I feel out of place in class.

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Yesterday was my first day of classes/labs for an 8 week CNA program.

A little background about me - I've been working on all of my prerequisites for the RN program and finally put my application in. This left me with a free semester in which I decided to take the CNA program and find something in the field to work in part time during nursing school.

I am 36 years old, divorced for just over a year, living back at home with my family. I know this is a tough spot, and I am so grateful I had somewhere to go with people who could help me go further in life.

However...I feel so old and out of place in my class. It is full of young, bright eyed and bushy tailed girls (two guys in the class so far) who just recently got out of high school.

Lots of smiles and no one has treated me poorly, but I personally feel like I don't belong. I definitely have some issues with feeling like I wasted my life not making something of myself when I was younger, but at that time, being a home-maker was more important to me.

This is a respectable field, and an excellent step in the path towards my ultimate goal of NP, but right now I feel like a total loser in every way.

Has anyone else felt this way, or entered this field later in life/after a major life change/etc?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

I felt the exact same way when I did my CNA training... And I was 22 at the time. I feel that way now at school working on my nursing prereqs... You're never too old to try something new or get an education. They might be younger than you, but you've got maturity and wisdom... Two things that definitely come in handy in this field. If you do work as a CNA you most likely find the ages of aides to be a bit more spread out. At my facility, we have 16 year olds working part-time to 50-somethings working full-time.

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I'm afraid it'll be similar for me. I'm registering for one that starts in October. I've been working on a surgical tech degree, but I'm not in any classes this semester, either. I'm 34, and there are a lot of young people in my classes. There are a surprising number of people my own age(and older!) in the regular nursing/surgical classes, though. How about yours?

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Girl! When I went through my CNA class at 25 I kind of felt the same sting you are describing. I had been suffering with depression from previously failing out of my BSN program, it felt like the end of the world for a long time afterwards, but staying at home all alone as a housewife felt worse. Slowly working through the pain I will remind you just as I remind myself: Life isn't a race to accomplishment and happiness. Its messy and we all make mistakes along the way, but we cannot sulk and wallow in them forever. We have to take our messes and whip them into the shape we want.

Also, "Bright eyed and bushy tailed" equates to little life experience. The reality truck just hasn't gone down their street yet. Taking care of your children at home has given you more experience than you realize, just wait. :)

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You will feel this in an an R.N. Program too. There is always a divide between the older people and bubbly people. I experienced this as a second degree student in a B.S.N. program. It's no biggie. Not to hate on the young people, but you likely bring a wealth of experience and perspective that a lot of younger people don't have. Younger students have their assets too, but never forget the experience you bring to the table. If you can translate that experience into communicating with your clients and giving them good care, that is all that matters. Unless your classmates have something to teach you it does no good to compare yourself to others.

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Well, I think you just need a kick in the pants, LOL. I'm in the same boat. It was more important for me to raise my family and I did that as long as I possibly could as a stay at home mom but there came a time when I needed to do more to support my family financially and now I am a CNA/pre-nursing student.

I think you are doing a fantastic, amazing thing for your family. Just keep telling yourself, it is only 8 weeks. Also, realize that the younger students probably have a lot of respect for you and look up to you as a great role model. Another issue is, you will find most CNAs are closer to your age, once you start working.

Do not beat yourself up any further. Raising a family is a noble occupation. So now you are working on a second career, in a sense. You are doing a great thing! Stick with your goals and try to feel better about yourself, okay? You are not alone! :)

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Well, the first week is done. Each of the instructors are older than me by a large margin and refer to even my oldest class-mate (A woman in her 50s) as "you kids". I can tell I'm definitely not too old after all!

I do still feel kind of out of place, but for a different reason. I've completed all my nursing program requirements and even the stuff that was not required to apply but were required to complete the course like AP 1-2 and Microbiology, so I have a head start on a lot of my classmates who have either just started their biologies or are not intending to take any. I already got my ego bruised by doing the wrong thing - i.e. not being told the proper way to do something according to one instructor, so doing it in a way that made sense to me and being called out in front of everyone. I've always excelled at book work, but hands-on things leave me feeling kind of baffled. I guess I can expect this sort of behavior from here on out and just work on developing that thick skin I always wished I had.

Some of you posters journeys are amazing and very inspiring! Thank you for your comments here!

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Specializes in Long term care.

"I already got my ego bruised by doing the wrong thing - i.e. not being told the proper way to do something according to one instructor, so doing it in a way that made sense to me and being called out in front of everyone."

My first immediate thought when I read this was... Never a failure, always a lesson!

Try to remember they aren't calling you out in front of everyone to embarrass you. They want others to learn from your mistake. Think of it as a opportunity to help your classmates learn. It was a lesson...and that is a good thing..it's what you're there for.

Always try to find the positive.

And I completely agree, once you get out and start working, you will find more people your age. You will have an easier time at what you do and I think employers will hire you first because of your maturity and life experience.

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Second set of clinical days coming up with my first day of being around patients/residents. I'm definitely trying to keep looking on the bright side of everything I possibly can! Learning experiences and not letting difficult moments stop me from learning or stop me from moving forward. We'll see how this weekend goes! Thank you all for the wisdom you've shared with me so far!

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This will probably be a recurring scenario throughout your career. There are many 'older' people in classes everywhere.

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I'm so glad to hear the positive updates from you! Sounds like you are doing much better than you had expected. I also like the advice that your instructors are not calling you out so much as creating a learning opportunity for everyone. Try not to take it personally. I'm sure you are doing just fine. Hang in there and keep us posted. Remember, you are going to make a difference in people's lives.

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Oh, we could be BFFs! Our stories are very similar! I did my CNA program in my 30s! I definitely felt out of place. However, I decided it was something I had to do to move forward with my BSN, and it was only temporary! I made it through, passed the exam, and kept trekking through my adventure! I'm always trying to keep my eye on the prize at the end of the tunnel! You can do it, too! :)

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