Older CSU Student 'fitting in' on campus

U.S.A. California

Published

I am a 38-year old woman attending California State University Sacramento. I transferred here as a junior after completing most of my general education coursework at a local community college. My goal is to get accepted into CSUS' Nursing Program. I've worked my butt off to maintain a 4.0 GPA, an 88% on my TEAS test, and still find the time to tutor A&P for my past professor. Oh, did I mention I'm married, have 2 kids and a house to take of? This obviously isn't my first career, but it *is* my first time in college. Campus life at a CSU is *VERY* different from campus life at a community college. It's all about "Greek Week" and getting drunk and parties. The younger students (typically Freshmen or Sophomores) look at us 'older' students like we must be professors sitting in on other professors lectures. When they find out that we are undergrads just like them, they look at us like living fossils. Just to give you an idea, in 5 out of my 6 classes, I *am* the oldest student in class. At the local community college, there was always someone my age or older in my classes.

General Education classes is one thing... but what I am mainly concerned about is the Nursing School at CSUS. It is located in a special building, off-campus. I currently take a GE course that is offered in the building and I have to say, I feel very out of place. These nursing students tend not to be very nice. I try to be cordial... hold the door open when I see them walking in behind me... smile and say 'good morning' or 'hey, how's it going?'... but I rarely get a 'thanks' or any acknowledgement in return. I'm worried that if I get accepted into the nursing program (which I have a really good chance at this semester), are they going to ignore me and avoid me because I'm older? I have had to jump through all the same hoops they have... even more... to be where I am now. All I want is to feel like I belong. :-( I like to be social with my classmates and form study groups. I don't mind the 'den mother' role as it makes me feel needed and valued.

I hope I'm not the only person experiencing this. Are there other nurses or student nurses that have experienced similar things? I don't consider it discrimination, but I would say classism. I thought about starting a 'Second Career Nurses Organization' to find like-minded students, but I don't want anyone to think of it as a 'young versus old' club. I could use any advice you have to give! Thanks.

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Don't let it get to you! I'm in my early twenties and have had classes in the nursing building and I get treated the same way when I'm there. Hate to say it, but it's just their personalities.

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I never took a class at Folsom Hall before starting the nursing program, so I do not know what it feels like from the outside. I am sorry if we have been rude to you both! Please don't let that discourage you.

I can say that, from my experience in the nursing program, there are a lot of second degree and second career nursing students, and while you may not get along with everyone in your cohort, once you begin there is definitely going to be bonding with your fellow first semester nursing students as you try to adjust and figure everything out. There will also probably be plenty of others who want to do study groups, and there is a lot of socializing if you hang out at Folsom Hall between or after classes.

Good luck with your application!

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I am almost 30, and I am finally back in college (UCF). I chose the military route right after high school. In my classes, if I am not THE oldest, there is typically only one or two older than me. I have had professor's my age. It's almost like the younger folks think there is something wrong with you for attending college later in life. I also have three children, (6, 2, and newborn), and the kids in my classes seem astonished that someone my age, with children the age of their own siblings, is going to college with them (and doing better).

Just remember, you are there to accomplish a goal, don't let some people who are still a little wet behind the ears slow you down! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Emergency, Tele, Med Surg, DOU, ICU.

Don't worry about the age thing. Right now since you are in GE classes that sort of thing is expected. But once you get into nursing class, I can assure you no one cares about your age. Nursing school is an equal opportunity entity that dishes out hardship, stress and terror to anyone regardless of age:). In my class we had a guy who was 62, 45, & 42. Lots of female nursing students who were over 40 years old. My best buddies were moms who were 51 and 55 years old and with kids in college and 30 year old's with kids in middle school. I was the only one in our little group with kids in elementary :) Trust me, age will be the least of your concern once you are in the program.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I just finished at SSU, and I'm 34. I was younger than probably 1/3 of my classmates. You'll be fine! :) Don't stress too much. You may not have the time for some of the social gathering, nursing club, luau fundraiser kind of stuff, but I'm guessing you'll find yourself in good company. Many nursing students, especially through the CSUs (as opposed to private universities) are in the 30-50+ crowd. We had the "Momfia", and we'd go out to the campus pub for a glass of wine and an appetizer once a week by the second year. It was fun!

It took me awhile to find a study group I liked, but the ones I did this with were about my age or older, and had kids as well. We worked really well together, and have become very good friends. One moved out of state because of family stuff, and we miss him a ton! We'd all go running together (we're trail runners, total fluke that there were a few of us in our class of 23!), and when we got to choose our groups, we worked together.

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I did not find this attitude to be the case when I was an older student at my CSU campus. I was not at the campus or involved with the other students enough for there to have been any concern.

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The 'momfia'!!! I love it! I hope I meet awesome students like that. :) Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel better. :)

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I attended Sac State over 20 years ago, where I got my degree in another field. But I did attend nursing school here in Texas later in life. I was 45 when I graduated and have been at it for a year. It was odd being both older and a male, one of probably 10 or 11 in a class of 85. I recall feeling particularly embarrassed when there were things I didn't grasp or skills I didn't perform correctly because I felt like my classmates were mentally rolling their eyes and thinking, "This bumbling old guy is pathetic!" But you just keep plugging on and remember why you are there. Once you are on the floor, I think you'll find that your maturity and understanding will be of massive benefit for your patients--and these are things they cannot teach you in school. You just have to live it.

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