Is Nursing School more difficult than working?

NoMoreStudying · Oct 17, 2006

At least you can leave work at work and come home for a relaxing evening. Except when one of your patients takes a turn for the worst, a family member screams at you, you reealize how quickly you could make an error in any given day if you aren't careful, you leave work and know you forgot something but you just can't place it, or you feel like you just didn't do enough for someones pain/nausea/depression/overall health.

Okay, so most days you don't have to go home and think about nursing. I still found the first half of orientation to be pretty tiring. You have to be on top of everything at first b/c it's all new and it's a lot to learn. You have to transition form being task-oriented to managing care. School uses your brain to memorize and teach you the routines. Now you have to multitask more than they could ever have you do in school and you're expected to already know how to do all of the tasks and understand all of the patho. A good orientation will prepare you well, though.

I think it's impossible to know what it's like until you do it, though. It feels exhilirating and exciting, but can be overwhelming.

NaomieRN · Oct 17, 2006

It is depends on the job.

luvmy2angels · Oct 17, 2006

I have been a nurse for 8 months now and to me personally nursing school was a peice of cake compared to the "real" working world!! If I could get paid my nursing salary to go back to school I would be there tomorrow!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Read the threads in our forum "First Year Of Nursing" and decide for yourself. https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/

For me, I would say the sheltered world of nursing school was way easier than the real world responsiblity of nursing.

sister--* · Oct 17, 2006

I agree that in a large part it depends on the job. Nursing School is just an introduction into the world of Nursing.

I think the difference is in the critique. In Nursing School it is your instructors role to provide leadership, teaching, experience, guidance and critique. As you actually work as a licensed Nurse you must internalize and take on all of these responsibilites yourself.

So few words for such a difficult task!

nursemike, ASN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

Tweety's advice was probably best, but all through orientation, one of my classmates and I used to laugh, "Hey--remember when we thought nursing school was hard?" But, as others have noted, much less homework, and even when you're stupid, you still get paid (everyone is stupid at times.)

Coming out of orientation to practice on your own is also tough, and scary.

Try hard to find a workplace that nurtures newbies. A new nurse needs a lot of back-up. Always be ready to return the favor any chance you get. Even very experienced, super-sharp nurses need an extra pair of hands, from time to time, so if you're there when they need lifting help, they may be more accesssible when you have an IV you just can't get. Be as independent as you reasonably can, but ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to call for help.

As horrifying as it is to do all the stuff you're already doing in school without an instructor breathing down your neck, it's also great fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll fall in love...I love my stupid job!

Agent99 · Oct 17, 2006

Nursing school is much easier than working as a Registered Nurse.

lyceeboo · Oct 17, 2006

I agree, it probably depends on the job but for me working is a thousand times harder.

all4schwa · Oct 17, 2006

I just graduated in june. And my first thought when i read the OP was 'heck yeah, and not only that, i wish somebody had told me that when i was in school.'

but i attribute that to a couple of things

1.) having been a nurse aide breaking my back an dripping in sweat in the nursing homes, and therefore oh-so-much more appreciative of my new job

2.) having allnurses and being prepared for starting out in the real world (ie. less harsh reality shock)

3.) nursing school is not enjoyable....it's 24/7, you're broke, and you're constantly worried about being kicked out (or failed out) of a program that i had to sign my name on the line to get money to attend.

nursing is really fun, i learn so much everyday...and there's no test at the end of the week.

texas2007, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2006

I think some of it also depends not only on your job, but also how well your nursing school prepared you. Although nursing school is generally difficult/time consuming, not all programs are alike so some programs will prepare you better than others. Every new grad from my school has told me that nursing school was the worst but they did feel well prepared as a new nurse.

banditrn · Oct 17, 2006

Yep, school was much easier, even with the homework.