I entered my RN program in 1978, when I was 17. It was a three-year college program with clinical rotations in each semester. While I can't say it was easy, I don't remember it being particularly difficult either. Stress occurred as we waited for evaluations and there was ranting about individual profs. I was failed after my pediatric rotation because I was told I wasn't empathetic enough, I was too task oriented and I'd never make it as a nurse. Feh.
But, I read the posts from students now and it seems that things have gotten so much tougher. Is this true, or is it my perception as I enter old-fogeyhood? Did I just forget that it was that hard?
I feel so badly for some of the students who post here and the hard times that they are having.