40 yr old with GED. Is a MSN even possible?

[shamis]

I'll try to make it short. I'll be 40 this December. I got my GED when I was 18 and I've been a hairstylist/salon owner since I was 20. Looking for a career change and nursing has always been the field I wanted to pursue.

But boy to I have some Debbie downers around. From family to even my perspective counselor. Family days I'm too old and the counselor said basically that because of the time frame since I got my GED until now that it would be extremely hard & time consuming for me. She wasn't the nicest person while communicating this to me as well. I left out in tears.

So I was hoping there were some nurses/students here with similar situations like mine that can motivate me and hopefully can share any advice. I appreciate you guys.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Came there first at 36 with no GED. Just a foreign diploma from another country. BSN @ 39, going to MSN.

Take a couple of hard science classes which would count as prereqs, like A&P and chem lab in a community college and see how things are going. Meanwhile, borrow some prep books from public library and start hitting TEAS. No 100% guarantee you'll need this exam, but it would be good for dusting your memory off.

As others said - do not post MSN as a goal. Do small things, but do them often. And change advisor, for goodness' sake!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

What do you plan to do with the MSN? I suggest you take baby steps like the others by starting at a community college, get your science and math prereqs out of the way. Don't stop your present job at least until you know you can handle the science & math classes. You could get your CNA and get some health care experience. It won't be easy and a CNA is hard, low paying work.

I have a family member who is a beautician and ended up working in the hospital simply to get a job with health insurance. She still did hair on the side and has her own place out of her home for that. Had to spend a few thousand dollars on getting it wheelchair accessible. Since she retired from the hospital job she is trying to bring in more hair business to offset the low social security she gets.

A MSN is a long road ahead of you with lots of student loans unless you are wealthy and few of us are. My only concern will you have enough time to work to pay off your student loans as they are not dischargeable in bankruptcy and the govt will garnish your social security and even disability if you default! Things have gottten so crazy that the Texas Rangers are planning on arresting over a 1,000 people over unpaid student loan debt even though it is decades old! Sure glad I don't live in Texas! You have to think seriously about this financially and also health wise as nursing is a physically difficult job and even if your goal is a non bedside MSN job you will still probably have to work in the trenches in the meantime. I read 25% of people 40+ will end up disabled before age 65!

I've been a bedside nurse for over 20 years and it isn't easy. Still I personally am not willing to risk my financial future in going back to school for an NP. I regret not doing it when I was younger, although back then it wasn't as well known or as popular option as it is now. But I'm not willing to take the risk of going back into student loan debt, which is the only debt out there without consumer protections and bankruptcy options. Over 100,000 seniors and climbing are currently having their social security garnished for unpaid student loan debt!

If you are financially able it would be better for you to take a home equity loan from your house or business to finance your education because worst case scenario you would walk away, granted without your house but you wouldn't have to worry about having your social security garnished till you die!

If you were younger I would suggest going the military route to become a nurse and it might still be possible I'm not sure what the age cut off is. If you can do that the govt will pay for your schooling. Another option is working for the VA when you are a nurse as they have the most generous student loan repayment and tuition reimbursement in the country!

So if you still want to proceed go with your cheapest option such as a govt community college and cheapest college for your BSN and MSN. Do you know others thru family or work that are nurses both regular and MSN and can find out more about their job and if you would really like it. Many nurses don't really like the job due to the stress, high staffing ratio's, physical demands and lack of any authority to improve things. You don't want to find yourself in debt and the end result a job you didn't like!

I worked with one single woman who left her govt job, cashed out her pension/retirement and got her BSN and she was around 60 when she graduated. She did work for about 5 years and one time had really bad back pain but wouldn't get an MRI because it cost thousands of dollars! I guess her back got better so she could still work, but she retired after receiving an unexpected family inheritance that allowed her to pay off all her debts and retire in style! Otherwise I'm sure she'd still have to work and would have struggled in retirement because she had cashed in her retirement to go back to college. I definitely don't advise that option!

I'm not telling you not to do it, but if you do make sure you are doing it with eyes wide open! Bankruptcy options should be restored to student loans but who knows when or if that will happen!

PS Your GED doesn't matter. I truly believe people are smarter than they give themselves credit. I also believe that just about everyone can get a degree and do science and math as long as you are willing to put in the time and study. Also be willing to go above and beyond if necessary to do well. There are many basic study guides out there such as Math made easy to review what we have forgotten. Also you can order a solutions supplement for your math class based on what book you use, it might not be available from the college but could be ordered online that goes thru how to do the math so you don't waste hours struggling and not knowing why you can't get the right answer. I expect there are similar supplements for science classes as well if you investigate. There are many free online classes such as Khan Academy and even free online college courses that you can use for a supplement if interested.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. I am so glad you were able to get things together and pursue a further education!

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

I went into nursing with a GED and a checkered college transcript, and it wasn't a problem. My mom graduated with a Pharm D in her 50's. It was a heck of a ride, but she did it! Counting your age against you is nonsensical. Do you know how to be a good student? Can you excel in science-related classes? Do you understand the reality of nursing work and still want to do it? Those are valid questions - and ones you can explore and figure out for yourself. I can't speak to master's degree nursing, but that's a longer, more difficult, more expensive road. It's also one you can decide on later after you've gotten your feet wet as an RN.

Do you have the option of getting a different "perspective counselor"? Someone who is truly invested in the process with you will be more helpful than someone who has decided you can't do it right off the bat.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would try working as a CNA, plus check out programs in your area for a BSN.

The OP currently owns a hair salon. It would be a difficult pill for many people to swallow going from owning one's own business to working for low pay as a CNA.

[madricka, BSN, RN]

Oh man, I was in nursing school (BScN) in my 30's and there were a lot of other "mature" students in my class -- funny to note that us "older" students never missed class and had consistently higher grades than most of our younger classmates. So many of us had other careers, other degrees, many had kids and families to take care of, other jobs, etc. You won't be alone!!

Don't ever let anyone make you feel bad about doing something that makes you happy! If nursing is what you want then dive in & go for it! I've had far too many patients who were dying and telling me the one thing they regretted was doing what made everyone else happy and missing out on doing what they really wanted to do. They did everything they thought they were supposed to but said they wished they could do it over again and live their life for themselves this time.

And being in your 40's (I'm 43) will make starting fresh a touch more difficult but big deal? Like you haven't already done difficult things in your life?? The time will pass whether you are working towards your goals are not -- you don't want to look back 10 years from now and say, "I wish I had done it!". Not having recent education will just mean you have to take some pre-health classes. Tricky because your brain isn't in "student mode" but it will be once you get into it. It's not impossible.

So you absolutely get my vote to do it! Go! Do the thing! And if you ever get stuck or frustrated (trust me, you WILL!), just ask for help. Help is always there if you need it, you just have to ask (and hint: it's ok to ask for help!).

[joseyjo]

A CNA doesn't interest me at all. I respect every position in the healthcare industry however here locally a CNA equates to diaper changer. No thanks.

Ouch! I must admit I just lost a lot of respect for you with that comment. Why exactly do you want to go into nursing? You do realize that nursing is about caring for people, right?

I totally understand not wanting to be a CNA, it is hard back-breaking work. However, saying that you don't want to be a CNA because they are "diaper changers", is an insult not only to CNAs but also to the patients who need that type of care.

Do you think that as a nurse you will not ever have to " change a diaper"? Or give a bed bath? While nursing is much more than that, the basis of what we do is caring for people where they're at.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Yep. Sure is. I recommend starting prerequisites at a community college. Once you get a certain number of college credits, high school won't matter for most schools. You'll be able to apply to just about any nursing school. Remember that you'll need very good grades (as close to 4.0 as possible) to be competitive. From there, you get a job as an RN for a couple years, get your BSN (if needed), and then apply to an MSN program.

Being a CNA/PCA/ Nurse tech is your way of getting an RN job. It can be hard to land that first job in many areas. Don't count it out before fully understanding it's worth. It really won't kill you to suck it up, and do it part time while in/trying to get into nursing school.

[loriangel14, RN]

Thank you very much. I'm so glad you posted. MSN is the end goal and I think it is very much obtainable. I would have to work my tush off but obtainable nevertheless. A CNA doesn't interest me at all. I respect every position in the healthcare industry however here locally a CNA equates to diaper changer. No thanks. My plan was going for ASN first at my local CC as others have stated. I start in fall. From there onto my BSN or for ASN to MSN. I don't know but yes everything will be one step at a time and yes I have at least a year of pre-req's before I could even start the actual nursing program. I'm going for it. Thank you.

I have a news flash for you. Nurses change briefs too. Never think you are above providing personal care just because you are a nurse. CNA duties are nursing duties as well. You need to seriously rethink nursing if you can't do the basic care.

[grakiasaurus]

Hi I am 51 and I am just going to get cna training and start LPN school this winter season. Be encouraged :) yes it will be hard but that makes me feel more alive. Don't get me wrong I will have a lot of work, I still have young children. I just recently heard of a woman who went to medical school at 40. So I think I can can swing LPN 12 months in my state, one step at a time who knows eventually RN. So try to get your pre requisites to start like nursing math and physiology and anatomy. A GED is just as good as a High school diploma, so call your local technical college and go for it. You just have to like learning and studying and of course helping people in their most vulnerable life situations and be ready for foul odors and bad tempers. good luck to you you can do it with hard work and patience :)

[grakiasaurus]

many nursing schools consider CNA a prereq and it makes sense since diaper changing is also part of the job :) not glamorous but rewarding!

[Undone]

I dropped out of school, barely went after 9th grade. I got my GED with no classes to prepare and started community college at age 40 a few years later. I started part time for my prerequisites , got into the program with a 4.0 gpa and graduated at the top of my class with a near perfect gpa and my asn. Continued on to my BSN and graduated with a damn good gpa. MSN is next. I had drive and determination and a zest for learning. If I can do it, so can you. You are never too old and it is never too late.