Going Back to College in Your 30s: My Real-Life Experience as a Mom and CNA
If you would have told me a few years ago that I’d be sitting in a college classroom in my 30s… I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
But here I am.
And honestly? It looks nothing like I thought it would.
💛 A Little Bit of My Story
I’ve been a CNA since 2012. It’s what I’ve done my whole adult life, and for as long as I can remember, I always had the intention of going to nursing school.
But looking back now, I really believe God had a different plan for my timing.
I didn’t do as well as I should have in high school, and I’m definitely paying for that now working through college courses. But my first real attempt at nursing school was back in 2015.
At the time, I was a single mom working a Monday through Friday job, and my daughter was only one year old.
I remember feeling so much pressure.
Pressure to make it.
Pressure to get through nursing school.
Pressure to build a better life for my daughter.
And while that pressure pushed me… it also burned me out faster than I expected.
💌 The Moment Everything Changed
I’ll never forget sitting in chemistry class one day when I got a Facebook message.
It seemed so small at the time… just a message.
But that message came from someone who would completely change my life forever.
my now husband…❤️
After meeting him, everything shifted.
I ended up stepping away from school and choosing to focus on building a life with him. And honestly, I don’t regret that decision at all. It was part of my story… part of my timing.
🏥 Growing in My Career
Over the years, my CNA career grew in ways I never expected.
I left my home unit and started local traveling, working in different hospitals throughout my community. I gained experience in Med-Surg, Ortho, Mother/Baby, Progressive Care, Pediatrics… and every now and then, I’d get floated to the ER.
And that’s where my career started to shift.
The Emergency Room.
I fell in love with it.
The fast pace, the unpredictability, the constant movement… I loved the adrenaline and the flow of it all.
Before long, I applied for a traveling ER CNA position and started traveling to 10 different emergency rooms in my area. That experience taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career.
🎓 Why I Went Back to School
Fast forward to Spring 2026…
My husband started encouraging me to go back to school. And at first, I wasn’t sure. Life was comfortable, I was comfortable with my job as a CNA, and starting over felt… intimidating.
But something kept pulling me back to it.
So I finally said yes.
And now here I am, back in school in my 30s, sitting in a college classroom again, chasing something I’ve wanted for a long time. And this time, Im going straight for my Bachelors in Nursing. 🩺
🎒 What It’s Like Walking Into College in Your 30s
I’m not going to lie… walking into class that first time felt a little nerve-racking.
But it was also exciting.
College looks so different now than it did when I was 18.
You don’t show up just to get by anymore, you show up with purpose.
But yes… there are definitely moments where you realize you’re the oldest one in the room 😂
Like when your professor is in the middle of teaching and casually says,
“I’m pretty sure none of you were around for 9/11 in 2001…”
And I just sat there like… well, I was 😅
Moments like that make you laugh, but they also remind you how different this season of life is.
🧠 The Biggest Differences
One of the biggest things I’ve noticed?
You stop caring what people think.
In your 30s, you’ve already lived a little. You’ve been through things. You’ve learned what matters and what doesn’t.
That pressure to fit in or worry about what other people think… it fades.
And in its place, you get clarity.
You’re there for a reason, and you don’t lose sight of that.
📚 School Feels Different Now
School feels completely different this time around.
I’m more focused.
More intentional.
More determined.
I’m not just trying to pass anymore… I’m aiming for A’s.
I’m putting everything I have into this, because now I understand what’s on the other side of it.
⏰ Balancing It All
Now here’s the real part…
Life doesn’t pause just because you decide to go back to school.
I’m still working two 12-hour shifts in the ER every week.
I’m going to school during the week.
I’m making time for my family.
And I’m still pouring into my blog, because it’s something I truly love.
It’s a lot to carry.
Some days, I feel like I’m thriving in it. Staying busy gives me purpose and keeps me moving forward.
But other days… I do get exhausted.
And that’s the honest truth.
Time management has become one of the most important things in my life right now.
✨ The Unexpected Blessings
As hard as this journey can be, it’s also been incredibly rewarding in ways I didn’t expect.
I’ve found a new level of confidence in myself.
I’ve found purpose again.
And I know, without a doubt, that I’m going to finish what I started and earn my bachelor’s in nursing.
But one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been my daughter.
We’re in school at the same time.
We come home and do homework at the same time.
And when she sees me working hard and getting good grades… it motivates her to do the same.
That alone makes everything worth it.
🌅 The Little Things That Keep Me Going
I’ve also learned that the little things matter more than I thought.
I’m a morning person, so I wake up around 5:00–5:30 AM most days.
I take the time to get ready, to do my hair, my makeup, and actually feel put together.
It might seem small, but it sets the tone for my entire day.
It helps me show up as the best version of myself, not just for school, but for everything I have going on.
💡 If You’re Thinking About Going Back to College…
If you’re sitting there wondering if it’s too late…
It’s not.
I know how easy it is to feel like you’ve missed your chance. Like everyone else has already figured it out, and you’re somehow behind.
But the truth is… your path was never meant to look like anyone else’s.
Here’s what I would tell you:
- Don’t compare yourself to anyone else
- Start messy, just start
- Your life experience is your advantage
Everything you’ve been through—every job, every season, every challenge—has prepared you for this moment in a way you don’t even realize yet.
You are not behind.
You’re just getting started in a different season… and there is so much strength in that.
🤍 Closing
Going back to college in my 30s has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s challenged me, tested my patience, and pushed me out of my comfort zone more than once.
But at the same time… it’s also rebuilt something in me.
It’s reminded me that I can do hard things.
It’s shown me that it’s never too late to go after something you’ve always wanted.
And it’s given me a sense of purpose that feels so much bigger than just going to class and getting good grades.
This journey isn’t perfect. Some days I feel on top of everything… and other days I feel completely exhausted.
But I’m showing up anyway.
Because I know what I’m working toward.
I know the life I’m building.
I know the example I’m setting.
And I know that this version of me, the one who didn’t give up, is exactly who I’m meant to be.
And the best part?
This is just the beginning of my nursing journey… and I’m taking you along for all of it. 💛
If you made it this far, I’m so glad you’re here 🤍
If you want to follow along on this journey—balancing college, work, family, and everything in between—I’d love for you to join my email list.
I share real-life updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and everything I’m learning along the way.
🎒 Shop My College Essentials
Since going back to school, I’ve really leaned into finding things that help me stay organized, focused, and honestly… just make life a little easier.
Between long days, studying, and balancing everything else, having the right essentials has made such a difference for me.
These are the things I actually use in my everyday routine as a college student in my 30s, from staying organized to getting through long study sessions ☕
👉 Shop all my college essentials here:
