Anyone ever go back to school years later? Scared to death...attn: nurses!!

[lemondog]

I am almost 38 yrs old, graduated from college in 1994 with a BA in Spanish (from Vanderbilt Univ.) After spending 9 years in advertising, a couple of years as a SAHM and now a preschool teacher, I have come to the realization that the nagging thought in the back of my head needs to become a reality. I really and truly feel called to be a pediatric nurse. I love medicine, I feel VERY strongly about whole-child care and being there not just for the child but for the family. I believe nurses can make or break the care a patient receives. I also am very passionate about children and I know I am supposed to work with them in some regard.

All that said, I am TERRIFIED at the thought of starting over from scratch. Although I have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, it has been 15+ years since I graduated and I doubt any of my core curriculum credits are transferable. I would be starting literally with English 101. I would eventually like my BSN with the option of getting my MSN, but for now am looking at an AAS in Nursing and getting my RN. I would love to work for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, they have a tuition assistance program for employees that would allow me to complete an RN-BSN program.

I also feel this terrible guilt that I would be abandoning my kids. School/studying will take much of my time over a 2 year period. My kids are in such important phases in their life...my oldest will be in 4th grade next year and is pre-pubescent. She needs her mom now more than ever.

I am also terrified I just plain old won't get in. There is really only 1 school around here we can afford without tuition assistance, they have a good AAS-RN program with off-campus classes near my home. What if I don't get in? How do I admit that failure?

So many things to think and worry about. But I desperately want to do this at the same time. I am not a risk-taker! Has anyone else gone back to school and how did it turn out? I want to hear the good and the bad please!

 

[laurie31]

First off, congratulations! You will be an EXCELLENT pediatric nurse!!

Do not worry that you are too old; LOTS of people start new careers around age 40, and community colleges are full of them. They make excellent students as they are there only to learn (not to party/socialize) and have great motivation to do well. (I don't mean to insinuate that younger students don't want to do well, but mature learners have a different outlook that many professors find refreshing).

Do not worry about your children. They will benefit from the example you set; they will see you studying and preparing for class and clinical and it will be more valuable than all the "school is important" lectures in the universe. You can still be there for them. It will be hard, but they can help you! Seriously, they can, and they will be so proud when you graduate!

Finally, about getting into the school you want. This is my personal belief of course, but I've had this happen to me. I applied for a job I *really* wanted and was disappointed (and truthfully, embarrassed) when I wasn't the one hired. However, looking back, it was the best thing ever that I *didn't* get that job. I believe that if you apply and don't get in, that it will be a sign that now isn't the right time after all. (It won't mean that you shouldn't apply again in 6 months or a year, though!)


So go for it with all you've got. Don't be afraid of failure. If you don't try, you can't fail.

 

[minkydog]

I"m betting that your core courses *will* transfer. I mean, if you already had your English and Western Civ and Algebra I can't imagine them making you take it all again? What would be the point?

Anyway, good luck. I"ve been a nurse 32+ years. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate, just like any other job. But you know, I have never once regretted becoming a nurse.

 

[ReneeA]

I just graduated from nursing school in Dec. at 36. I take boards on 3/4/10. I hired as a RN on the ICU that I worked on through school, and so far...I absolutely love, love, love it...wish I had done it when I was 18.

Anyway, don't be scared. I thought I'd be one of the older ones in my class, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was average age. There were lots quite a bit older than me, and lots right out of HS. It was the best experience of my life, and I can't believe the amazing friends I've made from it.

I was only about 15 credit shy of a BA degree, and went back for my ADN. I'll probably just finish up my BA degree since I'm so close at this point.

 

[jaminmd]

I am almost 38 yrs old, graduated from college in 1994 with a BA in Spanish (from Vanderbilt Univ.) After spending 9 years in advertising, a couple of years as a SAHM and now a preschool teacher, I have come to the realization that the nagging thought in the back of my head needs to become a reality. I really and truly feel called to be a pediatric nurse. I love medicine, I feel VERY strongly about whole-child care and being there not just for the child but for the family. I believe nurses can make or break the care a patient receives. I also am very passionate about children and I know I am supposed to work with them in some regard.

All that said, I am TERRIFIED at the thought of starting over from scratch. Although I have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, it has been 15+ years since I graduated and I doubt any of my core curriculum credits are transferable. I would be starting literally with English 101. I would eventually like my BSN with the option of getting my MSN, but for now am looking at an AAS in Nursing and getting my RN. I would love to work for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, they have a tuition assistance program for employees that would allow me to complete an RN-BSN program.

I also feel this terrible guilt that I would be abandoning my kids. School/studying will take much of my time over a 2 year period. My kids are in such important phases in their life...my oldest will be in 4th grade next year and is pre-pubescent. She needs her mom now more than ever.

I am also terrified I just plain old won't get in. There is really only 1 school around here we can afford without tuition assistance, they have a good AAS-RN program with off-campus classes near my home. What if I don't get in? How do I admit that failure?

So many things to think and worry about. But I desperately want to do this at the same time. I am not a risk-taker! Has anyone else gone back to school and how did it turn out? I want to hear the good and the bad please!

There are many women who change careers & go into nursing that are way older than 38. Heck, when I was in nursing school there were many older students & that was over 20 years ago.

I'm going to sound pessimistic but go into it knowing the following:

It is highly unlikely that you will get a peds job right out of school. That wasn't always the case a few years back but it is in most areas now. You will have to pay your dues, most likely in med/surg and that is hard work that often leaves you feeling like you haven't done your best.

FWIW, I've been a nurse for 20+ years. At my current hospital, I can't even transfer to our L&D unit because they only want experienced nurses in L&D. I'm not trying to transfer but I just wanted to use that as an example.

You sound very excited and that is great. However, I think you should talk to some peds nurses so they can give you an idea of what it is really like. Reality is very different from what we are taught in nursing school.

 

[minkydog]

.

You sound very excited and that is great. However, I think you should talk to some peds nurses so they can give you an idea of what it is really like. Reality is very different from what we are taught in nursing school.

Pick me! Pick me! 25yrs in peds

OP,I meant to add that my mother went back to nursing school in her 40s. She was already an LPN, but that didn't really make it easy for her. Her course was quite intense and she was afraid she wouldn't make it but she did and graduated with honors. Did I mention she was also working 40hrs/week while in school? She did. Mother worked happily as an RN until she retired. She's 75 now and she still has a current nursing license ("just in case", she says)

 

[kimmar067]

....well, I didn't go into nursing (I'm a middle school math teacher) but I originally went to college in 1975-1979 [never matriculated] and decided to go back for my teaching degree, at age 37. Then, I also got my Masters in Education almost 4 years ago...hey, with 3 boys, a DH, a house, if I could do it, anyone can! Good Luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

My stepmom had never done *anything* education-related after high school. Just got sustenance jobs. Met my dad, married him, worked at the Greyhound.

Then she was turning 40 and decided to change it up. STarted pre-reqs at the local community college (had a pre-nursing program), and now she's a nurse. Not sure what her exact initials are, though.

She's working in a NICU in CA, making serious money. Even from the start of her career she was making good money. She now works one weekend a week, and she's the charge nurse as well.

The one little hitch in the plans...noting that when she went back her kids were 9ish and 7ish...was that funny little pink double line on the stick that she peed on when her friends bought her a test. Whoopsadaisie!

Luckily, at the time, my dad was working at the local university and he worked graveyard shifts. They lived on campus, so he could drop in. The boys were old enough to be at home, in their opinion.

So she went to school during the days, and he worked at night and was at home during the day. When my half-sis was born, the boys were old enough-ish to help with her, especially since my dad was around if they ran into problems.

I'm sure it wasn't a FUN few years, but it ended up being worth it for their finances and her lifelong dream

 

[mom2grace]

I am doing exactly what you are thinking about! I have a B.A. & M.S. from major universities, blah blah.

I only had to take the science pre-reqs, everything else counted even though it was 20 years ago! I am in my 2nd semester, have 4 more to go to a BSN. Last semester I had 7 credit hours, this semester I have 10. I only take the nursing courses while the first-timers have electives to take.


Since you already have a BA, I would strongly recommend BSN. Most likely, it will be easier for you to get into a BSN program, while the standards are higher, the applicant pool is smaller (in general).

I say go for it!

I also have a peds background and expect to do peds, but I can "wait it out" until something opens up. While the market is tight now, as soon as the economy rebounds, the nurses who are working extra will cut back, and many nurses will retire (again).

I am 39 and one of the oldest students. But, it's been really fun! I would say at least half are 19 or 20, the rest between 25 & 40, there is one student who is 55 in my class.

Go for it if you really want to! I did work 2 shifts a week for a year as a secretary in a Peds ICU just to make sure!

 

[mom2grace]

Also, my DD is 8 & DS is 6. I think in a lot of ways it has been really good for them to see me working and going to school. But, they are in school full-time, and my school is 15 minutes away. DH takes to school once a week and picks up once a week, I am able to do everything else & I am at home with them after school. They go to a catholic school, so no bus service.

We are taking out federal loans, fully expecting to pay them back sooner than we need to, especially with our kids getting closer to college age. We probably could get by without them, but it would make it really painful.

Really really look into BSN programs!! I looked at ASN programs first. Does Vandy have a nursing school? If so, look there first.

 

[IMissEd]

You should go for it. I teach nursing in the state of Tennessee. UT Knoxville has a bachelor's to MSN program. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, then you simply take a few classes and then on to your MSN. Credits >10 yrs old don't transfer only if you didn't graduate. If you have a degree then you don't need to take English 101 over. You need to investigate different programs in your area. I know that Vanderbilt has a family-friendly program that consists mostly of weekend work.

Nursing programs like older applicants because a lot of times they are more mature. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

[LoraJ]

I am 40 and taking college courses. I am not going in person but doing them online. Although I do have to meet up for field trips and go to the school for some exams.

A lot of your core classes will probably transfer. You will probably have to take some kind of computer class. The school may have different history, science, math requirements than your last school, so you may need to take some of those.

I think you will do just fine and you will see that there are many others in the same boat as you. Just ease yourself in. Don't take too many classes your first semester.

Good Luck!!!

 

[mom2grace]

You should go for it. I teach nursing in the state of Tennessee. UT Knoxville has a bachelor's to MSN program. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, then you simply take a few classes and then on to your MSN. .

Holy COW is that a great opportunity!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Another RN wishing you good luck. I worked in a pediatric hospital and it is a special place filled with special people.

 

[laurie31]

There are many women who change careers & go into nursing that are way older than 38. Heck, when I was in nursing school there were many older students & that was over 20 years ago.

I'm going to sound pessimistic but go into it knowing the following:

It is highly unlikely that you will get a peds job right out of school. That wasn't always the case a few years back but it is in most areas now. You will have to pay your dues, most likely in med/surg and that is hard work that often leaves you feeling like you haven't done your best.

FWIW, I've been a nurse for 20+ years. At my current hospital, I can't even transfer to our L&D unit because they only want experienced nurses in L&D. I'm not trying to transfer but I just wanted to use that as an example.

You sound very excited and that is great. However, I think you should talk to some peds nurses so they can give you an idea of what it is really like. Reality is very different from what we are taught in nursing school.

But she wants to work at Vanderbilt Children's and they're hiring.

 

[lemondog]

But she wants to work at Vanderbilt Children's and they're hiring.

They have a great Nurse Residency program, it actually works similar to a physician residency program with match day and everything. They have pediatric tracks so that you would work only with pediatric patients. They have both spring and fall programs. Although if I have to work with adults to earn my keep, so be it. Vanderbilt does have an excellent nursing school, the main downfall is the cost. (God bless my father for putting me thru Vanderbilt with no student loans...one of the best gifts he could have ever given me.) Vandy is way more expensive than we can afford without major financial aid...our 3 kids are in private school.

IMissEd, wow I would love to check out that MSN program! My only concern is that I would not be able to complete courses here in Nashville. Moving to Knoxville is not an option.

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone!

 

[beautybelle]

Im 38 and currently in nursing school. So far I love it and I also want to work in peds as well.

 

[katiedid36]

I'm 37 & am sitting on the waitlist for my local ADN program. I was told that I should expect to start this fall. I have all my pre-reqs and co-reqs completed. Now I just have to be patient...

 

[RN2012]

I'm 37 & am sitting on the waitlist for my local ADN program. I was told that I should expect to start this fall. I have all my pre-reqs and co-reqs completed. Now I just have to be patient...

I too am about to start Nursing School in the Fall. I noticed you are from MI, so am I...Where are you going to school?

 

[katiedid36]

I too am about to start Nursing School in the Fall. I noticed you are from MI, so am I...Where are you going to school?

I'm going to Henry Ford Community College. How about of you?