Advice wanted, as an older RN student, what thing should I NOT do?

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I will be entering an RN program in the spring. I'm an LVN but I'm starting the program at the beginning, not a bridge program due to "stuff". I'm 45 and while I love my patients I'm not really a people person. I'm going into a program with mostly 20 something women and I'm concerned that I'm going to want to nag. I have 2 kids in that age range and while getting my prerequisites I noticed a near uncontrollable urge to parent other students and sometimes teachers. Some appreciated the advice, assistance and "Mom purse supplies" but most got a trapped animal expression and tried to politely chew their leg off and run. It turns out teachers don't like you correcting them either, (except one aspie microbiology professor who appreciated my pointing out a math error in the lab manual she'd wrote) I've accepted that I annoy the BM out of teachers and students but I'm hoping to start fresh in clinicals so at least someone will give me a recommendation when it's time to look for a job. The nurses in my lvn clinicals seem to like me but I think that was just because my anal attention to detail meant I didn't kill their patients causing them grief and paperwork.

Advice on how to not torture the poor RNs in clinical would be appreciated as well as any general advice.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to LPN to RN forum

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I am an older student as well, age 44, and starting a BSN program in about one month. There were quite a few immature younger students in my pre-requisite classes, and as I already have a bachelor's degree in another field, I was tempted to chide them about their poor study habits. But mostly I kept quiet and did my work, and avoided studying with those type of students. I did find a few occasions to privately give a few words of advice to a confused younger student, or words of encouragement to a struggling older student, and they appreciated it. People are sensitive to having their mistakes pointed out in public, but if they ask for help you might find occasion to share some of your knowledge and experience privately.

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Just be yourself -- quietly! :cheeky:, but seriously, just be yourself and observe as much as you can. It's not easy in nursing school, with know-it-alls, gung-ho newbies or know-nothings who ***** and complain, in addition to the normal drama of being around a gaggle of women. You'll probably find like minded friends soon enough and be able to snicker in private about things that previously made your instincts come out and can appreciate your input (or politely shush you.)

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Specializes in ICU.

How are you able to do this? At my school LPNs have to do the bridge program, you cannot enter a traditional program. I feel like you are deceiving the school by not telling them you are an LVN. I understand not telling classmates and current instructors, but the program needs to know and approve of you going this route.

I'm going to be 40 in six days, and I have never once mothered students or corrected an instructor. There is a girl in our twenties in our class who constantly corrects everyone and it does not turn out well. We just completed our third semester and she is learning not to correct every single word or action that anybody, including the instructor does. It was not well received by anyone.

Keep your head down, mouth shut, and get through school. But you also need to tell the school you are a current LVN. Otherwise, there will be deception going on and at some point they will find out and you could be dismissed from the program for dishonesty. I'm not saying you have to tell the instructors or students, but the program needs to know.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
How are you able to do this? At my school LPNs have to do the bridge program, you cannot enter a traditional program. I feel like you are deceiving the school by not telling them you are an LVN. I understand not telling classmates and current instructors, but the program needs to know and approve of you going this route.

I'm going to be 40 in six days, and I have never once mothered students or corrected an instructor. There is a girl in our twenties in our class who constantly corrects everyone and it does not turn out well. We just completed our third semester and she is learning not to correct every single word or action that anybody, including the instructor does. It was not well received by anyone.

Keep your head down, mouth shut, and get through school. But you also need to tell the school you are a current LVN. Otherwise, there will be deception going on and at some point they will find out and you could be dismissed from the program for dishonesty. I'm not saying you have to tell the instructors or students, but the program needs to know.

Not every school requires this. It's an option at quite a few schools to either start with advanced standing or start from day 1. There is no rule an LPN must bridge

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Specializes in med/surg.

Im a LPN, I never offer the information that I am.. But good nurses figure it out - that you stand out from the others. I go to each clinical/lecture with a goal -- to learn and get that two letters behind my name "RN"

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My closest friend in nursing school was a woman twice my age, experienced CNA, who had gone through LPN school twenty years prior, but was unable to get her license or practice because of personal reasons. Personally, I loved having that mothering kind of support, and she was a wealth of knowledge. As long as you're maintaining a degree of humility, and can be less mom and more mentor, you won't have a problem. :)

P.S. I spent the entirety of nursing school trying not to beat the stupid out of a lot of the other, younger twenty-somethings...I can appreciate your struggle LOL

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Specializes in geriatrics.

While people appreciate the advice and wisdom offered by older students, it's also important to keep in mind that everyone has their own path in life. We all mature with time and experience.

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Don't say anything and just get it into your head that you aren't going to be part of the "group". I went to RN school at the age of 52. I wasn't included in any study group because they had it at the local bars, and let's face it, how can you study with a bunch of people talking in the background and drinking alcohol. I was studying with two of the younger males until one of them put me in a head lock at clinicals, decided that I didn't need that study group anymore. Ended up not going to my pinning because.....why bother? Blocked all of them on my FaceBook. They were really nasty to me and I didn't correct any of them because I knew about as much as they did to start with. Again, don't open your mouth because if they decide to gang up on you and get the instructors on their side, you're done for.

P.S. The reason that they didn't like me was because when I get nervous, I laugh......it's a sin in nursing school to laugh..........

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Specializes in SNF, home health.

Thank you everyone for your comments. I've learned a lot. I will take what I've read and use it when I start school in February.

I originally thought that I'd be helpful with my classmates and offer my help, SO I thought! You see, I'm a 40 year old LVN with 10+ years of "real life" experience. I know how overwhelming school could be at first. But after, reading these posts, I've realized I'd come off as a know it all.... and that is annoying.

I will keep to myself, for as long as possible... that I am an LVN. I'll avoid work experience without completely being dishonest. Maybe I'll mention my previous non medical experience?

I was in my mid twenties when I went to LVN school. Wow, talk about immaturity, being disrespectful and just plain laziness! It will be even harder now to mind my own business! I had 2 friends while in school. I only, rarely, talk to one on fb. So, I don't plan on a lifetime of friendship😆with anyone.

I am eager to learn more and WILL ask questions! I will succeed even if on my own.

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From a younger nurse:

Remember you're at a different time in your life and probably have loads of experience, us younger nurses are just starting out and have a lot to learn, but let us do just that. It's better to let us learn, we don't need mothering... we are adults. Just be careful how you act you don't want to be known as the know it all and have people roll their eyes because you're always correcting. No body knows everything including you :)

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If you want a happy life dont correct people especially your instructors, and your classmates are just that they are classmates NOT YOUR CHIKDREN you are not responsible for them with you being ilder they are going to see you as their mom correcting them and that does not get you anywhere. Do your clinical. The best you can get your license and maybe you will be a preceptor once you are working

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