Influx of older students.....

When I went to nursing school (graduated in 2000) there were quite a few older students in my class. I think it's good because these people have had time to really decide what they want to do with their lives. Younger people are still trying to find themselves.

I've had very few just out of high school students in my clinical groups. One group I had a mother and daughter who were both LPN's going back for ADN the mom was 55 and going back so her daughter would. Right now I have a male cousin in his mid 30's thinking about going into nursing because his factory job at Ford is going to Mexico.

Put it nicely.......I was the only one who knew Kennedy had Addison's Disease, AND know where I was when he got shot. (Mom was in the OB's office when she heard!)

'Cat'

I don't know the percentages, but alot of nurses are in their second & third career. Nursing is not my first career. However, this may be a double edged sword with the nursing shortage relief via "us" older folks. The average age is around 44 yrs old, therefore it would be beneficial to get some youngsters [same age as my kids, mid-20's ;)] into the nursing profession, too.

cougarnurse wrote:Put it nicely.......I was the only one who knew Kennedy had Addison's Disease, AND know where I was when he got shot. (Mom was in the OB's office when she heard!)

'Cat'

GOSH I wasn't old enough to know ANYTHING that was LONG time ago LOL

lmao at Cat -- you oldie!

Yeah, I am old as dirt. My f. i. l. says he was 'born before the Big Bang', so go figure! :whatever:

'Cat'

cougarnurse wrote:Maybe we'll see some relief? Growing Number of Older First-Time Nurses Help Shortage

'Cat'

Hello,
I am a 40 year old student.

When I started my program I was also accepted to a junior college and went to their orientation, (before picked up at my current school-I gave my junior college seat up in time for a new person to get it).

Anyhow, at the junior college orientation I was about the average age, early forties. In my current program, (a MS in Nursing entry Program) I am the second oldest in the program and most all the class are under thirty and some under 25. Yes, I know, this is a Masters program!! So, many of these students have indeed gone from University to their first job and proceeded with the MS in Nursing entry.

I am about the same age as many of their parents, versus being amongst my agegroup peers in the junior college. :39:
:)
Gen

Gennaver wrote:Hello,
I am a 40 year old student.

When I started my program I was also accepted to a junior college and went to their orientation, (before picked up at my current school-I gave my junior college seat up in time for a new person to get it).

Anyhow, at the junior college orientation I was about the average age, early forties. In my current program, (a MS in Nursing entry Program) I am the second oldest in the program and most all the class are under thirty and some under 25. Yes, I know, this is a Masters program!! So, many of these students have indeed gone from University to their first job and proceeded with the MS in Nursing entry.

I am about the same age as many of their parents, versus being amongst my agegroup peers in the junior college. :39:
:)
Gen

I think the average of nurses [not students] is mid-40's. Glad to hear your present classmates are in their mid-20's.

BTW, I think [never heard any specific statistics, though] that the average age of ANC officers is younger than the civilian average. I'll be glad when I pick up CPT [hopefully this month's promotion board] because at first lieutenant I feel ancient. Most of the Company Grade ANC officers [CPT & below] that I work with are my kids age. :rolleyes:

The way things are going, many people starting on their 3rd career are older.....

'Cat'