Older student/ New nursing student

[mihali05]

I know going to nursing at any age is nerve racking, but for someone who is older the fear of being left behind is very real. I get intimidated by the younger students that seem to catch on right away while I double check and triple check my information before coming to a conclusion. I don't want to say I don't trust my instincts, I am a mother of two teenage girls I have some experience with instincts, but at times I don't believe in myself. I hope that as I progress in the program that second nature will kick in. I put the time in and I want to be the best nurse I can be, but I worry that I am not good enough. Anyone else further along in the process or have a similar situation? I am in need of inspiration!!

[hockey24]

I am 52 and just started my final year of nursing school. My cohort ranges from 21-52 and we All get along very well. The advantage we older students have is our life experience, and that's invaluable. Good luck.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

The oldest student in my class was 65...yep, that's right. I was 33 and I found that is was the older nurses that caught on and were the higher grade earners. The younger ones seemed....lost, no, not lost, they just didn't seem to know about life which, how would they, being they were in their early 20s. That's another thing most of the class was over 30.

It was a high ranking research university that was #7 in it's class at the time I went to school. Most of the people in my class were pursuing second careers or returning to college because they never went after high school (late bloomers). I believe almost half the class had kids they raising and some were married and some weren't. It was a class of 42 students, we lost one due to a drug conviction, but the rest of us graduated.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, mihali05:

I started my nursing journey last year shortly after my 50th birthday; my prerequisites were finished this past May, and I start the actual RN program this coming January. This semester, I'm taking pathophysiology and abnormal psychology; optional classes I was told would help me during clinicals. I tend to be the oldest or among the oldest at the college I'm attending; some classes I'm the only male present.

Yes, there are younger students who appear to be faster at getting things, and I tend to be slow; though I think my slowness has to do with my personality type (Myers-briggs INFJ) where I love to let things sink in so I can process the information, connect the dots, and try to ask questions which fill in the blanks. Over the past 3 decades, I've learned it is more about competing with myself vs. competing with others as there will always -- always -- be someone faster, stronger, better in specific areas (God made us unique).

In terms of being slow or otherwise slowing down, just a short while ago today, I was paid a compliment by my pathophysiology professor:

]You are a great student. You have interest in human body functions and are genuinely willing to learn. I also think that you have rich life experience and so much knowledge to offer. In today's material driven and fast pace society, very few people can slow down, to think, to compare and to appreciate the learning opportunity, no exception for most of our students. I really appreciate your time, input and feedback for this course.

]If we have our health, then move on our dreams. If you have faith, always, always persevere.

]Thank you.

[mihali05]

I am trying. lol Thank you though,it is nice to get words of wisdom from others. I am in my first semester so I have a ways to go. I am just overwhelmed by it all. I just have to buckle down and do my best.

[50goingback2school]

I am so glad you posted this topic. I will be finishing up my Assoc. of Science focused on Nursing May 2015, then heading to the BSN program at a 4yr college to finish out. I've waited 30 years to return to school and finish college. I worked part-time and stayed home with my four children. My oldest is 29. When my youngest turned 15 this year, I decided to return to school. I am always the oldest in my classes, sometimes older than my instructor. It was difficult at first, getting use to the kids in there my children's ages. I really had to build some confidence. It is a little scary and I almost quit a couple of times. I would go out of the school building crying and so stressed out. I just didn’t want to be a quitter so I pushed through thinking if I failed that class, I would just take it again ~ no big deal. That’s how I got through the really tough classes. I do want to encourage the older students to continue on, no matter how tough it gets. If you never try you will never know if you can do it. I want to look forward to my next 50 years of accomplishments or failures, but have no regrets, and just smile :)

[mihali05]

We are all in this together. Nurses and nursing students are really the only ones that understand the pressures. It is nice to know I am not alone!!

[Brown-Hughes RN]

I'm 47 years old, graduated college in 2011 with an associates in science, went to nursing school in 2012, obtained my ADN in September 2014, and just passed by boards October 23, 2014. I will begin my BSN at Penn State in January 2015. Not bad for an "old head". It definitely can be done!

[mihali05]

I am in my first semester and it has been a major shock to the system. I am learning how to rewire the brain and study a different way. I am finding comfort in the fact that we are all in this together and that it takes time. I need to believe in myself.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

I am a 44 yr old finishing my accelerated BSN this December. We are all second career students, but about half of our class are 20+ year olds and the other half is give or take my age. What can I say, I don't have the memory the 20+ year olds have, although I do remember having it when I was their age:) It sucks. That said, I find that we, older students, have a different type of intelligence. Our strength is not speed and volume. It is depth, the ability to think on multiple levels (given all the professional and personal experiences we have had), the ability to "see" people and situations, which, I would argue, is more important in nursing than how much info you can memorize (although that would be nice too). I think we also look at situations from a more philosophical perspective and don't take everything personally, like the younger folks.

My point is, it WILL be challenging (for everybody regardless of age) but you WILL do great! Good luck!

[Spangle Brown]

Thanks for this topic. I needed it. I'm in my late 40's and I start Nursing school in January. I've been worried about keeping up with the younger ones. And wither I will be able to get all the information to stick in my head. I did ok in all my AA classes, but still worried about this. Yet I am excited for the challenge.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Older people have to study longer, that's all. Fact of life. We are capable of learning at any age, it just takes more time. I just spent about 60 hours studying for our 2nd medsurg II test (3rd semester). I'm 51. My younger classmates also study hard, maybe just not as long before it clicks. Here's where you may find yourself excelling: critical thinking! Because even if you don't know it, you've been critically thinking your whole life, also known in general life experience as "deductive reasoning". Hang in there, it's not easy but have faith in yourself.