Starting nursing school at 38?

I'm a little imtimidated because I'm considering going back to college and attending nursing school. The thing is by the time I get my prerequisites done and I enter into the nursing program I'll be 38. And I'll be 40 when I actually become a nurse if all goes as planned. I'm a little concerned because I have a young son who is 2 & 1/2 and I've been a stay at home Mom (apart from a few hours in class during the weeks here and there - going to school part-time)... and I'm concerned about how much time I'm goign to have to devote to schooling and how that will affect him. Anyone going through this or any words of encouragement. Thanks.

well done you!! dont be intimidated or worried...my cousin is doing this and she is older than you. i think your son will grow to be very proud of his mum and even prouder when he tells his mates that his mum is a nurse!

there is lots of studying though, but you can do that in the evenings when the little boy is in bed. whatever you do - dont give up...we need people like you so good luck .. you can do it!!

Hi there! My mom was 38 also when she went back and got her nursing degree. It was the best thing she ever did. Of course it will take adjustment and getting used to but it will be so much better for your son in the future. My mom had 5 kids and a full time job when she went back to school and I had a wonderful childhood best of all she is doing what she loves now. Good Luck! Also it is so much easier for me to call my mom for my little scrapes and aches than going to the Dr. and paying all that money. So we all benefited from her being brave and going back to school.

You're a brave mum... I'm on my last year of a health promotion degree. I'll be 37 in Aug (mum of 2 children). I swapped from nursing school. Don't worry my dear. With lots of persistence, support & good time management you'll both survive. Just book him in to a reputable daycare / play school well in advanced if he's not already catered for. From experience once a child is over 2 years old they'll enjoy daycare & you'd like collage (like my case - even if most of your classmates will be young enough to be your son or daughter lol) ... lets you do what you have to do. Believe me the work load at nursing school can be very time consuming but it's worth it. I presume you'll be doing a pt nursing degree to qualify as an RN. Don't expect too much. Just do your best. Try to use the learning adviser & net journal articles as much as you can to get better marks for your assignments. Depends on your assessment it can take up to a whole long weekend to finish a written assignment (typed & binded as per unit requirements excludes research time). Yes, you can forget about going to bed during heavy assessment periods for you'll be stuck to the PC 24/7. I do hope you've got a perfect partner to be both mum & dad throughout your studies. Make quality time for your family & friends even if you'd have to sacrifice the housework & never ending laundry duties. Take care. 99

Go for it- I was thirty and did it- and now am in home care and no night shifts or weekends- unless I am on call or say yes to a weekend- we had one student in class that was 50- go for it-D

I went back to uni when my children were very small. It was very hard work but I don't regret it for a minute. It was an incredible experience. You go for it girl! Good luck

Go for it Girl! It is never too late to move up and on. I went back for tool and die training at 40. The associates degree really helps. Children are adaptable. Just make sure its your private time that shrinks, not your time with your son.

Stick with it . You may not want to finish the training but it will be worth it in the end. Good luck to you.

I won't lie, it will be challenging but do-able, you just have to be creative. Don't let your age hold you back. I graduated nursing school with several students in their 40's and one lady in her mid fifties.

It will go by faster than you can imagine. Visit this site:

www.allnurses.com

Good for you, Lori! It's never too late, nor are you ever too old to go back to school. There's no need to feel intimidated, in fact you should go forth with a proud smile. It took me 14 years to get my degree, with work and family interspersed.

As long as you have care available for your son so you don't have to worry when you're in class, you'll be surprised how easily you'll adapt to the student setting. And you may just be able to use a little psychology on any instructors you might have who are younger than you (I know I had that happen on several occasions). I suspect you'll find you can study and take care of him without too much effort, since you've always juggled duties. Hey, you can even use him as a test subject and spend quality time with him while learning physiology.

I didn't have as much energy when I graduated as I did my first semester in junior college, but I was a lot more mature and a much better student. From probation in junior college to outstanding graduate my last year, and the growing up I did in the interim made all the difference.

You'll do fine, Go get 'em!! Peace out!