Don't let other people talk you out of what you want to do! Nursing school is hard for everybody. You should give it another shot.

Never too old
I was 48 when I started. Yes, it's hard, but it's hard for everyone.

Nursing School
I graduated with my LPN in 1994, and was not able to go back for my RN until much later.....10 years to be exact. I graduated with my RN in 2004 at the age of 48. It was not easy, but as a previous reply to you stated, it is not easy for most people. There were several young (20's) girls from my class who are no longer in the field, but us oldsters are going strong! If it is something you have a strong desire to do, I believe you can make it. Seek out support from family and friends, or other nurses/students who can offer you the help you need. Sacrifices will be made, but nothing compares to the day that I walked across that stage and received my degree. Hopefully, you can experience that same feeling someday. Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much for your replys. I signed up for FAll 2007 to take my Chemistry and A&P1, then what I have left is A&P2 and Microbiology for Spring 08 before I can start the Nursing School part. I am getting a tutor for Chemistry since I dread that the most. This time I am not giving up, if I have to take it 5 times I will, but I am not going to let the 20er olds intimitate me. Thank you for your support and any advice getting through Chemistry??????????
Thanks a bunch
Ute:)

Back to school
I'm so proud of you wanting to join the family of nurses! Most important is keeping your stress level to a bare minimum. Your planning to take two hard classes each semester will be brutal, especially if you are working and if you have any kind of social life (church, family or significant other). It will be crucial to get everybody on board to be your 'cheering secton' or when it comes time for a major test, laundry, shopping, car repairs or others will prioritize you right out of study time! I raised three kids, two husbands, and many pets over the thirty years it took me to complete my RN. It was a struggle, but worth every minute. Good luck, good planning, and successful studenting! Join all the study groups you can find - they saved my grades!

Back to school
In reply to jellis555: By all means, return and get your nursing degree! I left college the first time and got married, had two kids. Twelve years later, I returned to school and got my first nursing license just before my 30th birthday. I subsequently worked as an LPN and continued school until I got my RN. Then, years later, I once again hit the books, earning a Bachelor's degree, followed by my Master in Business Administration at the age of 53!!! During the years of my nursing career, I was a Critical Care Nurse, Dialysis Nurse, Supervisor, Educator, Director of Nursing, Administrator, and Nurse Specialist for the state. I am currently semi-retired and work part time as a Nursing Aide Evaluator for the state. Thirty five years in nursing and I have loved it all. Mind you, I raised 3 kids after returning to school, having adopted an 11 month old in the middle of getting my RN degree. SO, YES, YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU WANT TO BADLY ENOUGH!!!Go for it and God bless you.

Nursing School Teror
No pain no gain. I also am going back to school for my RN/BSN I have been taking classes for years. I actually had to retake my A/P again because it was so long since the last time I took it. Keep your chin up stand tall and forge forward. I am having terror about taking my math, but I am going to do it. I am going to be the best nurse and so will you because you have much to offer. Don't give up.

you are never too old to learn
I graduated with an associates degree in nursing at age 48. You are never too old to stop learning. I passed my state boards in 2005, and am now employed as an RN supervisor in an area nursing facility. I am continuing my nursing education taking online courses now in preparation to begin a 2 yr. fasttrack bachelors degree program. I was not the oldest to graduate in my class. One person I graduated with was the oldest to graduate at age 58! Don't give up and keep trying because you are never too old to learn. :wink: Diana
p.s.- I also went to nursing school and graduated with a german girl who is now working in ICU in an area hospital.

Thank you all for your support-it keeps me going. I figure I get someone to clean my house once a week( my kids are all out of the house), but I do have a husband and 3 dogs and 11 parrots which are kids:). But either way if you all did it so can I. I do work part time for now. I did get my textbooks already to get a headstart. I never,ever had Chemistry before so I got a book for people who never had it before, I hope it helps. Thank you for all your journeys I really,really enjoy them,as I still struggle with my self-esteem-since my lasT A&P Professor told me to drop the class and think of another career. Hope I don;t have her this time:(
Enjoy your Mother's Day today!!!

Too Old? Please!
Hi Ute. Believe me...if you're motivated to pursue this career, you'll find the commitment to meet the challenges and succeed. Sounds corny right? I'll add another over used phrase..."If I can do it so can you." But, my friend, its true. I graduated with my BSN at 44. Some would think that's a bit seasoned to start a new career, but I'm loving it. It was hard work but I made some good friends and learned important study habits to be successful. So my friend-I hope you find the motivation to follow your dream and find a study habit that will sustain you. It's all in 'attitude!' It is a huge challenge, but that's what nursing needs is people who are critical thinkers so they can become leaders in the profession. After all, so many will depend on you for their health needs.

returning to nursing school later in life
First in reference to tinablackley, I'm not sure what the talk about the 20 somethings is all about, I graduated when I was 22 years old with my BSN right out of highschool. I am a very successful rn and am doing just fine!! I don't think your age has anything to do with the situation, and as long as you are a hard worker and determined you can do whatever it is you want. And for those 20 somethings who dropped out of the field, they were obviously not ready for the work that this profession demands!! And on a different note ute0307, Here is something to think about and use for motivation if you'de like. My mother at age 40 divorced for the second time in her life, I was a sophomore in nursing school and my sister was about to graduate with her BSN. She was working as a nursing assistant at a nursing home pulling 12 hour shifts 13 out of 14 day pay periods to finish putting her 2 daughters through nursing school. In 2001 my sister graduated and in 2003 I graduated, both with our BSN's. In the fall of 2003 my mother started a 2 year associate rn program while continuing to work full time as a nursing assistant, night shift no less. In the spring of 2004 she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and had to drop out of classes, move out of her apartment, and move in with me and my fiance, (at the time, now we are very happily maried with one child). She began chemotherapy and radiation treatments and approximately 4 months down the road had a very extensive surgery to remove the tumor which the treatment did nothing to help (did not shrink it at all in size). She wound up on a ventilator in an ICU for 3 weeks. Thankfully she moved on with a full recovery and has been cancer free for 2.5 years and according to the oncologist her prognosis looks good. Now our biggest battle is gaining weight. In the fall of 2005 she moved back out of our house and back into an apparment of her own, and regained her independence which she loves!!! She started back to school again and completed the fall semester. Two months into the spring semester (February 2006) she went into the hospital with pneumonia at a whopping 100 pounds (5foot 9 inches tall) and dropped down to 84 pounds by the time she was recovered and discharged to home, Consequently she had to drop out of school again! She has a feeding tube in place and is pumping as much liquid nutrition as she can as well as eating as much as she can and is currently 109 pounds and feels good!!! And also, this fall she is enrolled to begin school again!!! So as I stated earlier I don't believe age should have a bit to do with what you want to do in life, as long as your are passionate, and I do mean truly passionate about it, you can pass those classes no matter what it takes. I have been a successful charge nurse on day shift of a 30 bed med/surg unit for 4 years now. I won't lie it is not easy however. at the end of the day I can truly say my job is gratifying and I have helped to make someone else's day a little bit better.
ps If anyone has any good tips on gaining weight let me know, thanks!!!

TOO OLD FOR NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't let ANYONE tell you that you are too old to go back to nursing school! I went back, for my third try, when I was 53. I figured that in the two years it would take me I could be 55 or 55 with an RN. I opted for the RN in back of my name and it was well worth it.

What you need to do is have a family meeting. Explain what life will be like at home until you are done with school. That means EVERYONE pitches in to help with the chores. Your hubby will have to cook, clean and buy the groceries, etc. until you are done with school because school will be your top priority. You must stick to your studying. That means no more playing, going to the movies/plays/craft groups, etc until you have achieved your goal. It may sound cruel, but tell your friends and family that in the long run you will all benefit from this arrangement. You will have to stick your nose in a book for the entire time, but the rewards will be worth it in the end.

I STRONGLY urge you to do all of your prereqs before you start your nursing studies. Take your classes seriously and don't be afraid to ask your instructors or fellow students for help. They have all been where you are right now and should be willing to help you out.

Go for that RN!!! And the very best of wishes for you. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

kelly that is great she is cancer free i had cancer as well and i am a year almost free tell her to stay in there as for others it doesn't matter how old or young life is to short and dreams can be reached if you try don't wait until you cant because their might not be tomorrow

Going back to school
I am planning to start my nursing school pre-reqs next month. I have a 3 year old and a21 months old. I am very nervous, but also very excited! Any advice from moms out there?

Re: Starting Nursing school
Hello,My name is Jose,I am 18 years old and I am just a begginer in the world of nursing, I would really like to be a great nurse, I have got many dreams, I would like to work abroad, etc.etc. I am from North Mexico. I have passed my first semester just some days ago and I did it very well, I love this career. Even though it is hard to study 7 hours away from my home city, when I have to deal with other family's members, God and my hope of being a nurse push me to go on. Itll be a long way, 8 semesters to become a registered nurse. I would really like to meet people in this area, God bless you , Bye... Sorry, My english is still bad, lol I am working on it too.

Nursing School
I am also a 40+ year old who completed his accounting degree 6 years ago. And have registered for Nursing school at the local university. I have confidence that anyone with the will to do the work can and will succeed.