What do people think about 'older' students?

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I was just wondering what 18-year olds would think of the older students who are in their mid 20s above.

Do they think that they were lazy when they were at high school etc? Or do they respect them for their age etc?

I know that the older students are generally on top of their game, and focus well on studies.. but 18 year olds do that too so I was wondering how they would perceive older students?

I already have a degree at another university and worked for 2 years before coming into nursing, so I do have a bit more life experience and made some regretful decisions, but I wouldn't consider myself 'mature' either....

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Without trying to sound rude, who cares?

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Without trying to sound rude, who cares?

Agreed. Plus, mid 20s does not an "older" student make.

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Mid 20s is far from "older." I went to school with people all over the age scale...I didn't think any more or less of anyone for their age.

Quite frankly, in NS, I was way too busy trying to keep myself together...I didn't have the time or energy to worry about how old someone was and whether or not they slacked off in high school. Just work hard, be respectful, and you will be respected in return. Even if someone does have an issue with your age...so what? You're doing this for yourself and not for anyone else. People will always have something to say...whether you are 18 or 58.

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I feel everyone deserves a chance at a education....people life's stories are never the same so for someone who had a perfect life and go straight to college is no better than someone who started a family early then twenty years later give it a try....it doesn't matter...

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Without trying to sound rude, who cares?

I think this was the most concise way of saying "where is this going?" ;)

I'm trying to figure out where the OP is going with this post... :whistling;

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OK, sorry guys:)

Maybe the question was a bit off, most of my classmates are around the 19-21 year old mark... and was surprised to see how mature thy were, I mean the girl who was sitting next to me was born in 1995!!

There are a few students aged in their late 30s to 40s though.

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Please don't apologize! :) I don't think it's a silly question. I'm in my mid 30s and also pursuing nursing as a second degree/career. I can't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind about how I'll be perceived being a non-traditionally aged student in nursing school. I'm married, have my own home, super focused on getting my career on track, and am generally very settled. I have a good 15 years of work experience under my belt, so I think it could be difficult relating to a 20 year old student on some level. Not to say that a 20 year old can't be all those things, but the stages in life tend to be a little bit different for most. But I really believe that the age range you'll have in your program depends a lot on where you go. I work at a community college with an ADN nursing program. I'd say the majority of the students are of non-traditional age. I see many that are probably 30s, 40s, and some in their 50s. I haven't started in an LPN program yet, but will be applying at a local technical college for the Spring '15 semester. I recently went to an information session for the program and the majority of the prospective students were about my age. On the flip side, my younger sister is an RN and went to a traditional four year university that required students to live on campus, and most of her classmates were in the 18-22 range.

But the thing to keep in mind is that we're all going to be there for the same reason --- to get through nursing school successfully and to begin our careers as nurses. It seems that nursing is a career that a lot of people come into later in life or as a second or third career, so I don't think it will be odd being a little older than your classmates. Good luck to you!

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Yeah I'm 36 (will be on Sept 15th) barely working on prerequisites, so I won't be an actual Nurse probably til I'm 40 since there's waiting lists. Unless, I get lucky and get chosen right away for my LVN program. Age doesn't matter. :)

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Age as a number may not matter one whit, but your physical fitness and ability to get through the demands of NS do matter. You've got to be able to make beds (thousands of 'em! I counted! :D), transfer patients and help them with showering, toileting, and dressing. Once you're out in the Real World, stamina and endurance demands will be ten-fold, especially for LTC and rehab venues. If you're ambulating an obese patient and she starts falling, guess who's responsible for catching her. The physical demands on your ancient (heh) 40-year old body will be non-stop and unforgiving. You either get used to it or you find less-physically demanding work.

You can out-think 18 year-olds, but just try out-running 'em! :wideyed:

(Yes. I am an Ancient, and proud of it. Just don't talk to my poor back -- it will tell you a different story!)

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I was 19 when I started nursing school (second youngest in my class). One of the ladies in my class had kids the same age as me and we got along great! And my best friend throughout school was a 35 year old mother.

My point is, age doesn't matter. I never though of a single one of my older classmates as being "lazy". You have to be a motivated person to go to college. And intelligent to get into nursing school. Plus, you never know what someone else has gone through!

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Please don't apologize! :) I don't think it's a silly question. I'm in my mid 30s and also pursuing nursing as a second degree/career. I can't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind about how I'll be perceived being a non-traditionally aged student in nursing school. I'm married, have my own home, super focused on getting my career on track, and am generally very settled. I have a good 15 years of work experience under my belt, so I think it could be difficult relating to a 20 year old student on some level. Not to say that a 20 year old can't be all those things, but the stages in life tend to be a little bit different for most. But I really believe that the age range you'll have in your program depends a lot on where you go. I work at a community college with an ADN nursing program. I'd say the majority of the students are of non-traditional age. I see many that are probably 30s, 40s, and some in their 50s. I haven't started in an LPN program yet, but will be applying at a local technical college for the Spring '15 semester. I recently went to an information session for the program and the majority of the prospective students were about my age. On the flip side, my younger sister is an RN and went to a traditional four year university that required students to live on campus, and most of her classmates were in the 18-22 range.

But the thing to keep in mind is that we're all going to be there for the same reason --- to get through nursing school successfully and to begin our careers as nurses. It seems that nursing is a career that a lot of people come into later in life or as a second or third career, so I don't think it will be odd being a little older than your classmates. Good luck to you!

I really like what you said. I have finally decided to enroll in LPN school after a lot of soul searching and failures. I went back to school at 27, and yes, at first i felt a bit off being in the class with the younger kids but at the same time i had classmates who are over 30 and 40 doing prereq. at a community college. Sometimes i do regret not pursing nursing when i was younger, and feel like i have waited many years of my life but at the same time mentally i wasn't where i am now.

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