Question for "older" students

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

I try to forget age as a factor and try to remember that wisdom of years will serve me well. Guess what, they do! I enjoy the friendship and respect of my classmates and instructors and allow myself room to make mistakes, just like everyone else.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2004

I try to forget age as a factor and try to remember that wisdom of years will serve me well. Guess what, they do! I enjoy the friendship and respect of my classmates and instructors and allow myself room to make mistakes, just like everyone else.

Absolutely agreee ...

Don't discount the value of common sense - it can serve you very well!

Good luck to you! :)

husker-nurse, LPN, LVN · Jul 27, 2004

I started ADN when I was 44, and my age really didn't factor in; some of my best friends were young students, and I even kept up on recent music! We knew we were all in it together! Of course, there were those who had yet to grow out of the "I know everything already attitude". Seems to me that most of those students fell by the wayside long before degrees were distributed.... Enjoy your classes, along with all the diversity they have to offer!

danu3 · Jul 28, 2004

I guess I don't have that problem because my dad got his Ph.D. when he was in his late 50s! He was always the oldest in class but he got along perfectly fine with the younger students. He also has one huge advantage over all the other students, life experience.

I gues if I ever feel the way you feel, I look at my dad.

-Dan

QuilterLPN · Jul 28, 2004

Hey - the fact that you are older just means that you have alot more "life experience" than the younger folks! You may be a better student than the kid just 2 years out of high school - you are more likely to have better study skills and be more "invested". You can do it!

RegisteredNurse06 · Jul 28, 2004

This was definitely a concern for me when I first started pre-req's last fall after being out of school since the spring of 1991. I have to say though that I did better last year than I did being in college right out of high school. Why? Because when I went to college right out of high school, I did it because that was what I was supposed to do. I wasn't interested in making wonderful grades. I was only interested in doing well enough to pass the class and that was it. I wasn't interested in keeping a certain GPA or even doing my best....as long as I could slide by, that's all I cared about. After awhile, I dropped out, got married, had a family and stayed home with the kids...until last fall when I decided it was time to go back to college. I was so nervous that prior to classes starting, I would sit and think about it and become nauseous just thinking about it. I was terrified that I was "too old" or that I wouldn't "retain the information like I used to" or that I'd be the oldest one in the class. Well, let me tell you....I was wrong on all counts. I'm NOT too old! I actually retain the information better now because i have better study habits than before. And I'm sorta in the middle when it comes to age in my class. We have a few right out of high school and then there are the 20 somethings as well as us 30 somethings and also a few 40 somethings and one who was 56 yrs old. Quite honestly, the older students (late 20's all the way up to the 40 somethings and even the 56 yr old) were the better students because we were, as another poster stated it, "more invested" in what we were doing. I know for me, I was more serious and I was there to learn and not to socialize. I have to admit that after being home with my kids for 12 yrs that the socialization is nice too though :) BUT, it isn't my priority. I spend a lot of time studying and I endeavour to make what I learn a part of me. I had a perfect 4.0 GPA for the fall and spring semesters and I'm quite proud of that. Not because I think I'm a genius(cuz I'm not by any means!) but because it is proof to me that I CAN do this. Anyway, I will also admit that I'm quite nervous about starting clinicals next month...to the same extent as last year..I'm almost to the point of having panic attacks because I'm so afraid that I won't be able to get through clinicals. I have to keep reminding myself that I CAN do this! I think it is mostly the fear of the unknown because I've heard it's tough and I don't doubt that. But, there are lots of RN's out there so obviously it is do-able :)

emme2004 · Jul 28, 2004

I have a question for you all. I am due to start a BSN program in the fall, and I am wondering how all of you felt about feeling like a novice again. I know for me, I am feeling a little nervous about this. I have always had a few mature students in my classes, so I know I won't be alone, but I guess it is that feeling of being inept and starting all over that I am feeling nervous about. Any input?

I started back to school in my late 20s. I realize that does not make a person "older", but in terms of the general population of students, it does. I have talked to other older students about the same thing. We are a little nervous too, but we have a one up on some of the younger "traditional" students, and that is we have life experiences behind us. We know what we want and we are able to be more focused on getting it. I will be 31 this year and finally entering the nursing program in a few weeks. I have to say that I probably not have been able to do this when I was younger. I am comfortable in my own skin now, and I am able to take my schooling serious.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2004

emme2004~ that's exactly how I feel. Comfortable in my own skin and able to take responsibility for my own dreams now......

Rn2b204 · Jul 28, 2004

I must say that I know exactly what you all are talking about. I went right to college after HS, dropped out and decided to continue back just recently. It's just not ment for everyone to go to college right after 12 yrs of primary school some of us need a mental brake..... :uhoh3: I know I did. But, now I am back in the swing of things, more focused and ready after 11 yrs. of being off.

You will do just fine. Keep your eyes on the prize :)

RN2b204 :balloons: :) :balloons: :)

suzy253, RN · Jul 28, 2004

I started my 1st year of nursing school 8/03 at the ripe age of 50! I remember walking into orientation before classes started being stared at by a bunch of 20 and 30-year old faces. Was a little bit uncomfortable at first but soon found that everyone felt the same way. Most of the students at one time or another have confided in me that they admire me going back to school, etc. etc. Was even voted class VP....not that the Pres and I do anything :chuckle

Also one of the junior students who served as my 'big sister' at the time was also on the admissions committee--said there were over 1000 applicants for only 50 slots. I was honored to have been chosen one of the 50!

And yes, life experiences definitely do help. The 1st day of class, sitting in the 1st row, 1st seat with the instructor starting to talk I remember saying to myself...'wow, I'm really in nursing school'. It was and still is an awesome feeling. I made it thru the first year with all the ups and downs that go along with it and am now so looking forward to going back to my second year in August!

maire, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2004

It wasn't a real issue for me, but when I started I noticed the majority of the folks in my class were 30+, with a great many of them being in their 40s and over. :)