33 years old and starting over

amjowens · Dec 6, 2008

I'm 31, and about to graduate from my LPN program tomorrow. In January, I'm continuing on with a regular ADN program. My goal is to be a nurse practitioner, so I have a few hoops through which to pass.

I would advise you to start your program with a clean slate (in your mind). Don't begin by thinking of yourself as different. Be one with your classmates, regardless of age or experiences. You'll find that your experience will be valuable in many ways, but let it happen quietly.

In my class, there were a lot of different backgrounds and ages. Some had bachelor's degrees, others were returning after years of no education beyond high school. Most of us learned to appreciate that we are each starting out as nurses freshly and together. Over time, we've learned of each other's uniquenesses, but those who somehow felt entitled or different due to their differences I don't think enjoyed our year so much. Good luck to you, and congrats on your decision!

CAguyinMO · Dec 6, 2008

Hey there! I think that what you're doing is fantastic, and I'm sure you'll do really well. I'm also starting over, but I'm 48 years old, not 33. Until May I was a communications executive with The Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles. Now, I'm a full-time college student in St. Louis, finishing up my pre-nursing prerequisites and getting ready to start a one-year accelerated BSN program on January 12. I'm incredibly excited and scared to death....all at the same time. I've loved going back to school and doing something completely different. It has energized and recharged me like nothing has in decades.

Good luck to you. I wish you all the best!

Donn

vamedic4, EMT-P · Dec 6, 2008

My best words of wisdom are : don't give up. Don't lose faith. You can do it. There's a degree out ther with your name on it, all you have to do is put forth the effort.

Don't despair because you're the eldest. I'm the oldest of 3 kids, and after 15 years as a paramedic... I too am in nursing school.

labchic · Dec 6, 2008

Hi there! I wouldn't worry about being 33 and starting over, I'm sure you will do just fine. I'm 39 and just getting started on my pre-reqs, so I understand how you feel. I'm finishing up eng 101 online right now. I take my final next week and so far the class has been a breeze. You won't have a problem with doing it online. Next semester I'm taking Bio 130 (nutrition) and Pre-algebra (I was a little rusty on the math!!!) I've worked at my current job for 18 years and I understand what CalguyinMO is talking about. Going back to school has got me excited about things again and I'm looking forward to the changes to come. Good luck!! :up:

Mr_Tom · Dec 6, 2008

I agree with the others! I also feel a sense of excitement now that I have finally made the decision to go into the Health Field after years of thinking about it!

Good luck to you, I am sure will see you around here a lot.

back2thebooks · Dec 6, 2008

Hi! I'm also 33 and just at the beginning. I have 4 pre/co requisites to take which I didn't take with my prior Bachelor's degree. I'm taking them over the course of 2009 and applying for Spring 2010 acceptance. I've said before...let's see what maturity and life experience does for my college experience--should be interesting! Oh, btw--I'm in TX. Good luck!!

AlishiaRN77 · Dec 6, 2008

Misa-

I'm 36 yrs old and started back to school January 08. I too have 2 younger sisters who are nurses. 1 with her BSN and the other with her ADN. They both work at the same hospital (on different floors) and love their job.

It's been an exciting year but also having my sisters to talk to about what to expect and having to wait to get into the program has been a great help. I feel myself dragging at times with all the studying and working (Senior Operations Manager) i do but it's going to be worth it in the end.

If someone had asked me a year ago if I was going to be going back to school, my answer would have been ...WHAT??? i'm too old!

But as you can see i'm eating my words and loving every minutes of this journey....even through the hardest days. Having a positive attitude and working daily has helped me so far. I have my application turned in and am now waiting placement into a program.

Good luck to everyone and remember age is just a number when you have dreams that CAN come true and bring you joy for a lifetime!

dreamon · Dec 6, 2008

Wow that must be great to have siblings in the same career field. Even better if they are working/have worked somewhere you plan to because they'll have the inside scoop.

Good luck to everyone, I'm in my late 20s and plan on starting the process next year.

jamzie312 · Dec 7, 2008

I too, am older and starting over. Im 32, and had been working as a Buyer in the Manufacturing Industry. Ive wanted to do Nursing for probably 8 years, but there were always large obstacles, and Im also now raising 3 children. Anyway, when I was layed off from my job this past summer, I knew this was going to be my big chance to change my life and do what I wanted to do. Im still in the process of applying for Nursing school, but hopefully I will be accepted and be able to start my pre-reqs in June, and the Nursing Program in August.

Don't sell yourself short... you can do this!!! Hang in there!

Jodi

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

I'd love to be starting over at 32. I went back at 52.

Go for it.

:)

webgrl01 · Dec 7, 2008

Hello to all!

Congrats, I am making the same choice next fall. I am finally going to finish what I started 19 years ago before my husband and I had children. I am 39 and will be starting a pre-nursing program in Chicago fall of '09 and I too have pre-reqs to complete, but I am so excited (and nervous) about this journey to complete my dream that I have deferred for so long. Now that the kids are older and are on What my husband and I call "auto-pilot", I have plenty of time to go to school during the day when they are in school and my husband is at work.

I am very blessed to have a husband who is not only very supportive of my choice to continue my education, but has the income in these tough economic times to support us and yes, financial aid and loans help too! good luck to all of you who are older and starting back, I thought I was too old but I am so glad to see I'm not the only one! :yeah: