What differences do you notice in younger students vs. older students?

klone, MSN, RN · May 26, 2004

Okay, I am going to inject my opinion here! At my school the different age groups mingle well, but sometimes the people with kids gang up on the ones who don't have kids. For example....me. A lot of people in my class constantly say "well, if I didn't have kids I could study all the time and make good grades too." Now, there is no doubt in my mind it is EXTREMELY difficult to go to school & have to take care of your children.....I know that is true....but don't be angry with me because I do well. And, no, I don't sit at home and study everyday...I have a husband & friends & family that I spend time with. It's not like I sit out in the hall and say "ha, ha, I got an "A" and you didn't"!! I actually spend my study time tutoring some of these people....but when it comes down to test day, all I hear is "Well, all you have to do is study, we have other responsibilities!!" URRGHHHH!! Sorry, that was not supposed to be a vent, but it turned into one! LOL!
Lil

That would make me very angry. Next time they say that, tell them that you know LOTS of nursing students with children at allnurses.com and they still manage to study and make good grades, even with kids. So maybe the problem is time management, not children.

julieftRN · May 26, 2004

The party people do seem to be younger but I think that is just a phase most people go through in their late teens and early twenties. Eventually people learn to be responsible and start concentrating on doing what needs to be done instead of what may be fun at the moment.

I have to agree with you here. I am 27 and have responsibilities that have MADE me grow up. These kids are just going thru a phase that everyone of us has gone thru, and we were once those less experienced youngsters that were calling people like us old fuddy duds. With a little time, experience, and mom and dad finnally cutting the cord, they will be just like us wondering if they really acted like that when they were that age!!!:chuckle

julieftRN · May 26, 2004

Nope but there sure is a significant difference from Chicago. It might not be the south persay, but the rural environment instead. The high schools out here have a 50% drop out rate...and in my class of 30 people, there was maybe one other girl who had never been married and didn't have kids. So stereotypical perhaps, but it has been my experience that people in certain areas do marry younger and have children at younger ages.

Well I grew up in Orlando, FL and am now living in Mississippi and let me tell you that there were more girls pregnant in (my very prominant) high school than any of the girls here in "rural" mississippi. It all has to do with parenting, not because you live in a "rural" area. The parents in Florida were more concerned about their money than their kids (in my area). Most kids where I live now, come from well established homes and a good support system. Just because you have one experience does not mean you should give a stereotype to all.

Cherish · May 26, 2004

I'm 21, and have been independent since I was 17 (joined the Army at that age). I knew that my mom, couldn't simply pay for my education, nor would I put her through that. So I joined up served my country and did my duty, that MOST people don't do. Decided I wanted the military to pay for my schooling (and they are boy are they! lol). I've seen the typical, daddy dearest type of kids at school, and the adults that act like since there adults, and married with kids that they should have be exempt from certain situations. It all depends not on age, but on the mental capacity and ability. I've seen some REALLY dumb adults, and 'kids' (18-22), so that tells me its not age but how they are raised. BTW I do go to clubs and party (military people KNOW how to party, and still make it to formation at 6 in the morning and run 3-4 miles lol), but it doesn't affect my abilities at school, nor do I brag about it in class or to students. You may ask how I do it, but having fun shouldn't interfere with your studying habits or in retaining information. I see it as I'm only this age once in my life, so have fun while I can :) Everyone else should too, in whatever they do as long as they don't take it overboard and know the consequences. :)

Altra, BSN, RN · May 26, 2004

(military people KNOW how to party, and still make it to formation at 6 in the morning and run 3-4 miles lol.

HA! So true, so true ... :rotfl:

RNKITTY04 · May 26, 2004

MLOS,

Couldnt help but notice your recent loss. Please accept my condolences. Last post I read of yours, you were trying to figure how to get kitty to the vet. Can I ask what happened?

BTW I was born and raised in the Burg what part are you from?

Cherish · May 26, 2004

Sorry to hear of your lost also, Pittsburgh GO STEELERS! lol

Star Trek Nerd · May 26, 2004

I'm curious as to whether or not those of you in school see a trend in the other students in your class. Such as (and these are only examples): do you see younger students not being as serious...out partying a lot? Do you see older students being easily frustrated with the younger ones? I think you get what I mean here....I didn't notice a whole lot of them when I started my pre-req's. For the most part, everyone was respectful of everyone else. I wondered if this is the norm. or maybe my school is so small that it isn't quite as bad or maybe it will get worse (and cliquey according to age) once I start the actual nursing program...........

I'm 25 but have never partied or gone out on test nights, etc. etc. Actually I don't party, period. I'm very boring. But I definitely do notice that a lot of my peers party and go out, then try to beg notes and advice before the next quiz or whatever.

And speaking from personal experience, classmates my age or younger tend to skip more classes...myself included.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 26, 2004

But I definitely do notice that a lot of my peers party and go out, then try to beg notes and advice before the next quiz or whatever.

I know. Hence the reason why i reply "sorry i do not feel right handing out freebies".

Altra, BSN, RN · May 26, 2004

Cherish & RNKitty04: thanks so much for asking about my cat - it's very kind of you! :saint: Here's Sheeba's story ...

Sheeba was part of the family for 15 years. She was a surprise gift from my then-boyfriend-now-hubby. She's seen it all - several moves, the arrival of our second cat Cleo, black lab Lucy, and the arrival of our daughter. She liked it best when she was an "only child" but she adjusted! :chuckle Back in January I noticed that she was losing weight so I took her to the vet and was told that she had a large tumor on her kidney and that surgery wasn't really advisable due to her age and compromised renal status. Apparently cats are notorious for not being symptomatic until their disease is really advanced. We had her treated with fluids and antibiotics, but made the decision not to pursue any other measures. She did really well for a while - she regained some weight and was back to many of her usual tricks. But last week she suddenly started spending most of her time under one of the chairs in the living room, only coming out when we coaxed her out. Over the weekend she stopped eating & drinking. I had to talk w/my 10-year old and let her know the reality of the situation.

On Monday I was with a home health nurse as part of a clinical assignment and was majorly stressing over not even having a day this week to call the vet and decide what to do. But it turned out that the nurse I was assigned to be with only had 3 patients on her schedule. I got home much earlier than I expected and had to pull Sheeba out from under the chair. I kind of made the decision right then. I bawled most of the way to the vet's office.

This has been really hard. It's kind of subdued around here, but life goes on. My daughter keeps thinking up silly things that Sheeba might be doing in "kitty heaven", like eating all the tuna she can, or chasing endless pieces of crumpled up paper (one of her favorite games). Or simply staring at a spot on the wall until she makes you look.

Thanks guys, for your thoughts. You're the best!

RNKitty04: I now live not too far from the Pittsburgh airport, although I've lived in several areas in & around Pittsburgh. How about you? Go Steelers - only 2 months till training camp!

OK, now back to the original thread ...

suzy253, RN · May 26, 2004

As an older (!) student, I'm tired! :chuckle

MLOS...I noticed your post too. So sorry about your kitty. I'm a cat lover--presently have 5...and have been thru some very very difficult decision-making experiences (unpleasant of course) in the past. Hugzzzz to you my fellow diploma student!

Altra, BSN, RN · May 26, 2004

{{{{Hugs}}}} back at ya, Suzy!