Baby Boomer 1st Semester Nursing Student Feeling Discouraged

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i thought i could do this nursing school thing at my age of 50. for the last two years, i have worked so hard to finish prereqs in order to get into nursing school. well, here i am about 3/4 of the way through my first semester with nothing but low b's on my tests. skills checkoffs really give me a hard time due to self confidence issues, and the fact that my brain and hands refuse to work as fast as they did about 25 years ago. each day of skills class and clinical is like a beating.:crying2: i made an a on the first skills check off, but my second one went over time - a 74! my lack of skills is really showing in clinicals, and i can tell my clinical instructor is not happy with me. i am really afraid of not passing. all the other students are young and perky, and i am the odd one out in the crowd. i feel so old! the closest student to my age is 15 years younger than me! most of them are the same age as my own children. has anyone else out there dealt with this type os situation? short of finding a fountain of youth, does any one have any suggestions as to how to pull out of this slump? i have just got to get my act together before it's too late!

thanks for any suggestions you could send my way.

Specializes in mental health.

You've got a big advantage over the kids. You can incorporate the class and clinical material into the framework of knowledge you've built over the years.

Nursing school has been a fountain of youth for me. I forget I'm in my mid 50's.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I'm a 45-year-old new grad and I can definitely relate. I, too, don't learn nearly so quickly as I did when I was younger but I have matured and learned how to study effectively and to use my time wisely.

My best suggestion is to practice, Practice, PRACTICE your skills before your tests. Spend time writing out the steps for yourself over and over. When you're commuting, talk 'em out. When you're lying in bed, picture yourself doing them over and over. Simply immerse yourself in it.

It worked for me.

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i thought i could do this nursing school thing at my age of 50. for the last two years, i have worked so hard to finish prereqs in order to get into nursing school. well, here i am about 3/4 of the way through my first semester with nothing but low b's on my tests. skills checkoffs really give me a hard time due to self confidence issues, and the fact that my brain and hands refuse to work as fast as they did about 25 years ago. each day of skills class and clinical is like a beating.:crying2: i made an a on the first skills check off, but my second one went over time - a 74! my lack of skills is really showing in clinicals, and i can tell my clinical instructor is not happy with me. i am really afraid of not passing. all the other students are young and perky, and i am the odd one out in the crowd. i feel so old! the closest student to my age is 15 years younger than me! most of them are the same age as my own children. has anyone else out there dealt with this type os situation? short of finding a fountain of youth, does any one have any suggestions as to how to pull out of this slump? i have just got to get my act together before it's too late!

thanks for any suggestions you could send my way.

just a few words of encouragement. the race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong but to the one who endure. so hang in there, you can do it! put god first and he will direct your path. pray first be anything that you do and always keep the faith no matter how things make look and you will make it. you are in my prayers.

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hello, i am really proud of you.....

i am in my first semester of ns. i am 58 years young. at first i felt like you are feeling. some of my classmates could be my grandchildren. but then as the semester went on, i realized that age does not really matter, because we are all headed in the same direction and after the same prize. i think of dorie in nemo, just keep swimming. yes, i may have to work a little harder, but i am not afriad of that, i learned that a long time ago. yes, i may not be as fast, or as coordinated as a 19 year old, but i get the job done. i have experienced so many things in my life already, loss of my daughter, rape, abusive marriage, and 9 years of incest, that i have alot of compassion that a younger person can not learn from a book. we will be taking care of our own, what better deal than that. also, just so you know a b in nursing school is like an aaaaa+++++ in any other class, so you are doing exceptionally well.

keep on swimming, and you will get to the prize. i know you will.:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in Home Care.

[quote=shannahan;3975302 There is another lady in my class who is probably late 50s who inspires me. She is not afraid of anything. She says, "this is part of my journey and I don't care what anyone thinks."

It's not just a cliche when people say believe in yourself. This is very, very important. Believe you can do it and just take it one week at a time.

I'm 47, I recently graduated with honors from LPN school and I'm holding a 3.6 GPA in pre-reqs for RN. I don't believe my brain slowed down nor my ability to do hand/eye coordination. Nor do I feel any less for being the oldest in my class.

Ok, so I might study more than my classmates, but that's because I want A's. I want to prove to myself that I can do it.

I'm proud of the life experience I have to offer to my fellow students. I do not feel intimidated by their youth.

Be proud of yourself! Consider what you bring to nursing as a mature nurse.

We have a lot to offer :redpinkhe

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