I wasn't accepted into the nursing program. I left my community college to pursue another nursing program hoping that it would get me closer to being a nurse. It was a bad decision and set me back some. Right now, I am not even sure if I want to be a nurse anymore. I am getting older, and I just don't see myself still living at home in the next few years. And when I do move out to support myself it will be incredibly challenging to pursue nursing school at the same time. The long waiting lists, being told to possibly wait to get accepted in 2010, 2011 is just not promising to me. I'll be too old. And the older I get the less motivated I am. I don't want to be like some women who are in their late 30s, 40s chasing after nursing school their whole life. I have ran across a lot of them
I made a thread about going into health administration, maybe that will be a bit more realisitc for me. I won't be tied down every single day for 8 hours, and I can go to class, work, and be able to finnacially support myself until I get a degree. I don't know, I am just confusd. I dont know what direction I need to go in with my life
Well I feel for you. I hope this negativity doesn't bring you down too much.
Look, I am 35 and I have spent 13 years as employee with the State of Louisiana, its miserable, over worked and underpaid. I always thought about Nursing when I was younger and wish I would have gone that route. But now that I took an admissions test to a two year program I can't go because the classes are Mon Thru Fri 8am till 4pm. I mean how in the name of God could I achieve this and still pay my bills?
Hang in there and maybe in a few years we can both say that we are RN's when the time comes!
I am so sorry that you didn't get in, this time. I am 47 years old and just graduated from an ADN program. I got in the second time that I applied. I wanted to be a nurse when I was in my teens but life took me in another direction. The dream was always in the back of my mind. I took one class at a time so that I could be home when my children were home, knowing that once I was in nursing school I wouldn't have the option of taking so few units at a time.
Don't give up on your dream. Nursing is so much more than I imagined. There are hundreds of avenues to take that fit your interests, your likes and dislikes. It's listed as one of five recession proof occupations in one of the major news magazines (can't remember which one at the moment...middle age!!). Accept the help of your family if they will allow you to live at home and help with expenses. My mom was my greatest cheerleader...first row at my graduation and beaming from ear to ear.
I know you feel discouraged right now, but we are all here to support you. It's easy to say don't do the self negative talk, but there is nothing wrong with a life long dream to become a nurse and finally attaining that dream at 40 and 50! Someone suggested LPN. Also, can you move out of state? I know of one nursing program in particular where if you have all your pre-reqs you'll have a good chance of getting in.
I know exactly how you feel. I am the same age, and this is my first year applying to nursing school. At first, I wanted to get in ASAP. I wanted to do the smallest amount of prereqs possible and get into a program.
I have yet to receive a rejection letter, but I'm almost certain I will get one (based on my scores and the scores of last year, etc.). I'm really bummed out. But this experience has been good for me because I have learned first hand that there are NO short cuts in life, and if something is worth doing, it's worth doing RIGHT - not pokin' around, trying to find the quickest way around something.
I am the #1 most negative person out of anyone I know. I have beat myself up and down and some days I continue to do so. I have since applied to other schools, I'm going to focus on doing prereqs for other schools, constantly boosting my GPA and learning as much as I can. I would hate to get into nursing school and fail after already being accepted because I just rushed through things and didn't take the time to really learn the material.
Yeah, putting "fall 2010" on an app instead of "fall 2009" sucks. It feels like dangling a carrot before a horse and all that, but you know what? There's nothing you can do about it. You can't rewind and redo things. You know what you CAN do? Put on a tough face, bust your ass, and make it next time. Do it over again and again and again if you must because - like all things in life - nothing lasts forever, and you won't spend the rest of your life taking entrance exams. You will get in somewhere eventually and when you do, it will feel amazing.
I am so sorry to hear you say that I am proud to say I am 53 yrs old nursing has been my lifelong dream I am in my final semester of RN I graduate May 9th of this year--I will be 54 and I do not feel tooooo old to be a good nurse I do not regret it for a moment it has been the longest 3 yrs of my life but I have made it this far and I will graduate in May---I am going to be a Critical/Cardiac nurse---so if it is your hearts desire to be a nurse it doesn't matter what age you are but where your heart is---Just my opinion :)
I am one of those in my late 30's that just finished nursing school last summer. I don't know how old you are, but you are going to be 30 or 40 no matter what. If you really want to be a nurse (and you really should WANT to before you go to school) then you should do it. I had enrolled into nursing shcool and was accepted 9 years ago, but life happened - a few times, and I was finally able to finish.
I'll be too old. And the older I get the less motivated I am. I don't want to be like some women who are in their late 30s, 40s chasing after nursing school their whole life. I have ran across a lot of them
I am 42 and still working on my BSN. I have 3 teens and I know that I am NOT too old. In fact, I would bet that I have more energy than most of the 20 something year olds posting here.
I think that if you truly desire to be a nurse to help others, then it is never too late. If you are pursuing nursing for job security and pay, then maybe those other options you mentioned may be the right choices for you.
I totally agree CollegeMom I too have applied to continue on for my BSN also and I will be 56 and I still have alot of years to give and I know I can probably run circles around some younger ones :) but most people do not even think I am 53 (cause I guess I do not act like it) but I truly believe you are never to old for your dreams to come true :)
The original poster stated that she gets less motivated the older she gets. The opposite is true for me. I am 55 and starting my nursing classes next week. I have always wanted to be a nurse, but my life kind of went in a different direction. In fact, I am now convinced that this is the way it was supposed to work out. In my case, I think being older is a tremendous advantage. I know what I want and I'm not nearly as distracted as I was when I was younger. Also, my kids are all grown.
See, I love it when I see replies and quotes from people like yourself, because it motivates me even more. I have no idea how in the world I could do the schedule for nursing school, but I'll have to figure something out.
I totally couldnt agree more!!! BUT!! Take it from me, I have been there too, and still there! In 2005, I decided to move from TN living on my own working at a factory for $12/hr to my parents home in Ohio and start going to school. I started that fall and decided in 2006 to pursue nursing (LPN, it was shorter). The waiting list was about a year, but it was fine because of all the prerequisites I had to still take. I finally made it to clinicals and about 4 weeks shy of graduation I found out I wasnt passing the math portion. We needed a 90% and I was only getting an 87%. This was devastating to me!! I was out of the program. I had come this far in my life and this close to graduating and so close pursue a career..... and it ****** me off because I was passing the book portion with flying colors. But anyways, quickly, I decided to get back in the game and attend another school. Within 2 weeks I was attending a school with no waiting list. Might I mention this just happened right before thanksgiving. I looked into other schools to see what would transfer and what not, but everything was wait, wait, wait. I said forget it and decided to attend a nursing school. I will be done next december. Did I mention my age? I am 32 yrs old and I have an 8 yr old daughter. I truly feel that the wait is definitely worth it, thats all i hear, just wait till your done, it will all be worth it. Nothing is going to happen over night. Not even in a few months, especially a career! The more time you put into something the better that something will turn out!:redpinkhe Just think about what you want to do. I chose nursing because there are so many opportunities there. If you get tired of a certain field they will accept you anywhere else. With health administration your not going to get paid that much unless you have the schooling to back it up. So either way you will still be in school. Just think about it for a few days, everything will work itself out!!
I know how you feel!!! I was rejected THREE times!!! I am 24 now. But life has a way of working out for you, when it's meant to be it is meant to be. If being a nurse is what you truly want, stick it out. meet with an advisor from your school, take extra classes, get your GPA up. Think positive, Because once you get in, you need a positive attitude to carry you through the emotional trials and tribulations of nursing school. I know it is hard to see older people getting in before you. It bothered me so much. But you have to focus on yourself. It will really pay off!!
monkeymuggs
3 Posts
Well I feel for you. I hope this negativity doesn't bring you down too much.
Look, I am 35 and I have spent 13 years as employee with the State of Louisiana, its miserable, over worked and underpaid. I always thought about Nursing when I was younger and wish I would have gone that route. But now that I took an admissions test to a two year program I can't go because the classes are Mon Thru Fri 8am till 4pm. I mean how in the name of God could I achieve this and still pay my bills?
Hang in there and maybe in a few years we can both say that we are RN's when the time comes!