Hi, My name is Dawn and I'm 43 years old and extremely unhappy with my life/work/ circumstances. I've worked in health care on and off since my first job as a nursing assistant in a childrens hospital at age 16. I took a 17 year break as a bookkeeper then went back to health care 6 years ago. I'm a PCT in CCU/Tele and a certified phlebotomist.  It isn't enough... I feel like I'm at a dead end and want to go back to school for nursing. Here's my worry, I'm 43, divorced with two sons ages 13 and 14. My 14 year old is mildly autistic, the mildly sounds good untill you deal with the long list of challenges that comes with an autistic child. I work three days a week the rest of my time is devoted to trying to get him to do what is required of him in school. There is a nursing program which is a bit of a drive from me, but the class meets once a week then one day of clinical. I'm not sure how long the course runs because I haven't gotten up the nerve to call. I'm just so worried about whether or not I can afford or even succeed? I'm sooooo old!!! I picture walking into class with a group of 20 yr olds that are wondering if I got lost on my way to the nursing home lol! It's scary! Oh did I mention I'm horrible at math?( Don't let the bookkeeper title fool you it's adding and subtracting) I was horrible at math 25 years ago in high school when it was fresh in my mind: ( I know I could be a good nurse. If I had a dollar for everytime one of my RN co-workers told me to go back to school because I would make a great RN, I'd be rich and able to retire. I also have the advantage of working in a hospital. I'm exposed to everything you can possibly imagine. I've applied pressure to a knife wound in CCU,so the rest of the team could stabalize the patient. I've assisted (compressions) in so many codes I can't even count. I have new nurse grads as well as seasoned nurses ask me to help them find veins for I.V.'s. I know if I can get through school I'd be a good nurse because I love my job! My reason for this post is to see if there is anyone out there with a similar circumstance? Someone that waited till they were my age to go back to school? If they found it too difficult or thought it wasn't as bad as they expected? Thank you, Dawn

I knew you were special John...

I graduated from Nursing School at age 43. No problem. The three oldest of us graduated as the top 3 in our class - no one made fun of us, but rather looked up to us. This isn't te 1950's - today even young people admire those who go back to school in their 40's and 50's to improve or change their careers.

Hello Everyone, I want to say thanks for all the responses to my post. What a  great group of people here on Nursing Link!: ) Well I took the first step and made the phone call. I also spoke to my sons to see how they would feel if I went back to school and they both seem very suppotive. I wanted them to understand it will take some, if not alot of my time away from them. My youngest has always been very helpful and extremely independent so I'm not too worried about him. I'm still nervous, but I'll always wonder what could have been if I don't try. John your story reminds me of my own situation. I worked several years as a CNA, then left it completely only to return 17 years later. I took the patient tech course because I wanted the advanced skills to work in a hospital. In retrospect I should have devoted the time (8 months for tech) into nursing, but I did get so much experience working at the hospital. I think it will help me in school especially with clinical. I'll be meeting with the guidence director next week, wish me luck: ) Dawn~~~