FIrst Year Experience (insight and advice)

RunBabyRN · Jan 4, 2014

I'm entering my final semester of a 4 semester BSN program. Here's my experience from the first year:

What is your class schedule like? Every school will be different in this regard. First semester, we had about 6 hours of class twice a week, and two full days of clinicals each week. Second semester, we had 2-4 hours of class 2 days a week, 6 hours of class 1 day a week, and 2 full days of clinicals each week.

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st and 2nd semester? The volume of reading was the hardest thing the me. The easiest... Hard to say. Maybe understanding the concepts? Only because I have a lot of prior medical experience.

What were you're studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups? I don't study in groups, but I know many people do. Do what works for you. I HAVE to leave the house to study, or I easily distract myself with other things that "need" to happen rightthisminute, or my son or my husband are distracting me in some way (without trying to). I spend a lot of time at Starbucks! I'll also do some of my reading on my treadmill (because sitting on my butt for it got REALLY old). It keeps me awake, and keeps my blood flowing. I'll walk at a 15% incline at 2MPH. This works especially well on my ATI books, since they're online, and I can zoom in to make the font bigger. I'm also a big fan of notecards. I study at least some every day. I carry notecards or a textbook with me everywhere, to fit in a little studying whenever an opportunity strikes.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program? BSN in CA

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school? When I started, I was working part time. However, my boss wasn't very understanding about my schedule and overscheduled me consistently, so I had to quit. Between having a family and school, my plate was already very full. Continuing work, in my case, would have been a REAL challenge.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school? Keep exercising. I figured this out on my own quickly. It helps relieve stress, and helps you function. Make it a priority. Find SOME kind of stress relief that works for you that you can make happen. Also, nursing school is what you make of it. It can be awesome and fun, or it can be stressful and horrible (sometimes it's all of the above!). Enjoy the ride as best you can, and take from it as much as possible. Also, in clinicals, advocate for yourself AND for your patients. Trust your gut.

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/ week? 4-6 hours/night on average, mostly because my hubby's a night owl. I'd likely go to bed earlier if not for that.

Any other advice? You WILL start to know your way. At first, it can feel like, "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?? I'm not cut out for this!!" There will be times like that throughout school. Then there will be those redeeming moments, where you're like, "WOW, I AM going to be a good nurse!!" Have faith in yourself and in your abilities. Know when to push yourself and when to ask for help. Never be afraid to do either. Never assume, always ask.

Good luck!! :)

LadyKay · Jan 4, 2014

Thanks for your input! What school do you attend in CA? :)

ambitiousBSN · Jan 4, 2014

I'll begin my second semester at the end of January.

What is your class schedule like? First semester, I was in class Monday through Thursday whether it was lecture (for 3-hours once a week- Assessment, Foundations, or Aging) or lab (Assessment and Foundations). About 8 weeks in, we started clinical on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. After clinical on Wednesday, we'd have a 3-hour lecture (Aging) at 1 PM; and on Thursday, we'd have a lab (Foundations) that started around 1:30 PM. I didn't have a class on Friday but we had open lab opportunities on Friday mornings. I also had an online (Nursing Informatics) class as well. So, I had 4 classes for the first semester for 14 credits.

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st semester? At the beginning, it was difficult to get into a solid routine because it was totally different than pre-requisites. It was something that I had to adjust to because although I'm super organized and can plan ahead, I had to juggle a lot of work because some classes didn't have a mid-term, and others I had to prepare for skills validations and simulations and lab check-offs, etc. My online class was hard even for a 2-credit course because there was a lot to do throughout the week in addition to discussion posts, responses, and quizzes. I ended up tossing my organization halfway through and relying on a folder because it became easier to toss everything into a folder and sort through it at home. That's definitely something I won't carry into second semester, I'll be organized the entire semester because I'll be taking Med-Surg, Pathopharmacology, Nursing Research... and 7 weeks in, I'll finish Med-Surg and begin Peds.

What were your studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups? I did a lot of searching online and utilizing ATI because my program paid for the package. I also used the most recent Saunders NCLEX book (6th edition). As the semester neared the end, I was involved in a study group for my Foundations final which will carry into second semester because I know their study habits and that they're willing to put the work in. That's the #1 piece of advice: find people who are willing to work and help you out rather than just mooching.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program? I attend a BSN program at a local, private Catholic university.

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school? I work part time during the semester at a hospital because they offer a program for nursing students to work part time while pursuing their nursing degree full time while still receiving full time benefits and salary. Now that I'm off for winter break, I'm back to working full time but will switch back to part time at the end of this month working on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school? To begin studying dosage calculations from day one! Dosage exams are no joke, especially when you can only get 1 wrong!

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/week? Honestly, I didn't have any trouble sleeping during the week. I slept a normal schedule and not once did I pull an all-nighter because I made sure I studied adequately as well as stayed on campus in the nursing building to study because I knew if I came home, I'd be distracted with the television or my bed. :-)

Any other advice? Buy a planner and stay organized from day one! I rely on and swear by my Erin Condren Life Planner!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2014

I am hoping second semester won't be quite as challenging as the first. I'm starting my second semester of an ADN program in about a week. First semester was a challenge mostly due to the sheer volume of material. It's a BIG adjustment from pre req days.

smoup · Jan 5, 2014

Going in to my second semester at the end of the month. Taking a winter class right now.

What is your class schedule like?

First semester

Monday - 3 hours of class (6 hours of class for 4 weeks of the semester)

Tuesday - 5 hours of classes

Wednesday - 4 hours of lab or 8 hours of clinical depending on what point of the semester

Thursday - nothing

Friday - 5 hour class

1 online class

Total of 5 classes and 18 credits

Second Semester (Spring 2014)

Monday - 6 hours of classes

2 days of clinicals (one day 8 hours and the other 12 hours)

2 online classes

Total of 4 classes and 18 credits

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st and 2nd semester?

The hardest was figuring out NCLEX style questions, which I'm still not that great at. Easiest thing was getting organized. I am rather OCD so I wasn't worried about organization going in.

What were you're studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups?

I can't study/learn in groups. I retyped out all the powerpoints and my notes from class and read them at the end of each week. By the time the tests came around, I had seen the material MULTIPLE times and felt confident on most of it.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program?

Entry level MSN.

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school?

I work PRN every other weekend night at an ER doing registration. Monday's were interesting until my body adapting to making the change from days to nights and back to days. I am a night person so changing to days to begin with was hard, let alone after working a night shift.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school?

Hmmm........ I'm not really sure on this one.

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/ week?

At least 8 hours every night.

Any other advice?

Organization is VERY important. A planner can be a life saver. Look ahead 1-2 weeks to make sure you don't have a paper, test, quiz, etc. you forgot about.

i♥words · Jan 6, 2014

I completed my first semester in December, and I'm starting my second in a couple of weeks. I'm answering these questions based on my first semester. I had about 9 hours of lecture a week and 12 hours of lab a week. Basically two days of classes and labs and one day of clinical. The first few weeks of the semester my clinical day was spent in a skills labs. For a few weeks I gathered information about my patient at the hospital the day before clinical, so that added about an hour a week.

The hardest thing to me was staying on top of everything, because I had so many assignments, quizzes, and usually a test or two every week. It was hard to actually study because it seemed I was continually gathering piles of new information. The easiest thing was the first week of class. I studied for at least one of my classes every day, though occasionally I would take the weekend off. I like rereading my notes, drawing charts and tables, and making notecards. I didn't do all the reading; I just read the sections that helped me understand what my instructors talked about in class. I wasn't in a study group.

I tried to get about 6 hours of sleep a night. I didn't focus on school all the time. At the beginning of the semester I did, but I realized I just couldn't keep that up. I don't work. I wish someone would have told me to relax. This is important, but other things are important too, like your family and your sanity. Don't tell other people your grades. Keep it simple: "I did better than I thought." "I did OK." Don't let other people push you around. Be kind to every nurse you are with. You decide whether your clinical day is going to be good or bad. Volunteer for anything and everything even if you're scared. Work on understanding the information by relating it to your patients and anyone else you can think of; that's some of the best studying there is.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2014

What is your class schedule like? First semester we spent approximately 15 hrs a week in lecture, plus one online course that met only for exams, and 4 hours a week for "simulation"/ skills clinical (first semester we did not actually work with patients... We worked with simulation manikins and practiced basic skills on one another).

Second semester we spent approximately 15 hrs a week in lecture and one 12 hour shift each week at a LTC facility.

Third semester we spent approximately 16 hrs a week in lecture, one 12 hr shift per week at a psychiatric hospital, and one 12 hr shift per week on a MedSurg unit.

Fourth semester we spent approximately 16 hrs a week in lecture, one 12 hr shift per week rotating on pediatrics one week and on ER the next, and one 12 hr shift per week rotating through preop, MedSurg, PACU, CCU, OR, ICU, etc.

I am about to start my fifth and final semester.

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st and 2nd semester?

Hardest thing = adapting to the NCLEX style of questions... Application based questions. Long gone are the days of simplying knowing what a term means. You must know what the topic being tested over is and be able to apply it to a particular situation. Critical thinking! Easiest thing = making friends and coming together... Cooperate to graduate! (not cheating.. But you know what I mean.. Help one another out).

What were you're studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups? No study groups for me. I work best alone.

Do not follow my study habits. I am a procrastinator. I thrive under the pressure of "last minute"... It's like the now or never mentality. I have always crammed... And I know people say you cannot cram in nursing school.. But you can, just not the same way. The day before the test I literally study for 10-12 hours straight.. With short breaks for food. It is not fun and every time I tell myself that this is the last time I will study this way... But it works for me. I have made an A in 11 out of 12 nursing courses (I made an 89 in one. Ugh). I read aloud. Act out things. Use pseudonyms, draw pictures, whatever works to get the info to stick. I do not recommend studying for 12 hrs straight thought. It is hard and will not work for most. For me though, the adrenaline rush and the pressure keep me going and focused.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program? BSN

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school? I worked part time first and second semester... It was hard but I made it work and made excellent grades, but when third smester started my clinical schedule interfered with work to the point that I had to quit. I did not work for 3rd or 4th semester.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school? I may be chastised for saying this but it is not as hard as everyone made it out to be. Nursing school is very time consuming and that is the main concern. You will need to tell friends and family that you may be absent or flaky for awhile while you are trying to better yourself. But while nursing school is very time consuming... Which is the hardest part of nursing school!... The subject matter itself is really not that difficult. I wish someone would have told me "do not listen to everyone else.. Nursing school is time consuming, but honestly it's not insane... It's not this unobtainable thing that people act like it is. It is super time consuming, but with effort you can and will do well. I make A's and you can too.

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/ week? Around 6-7 hrs a night. Never been much of a sleeper so enough for me.

Any other advice? Best of luck! You can do this!

LadyKay · Jan 18, 2014

Thank you all for you responses! :)

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 18, 2014

Fourth semester student here!

What is your class schedule like? I am doing Peds and OB. They are split into two 7-week mini sessions. Peds schedule:

Mondays Lecture (8-11:30am)

Thursdays and Fridays Clinical (3-9:30pm)

OB schedule:

Wednesdays and Thursdays Clinical 6:45am-1:10pm

Fridays Lecture 9:00-12:30pm

I am taking a neonatal class on Wednesdays, 5:00-6:45pm. I also am taking a one credit hour course (I will be going abroad!).

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st and 2nd semester? Passing! I had to redo a class. I passed the didactic portion, but the clinicals exacerbated my anxiety. Now, I'm on meds and am doing much better.

What were you're studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups?

I used to do study groups. I still study with one person, but usually that is a day or two before the test. I mostly just study a week before a quiz or test.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program?

BSN

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school?

Two jobs. One is casual and the other is a student position. Sometimes I work as much as a full-time person. Usually, I work on average 28-32 hours per week. It can be difficult to juggle school and work, but if anything, work keeps me from procrastinating on my school work.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school?

The instructors are not there to help you, they are there to flunk you with the exception of a few.

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/ week?

As much as I want. :) Usually, I get 8-9 hrs a night. I say, sleeping is the most important thing when it comes to taking test!

Any other advice?

Don't worry about competing with your classmates, especially since you will all (fortunately) be taking the same test and working in the same field. Who cares if Susie Q got an A and you got a B? Unless you are planning on going to grad school, don't focus so much on your GPA. LEARN the material, DON'T memorize it. Just worry about performing to YOUR best and remember, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Piggles10 · Jan 19, 2014

What is your class schedule like?

I'm licensed and graduated at this point, but the program felt disorganized. That was one of the biggest challenges.

What do you find to be the hardest/easiest thing during the 1st and 2nd semester?

The first two semesters had way more paperwork and felt the hardest. By the time the third semester rolled around it seemed like we all found a routine for studying and it was tedious and annoying but not as stressful as the first two semesters.

What were you're studying habits/schedule throughout the year? Any study groups?

One person decided to be the class note taker. Her notes condensed all of the powerpoint slide info with notes from lecture. She emailed the entire class after each lecture. I could look at this email and scroll through it on my phone anytime i had downtime. Eventually I developed the habit of deleting the info i new really well and highlighting and color coding the things that were tricky. By the time the test came up I had a very short study guide that hit the essentials. Flash cards were also helpful when it came to straight up memorization, like lab values.

What school do you attend? ASN or BSN program?

I attended an ADN program and started on a BSN bridge halfway through the ADN. I will graduate with my BSN in 5 months, which is one year after my ADN graduation.

Do you work full-time or part-time? If so, is it hard to balance both a job and nursing school?

I started working part time as a tele tech in my last semester. I have no kids so it wasn't too bad. Just remember to be really nice to your significant other and don't vent about nursing stuff too much or you will stress each other out. I think its a good idea to work while in school if you can because it really helps you get a good nursing job later.

What's something you WISH someone would've told you prior to entering into nursing school?

Start to volunteer or work at the place where you want to work after you are licensed. Look for one or two mentors to help you plan how you will get where you want to go.

How many hours of sleep you got throughout the day/ week?

Usually I got enough sleep to make up for getting up too early the day before, but at one point, I was doing an extra, full time, ICU preceptorship 6pm to 6am, with an hour commute each way. There were a few days where I had to go there right after school and then go right back to school. This amounted to some 36 hour stretches. All I can say is that it is possible to do something like this if you constantly check in with yourself and know your limits so that you are safe. Fatigue is a fleeting sensation. It comes in waves. You have to find tricks to keep yourself alert, focused, and safe. After about 20 minutes of feeling horrible it will pass and you will get another burst of energy.

Any other advice?

When I found out that I got accepted into nursing school, I began reading all kinds of posts like these. Most of the advice that I got here was great, but there were many posts about the drama that happens in nursing school. I read so many of those posts that I went into nursing school determined to just keep my head down and get through it. I was expecting the worst. It turns out that my class was very nice and now I am working with a group of them. I got my job through the friends that I made at school. My advice is to always be professional and friendly to everyone that you meet in nursing school. You never know what connections you will make, and it is just good practice for better social habits anyway.