Fearful, excited, and nervous about starting nursing school need some advice.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

I'm going to be blunt with you, and I hope I offend no one. Since some (but not all) nursing students have backgrounds that are not the most academically-oriented, you are going to hear quite a few people commenting that "This is the hardest thing I've ever done," or "Nursing school is harder than life itself" or "Oh my God, nursing school is brutal!"

I completed an LVN program in 2005 and an RN bridge program in 2010, and both programs were totally manageable. In fact, I even worked full-time during the RN program that I attended. My personal experience was that nursing school contained plenty of busy-work, reading, and you needed to develop the ability to apply your knowledge. Otherwise, it definitely WAS NOT the hardest thing I've ever done.

RNinthemaking1986 · Apr 22, 2011

I'm going to be blunt with you, and I hope I offend no one. Since some (but not all) nursing students have backgrounds that are not the most academically-oriented, you are going to hear quite a few people commenting that "This is the hardest thing I've ever done," or "Nursing school is harder than life itself" or "Om my God, nursing school is brutal!"
I completed an LVN program in 2005 and an RN bridge program in 2010, and both programs were totally manageable. In fact, I even worked full-time during the RN program that I attended. My personal experience was that nursing school contained plenty of busy-work, reading, and the ability to apply your knowledge. Otherwise, it definitely WAS NOT the hardest thing I've ever done.

Congratulations for completing your RN :yeah: That is phenomenal! And thank you, for giving your insight--after reading your post, I feel very relieved :)

wldcard · Apr 22, 2011

I'm going to be blunt with you, and I hope I offend no one. Since some (but not all) nursing students have backgrounds that are not the most academically-oriented, you are going to hear quite a few people commenting that "This is the hardest thing I've ever done," or "Nursing school is harder than life itself" or "Oh my God, nursing school is brutal!"
I completed an LVN program in 2005 and an RN bridge program in 2010, and both programs were totally manageable. In fact, I even worked full-time during the RN program that I attended. My personal experience was that nursing school contained plenty of busy-work, reading, and you needed to develop the ability to apply your knowledge. Otherwise, it definitely WAS NOT the hardest thing I've ever done.

I have not started my program yet, but the more nurses I speak with, the more I definitely get the impression that this is spot on. I hear almost universally how hard nursing school was from these folks....... and then I ask them why. When they give me the reasons it is sometimes hard for me not to laught to be honest. Nursing school being hard for some people does not necisarily mean that the concepts are especially difficult, but there is just such a huge volume of information that you have to learn. From what I gather, it really comes down to disciplining yourself and managing your time appropriately. Throw in having to manage a tight budget and you get all the horror stories. People go into these programs thinking it will be like any other class or school they attend.... just show up, maybe take some notes, and read the book occasionally to pass.

Nope, not gonna work in nursing school. I finished my BS completely online with a very good school (Drexel University) and let me tell you, having to crank out 300-500 page midterm and final papers, work on collaborative group software development completely online, take three classes at once having to do weekly papers, reading, assignments, mini projects, dicussion board postings, and research for each of those classes AND while working full time was difficult. But I still managed it AND I almost graduated with honors and certainly with a high enough GPA to meet the requirements of all but the most competive graduate programs.

I am walking into it knowin that I will have to be focused and disciplined. I know I will have to work my butt off to keep up. But there is an end to it and the reward will definitely be worth it.

windmill182 · Apr 22, 2011

I was accepted to a program for this upcoming fall as well. I just wanted to share that I too am very nervous. I have mixed emotions about it. One minute I am excited and the next I'm biting my nails with nervousness haha. (Really hoping to kick that bad habit over the summer.)

I think that it will definitely be a test of character. I am looking at this in several perspectives. Nursing School will be a learning experience in more than one way because I have a feeling I will be learning a lot more about my inner strength as well. Good Luck! Keep us posted on how your journey is going. :)

cgravier · Apr 22, 2011

Its not that hard. When someone doesnt do well on a test and I ask them about it they usually say something stupid like, "I didnt really read the chapters" or "I didnt even look at the notes"

Its as hard as you make it. If you do all the reading and study the notes (our teachers give us the notes and I just put them on flashcards and memorize) then you will be fine.

The tests seem difficult at first but once you get used to the questions its just a matter of figuring out what they are asking. People get tripped up when there are 3 answers that are not wrong but only 1 answer is most right, if that makes sense.

The correct answer is the best answer.

heres an example:

I live in NY, its December and I wanna get a tan, I should:

a. fly to florida for a 2 week vaca

b. get some spray tan

c. go to a tanning salon

d. none of the above

a. will work but its not the easiest or most practical

b. is not a tan, but is a fake tan. The question says tan.

c. is practical and results in a tan

d. is just stupid

this is a silly example but its kind of what to expect.

Southern Magnolia · Apr 22, 2011

I haven't officially been accepted yet but I hope to start a BSN program in the fall. I'm nervous too but I do suspect some of the stories we read on here are either exaggeration on simply people that have been inadequately prepared for real academia. I have a prior BA so I'm not exactly young anymore. I'm not that old either but you get the point. I've noticed that high schools and community colleges simply aren't requiring students to think anymore. My nieces are spoon fed everything in high school and whine when the rare teacher doesn't do this. I've been taking prerequisites at various community colleges all over due to my husband being transferred - so I am not picking on any one school. Anyway, I have managed more than 100% as a final grade in multiple prerequisites. The amount of extra credit being given is ridiculous. All students have to do to pass is bare minimum because the easier extra credit work pads their grades. So fast forward to nursing school where there is no extra credit, no spoon feeding, and no rounding of grades and people freak out.

I have no doubt it will be difficult but like everything else it's a matter of perspective.

My fears regarding NS revolve around the massive changes my husband and children are going to go through. I have stayed home for the last six years so they will have a rude awakening I believe.

Best of luck.

NewSN13 · Apr 22, 2011

I like this thread! I will be starting in the fall, too, and I have a lot of the same fears. It's great to hear from someone who's been there, done that that it's not as bad as we hear!

Something that I try to keep in mind is how I felt before and after taking A&P. It seemed that all I heard (here and in real life) was "OMG, OMG anatomy and physiology is sooooo hard and I studied for 80 hours a week and got a C." While they certainly weren't the easiest classes I've ever taken, I didn't think they were anywhere near as difficult as people made them out to be. I'm hoping NS classes will be the same way!

NomadMomma, I've seen a lot of what you're talking about, too. I don't know if things have really changed so drastically in the 9 years since I got my last degree or if I'm just more aware of it but so many students seem ill prepared to be big kids and take care of themselves. They get upset if a professor doesn't drop their lowest test score or provide fill in the blank lecture outlines online as well as practice tests and review sheets. While I appreciate how much easier those things make my life, it's not the professor's responsibility to hold my hand and make sure that I get good grades.

Rhody34 · Apr 22, 2011

I'm completing my second semester of an ADN night and weekend program (2 1/2 weeks left... THANK GOD). While its not "the hardest thing you'll ever do in your whole life" like many people have said- it is hard and demands almost all of your attention. I have a 4 year degree in an unrelated field- and Nursing school for me is probably 20 times harder than my 4 year degree. With that said- I do well- I have a 3.71. I also have a lot going on... married, stay at home Dad to 3 kids ages 4 and younger, and I work part time at night on my days off from school- so its very doable- but difficult... YES... in my opinion. Just keep up with your reading, and do LOTS and LOTS of nclex style questions. Its not something you can fall behind on- you need to keep up! Set at least 2 hours aside every day to keep up. Also- I recommend forming a study group and meet at least once a week to go through the material. I differ from a lot of the posts on here... I think nursing school is HARD... however- I made friendships I'll have for life, gained about 15 pounds, and forgot what sleep is really like- but I wouldnt trade it for anything. Best of luck to you! Its a wild ride! :-)

iPink, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2011

I will be honest with you, it IS hard. But, it's not at the point where you can't pass any classes--you can. Despite what others have said, it is possible to get all A's in nursing. My program is accelerated, so that could be the reason why it's been so far the hardest subject I've tackled. But, you can go to nursing school AND have a life. Many people have done it and still continue to do so.

Congratulations for getting one of those coveted seats, just work hard and continue maintaining good work ethics and you'll do fine in the program. All the best.

mangopeach · Apr 22, 2011

I think its pretty normal to have some of those emotions. I certainly did. This is my first semester in nursing school. The semester is almost over. Today was my last clinical for the semester. Yes its a lot of work, and I get stressed at times trying to make sure that I am not falling behind in one area, trying to juggle lecture,lab,skills checkoffs,clinicals, care plans, ay yai yai! Its a lot. However, the exams have been the "easiest" part for me. Its clinicals and lab that I've had to make sure that I give 150% in. Most of the people in my program that have failed out thus far have failed out because they did not pass a skill checkoff. My class overall, tends to do well on written exams.

So far, I have not found the content of the material to be difficult to learn. You just need to make sure you stay on top of things since there is so much thrown at you all the time.

MrAllenU · Apr 23, 2011

So...study to the best of your ability, learn time-management, ask for help, and don't give up. That definitely sounds possible!

Thanks for sharing everyone. I cannot wait to start my ADN program in the fall.