If you would have told me a few years ago that Iโd be sitting in a college classroom in my 30sโฆ I probably wouldnโt have believed you.
But here I am.
And honestly? It looks nothing like I thought it would.
๐ A Little Bit of My Story
Iโve been a CNA since 2012. Itโs what Iโve 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 didnโt do as well as I should have in high school, and Iโm 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 meโฆ it also burned me out faster than I expected.
๐ The Moment Everything Changed
Iโll never forget sitting in chemistry class one day when I got a Facebook message.
It seemed so small at the timeโฆ just a message.
But that message came from someone who would completely change my life forever.
my now husband…โค๏ธ
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 donโt regret that decision at all. It was part of my storyโฆ part of my timing.
๐ฅ 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, Pediatricsโฆ and every now and then, Iโd get floated to the ER.
And thatโs where my career started to shift.
The Emergency Room.
I fell in love with it.
The fast pace, the unpredictability, the constant movementโฆ 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 Iโve made in my career.
๐ Why I Went Back to School
Fast forward to Spring 2026โฆ
My husband started encouraging me to go back to school. And at first, I wasnโt sure. Life was comfortable, I was comfortable with my job as a CNA, and starting over feltโฆ 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 Iโve wanted for a long time. And this time, Im going straight for my Bachelors in Nursing. ๐ฉบ
๐ What Itโs Like Walking Into College in Your 30s
Iโm not going to lieโฆ 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 donโt show up just to get by anymore, you show up with purpose.
But yesโฆ there are definitely moments where you realize youโre the oldest one in the room ๐
Like when your professor is in the middle of teaching and casually says,
โIโm pretty sure none of you were around for 9/11 in 2001โฆโ
And I just sat there likeโฆ well, I was ๐
Moments like that make you laugh, but they also remind you how different this season of life is.
๐ง The Biggest Differences
One of the biggest things Iโve noticed?
You stop caring what people think.
In your 30s, youโve already lived a little. Youโve been through things. Youโve learned what matters and what doesnโt.
That pressure to fit in or worry about what other people thinkโฆ it fades.
And in its place, you get clarity.
Youโre there for a reason, and you donโt lose sight of that.
๐ School Feels Different Now
School feels completely different this time around.
Iโm more focused.
More intentional.
More determined.
Iโm not just trying to pass anymoreโฆ Iโm aiming for Aโs.
Iโm putting everything I have into this, because now I understand whatโs on the other side of it.
โฐ Balancing It All
Now hereโs the real partโฆ
Life doesnโt pause just because you decide to go back to school.
Iโm still working two 12-hour shifts in the ER every week.
Iโm going to school during the week.
Iโm making time for my family.
And Iโm still pouring into my blog, because itโs something I truly love.
Itโs a lot to carry.
Some days, I feel like Iโm thriving in it. Staying busy gives me purpose and keeps me moving forward.
But other daysโฆ I do get exhausted.
And thatโs the honest truth.
Time management has become one of the most important things in my life right now.
โจ The Unexpected Blessings
As hard as this journey can be, itโs also been incredibly rewarding in ways I didnโt expect.
Iโve found a new level of confidence in myself.
Iโve found purpose again.
And I know, without a doubt, that Iโm going to finish what I started and earn my bachelorโs in nursing.
But one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been my daughter.
Weโre 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 gradesโฆ it motivates her to do the same.
That alone makes everything worth it.
๐ The Little Things That Keep Me Going
Iโve also learned that the little things matter more than I thought.
Iโm a morning person, so I wake up around 5:00โ5:30 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.
๐ก If Youโre Thinking About Going Back to College…
If youโre sitting there wondering if itโs too lateโฆ
Itโs not.
I know how easy it is to feel like youโve missed your chance. Like everyone else has already figured it out, and youโre somehow behind.
But the truth isโฆ your path was never meant to look like anyone elseโs.
Hereโs what I would tell you:
- Donโt compare yourself to anyone else
- Start messy, just start
- Your life experience is your advantage
Everything youโve been throughโevery job, every season, every challengeโhas prepared you for this moment in a way you donโt even realize yet.
You are not behind.
Youโre just getting started in a different seasonโฆ and there is so much strength in that.
๐ค Closing
Going back to college in my 30s has stretched me in ways I didnโt expect. Itโs challenged me, tested my patience, and pushed me out of my comfort zone more than once.
But at the same timeโฆ itโs also rebuilt something in me.
Itโs reminded me that I can do hard things.
Itโs shown me that itโs never too late to go after something youโve always wanted.
And itโs given me a sense of purpose that feels so much bigger than just going to class and getting good grades.
This journey isnโt perfect. Some days I feel on top of everythingโฆ and other days I feel completely exhausted.
But Iโm showing up anyway.
Because I know what Iโm working toward.
I know the life Iโm building.
I know the example Iโm setting.
And I know that this version of me, the one who didnโt give up, is exactly who Iโm meant to be.
And the best part?
This is just the beginning of my nursing journeyโฆ and Iโm taking you along for all of it. ๐
If you made it this far, Iโm so glad youโre here ๐ค
If you want to follow along on this journeyโbalancing college, work, family, and everything in betweenโIโd love for you to join my email list.
I share real-life updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and everything Iโm learning along the way.
๐ Shop My College Essentials
Since going back to school, Iโve really leaned into finding things that help me stay organized, focused, and honestlyโฆ 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 โ
๐ Shop all my college essentials here:
