30 Years Old: Fearfully Considering Giving Nursing School a Second Try

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am considering going back to school to become an RN. I went into nursing school right out of high school, but I don't think I was as prepared as I feel like I am now at 30. I got to my second semester where I failed one nursing class so instead I switched majors. I have a bachelor degree in business management, and I am currently working in retail.

My fears are failing again, but also having to quit my job, where I make decent money for what I do. I also am afraid of how hard it will be, and if I am smart enough to do it. I was always a good student, and I made good grades, but I haven't had to study in a long time. I don't have to take any pre-reqs again because I already had them years ago, and my college doesn't have an expiration date on pre-reqs. I am not married nor do I have any kids so I'm going into this with the mindset of this will be my new job. Study hard and work hard and one day maybe I will be an RN. I just feel like this goal is so far away.

Another problem is I am not the best at common sense or critical thinking/thinking outside the box.

I guess I am just looking for some encouragement and advice on what I could do now to be prepared before entering nursing school a second time, if in fact I get in the program for the Fall 2017 semester. I am taking one class this Spring 2017 semester, which is PSY210. I need to freshen my memory on Anatomy so any ideas to how I can do that while I wait to see if I get into the program.

Thank you for the encouragement and advice!

---

Dear Afraid,

If your nursing school administers an aptitude test to predict how well you will do in nursing school, such as the TEAs, and you do well, that tells you that you are likely to succeed.

Nursing schools typically accept students they believe will make good nurses. Now you need to believe it.

Common sense and critical thinking skills can both be learned, especially if you deliberately make them your learning goals. In school you will be exposed to students with those skills- you can observe them, and learn from them.

What kind of questions do they ask? To develop critical thinking skills, foster a spirit of curiosity. When you listen to pundits on TV or however you get your news, do you accept everything at face value? Probably not. You may have better critical thinking skills than you give yourself credit for.

Anatomy is purely a "memorization" class. So...my question back to you is...how will you refresh your memory? I know you can come up with a strategy :)

It's not only a matter of being smart to get through nursing school. It's drive and determination, as any RN will tell you. You can do this.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

[virgogirl]

My first real college experience started when I was 49 yrs old! It took me 5 yrs to get my BSN...it was the hardest thing I've ever done! But I also had a strategy...I took very difficult classes with only one other class to keep my GPA at a 4.0 and I also researched the instructors, some were better than others! While other students were retaking classes to improve their grades I tried to get it right the first time. I figured out pretty quick this was not gonna be easy and that I would have to apply myself 100%. Where I live getting into nursing school is very competitive and expensive if you want to get your BSN. I chose a private Christian college and had even more hoops to jump through with extra religious classes to take, but only about 250 apply there and 1000 applied at the local university...it all worked out and I've been a nurse for two years now! Good luck to you! ������