Older Nursing students

dhinson45 · Jan 20, 2010

Guess that I AM old, as we went to classes which gave us support for each other. If they are not teachers, just coaches that is TRUELY sad.Teacher are such special people and we have needed them since time began. A "Coach" can direct you and encourage you, but if you do not know the right questions to ask, does that make the learning effective? Does just reading give you the ablility to retain,reguritate,and safely practice what you read? I wonder.?

lovelewis · Jan 20, 2010

As an Adjunct Professor, teaching clinical pediatrics I have to say, BRAVO FOR OLDER STUDENTS:yeah:. The best students I have had, have all been 30 and older; some even older than me. The concept of time management, priority setting and overall quality of care is of a higher caliber.

dancing nancy · Jan 20, 2010

Nope you're not alone! I just started yesterday and I would say our class of about 48 is split close to 50/50 between early 20 somethings and "older" returning students. I'm in my mid thirties and going through with three children and a hubby at home. It's nice to have other "older" students in your class and with a little more life experience I think we'll make excellent nurses! Good for you for going back and not thinking "I'm too old" it's never too late! Good luck in your studies!

nanceb1738 · Jan 20, 2010

I'd say that student was young. I started nursing school when I was 52, but had to relocate due to my husband and was not able to finish. After relocation, I placed myself on the nursing school list but was never able to get selected---too many prospective students on the list in this state, not enough schools or instructors. In 2009 I returned to school for medical assisting and graduated in December 2009 at the age of 58. Now I am doing my externship and already I am not challenged, so I am planning on returning to school for the summer semester to finish nursing,,,,,and maybe I will continue onto becoming a PA by the time I am 65. My average in school was 94%.

merrywhiterose · Jan 20, 2010

I'm 52 and plan to graduate from the RN program in 2011. You're NEVER too old to advance in your career!

HawaiiRose · Jan 20, 2010

I'm 39 and many of the students in my class of 30 are around the same age...our oldest student is a gentleman who is 62. I am one of those people who never wants to stop learning and growing, so if it is possible, I will continue reaching out for new experiences. If I decide at 65 I want to be a model or a rocket scientist, look out world, 'cause I WILL figure out a way :)

We'llSee · Jan 20, 2010

I'm now 53, but at age 50, after finally leaving my 1st husband, and with 2 out of 6 children still at home, I relocated from northern California to SoCal and went to LVN school. A little over a year later, I graduated as valedictorian (motivation, NOT smarts!) and am now working as an LVN while finishing my RN prereqs. I'll be done at the end of this semester (unless microbiology kills me, which it's trying to do), about a month before I turn 54. God willing, I'll pass the TEAS test and then be placed on "the list". I've maintained a 4.0 average (micro will change that), but I do agree that it takes me longer to grasp things than it does my younger classmates. I'm just really motivated (family and friends say that in my case motivated=anal)

The time is going to pass anyway, so why the heck not? Now, if I could just get these youngest two out the door! Also, I remarried in November, so life is very full.

BTW, I am tired ALL the time!

Hang in there, younger as well as older students. We've all got our stumbling blocks, but if you want it enough, you can do it!

savingsakura · Jan 20, 2010

43, newgrad BSN 12/09. My age is just a number, look & fit as 30s, so I feel.... and co-mates were clueless of my "real" age. Point is, youngies are tech-savvy and quicker. Admit that we waste class time by initiating discussion on issues rather than the lecture, less hip on tech, put more time into studies cause we have to, more obligations and responsiblities affect study groups. Without the young-mates, nursing school would've been very difficult for me. They made my life easier.

However, life experiences taught me to handle stress very well. My sergeant clinical instructor brought many youngies to tears....the sgt. would e-mail me and praised my performances each time I stood her wrath. I was able to console and encourage the youngies like a big-sister which they appreciated. They could hide behind me when it was tough, eventually to stand next to me, and keep on trucking with sweat & tears but head held high.

Each generation brougth uniqueness to the floor, recognition of the differences will enhance your individual endeavors. :cheers:

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jan 20, 2010

I graduated nursing school when I was 55. Are you that old?

RABOEHM · Jan 20, 2010

I just turned 50 and am hoping to be accepted into a BSN program in the fall. I have been taking my prerequisites at community college, a class at a time and have a 4.0 gpa. I have been the oldest student in all of my classes but I just can't worry about that. While the younger students have way more energy than I do, I am a hard worker with good life experience. I encourage all of us older students...after all 50 is the new 30....right?

aelse · Jan 20, 2010

I'm just now taking my basics for the RN program and I'm 40 with two daughters ages 17 and 12. The sky is the limit and if Nursing is your dream, then your not to old to go for your dream. At least I don't think I am. Good Luck! :yeah:

tellteri · Jan 20, 2010

Hi Marie

There is no such thing as too old! I will be 54 on Jan 26 and I'm in my last half of LPN school....and am an A student.

There are two other 50 somethings in my class and quite a few 40+ students, too. In December, we had a graduate who was 60 and has almost all of her pre reqs done for the RN program for Sept 2010.

I will admit, it may take a little longer to get your rythym down as far as organizing your study time when you're carrying a full load, but after a month or two, you'll know what works best for you.

The other thing that I can't stress enough is, be prepared to put your life on hold while you are in school. Before I started, I told my immediate and extended family that I just wasn't going to be available for the next year....that I would keep in touch by phone but visits would be minimal. Holidays would not be "the usual" for this year. My husband understood that he was going to be "on his own" quite often and I encouraged him to make a list of things he wanted to do while my nose was in the books. We also discussed that he would need to help around the house...dinners of soup/salad and/or sandwhich would be frequent, etc. He completely understood and was very supportive..and he has stayed that way. There were no surprises and we were prepared.

Other women in my class who didn't "set the stage" are having some difficulty trying to meet school demands and still be the homemaker they're used to being. They tried to keep everything the same and it doesn't work. The result: two of them are now taking anti-anxiety medicine and another one has left her husband. Very sad.

Lay a good foundation and build on it.........you'll be fine!!