Tips for older new student?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I have a BS in Fish and Wildlife Management and have worked as a fish culturist for 18 years now. I've held EMR and EMT certification over the years and was a Captain on our volunteer fire department until this past summer. I have decided, at 45 yo, due to the extremely physical working conditions at my current job (outside in below zero temps, standing in 35-47 degree water for up to four hours at a time, repeatedly lifting 40-60lbs of fish from below feet to above head, etc) that I need to do something different in order to still be upright and able to enjoy retirement.

Our local community college has a well respected ADN RN program that ties in to our state college's BSN program. I am planning on taking the leap and starting school this Fall. What are some helpful tips for someone my age and amount of time away from school to get back in the swing of learning? I'm thinking maybe a "brain game" app or two, taking an easy online course like Medical Terminology this summer. Any other ideas from older students?

Thank you all for your ideas! I'm really looking forward to starting this new phase of my life

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The way it was put to me, at age 52 starting another 4+ year educational journey: If I *don't* do it, how will I be in 4 years?

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Older student here and like some of the previous posters said; you can start off with some of your GE's if you haven't already to get the feel of school since it's been a while; get a white board (at Costco I think it's like 20 bulks for a nice size) and get a calendar, electronic or paper whichever you prefer; when you get the syllabus for the classes, put all your exam and quizes on the calendar so you can see your timeline easily; once you get to your sciences; I brought a recorder to record the professor. On the weekends, since I work a full time job, the recorder helped go back on some things. The whiteboard will help for writing and practicing for memorization and for writing down topics for yourself. Hope this helps!

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Specializes in Burn, ICU.

One thing I would add to what others have posted: If you don't have good computer and typing skills, take a class to brush them up. You will probably need to write a lot, find and save references a lot, and learn new software (test review programs, reference sites, the hospital charting system where you do clinical, etc...). Struggling with the computer won't make any of that easier.

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I second the recommendation of the Coursera course Learning How to Learn. It changed the way I thought about studying (and learning in general) and got me ready to go back to school 12 years after high school, and be a much better student than I was back then. It's also just plain fascinating and taught by a really nice lady with an interesting background and learning history. Oh, and it's FREE! Here's the link:

Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects | Coursera

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Specializes in Phlebotomy credential.

I started out at 45 and took on five classes! Bad idea lol. I did C's in all and so I took the next year off feeling defeated. I went back in Fall 2015 and dipped my toe in with Med term and Intro to Healthcare and got my first ever A's. Then I tackled Gen Bio, A&P 1 and 2 then Micro...all A's...then did the rest of my A.A. degree except for my maths..cuz thats what I do lol..don't recommend that btw ;-D

Long story short, my confidence was what was holding me back from the beginning. Once I felt I could be disciplined and adjust my life to include studying (because I never studied in my life!) I did really well!

All the myths about it being harder to do academics is largely just heresay, at least that has been my experience. But also I would not accept that as an answer and give up on myself just because I am an older student. Having said that there was definitely a learning curve in the beginning.

I think you are on the right track by starting out with "easier" class like Med Term. Then as you gain confidence in yourself and your abilities to do well (which is largely time management in my mind, and we have a lifetime of those skills!! :-)) I am positive you will find age has little to do with it! :-)

Don't allow the stigma of age to rob you of your ability to do well in whatever you choose to do! Its so easy to buy into those beliefs. Just don't! :-)

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Specializes in Phlebotomy credential.
Older student here and like some of the previous posters said; you can start off with some of your GE's if you haven't already to get the feel of school since it's been a while; get a white board (at Costco I think it's like 20 bulks for a nice size) and get a calendar, electronic or paper whichever you prefer; when you get the syllabus for the classes, put all your exam and quizes on the calendar so you can see your timeline easily; once you get to your sciences; I brought a recorder to record the professor. On the weekends, since I work a full time job, the recorder helped go back on some things. The whiteboard will help for writing and practicing for memorization and for writing down topics for yourself. Hope this helps!

I literally did all those things!!! :-) Especially recording lectures. I listened to them while jogging and waiting in traffic.

Getting super organized, feeding yourself properly (esp as an older student) is tantamount to doing well, staying well rested, "change of life" issues are manageable with proper nutrition and supplementation and should not ever be underestimated in impacting your day to day life balance and being able to do well academically.

I never did flash cards but that works for many people. I just made sure my phone was on full power and brought my charger to class so as to record. INVALUABLE :-) Also take great notes and rewriting them if possible. I rarely had time to do this but when I did it helped immensely. The other things I did was consume Instagram Medical content voraciously!

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Thanks again for suggesting these courses!! I just got through the first module of Learning How to Learn and I am very excited to go more in depth on the techniques. I think it's going to really aid me in focusing on concepts, etc.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.

If you are headed for a campus, be prepared. It's a way different culture than it was when we were kids. Might be a good idea to visit the campus and get a tour to break the ice a bit? You can see where certain classes are being held and familiarize yourself with the lay of the land so to speak. Find out where the student resource areas are, book store, bathrooms, how the parking will be, sort of a pre-orientation before Orientation if that helps. Not sure that that's what you are asking, but it does come in handy.

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Hi! I just turned 47 and went back to school in Jan 2017 to take my prerequisites for nursing school. I have a bachelors in business so I had to take anatomy & physiology I and II and Microbiology. I had to also pick up one psychology class. I took these at a community college. I've applied there for their ASN and I have also applied to a BSN and MSN-CNL program at a university. I've been accepted for the BSN. I have interviewed for the MSN and waiting to hear back. I will have to take Chemistry if I take the MSN route. I have loved being back in school! I'm excited for nursing school as well. I know it will be hard no matter which program I choose, but I am grateful for the opportunity! So I say go for it!!!

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