Any other "older" new nursing students out there?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hi all! I am new to this site and I am a brand new nursing student. I am a retired NYC police officer and a single mom of 4 (2 at home, 2 on their own.) I am excited and terrified all at once!! I am starting my pre-req's in January 2002. I will hopefully be done with them within a year. I guess what I am worried about is the fact that I'll be going to school with people my older kid's ages and I don't wanna be seen as the "old lady!!" I am doing this not only for myself, but I figured after all these years, I cannot preach college to my children if I've not gone myself! Any advice for the new, old woman?

Thanks for letting me get started...I'm sure I'll be here a lot!!:)

HI, and Welcome!

Don't worry, there are a whole bunch of us "older" or NON-traditional students here.

When the instructor asks us for something to do with someone born before 1940, most of the students groan, and say, "I guess I will have to call Grandma." I just call my ma... :)

Hang in there, and if there is anything we can help you with, jump right in.

Marla

Hi there!

I'm "only" 35 which sometimes seems old enough to me! There are two ladies in their sixties in my class (and they don't look a day over forty) who are wonderful! I think I'm lucky- in a nursing class of 18 there are four men and a wild range in age. We are becoming very close- like family. Every time we have a test we huddle together for comfort. Every time one of us has a bad day, we give care and candy! :p The variety in knowledge and skills helps all of us learn better.

I only hope you are so lucky!

Nontraditional learning is definitely on the upswing, so don't be self conscious- just get out there and learn!

Jackie

Forgot to mention- one of my instructors mentioned she liked the older students best because they were better students. She didn't necessarily mean grades! You can do it- you've already finished one tough career plus raising children!

46 here and I'm having a ball. Kind of makes me glad that I didn't go to college right out of high school. Life experience comes in really handy in some of my classes and the kids come to me with some of their life problems. Our class ranges in age from 18 to 49 (only one guy though). You have have allot of fun...stress....and make some really close friends of all ages! If you have any questions just ask on this BB and usually someone will have an answer. Good luck and welcome!!

You don't say how old you are, but I'll bet you won't be the oldest in your class. The average age of ours is probably late 30s; we have many students in our class in their 50s. It's never too late to go back to school! :)

Krista

Hi Dear,

I am 34 going on to 35 and this is my first time in college. I started doing my prerequisites this fall. I want to finish all prerequisites by fall 2003. We are in the same baot!!

Do not worry about age. Most of the kids in my class are 18 and 19 and I fit in real well. As a matter of fact, My professors admire my attitude toward school assignments and they see me a very mature student who is focused.

Hey Girl!! do what you have to do and do not worry about age because it is just a number here.

Just do it!

*waving hand frantically in the air*

non-traditional student here! i am 29 years old (and holding *lol*) and already have a bachelors degree. i am sorry to report i don't have any children, but i am extremely happiliy married! :)

welcome! bronxbaby! :)

I am 49, closing in on 50 before the end of the year. Starting nursing school in 2002. I am a retired paramedic.

I became a licensed massage therapist at the age of 47. I was the "really old one." My class had several women in their 30's and 40's. : )

Who cares if they call you "the old lady?" At least everyone will know who you are. It could be worse. You could be :

the one that won't shut up so we can hear the rest of the lecture

the one that asks the question the instructor just answered

The one that doesn't have a clue......

Your age has given you the gifts of patience, tolerance (sometimes), understanding and empathy, things most of us were missing at 18.

Good luck with school. I hope your path leads you to a wonderful new beginning.

HEY! I am 29 and I have been a homemaker and raised 2 boys. They are both in school now (1st and 3rd grade) and my husband and I are married 10 years this month! YAA! I have stayed home faithfully and raised my children and now it is MY TURN! I love being back in school as a nursing student. I am ready to contribute outside the home now. I tried to go to school when I graduated and just was not ready. I got married, started my family and WAITED and persevered. Now I am in college full time while the kids are in school, as an older student it seems as if financial aid is more available, and the life experiences DEFINITELY help. Sometimes the professor will talk about something that the younger traditional students have yet to experience and the OLDER students GET IT! It's GREAT! The younger more traditional students seem to have really great test taking skills and it seems like getting good grades comes a little easier to them. I think that is where if a person is rusty with study skills we have to remediate a little bit! BUT, The older non-traditional students are eager to learn and focused. I am so THANKFUL I waited. I recommend anyone doing it backwards like I did!(HA-HA) I probably would have wasted my parents money for college 12 years ago! YOU CAN DO IT! AND WE DESERVE IT!:D

Hey Thewhip,

That is the spirit girl!! Let us do it together. we will succeed!.

:D Thanks!!! I love this site! We have to accentuate the positive!

Hey! I'm 38 (39 next month!) and I am about the average in my school! We all work well together... like a family...

Be happy in nursing school and have fun!

Julie:)

+ Add a Comment