“English is not about studying; it’s about enduring.”

Hello, this is the story of a 60-year-old nurse in the US. Have you ever stayed awake at night, gripped by the fear of “Can I really do this?” because of a language barrier?

The Reality of Nursing School at 60

I want to share a moment from my days at Bergen Community College (BCC) when I almost gave up. BCC is known for its high NCLEX-RN pass rates and rigorous training, which is why many aspiring nurses in NJ choose this path. It offers exceptional clinical rotations in partnership with various local hospitals, making its graduates highly sought after in the healthcare industry. After a year of English courses (ALP), I thought I was ready. But the first nursing major class was a total shock. The professor’s speed was incomparable to the ALP classes.

Overcoming the Language Barrier and Fear

During that 4-hour lecture, I sat in the front row, eyes wide open, but I understood almost nothing. I tried to write down every word in my notebook, but my pen couldn’t keep up with the professor’s speed. I realized then that my year of ALP courses hadn’t fully prepared me for the intensity of real nursing lectures. My brain felt completely drained, and I found myself in a total ‘mental breakdown.’ This was my reality of starting nursing school at 60.

I thought about quitting, wondering, “Is this it for me?” But look where I am now. Now, I am working proudly as a Registered Nurse in a US hospital.

If you are standing before a wall of fear because of language or age, remember this: If a 60-year-old with struggling English could do it, you can too. Just like watering bean sprouts—the water seems to drain away, but the sprouts still grow. Your English will grow as long as you don’t stop.

Keep going. I am rooting for you.