Did anyone hate nursing school?

Aedana · Jan 3, 2008

I am in second semester and I am just sooooo tired and run down. Every week I feel like quitting. I have an hour commute and 2 small kids so thats an added difficulty. Is it normal to dislike nursing school so much? I know Im probably just not thinking clearly at this point being so exhausted, but please tell me it all pays off in the end!

I personally did not "like" nursing school while I was in it. Now, I found it interesting learning about pathophysiology and interventions and I enjoyed the time I spent working with my patients, but fun...uh, no. :) For me, it was pretty much as you said, complete and utter exhaustion alternating with brief moments of panic and a lot of moments of feeling like you know absolutely nothing. And I remember feeling that way especially during my second semester (adult med-surg I), mostly because the excitement and happiness of making it into nursing school started to fade and my knowledge base was growing enough where I could really understand how little I knew. :) The first semester of med-surg is also just plain hard because there is so much to learn with absorbing all the stuff for cardiac, diabetes, etc.

I will tell you this. After second semester, things got a lot better for me. By the time you get to the last semester (adult med-surg 2), you are so good at being a student, you usually have a system in place that clinicals are much less grueling and a lot of times, the instructors will go easier on you and treat you more as a peer (which you soon will be!) Then when you graduate, the knowledge you reached your goals and getting that first big fat paycheck makes it all worth it. :)

It sounds like you need to take five and give yourself some TLC. At my school, we were taught to pamper and reward ourselves frequently (especially after doing great on a test), because if you don't care for yourself, you can't care well for others and you burn out. Everyone pampered themselves differently, from going on a nice walk outside, to buying a new pair of shoes, taking a bubble bath or sending the kids to grandma and getting an extra nap in.

Hang in there! The look of pride when your family watches you cross the stage is worth it!

nurse2b2010 · Jan 3, 2008

I keep reading on here about all the stress that NS creates. That scares me. I am trying to get into the Fall program. At this point in my life, I don't need a lot of undue stress, but I don't want to give up the option of going into nursing either. I am dealing with some personal health issues so too much added stress may not be a good thing. Any advice -- besides don't go to nursing school, which I don't want to hear (sorry don't mean to be negative! :)) Thanks for your forthcoming responses.

Aedana · Jan 3, 2008

I keep reading on here about all the stress that NS creates. That scares me. I am trying to get into the Fall program. At this point in my life, I don't need a lot of undue stress, but I don't want to give up the option of going into nursing either. I am dealing with some personal health issues so too much added stress may not be a good thing. Any advice -- besides don't go to nursing school, which I don't want to hear (sorry don't mean to be negative! :)) Thanks for your forthcoming responses.

Don't get too discouraged! :) NS is stressful and I haven't met anyone who has gone through it themselves and said otherwise. Like boot camp, it's kind of one of those experiences that makes it so nurses of all levels of experience and education can relate to each other. :) I outlined one of my strategies for surviving in the post above yours (being sure to take care of yourself). Another thing we were taught was to make friends in our nursing class because we needed each other. Nobody can really understand what you are going through like another nursing student, which is why this forum is so awesome!

You might search for NS stress relief tips, as I wouldn't be too surprised if someone has already covered the topic before. Good luck and I hope an acceptance packet finds its way into your mailbox next summer! :)

blueinplaid · Jan 3, 2008

YES I abhorred it! I work with several ER techs that are in nursing school now and let me tell you, I am soooo happy that I am not going through that again! I enjoyed talking with the patients but man, the course work, the lack of sleep, the stress!! Nursing school and test anxiety and being relatively shy...those things make for tense couple of years! It has been ten years since I graduated from my BSN program, but I can remember my profs, the course work, the patho flow charts....on and on and on!

lOne day at a time. Each day leads you one step closer to the goal. It is worth it. Course once you graduate, there is a whole other fear in that learning period, but you start getting paid for that and the learning at that point is pretty awesome.

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2008

Wow. I'm a little surprised by all the negative opinions on nursing school. While I won't lie and say that everyday was a bed of roses, I found my undergraduate experience to be challenging and rewarding on a daily basis. I didn't understand many of the concepts that are now much clearer as a practicing RN, but that didn't stop me from continuing on and keeping up with my assignments and clinicals.

There were times when I was surprised and disappointed with the teaching methods that some of the instructors worked by. However, I pursued my studies independently and managed to get through with a 3.71 GPA (typical perfectionist nurse who didn't get perfect grades)

Having gone through an accelerated program there was one semester where I was either in clinicals or class 5 days a week and working on the weekends. It was a stressful nightmare! The way I survived was to take it on as a challenge and not let it get me down. I had a goal and I achieved it with perseverance. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to where I was going.

Now that I'm in a graduate program to become an FNP I see just how much harder and time-consuming it is compared to undergraduate school. The instructors are often much more harsh and demanding because they expect so much more out of you. There have been miscommunications that have affected my opinion of several of the instructors to boot. Still, I'm enjoying every minute of it and can't wait to graduate this December!

Even when times are rough keep a positive attitude. It's not always easy yet your attitude helps make it a better overall experience. Remember that you chose to enter this field and always have the option to move onto something else if this isn't for you. My first BA was pretty much the same when it came to professors. You can't escape all the unique personalities that are drawn to teaching higher education.

Best of luck to all of you in school! You are heading towards a most interesting part of your lives! There's so much more to come!

eccentricRN · Jan 9, 2008

hate...oh yes i extremely disliked nursing school, is that the same as hate? i also had a son and worked parttime through school, don't miss it, but i'm thrilled i'm through, now i just have to get through nclex... so i'll let you know about the worth it part.

my advice get a study buddy, some one you can vent to and take one day at a time, try to get things out of the way as early as you can and keep plugging, there is an end in sight and it'll be there before you know it... i know you hear that all the ime, but it's true... i wish you the best of luck!

nurse2b2010 · Jan 9, 2008

Wow. I'm a little surprised by all the negative opinions on nursing school. While I won't lie and say that everyday was a bed of roses, I found my undergraduate experience to be challenging and rewarding on a daily basis. I didn't understand many of the concepts that are now much clearer as a practicing RN, but that didn't stop me from continuing on and keeping up with my assignments and clinicals.
There were times when I was surprised and disappointed with the teaching methods that some of the instructors worked by. However, I pursued my studies independently and managed to get through with a 3.71 GPA (typical perfectionist nurse who didn't get perfect grades)
Having gone through an accelerated program there was one semester where I was either in clinicals or class 5 days a week and working on the weekends. It was a stressful nightmare! The way I survived was to take it on as a challenge and not let it get me down. I had a goal and I achieved it with perseverance. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to where I was going.
Now that I'm in a graduate program to become an FNP I see just how much harder and time-consuming it is compared to undergraduate school. The instructors are often much more harsh and demanding because they expect so much more out of you. There have been miscommunications that have affected my opinion of several of the instructors to boot. Still, I'm enjoying every minute of it and can't wait to graduate this December!
Even when times are rough keep a positive attitude. It's not always easy yet your attitude helps make it a better overall experience. Remember that you chose to enter this field and always have the option to move onto something else if this isn't for you. My first BA was pretty much the same when it came to professors. You can't escape all the unique personalities that are drawn to teaching higher education.
Best of luck to all of you in school! You are heading towards a most interesting part of your lives! There's so much more to come!

Your persevering attitude is the hallmark of your success! Congrats on becoming an RN and continuing your education in graduate school! :w00t:

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2008

Your persevering attitude is the hallmark of your success! Congrats on becoming an RN and continuing your education in graduate school! :w00t:

Well thanks. In the whole scheme of things, nursing school really wasn't the horrendous experience so many here have stated. I wanted to become a nurse, I went through the required education, and now I'm moving on.

The same can be said about working as an RN. It took me almost 3 years and 3 jobs to find the right area for me. Now I'm almost completely satisfied with the work I do, adore my manager, and have a great team of coworkers whom I can trust.

Never let your dissatisfaction let you down. Again, a negative attitude will only make things worse. A positive attitude will always make things better.

Are you in nursing school right now? Is your name correct? RN in 2010?

cgun101 · Jan 12, 2008

all i have to say is that i had more experience during my "independent" summer externship than i had in all my school clinicals combined..so go figure

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

Ok... reading through this thread again... I hope prospective nurses don't take it seriously. Why any of you who complained remained in your programs is beyond me.

Honestly, it's only nursing school. It's just as difficult as any structured undergraduate program out there. If you hated it so badly, you should have moved onto a degree that was less intense and responsible.

It's the nursing students who think they're all above this work that don't belong at the bedside. Worse yet, the same folks should never be allowed to pursue a higher education in nursing. You learn half of nothing to recognize the needs of those who are chronically ill while in school. Why you feel that it's hardly necessary to undergo your education is silly.

Find a new career. Nursing is not all hugs and kisses every day. It's also not about drama, either. Get serious about treating patients because their lives depend on it.

If you don't like the education part then move on. I'm sure someone out there is looking for a person like you to work for them in some other field that has nothing to do with patient lives.

eccentricRN · Jan 15, 2008

Okay, I disliked portions of my program, not the whole experience in its entirety. Although, assuming that just because someone expresses a dislike for their program, and I'm guessing that in truth it was simply a specific aspect of the program and not the whole thing, and I may be incorrect, does not mean that a person is not capable or equiped or truly enthusiastic about caring for patients. I loved caring for my patients and I did so safely and competently, and no profession is EVER hugs & kisses all the time. Let's be realistic its an uphill battle to complete school and like it or not not everyone is going to have warm fuzzy feelings... I do not think that that alone is an indication of a person's future worth as a nurse. There are people employed in the profession now that may have loved school and do not belong in the field.

I stayed in the program because the end result is one I looked forward to fullfilling... caring for patients. I do not believe everyone in any profession that required extensive schooling loved every moment of it... this is just a place to vent.

As for anyone interested in persuing a career as a nurse, the program may be difficult, but it is possible to succeed and you gain so much morethan experience, that comes later, you gain friendships, mentors, and the ability to become a professional in one of the most diverse fields around.... I may have disliked certain parts, but overall I'm happy with my choice and glad I fought to become a patient advocate.

RiverNurse · Jan 17, 2008

There were days that I thought I hated nursing school and days I thought I loved it. Either way, I survived the accelerated program (no prior experience in healthcare AT ALL) and graduated - passed NCLEX about a month later - and secured my first job 3 weeks later.

The stress of nursing school was nearly unbearable to me - at that time - but it was an exercise in endurance and strength. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

As a new "baby" nurse at 43 yo, I often times feel "stupid" and that I didn't apply myself enough in school, or clinicals - or didn't even know enough back then to know what questions to ask or how to assert myself... It "was" what it "was". However, there are some days after work now, I long for the care plans, the class room, the instructors - even the one that chastised me simply because she wanted to "see if could take it".

No matter. I'd do it again. I'd rant and rave and do it all again to be the bumbling newbie I am today.

I've found out (the hard way) that nursing isn't only the "fluffy" and "compassionate" hand holding career that many think it is - it is hard, demanding work with a vast body of knowledge that can feel overwhelming at times. There is a level of trust that I find I hold immediately when I walk into a patient's room - a turning over of their personal power at times for which I am responsible, like it or not. My goal is to to implement care in hopes of seeking the best patient outcomes for those for whom I care.

Bottom line - I chose this - my heart is in it - I do the work.

Hang in there.

Shawna