Older students biased against younger students?

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First let me say that I'm not trying to start an argument on this thread, but I want to bring to everyone's attention a situation I was in yesterday.

Soo, yesterday morning I went to register for summer courses and I was standing in line between two very nice women who were in their early 30s (I am 20). We were all talking about the nursing program etc and both women started talking about how this was a second career for them and they feel that older people should receive spots in programs over people straight out of high school because they are wiser and have more life experiance. Usually I would just brush comments like these off (even though I am not just out of high school, I have been taking pre-reqs since I graduated in 2007 and have been accepted into a program for Fall 2009), but they would not stop going on and on about teenagers and even people in their early 20s not knowing what they want to do with their lives. I really take offense to this because I'm working very hard to achieve my goal of becoming a RN, does anyone else come in contact with people that have this same mindset?

I agree with both sides. I'm 19 years old and I even see some differences between myself who has been in college for almost three years, compared to the freshman just coming in and some are immature. I appreciate the insight and helpfulness of older students but sometimes they are reluctant to help because they feel you don't belong. Nursing doesn't have an age limit. I think sometimes younger students do need to mature a little but everyone was a younger student at some point. If you knew you wanted to do nursing and could go back and do it earlier would you have? And don't think you're alone, some of us younger students get annoyed with eachother as well. I can't stand when students sit there and constantly text on their sidekicks, in any class! But I think that has more to do with attitude than age. The students think that can BS all semester and still pass because they might have been able to do it in their pre-reqs or weren't prepared for what nursing school actually is.

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I am graduating with my RN next month at the sweet age of 45! Wahoooooo!!! I have respect for all ages that have been able to get through this intense program. During the last two years in nursing school, I have gotten along with all age groups. Its like we are all in this together, and support one another. I have nothing but respect for the younger generation getting ready to graduate with me. Thats because they deserve to be there and have worked really hard too.

My 19 yr old daughter is an LPN and getting ready to transist over to the RN. So, I can understand both sides of the spectrum. Its funny though cause she said her best friend in LPN school was a lady that was in her 40's. LOL... So, age does not matter.

I think people should stop worrying about what others think and do whats necessary to acheive their dreams. But, no matter what... you should be respectful to all of your classmates and try to get along. Besides, you could be working together one day. LOL...

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Thank you for your opinions. I just want to clarify that I used the term "older" simply because they are significantly older than I am. I have been in classes with fellow 20 year olds as well as 60 year olds and I really do feel like it's all about the individual, not the age. This is why it just erked me with what these women were saying, and for some of you posters... this wasn't a thread for you guys to vent about the younger people in your programs, you cannot group people together because of age because clearly not every traditional student is like that, the same way I am saying that not every non trad has the viewpoints shown on this thread.

You are the one who started this thread, claiming that you 'didn't want to start a fight' but then you launched into your complaint about some 'older' nursing students.

So then naturally, people took offense and jumped in to explain their opinions on the subject, which are that some 'younger' students are immature, act like they're in high school, and generally get on their nerves. Some young ones want the 'older' students to attend special over the hill nursing programs and keep away from them.

What did you expect? When you start a thread like this, this is what happens. That's the thing about us oldsters. We are able to predict what will happen based on past experiences. ;)

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Specializes in LTC.

I started NS at age 19... youngest girl in the program. To be honest I never hear rude comments about my age. First of all very few people know my age. They all assume I'm in my mid twenties because I act very mature. Second, those two women were just expressing their thoughts and opinions I would not have taken offense. Instead I would of been counting my blessings that I'm even in the nursing program. Granted it works both ways. Older students may be jealous of younger students or questioning our stress just because we don't have kids and etc. Younger students may be envious of older students for various reasons and so on. I wouldn't let it get me down.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
I started NS at age 19... youngest girl in the program. To be honest I never hear rude comments about my age. First of all very few people know my age. They all assume I'm in my mid twenties because I act very mature. Second, those two women were just expressing their thoughts and opinions I would not have taken offense. Instead I would of been counting my blessings that I'm even in the nursing program. Granted it works both ways. Older students may be jealous of younger students or questioning our stress just because we don't have kids and etc. Younger students may be envious of older students for various reasons and so on. I wouldn't let it get me down.

You sound wonderful. What an insightful and thoughtful post.

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Specializes in Psych.

Someone who would actually SAY that out loud to you obviously hasn't learned anything in their years of living, about tact and self-monitoring of what comes out of their mouth, even IF that is what they are thinking...NOT a sign of wisdom, IMO...

I will be 45 in the fall when I start nursing school, and I am a little worried about my cognitive abilities as compared to a 20 year old :rolleyes: but I try to learn *something* from everyone I meet and I'm looking forward to the diversity of people I will meet in the program. I do know how to study much better now than when I was 20, and I did MUCH better in college when I returned in my 30's and finished my BA and Master's degrees, so I feel confident that what I have learned about how to "do" college will benefit me again in nursing school, and may benefit others as well.

There are mature, hard-working 20 year olds and there are childish 50 year olds...and vice versa. Age doesn't have much to do with it, it just depends on the particular person.

BTW...I got kicked out of nursing school when I was 19 because *I* was very immature, not serious about the program, lacked self-confidence and assertiveness, etc. I admire any 19-20 year old who already has a handle on these things :bow:

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Through a program in our state, I started attending community college (while still going to highschool) at the age of 15. I graduated w/ my 1st associate degree @ 18. Now, at 26 i'm back in school and have surprisingly found myself in classes where I was almost the oldest person in the class (seriously, I didn't think 26 was that old until I was in a room w/ 15 18 y/o's and me lol).

So I can say i've been on both sides of the spectrum.

LIke other posters have said, there are valid arguments on both sides. There are some immature 18 y/o's that goof off and there are 30 somethings that feel they're superior. You just have to be careful not to paint an entire age group w/ on brush due to the actions of a few people.

I also don't think that age should EVER be a factor in who gets a seat. That's discrimination no matter which way you look at it.

There are pros and cons for going to school when you're young or when you have some life experience (for those of those that don't like being the "older" students lol) and both groups can learn important things from the other. We should keep that in mind instead of letting us segregate us into two groups.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I don't know for some reason i felt upset, I'm not the type to tell a person to not follow their dreams and all, but I just think since he's much older and only plans to work as an RN for 2 years, that his spot should be given to someone else planning to really work long in the field.

And imagine if someone denied YOU the right to go to NS, their reason being because you were "only 22" and they thought you were too young to know what you wanted to do with your life.

Doesn't seem too nice to do to you, does it? Seems downright cruel, doesn't it? So why would you want to do it to him?

If he (or you) wants to go to NS in the first place, that is no one's business but his (and yours). If you found your calling at 22, good for you--you can get started on it sooner and really have a chance to go far in it. And if he found it in his 60s, that's good too--he'll get to spend a few years doing something he really wants to do.

I have to agree with many of the other posters: we should remember that we can all learn something from each other regardless of our ages. Age is only an issue if we decide to make it one.

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Specializes in LTC.
And imagine if someone denied YOU the right to go to NS, their reason being because you were "only 22" and they thought you were too young to know what you wanted to do with your life.

Doesn't seem too nice to do to you, does it? Seems downright cruel, doesn't it? So why would you want to do it to him?

If he (or you) wants to go to NS in the first place, that is no one's business but his (and yours). If you found your calling at 22, good for you--you can get started on it sooner and really have a chance to go far in it. And if he found it in his 60s, that's good too--he'll get to spend a few years doing something he really wants to do.

I have to agree with many of the other posters: we should remember that we can all learn something from each other regardless of our ages. Age is only an issue if we decide to make it one.

One my my nursing school buddies is an older women who has a masters in business management. She told me that she doesn't plan on working in nursing as a career. She just want to work 3x a month as a nurse and thats it. Who am I to judge ? If nursing is her dream not matter what age or for what reasons it should be obtained.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
. Dont worry about it dear theyre just jealous that we found out what we wanted to do early in life.

Are you KIDDING me???

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Thank you, Diane-RN Student...you read my mind

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Specializes in NICU.

"Dont worry about it dear theyre just jealous that we found out what we wanted to do early in life."

How do you know your dreams won't change? People shouldn't feel ashamed for pursuing their goals, no matter their age.

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