Ageism in Nursing School..

[MQ Edna]

Has anyone ever experienced this? I am the oldest in my class (48) and I constantly feel left out or made fun of. I caught a couple of my classmates rolling their eyes when I walked into the Nurses Conference room yesterday...we were at a skilled nursing facility and were doing our clinical work there. I don't get any respect from one of them - she is always snapping answers to questions I ask the professor! I have just about had it with this group of people I am in school with. I know I'm not there to make friends but to learn...but honestly, sometimes I get so nervous in class or in clinical that I actually get physically ill! I am in my first semester in nursing school. I don't want to drop out, but I am seriously considering it. And it's not from the patients or staff I have to deal with - it's from MY OWN CLASS!!

[EmmasPop]

(Age 52) Have to admit I noticed a few odd stares from fellow students in the beginning. But once they got to know me it wasn't an issue. However, my clinical instructors have demonstrated true ageism with their snide comments in groups and the occasional, "what are you doing here" and "how old are you" statements. I know exactly what you mean when you say you get physically ill in clinicals! Just wondering at what age do nurses lose their sense of compassion and empathy for others? Is that the reason they became instructors?

[caliotter3]

Sorry to see that the OP is no longer a member of the site. Hope that she did not quit nursing school.

[cmw6v8]

I'm not sure if I have any additional advice to offer, but I wanted to comment about my own experiences. I'm 26, so I'm basically in the same generation as the younger students, but I do feel a bit different, after having completed a previous degree and getting several years of professional work experience in an unrelated field.

I completed my pre-reqs at an evening program comprised of mostly mature adults (mid-twenties and older, lots of thirty- and forty-somethings), and it was a completely different environment. Everyone was respectful, eager to chat with anyone about anything, never felt weird about asking questions...students just seemed to have the confidence and professional behavior that comes with experience and maturity I guess.

The younger students in the traditional BSN I'm in are dealing with all the stuff that comes with being a typical college kid. Developmentally they are just in another place, and I think it's good to remember that. Their actions toward you are probably just reflecting their own insecurity and need to fit in. They don't have the life experience that older students have, so they are going to act less professionally, even if they perceive their behavior to be "professional."

I definitely miss the camaraderie and professionalism of the older adults in the evening classes I took. It was so much more relaxing. My plan to deal with the less mature students is basically to just be friendly toward them, chat with them, but also completely ignore the rest of the stuff that might be annoying to me like cliques, etc. I really just don't care, and I have MUCH better ways to spend my time and energy than trying to fit in or gain their approval.