Very depressed & q for older students

Rylee2008, ASN, RN · Sep 2, 2009

You won't be the oldest student out there. I'm 37 and will graduate when I'm 38 this year. We have several students in their 50's and they receive awesome grades. To tell you the truth I didn't have the discipline to do this in my 20's. I have two children and I have had to do a lot of juggling with my kids. I hope everything works out for you. Is there anyway you could get into a part-time program right now or even take one or two classes? Good Luck.

seasoned hopeful · Sep 2, 2009

no worries. i am 58 and starting my first semester of nursing school. i will be 60 when i graduate. hang in there, you can do it.

JJRN09 · Sep 3, 2009

I am 35 and will graduate in December. I have 4 children also but only one on the spectrum. I understand how difficult it can be to coordinate everything. I am sure that it will all work out for you in the end and remember with us here you are never alone.

IMABSNRN · Sep 3, 2009

I am in my mid 30's and looking into going back to school. I think the older you get the more you value education. The best students, from my experience, are the ones with a few miles on them. You have a bright future ahead of you.

Tina1968 · Sep 4, 2009

I am 41 and just began my clinicals, will be 42 when I graduate. I have two little ones, work part time and it's a juggle, but definately worth all the effort! Hang in there, you can do it! My instructor told me she started her education as an older student and she's an educator now! I'll be thinking of you! Good luck!

caliotter3 · Sep 4, 2009

I wouldn't worry about the age thing. However, you know that you need to get something reliable for the childcare issue. If you have to put away money for one year to pay for care or whatever you have to do, please do it. Also, keep in touch with the school. I hope that they stay true to their word and hold your slot. Good luck.

Scooter321 · Sep 4, 2009

As you can tell from all the replies, you're not likely to be the oldest student--not by a long shot. I just turned 52 and started this week. I'll be almost 54 when I graduate. My instructor/advisor told me that she just met a guy who just started the evening program who is 63.

I'm really sorry about you losing your support system and can only imagine how disappointed you must feel right now. Please don't give up on your dream though. It sounds as though you have a good chance of realizing it, even if it turns out to be a year later than you had planned.

:icon_hug:

OCD_Mom · Sep 4, 2009

Check with your school about child care assistance, mine is fairly inexpensive $2-3/hour. Also see if they have programs for autistic children. I am 35 and just starting out in classes in October, I have a 5 year old who is hearing impaired and received a kidney transplant 2 years ago and a healthy but busy 3 year old. We juggle all kinds of doctor appointments and therapies. I would also see if your children's therapists and schools have any suggestions for assistance. Another option is contacting your place of worship and even groups for parents with autistic children or state programs where you can receive respite care for education. I know a friend here gets a sitter a couple days a week for respite care of her autistic child. Just throwing some suggestions out there I hope you find an answer soon. Keep the hope and drive.

Big hugs!

CharlieT · Sep 4, 2009

Christine,

I just started the clinical classes and I just turned 43. There are several folks that are older in my program. The older ones seem to be on a level keel and don't get dramatic at every little thing. I would love to see the stats. on what percentage of the twenty somethings pass boards vs. older students pass rate. The younger ones tend to text and chat during lectures and then end up asking the instructor to repeat the last thing he/she said because the student was not paying attention. (can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine) I see it happening again and again in all my classes. Don't get me wrong, there are SOME bright, serious, younger students, but almost all of the older students are very serious and successful. Most older students also have children, spouse, and jobs to juggle along with classes.

Charlie

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2009

I am 51 and will be nearly 52 when I graduate. Age doesn't matter, in fact I am at the top of my class. There's a lot to be said for maturity. You will be amazed at how like High School most of the younger students act, study and work. Get your life in order then go for it!

Circejane · Sep 4, 2009

One very good student in my class is 60, and many of us are in our 30s and 40s. You're not alone!

As others have mentioned, I'd get your childcare locked down with multiple backups before beginning the program. While the class instructors can be kind of forgiving, you can only miss a few clinicals in the whole program or you are dismissed. I know several really good students who were booted from the program d/t missed clinicals with very good reasons (family health crises, etc.) The rules are the rules, and it's awful to see people get dropped after so much hard work, but it happens. I also know people who skipped a few days over the year, THEN got sick and couldn't come in, but they'd used up their allowed absences, and were SOL. Nursing school doesn't mess around!

Best of luck to you!