OT: any nursing students here?

[Chickysmom]

Was wondering if there were any nursing students that lurk this board. Any OLD, returning back-to-school nursing students? I am looking into going back to school to get my ADN becasue of the great pay and job outlook, but I am terrified that I have waited too long to jump back in!

 

[NolaRN]

Hey!
I am no longer a nursing student...AMEN..as of a little over a year ago but I may be able to give you some advice. I'm not sure what is considered OLD but I went back to school at 26. I can tell you that I can't really imagine anyone being too old to persue their goals. I had people in my class that ranged in age from 20-48 years old. There are lots of people going to nursing school for their second careers because the field is wide open. Although their is currently a "nursing shortage" it is highly competitive to get into school due mostly to lack of qualified instructors and programs. Anyway, if I can help you in any way please PM me anytime. As far as if you waited too long, I say, NO WAY! We need you out here!

 

[dsanner106]

My wife is a nursing instructor, as a matter of fact and has many students of all ages. Nursing is one of the main fields for returning students, so don't feel that way, just give it a try.

Drew

 

[minkydog]

I am not a nursing student,but I've been an RN for 29yrs. I was fortunate to get to go to nursing school when I was young(well, fortunate for me, I'm not so sure about my poor patients!) I have to say, nursing is a GREAT profession! Very flexible and the pay is excellent.

My mom was not so fortunate. In her day, you had to have your parents permission and they wouldn't grant it. They didn't think nursing was a suitable occupation for a young woman.

My mom put herself through LPN school when she was 34(I was 14) and then she went back to school to do a RN bridge program when she was in her 40's. She graduated with her ADN just short of her 49th birthday.

It was very hard for my mom--she still had one child at home, a mortgage, and a full-time job. But she saw the writing on the wall and knew that being an RN was her key to the future. She was a wonderful nurse and worked full-time until the age of 62 when her feet & knees finally gave out. She never regretted going back to school and even now at age 73 keeps her license current "just in case"

 

[bamamom]

Not a nursing student, but I just got into the Certified Surgical Technology program. I'm going back to college at age 38, I know it will be harder with 2 kids in school and sports but I hope after struggling through the full year it will pay off in the end. This is also a growing field and what I've been told they are in need of CST in the North Alabama area...which is where I'm at. Good luck to you and I don't think you are ever too old to get more education!!

 

[grlpwrd]

I am not a nursing student, but I have older students in my classes that I take at a community college. Plus, I also personally know a nurse who also teaches at a local voc-tech school (she is a Girl Scout leader, too) who says she has students of all ages and I know 2 other people (including a man in his 50s) who are enrolled in nursing certification classes at 2 local hospitals.

It's more common than you think and it is a great career. You're part of the wave of the future.

GL to you!

 

[joha]

Congratulations, I'm also an RN, my second career as well, and it has been the best move I have made.
I went back to nursing school when I was 32, however I'm still a student...I hope to start my MSN soon.

Best of luck to you, some days it might feel overwhelming, but remember if others have done, so can you.

 

[SnowWitch]

Not a student but didn't begin nursing school until I was 29 completed my ADN at 32. And just finished my BSN this Spring @ 35 years old. Don't be intimidated, you will be suprised upon returning the significant number of nursing students who are non-trsditional and even those that are not are wonderful. The best friend I made in the program is 11 years younger than I am and we have remained best friends. When I had my daughetr she was my L & D nurse.

Anytime you need words of encouragement just PM me. Good Luck!!

 

[lnh'smom]

I'm a nursing student! I have finished all but 2 classes (pharmacology and pathophyisiology) and I will start my first clinical in Aug. Hopefully I will be done in 2 years. I don't know what "old" is to you. I'm 30 which I have the feeling may not be old to you?!? But the lady that kept my kids when I worked is in nursing school and she is pushing 60. I don't know how old you are but I get the feeling you aren't quite that old. My DMIL graduated from nursing school when her 3rd DGD (mine!) was about 1 month old. She was probably around 45. Go for it!!

 

[Momerath]

I'm not a student anymore, I have been an RN for 3 years. I work Mother/Baby and I love it! Being a nurse is fun, although challenging, and offers so many choices and so much flexibility. Nursing school is tough, but you can do it! Also, with the shortage many hospitals will help pay off student loans if you agree to work for a certain amount of time or they offer sign-on bonuses or if you work while you're in school (ie as a unit seceretary or nurses' aid) they will pay tuition as you go. 2 of the nurses aids ("clinical assistants") I worked with got their LPN paid for by the hospital and then left to work in nursing homes (our hospital doesn't hire LPNs). Nursing school was challenging for me academically, but I got a BSN at "traditional age" (18-22). Although the information was at times difficult to digest, I was so excited to learn about nursing care and so many new things that I knew would help me to help others...it is a very rewarding feeling & being a nurse is a very rewarding experience.

Good luck to you - the world needs more great nurses!

 

[mommywa]

I just graduated with my ADN in May . I am 33, and have three children. During my last two semesters my husband was in Kuwait and when he left my youngest was 5mo. My DD is into all sorts of activities also. I am by no means throwing myself a pity party. I just want you to know that if you put you mind to it, it can be done. It is hard and seems to take forever, but you can do it. There was a mixture of "older" students and some straight out of high school. I think instructors really appreciate the more "experienced" students.
I think you should do it, you will feel great having accomplished it!! , oh, and the pay is pretty good too .
P.S, for graduation you can go on a Disney Cruise like I am
Ashley

 

[lindakmonty]

Wow, what a great thread! I have been considering going into nursing for the past few years. I have to see if I can cut my hours at work to do so though. I have a ds5, married and I'm gone 12 hrs a day now working. If I could get into nursing, I wouldn't have to drive 90 minutes to get a decent job like I have now!!

How do you find the right school?

 

[arminnie]

A friend of mine is starting nursing school this fall at age 60. Her husband left and she needed to support herself. She spent the last year or so getting some pre-lim science work out of the way.

Another friend decided to become an oncology nurse and went back to school well into her 50s.

They are both very happy about their choices.

 

[3tiggerstoo]

I'm not yet a nursing student, but I'm taking my prereq's to apply to start in fall of '07. I'm a 31yo sahm of 3 children with an unrelated degree and I'm very excited about the prospect of returning to school on a more full time basis (been taking 1 or 2 classes as my schedule permit to finish my prereq's). There are lots of "nontraditional" nursing students in my classes. I was afraid I'd be the "old geezer" but it isn't that way at all! Thanks for starting this thread and enjoy going back to school! I bet you'll find like I have that your maturity will be an asset to pursuing your degree.

 

[mudnuri]

Well, not nursing- but in school full time for my RT degree, to become an RRT.

Not many people in my school are under 25, and I'm certainly not! Single mom 2 dd's 10 & 8, and will have 17 credits this fall. This past spring I carried 18...can be done, just not the easiest thing in the world!

Brandy

 

[taximomfor4]

I am a nursing student. I have 2 more semesters left. Don't let anyone kid you, it is HARD!! Especially later in life with job, kids, etc. I am 34 now, will graduate as an RN with Associates Degree at 35. The day program (traditional school times, clinicals on Wedesday/thursdays) has a mix of older and younger students. I do the evening - weekend program ... school Mon, Tues, Wed evenings and clinicals on Saturdays and Sundays...so that I can go when DH is home from work. It's quite difficult, I feel guilty because I rarely see my school-age kids and when I do, I am stressed and crabby. But realistically, I will finish with a good career, and will see the kids more then, too.

About age, there are a few of us in our lower 30's, and a few in their 20's. Other than that, everyone is late 30's on up. If your are has an evening-weekend program, that is most likely to be your older second-career students (they are going to school after work).

My best advice : if you can possibly cut down work hours, DO SO once clinicals start. You will be BUSY and there is a LOT to learn. Much more than I was aware of, and I was originally a med-student wanna be.

Good luck, and PM if you want to chat!

 

[jordansmomma]

I am not a nursing student yet, but i am finishing the last of my pre reqs this next school year. I will apply for the program in April 2007. I am 28, a single mom and i work full time. My kids are very busy, so when i enter the program it may be a little challenging at first.

 

[jenr812]

I am in nursing school - I will be eligible to sit for the LPN boards in August and will be eligible for the RN boards next May. I am 32 (33 August 12!), married to a DH who works from dawn til dusk, and have three kids (12, 7, and 3). It has been VERY VERY difficult to juggle everything. Softball. Soccer. Girl scouts. Church (Sundays and Wednesdays). Special church activities (all at different days/times for my kids who are in three different stages (preK, elementary, and middle school). Band performances and practices. Family stuff (dinner at the ILs every Sunday, etc.) Just cooking dinner is a challenge at times

I often am irritable and feel guilty for not having more time for my kids. My DH complains that he never sees me. My house is usually cluttered and messy (but as long as it's not DIRTY, I am mostly ok with that for now! though every once in a while, I can't stand it and completely FREAK OUT! ). I don't sleep much at all.

Sometimes I get so frustrated, I just cry. I sometimes feel like quitting (though I know I never really would!). I sometimes wonder "What the heck am I doing? Is all of this even worth it??"

The answer is YES YES YES!!!

This has not only been the most difficult thing, it is one of the most rewarding and is very self-affirming. I have made straight A's throughout (til last minimester when I got a B and cried - but then I realized I needed to stop obsessing about grades because it was making things more stressful for me than it needed to be!), and I am so proud of my accomplishments. My kids see how difficult it is to go back to school when you've got an established family (thus, hopefully, encouraging them to do it right away!) but at the same time, they see it can be done and is worth it! I am having a great time and love learning. I love clinicals - it is so amazing to help people and to see the gratefulness in their eyes when you do the simplest things to show you care for them. It feels so good to be using my brain again after being a SAHM for so many years

There is a huge mix of students in my class, ranging from new high school grads to people in their 50s and 60s. My age (32) is about the average.

For support and a plethora of information, check out allnurses.com It is a great community for nurses and students. There are forums for EVERY specialty imaginable, forums for nurses in every state and COUNTRY, forums just for students and pre-nursing students, forums for distance learning students, forums for male nurses/students, etc. I highly recommend it!

Best of luck to you (to ALL of you!!).

 

[TENIA66]

Ladies, and gents.

Nursing is worth it, you're a paid hero every day of your life, and other than parenting, ministering, or soldiering there is no greater thing you can do for us out here. Be a nurse, tell your friends to be nurses, raise your kids to be nurses.....Nurses are some of the best this world has to offer.........Thanks to all of you...Hang in there.....A friend of mine says that there may come a time when you cannot heal, but there will never be a time when you cannot care...........God be with you all!!

 

[EAP'sDAD]

This is EAP's mom using DH's sign in name. Just graduated nursing school May 2005. Graduated at the age of 40. I just signed up for the RN to bachelor program today. I have been working in the hospital setting for one year and I still can't believe I made it through school!! My best advice is to take it one class at a time and you will make it through!! It was definetely the hardest thing I ever did, going back to school with three small kids, but it is also one of the best things I did. It will be very hard but in the end it just makes the degree feel that much better.. Good Luck