very good nurse at 22, not that some younger grads aren't great, I just think I have gained some needed maturity.

Just take it slow... ease yourself back in. Start with something not too tough until you get the feel of studying and juggling family again. You can do it!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2005

I decided to become a nurse during the birth of my 2nd son. All I did was watch the nurse who looked after me during labor. I immediately enrolled in the comm. college (well 2 months later). I was afraid of my grades to come since I was 30 and hadn't been in college since I was 18. Back then, I didn't take school quite as serious and got a few A's, mostly B's and C's and even a D (chemistry--go figure--my strong point). I was sure to follow in the same path and was quite jealous of my neighbor who said she gets all A's and B's (education degree). Well, I got A's in my 2 summer classes. WOW! But then came Biology. 1st test was somewhere in the upper 70%. I was almost in tears and decided it was time to take my education seriously. I studied smarter and harder, but not insanely. I got A's on everything else I did in that class. I am just missing Micro (just dropped it Friday--summer school--professor was terrible--never dropped because of a teacher till now--but glad I did).I have gotten A's in EVERY class. My family and friends all think I'm smart :rotfl: I don't really feel that way. I still struggle inside.

I guess what I'm trying to relay is that we are different people now than we were when we graduated High School. Have faith in yourself. You will find what works for your studying. Stick with it.

Just remember...someone has to be in the top. Why not you???

I hope I didnt go way off topic, but if your concern is being accepted by being a great student, then be a great student! Every person has that potential. Just make sure you utilize your professors. go see them when you are confused. They actually enjoy it and are more tolerable of you, since you are trying, not just whining about your grade.

good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

Woogy

Sue7573 · Jul 16, 2005

I was 31 when I started college. I go to a community college and we did not have a lottery. We got in on a point system. They assign points to several different asspect to your education career. For instance you get a certain amount of points for your high school GPA or GED over all score. Then you get points for graded college courses then points if you are a resident of the state you apply for. Points for ACT exam. We had to have accumulated at least 70 points to be considered for the program. I think the teacher said that everyone with 72 and above got in. (There was 65 in orientation, we only have room for 40, the teacher says 20 of us will not make it past the first 3 weeks.) I had 93 points. I didnt' have a high school diploma. I made a 96 over all on my GED and I had a 3.79 gpa in my first semester. I don't know exactly where all my points come from. I was surprised to find out my points were that high.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2005

Old foggie at 29?? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 16, 2005

I'm 29 and about to start my last semester, but there are plenty in my class that are older than me. I think the life experience definatly gives you a leg up on others who have never been out in the world so to speak.

youknowho · Jul 16, 2005

an old foggie meaning i'm not young anymore and that means it is worse for me.
Gerri

I dont know about that:rolleyes: I am not sure how it would be worse for you. I am 31 and fel quite comfortable with not only my age but my classmates. They never say anything about age. We are all there to learn together. The 20 year olds are just as clueless about somethings as the 40+ year olds. And we all stress out together waiting for the patho grades to be posted. Age is only a big deal if you let it be. Same thing with race, weight, etc etc.

mariedoreen · Jul 17, 2005

Well, here's what I did: went back to school at age 29 and went for a general degree. While pursuing that degree I took all of my nursing pre-reqs. I took it slow because I had to pay for it all myself and discovered that the side benefit of taking it slow was getting all As. All As meant a much better chance of getting into the program. I also had about 3 back-up plans job-wise in case I didn't get into the program, but the bottom line was that I went for it and hoped for the best and if the best didn't materialize I had prepared a foundation of other possibilities to fall back on. And I made sure that I at least left college with some kind of degree for my troubles. I'm now 35 and just finished my first year of nursing school. And you think you're an old fogie...

Go for it.

kayel · Jul 17, 2005

I really like what you said and how you said it!

Even though I'm a little nervous about being back in the saddle again (studying and tests, that is lol), I also think I am more focused than I was the first time around.

You likely want it more now, Gerri! I think you will do ok because of that. The way I understand it in our school is that they do look at the whole picture/package with grades important but not the be-all-end-all.

gerrihorses · Jul 17, 2005

I didn' t realize I wasn't alone. In the college I go to there are mostly young people and they are always happy that they are getting all A's without studing and they talk about how hard they partied the night before. I know that I am not old . just feel that way sometimes. thanks for all the encouragement it really means alot. you guys are great andI hope I can be as helpfull to a student oneday as you are to me. I really feel alone in this world sometimes with my husband and girls as only support. I have no moim or siblings or anything. and you guys are very special to me :crying

thanks so much to all and have a good night

Love Gerri