[Oz2]

At 44, I'm no longer the person I was in my early 20s, and I have very little in common with girls that age. I've noticed there is a fair number of 2nd degree/older students going into nursing and it would be nice to have a place in the student section to interact with fellow students who are of similar age and life experience. I often feel out of place in the general nurse section, because I have little to offer not being a nurse yet, and out of place in the student section which is largely populated with students in their early 20s.

What do you think? Can you try it out and see if it fills a need?

[pacifica]

Originally Posted by Oz2

What do you think? Can you try it out and see if it fills a need?

Sounds like a good idea to me! I'd love to see such a forum. I'm 41, nursing will be my second career, and I am halfway through my ADN. About half the people in my nursing class (20 out of 40) are older, second or third career folks. I enjoy the younger students but I definitely have more to talk about with the older folks.

Great idea! I think a 35+ student forum would be a good place to discuss issues that are relevant to our generation(s). Of course we would not have to exclude those younger students from participating if they have interest.

Hopefully the idea will get enough support that the administrators will consider it.

[oncnursemsn]

Originally Posted by Oz2

At 44, I'm no longer the person I was in my early 20s, and I have very little in common with girls that age. I've noticed there is a fair number of 2nd degree/older students going into nursing and it would be nice to have a place in the student section to interact with fellow students who are of similar age and life experience. I often feel out of place in the general nurse section, because I have little to offer not being a nurse yet, and out of place in the student section which is largely populated with students in their early 20s.

What do you think? Can you try it out and see if it fills a need?

yes. there is a need. We need older more mature students. I have students older than me. There is certainly a need for more mature / older students.

Jess

[Jules A]

My two pennies would be that the sage advice from us well seasoned students might be helpful to the younger ones. Things like the threads about students happily running up a million dollars worth of debt while in school because its "good debt" or not being willing to share notes with peers are just a couple of examples where I think an older persons perspective might be of value.

[Leigh40]

I am 40 and am in my third week of LVN school. I would love to have some feedback from "my age group". It seems alot harder for me with kids at home and not being in college in 20 years.

[Oz2]

You can do it Leigh! Hang in there...I have an 8 year old myself.

Thanks for the positive votes guys. I wish they would do this for us...maybe if more people see this thread and say they want it we'll get lucky and they'll create it for us. I don't think many people wander over to this section unless they have a specific request, so it might be a long wait for enough people to say they want it.

Jules...I would still go to the regular student section and of course the 20 somethings could visit the older section. It's not a matter of this OR that....its a matter of this AND that.

[NRSKarenRN]

I've started a thread:
http://allnurses.com/forums/f50/nurs...ml#post2641777

Lets see where it leads...not sure if need separate forum.

[Leigh40]

Thanks, my kids are 7 and 5, I am one of those "later in life" moms. I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one that is doing this life change.

[CT Pixie]

38 yrs and 10 months here..(ugghh..saying 2 months from 39 is killing me

I think an "older" student forum is a great idea. I would still visit the other student forum and give my help when needed but I'd love a place where us "older" ones could post about our issues where others our age could totally relate where we are coming from.

I am the 3rd oldest of 37 students in my class. I am just below the second oldest by just a month The average age of my classmates is late 20's.

[TheCommuter]

I think this forum would be a good idea, as students over the age of 35 tend to lead different lifestyles, bring different life experiences to the table, and possess different concerns than their younger counterparts who fall into the traditional college-age category.