Curious. How many "older" students

CappucinoMama · Mar 2, 2004

Hello all..I turn 46 this month and am currently going towards my ASN in nursing here in North Florida..in the process of completing my prereques..this is a 2nd career for me as well ..I am excited and nervous at the same time..:)

How are older grads accepted on the floor?? I will be around 48 when it's all said and done.. You always hear about nurses eating their young..hehe.... they'll have a hard time with this 46 yr old babe...hahaha good grief...I need a glass of wine..to much A & P floating around in my head...LOL

RNSuzq1, RN · Mar 2, 2004

It seems that alot of people are doing nursing for a second career. Just curious. How old is everyone? Who has kids? .

Hi, I guess I fall into the "older" crowd - darn. I'm 42, married for 22 years with 3 Sons ages 19, 11 and 8. The oldest is a College Freshman - so it's very interesting us both being students. I live in North Carolina near Raleigh - take the Nursing Entrance Exam next week and waiting to hear if I'll get into my schools Fall Program.

If I don't get in - really not sure what I'll do as far as school goes. I'm currently the Director of a local Senior Center where being "42" is considered YOUNG!!!! Most of the Seniors are in their 70's and 80's and they all call me "The Kid" which cracks me up, but I love it. My dream is to eventually be an RN working in Geriatrics - I've fallen in love with this age group - they have a lot to offer, I really enjoy their company and feel like I could make a difference in their lives. SusanNC

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2004

Hello all..I turn 46 this month and am currently going towards my ASN in nursing here in North Florida..in the process of completing my prereques..this is a 2nd career for me as well ..I am excited and nervous at the same time..:)
How are older grads accepted on the floor?? I will be around 48 when it's all said and done.. You always hear about nurses eating their young..hehe.... they'll have a hard time with this 46 yr old babe...hahaha good grief...I need a glass of wine..to much A & P floating around in my head...LOL

CappucinoMama, I was very curious about that myself - how would "older" students be received by nurses on the floor. I can tell you that, at least in terms of student clinical experience, I think we tend to have an advantage. This in no way is meant as a slight against younger students, so I don't want anyone to take it that way, but ... you learn a few things just by virtue of having been alive on the planet longer! From my observation older students are just more aware of the "group dynamics" in place, and we're more adept at negotiating them, just because we've been there and done that in other workplaces.

Good luck to all.

Ned the Red · Mar 2, 2004

Aw, you're all a bunch of young whipper snappers!! I'm 52 and in the middle of my last pre-req (A&P). If I'm accepted I'll start a full time ADN program in Jan. '05. I'm married (to an RN), have three kids (18, 20, and 22), and got a BS in Business 30 years ago. Decided I wanted something besides sitting behind a desk all day.

And, am I the only older student who gets asked if he's the instructor??

Ned

angelac1978 · Mar 2, 2004

I'm 25, married but no kids yet, unless you count 1 spoiled rotten kitty! I just moved from south central kentucky to chatt, tn. I am applying to a rad tech program, hopefully I will get an interview come April!

A

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2004

I'll be 35 this Sunday. I graduate from the ADN program in December. Plan to work for a year & then pursue my bachelor's degree in nursing--let the hospital I work for pay for that degree. The oldest person in my class is a 58 year old gentleman.

HunaBunna · Mar 2, 2004

Hi, I'm 36 years old and live in Seattle, Washington. I am leaving my current job as an employment counselor (due to a layoff) in two weeks and will begin my nursing pre-reqs full time spring quarter. I currently work full time and take one class. My husband is really supportive and is taking on lots of overtime so I can attend school full time! I'm so very blessed to have him! We don't have children yet, we're trying though... I too am a mom to three VERY spoiled cats! I have a year to finish pre-reqs and then will apply to the University of Washington for the BSN program. My dream is to be a NICU nurse some day...

Glad to know I'm not the only one out here!

justme3103 · Mar 2, 2004

Hello! I am 31-years-old and live in Florida. I have been married for 13 years and have 2 beautiful children. Nursing is a second career for me - I have a AAS degree in surgical technology and have been working as a surgical technologist since 1997. I will be completing my ADN in June 2004. I plan on picking up the additional prereqs needed for a BSN over the next year and it is my hope to enter the BSN/MSN program at USF in the fall of 2005.

CappucinoMama · Mar 2, 2004

i can tell you that, at least in terms of student clinical experience, i think we tend to have an advantage. this in no way is meant as a slight against younger students, so i don't want anyone to take it that way, but ... you learn a few things just by virtue of having been alive on the planet longer! from my observation older students are just more aware of the "group dynamics" in place, and we're more adept at negotiating them, just because we've been there and done that in other workplaces.

mlos..this is very reassuring and you are right, we do carry alot of experience under our belt...i guess i worry more that i will be respected going into this at this late stage...

quick story, i took my dogs to the vet the other day and and the normal conversation of catch up ensued with the question from my dogs veternarian to me.."lisa, what's goin' on in your world?" didn't think anything about it...i answered it and told her i had resigned from the credit union and was now in my last a & p class and would be applying to the nursing program the end of august for (hopefully) january admittance..she gave me the strangest look and said without missing a beat.."oh your the old lady the shot the curve to h*ll for us young students when i was in school.." my grades are a's & b's ..not all a's ..give me a break you know? :rolleyes:

i was amazed at this from her and it really caught me off guard...long story short (yes i will be looking for another vet) but she made it very clear that she thought i was an idiot for going back to school at 45 yrs. to pursue this goal of mine. fortunately i am not one to replay conversations over and over in my head to give me a complex ..but i have to say..i was totally shocked at her attitude and it concerned me enough to worry that here is this professional who has made her feelings known in a very negative way...is this type attitude toward the 40's nurse graduate manisfested by dr's and other seasoned nurses and professionals?

i just found it a huge eye opener to actually hear that attitude being expressed directly to me..i did convey the conversation to my a & p instructor and of course her thoughts were.."please let me know who this vet is so i don't ever take my cat to her.." lol...she just could not believe it..

she's late 30's herself and is returning to dental school this fall!! never ceases to amaze me the tunnel vision that some people willingly allow in their life..i was never so happy for a vet appt to be over with...lol

peeweedelivery · Mar 2, 2004

It seems that alot of people are doing nursing for a second career. Just curious. How old is everyone? Who has kids? Is it a mixed group in the professional part of the nursing program (I am still doing pre-reqs)? Where are you living and what school do you plan on going to. BSN or ADN? What area of nursing do you want to go into?
I am 32, will be 33 in August. I am married with 3 kids. I live in Phoenix and will be going to Arizona State University for my BSN. I am doing the BSN rather than the ADN because I would like to be a CNM. Although I am also interested in ICU too.

Hi all. I am 37, married 5 kids. I have all pre-reqs done and am finishing the last of the co-reqs, waiting for my "letter"

Michelle in Alaska

mauser · Mar 2, 2004

I just turned 47, my youngest is 17 and she will be graduating from high school this year. I start my clinicals in August 2004. My baby girl tells me she is so proud of me, and informs me that those she tells (practically everyone) think I am amazing for doing this. She tells me she can't wait to attend my "graduation" as I am looking forward to attending her graduation!

Hang in there. My goal is to be an RN before I turn 50!

Carolanne · Mar 2, 2004

I'm 44, expect to graduate in May with an associate's degree. I have two teens - 17 and 15. 17 yo will graduate HS in June.