30-something BSNs

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Specializes in critical care.

So I went to a meeting last week that most of my fellow newly admitted BSN students were at and I was the oldest in the room. I'm pretty sure they were all no older than 21 or so. I'm 31, I've got kids, and I've lived life. I'm worried I won't be able to connect well. In the meantime, I've been elected junior rep of the SNA, so I need to get over the intimidation quickly.

I know our local ADN program tends to have older students. I was expecting to see at least a couple of older faces, but nope. Anyone else experience the same?

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Yes! When I started my BSN program I was 29 and married with 2 kids. Most of my classmates are all 21 or 22. I think the age didn't bother me as much but what made me feel so different was that I had children and am married. I will say as I've went through the clinicals and classes, I'm now a senior, I've found quite a few friends. When your clinical instructor says"oh yeah go suction your patient or insert a foley cath" and you've never done these procedures on anything that isn't plastic and you only have your fellow classmates to look for support, advice, or help age and differences go out the window. I have definately made some good friends in clinicals.

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Specializes in critical care.

I hope that ends up being the case! I was sitting back listening to the rising seniors share advice with the rising juniors about how to balance their schedules. They were talking about sports and parties and stuff and I was giggling to myself thinking, "If only I had to worry about finding time for parties!" lol

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I'm 32 with 4 kids. I know 4 people who are going to be in the ABSN program with me (from pre-req classes) and 3 of them are older--one is in her late 40s! I haven't been to orientation yet, so maybe everyone else will be young and childless, but you are definitely not alone. Good luck!

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I'm 32 with 4 kids. I know 4 people who are going to be in the ABSN program with me (from pre-req classes) and 3 of them are older--one is in her late 40s! I haven't been to orientation yet, so maybe everyone else will be young and childless, but you are definitely not alone. Good luck!

It sounds like ixchel may be entering a traditional program. Those seem to skew younger than the accelerated programs. When I was taking pre-reqs, the vast majority of my classmates were under 22 (and many of them were planning to apply to the traditional/1st-BS program) but my cohort in the accelerated program skews considerably older and with far more students who are married, have kids or both.

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It sounds like ixchel may be entering a traditional program. Those seem to skew younger than the accelerated programs. When I was taking pre-reqs, the vast majority of my classmates were under 22 (and many of them were planning to apply to the traditional/1st-BS program) but my cohort in the accelerated program skews considerably older and with far more students who are married, have kids or both.
I realized that may be the case after I posted. Honestly I would have preferred the traditional program if I could have enrolled, but anyone with a prior bachelors degree is only allowed to go the ABSN route at my school. Hopefully your shared experiences will build trust and friendship regardless of age. :)
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Hopefully your shared experiences will build trust and friendship regardless of age.

I think you're absolutely right. I certainly found this to be true in my pre-req classes and they didn't require the kind of regular interaction with each other that nursing classes encourage (and sometimes necessitate).

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I'm 39 and there are a few 'older' students in my cohort. Several in their 30s, 1 or 2 in the 40s and 2 in the 50s. Nobody has had any trouble finding friends with the younger students. I find most treat me like any other student. Don't sweat it. :)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I'm in the same boat. 30 years old, two kids, entering into a BSN program.

I've been taking pre-reqs at the local community college for a while and had issues trying to connect with students there. Yes, there were some that were older like me (and some even older), but I always seemed to end up at the same table as those who are 19 year old partiers. Whatever. I'm not in school to make friends... only acquaintances. I just chat about the class, the professor, the school, where's the best place to grab pizza, etc. and keep my personal life out of it.

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Not sure if the OP is in a traditional BSN program or an accelerated or RN to BSN program, but my schools RN to BSN students are in the mid 30's to mid 40's range.

I'm currently in the LPN to RN program and the average age is mid 30's. I am friendly with other students who are my daughter's age as well as other student's who are closer to my Mom's generation than to mine and everyone in between. I've become close with fellow classmates who are much younger than me as well as closer to my age.

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Specializes in critical care.

I am in a traditional BSN, but I took all of my gen eds and pre reqs at the community college. The 19 and 20-somethings were actually more rare than the late 20s and up crowd. There were all kinda of people working on second careers or SAHMs going to school while their kids were at school. I felt right at home there. I think my favorite experience so far was my Chem 1 lab group. We had an older man with adult children that was trying to get out of being a maintenance man and electrician. We had a mom of teenagers who was a divorce attorney trying to get into physical therapy. We had a early 30s stay at home dad who was also trying to get into PT. we all had stuff in common, we all were there trying to learn together, we were experienced in life in general so we understood how much harder the world is beyond the college campus. I'm not saying a young student wouldn't understand those things or appreciate them in the same way, but it's different, I think. Don't get me wrong- I'm not saying its any better going through school at our age either. 10 years ago I didn't appreciate the many, many free hours I had in a day. I remember feeling like I never had time to do anything. Now I'd kill for that time I didn't see I actually did have! Hahaha Pros and cons exist on both sides of your 20s. I do thank you for the responses to this thread. It is good knowing that age and life experience may not be a big deal at all.

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I am just starting my bscn after completing a diploma and I have to say I'm in the opposite boat. I'm 23 and most of my classmates are in their late 20's going up to the 50'sBut it's true what the other poster said eventually age goes out the window in nursing. And never judge a book by its cover! There have been people in their 30's who I thought were like 20 lol

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