Students on child branch programmes tend to be younger than those joining other branches. There appear to be issues that are specific to younger children’s nursing students that could have an impact on student retention. In this article, young student nurses (under 21 years of age) are viewed as late adolescents. Issues that may impact on retention are explored including: identity development, transition to university life, adolescents as learners and coping strategies and support. Younger children’s nursing students also face the specific challenge of nursing adolescents not much younger than themselves. Educationalists need to be mindful of the differing needs of students across the age range, especially younger students who are immersed in the transitions to adulthood and the sometimes difficult times encountered when exploring their personal identity as well as their university identity.