Nothing in common with other students?

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Specializes in Neuro.

I am already in my 3rd semester, but I have absolutely nothing in common with the other students. I am a traditional student, I live with my parents, and my values are not what anyone would call traditional. Meanwhile, the other students are almost all married, with children, or they are in a significant long term relationship and almost all of them are very conservative. Not all of them are older, but I live in a very Christian and LDS community were people normally get married in their early 20s.

While they talk about their husbands/wives/girlfriends/boyfriends and/or children, I sit and listen.

I was a political science major so my interests are entirely different than those of my fellow students.

Anyone else feel a little left out of their nursing schools culture?

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Specializes in Psych..

Being in my thirties, married, but with no kids...you'd think the way some people stared that I had grown a third eye or something. So now I tend to keep most of what separates me from my classmates, to myself.

I can usually find something in common with people, and just try to go with that. Hey, and the weather is always a safe topic...heh.

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I used to feel that way... so many go into nursing as second careers that literally a few of us (out of 90!) were fresh out of high school...

I dont have that much in common with a lot of them (and too live with my parents, on the weekends) but I still enjoy their company and we have fun... I have my own life outside of nursing school and sometimes I like to keep it that way. But anyways, no you are not alone. :)

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Specializes in Staff nurse.
Being in my thirties, married, but with no kids...you'd think the way some people stared that I had grown a third eye or something. So now I tend to keep most of what separates me from my classmates, to myself.

I can usually find something in common with people, and just try to go with that. Hey, and the weather is always a safe topic...heh.

...or kitties!

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

Actually, although I was 46 when I started, some of my buddies in nursing school were the age of my kids! I never got asked out to bar hop, but we did talk about politics, school, weather, cooking, how to stay alive in nursing school, how we studied, etc.

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Specializes in Psych..
...or kitties!

Oh yes, kitties are always a safe and enthusiastic topic with me!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

You can always discuss school, instructors, upcoming clinicals, the job market.

All of these subjects should interest everyone regardless of background.

I went to NS in my 30's and to be honest, 16 years later, I couldn't name one classmate or instructor. It was just such a small blip in my life. I went there with a goal, studied, graduated and went on. Maybe finding something outside of school will bring you the involvement you want?

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I am an older student surrounded by a lot of younger kids. I am also one of two people of my race in my group. I am also one of 2 or 3 of my sex in the group.

So no, I don't particularly fit in. But, it's cool, because I'm not there to fit in.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Being in my thirties, married, but with no kids...you'd think the way some people stared that I had grown a third eye or something. So now I tend to keep most of what separates me from my classmates, to myself.

Ditto!

And I could care less too. It's much less stressful that way, you don't hear or get involved in the petty gossip that sometimes goes on.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

So no, I don't particularly fit in. But, it's cool, because I'm not there to fit in.

Amen to that!

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU.

my first semester was like that - we were a very ecclectic group and really didn't mesh. however, i did persist in helping others out and offering myself. after a while i got tired of not getting an reciprocation or thankfulness that i just let it go...i got to thinking that nursing school is only a temporary time in my life...there is so much more that i'll be experiencing when this is all over. so maybe i won't look back at my old classmates as fondly. life goes on....

in the meantime, i found my own study group with some gals i met on this forum. we found out that we were all going to the same nursing program. even though we were in different sections, we were still able to hook up via the internet (especially im!) and tough it out together. i am fortunate that this semester most of us are in the same section so now we really rock! i wish you the best!

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I completely understand where you are coming from. I am in a 2nd degree program, and I am definitely the youngest at 22 (I jumped right from one degree to another). Most people in the class are at least 4 or 5 years older than me, so they have a considerable amount of "life experience" than I do. I always feel like odd gal out and don't fit in well. But, like others had said before, its always easy to connect over your similar situation...school! Talk about clinicals, exams, papers, professors, etc. It sometimes isn't much, but its usually enough. :up:

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