How about some positive nursing school/job stories for us newbies?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I officially start "real" nursing school next week. No more prereq's. Time for the real deal. Of course, I'm super nervous, as are all of us newbies. It's a bit off putting to see all the recent posts of frustrated RN's and other students posting horror stories about how hard it all is.

So, who LOVES their job?

Who think's school has been challenging, but not 10 miles uphill both ways?

Inspire and encourage us please. :)

Nursing school is hard and is time consuming! But I met some awesome people in nursing school including my husband and our best man! Hang in there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I liked nursing school, didn't work as hard as I could have because I was supporting myself and running a household too, but I graduated with an acceptable (if not stellar) GPA. I went to work in a job I didn't plan on taking but it was the only one available at the time and then I ended up loving it. It led me to increasing responsibility and wider experiences, and then to graduate school so I could teach. It was a great couple of decades and I just loved it.

I'm not doing bedside now but I am still a nurse and I am still absolutely loving what I do and the people with whom I do it. Having a good nursing education made that all possible.

There are a lot of us out here. We don't make a fraction as much clamor as the whiners, haters, and complainers, but by god we're out here doing the work.

You can grow up to be ... us. Please do. We need you out here.

Thank you for this. :) It lifted me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I liked nursing school, didn't work as hard as I could have because I was supporting myself and running a household too, but I graduated with an acceptable (if not stellar) GPA. I went to work in a job I didn't plan on taking but it was the only one available at the time and then I ended up loving it. It led me to increasing responsibility and wider experiences, and then to graduate school so I could teach. It was a great couple of decades and I just loved it.

I'm not doing bedside now but I am still a nurse and I am still absolutely loving what I do and the people with whom I do it. Having a good nursing education made that all possible.

There are a lot of us out here. We don't make a fraction as much clamor as the whiners, haters, and complainers, but by god we're out here doing the work.

You can grow up to be ... us. Please do. We need you out here.

I agree with GrnTea.

I LOOOVEE being a nurse!!!! For what it's worth, your experiences in nursing school are a great base...you get to observe the unit culture, you will see a multitude of nurses practicing. Yes, nursing school can be difficult for many people...heck life itself is difficulty for MANY people-your pts, drs, nurses, etc...people are people, but ultimately YOU make your nursing experience. Be cognizant of when you need to vent, or step back. Managing people's LIVES can be rewarding, frustrating, and sometimes traumatic as well, but all experiences that give you the ability and opportunity to be a better nurse. So take advantage on being YOUR best nurse-yes, we need you out there!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with GrnTea.

I LOOOVEE being a nurse!!!! For what it's worth, your experiences in nursing school are a great base...you get to observe the unit culture, you will see a multitude of nurses practicing. Yes, nursing school can be difficult for many people...heck life itself is difficulty for MANY people-your pts, drs, nurses, etc...people are people, but ultimately YOU make your nursing experience. Be cognizant of when you need to vent, or step back. Managing people's LIVES can be rewarding, frustrating, and sometimes traumatic as well, but all experiences that give you the ability and opportunity to be a better nurse. So take advantage on being YOUR best nurse-yes, we need you out there!!!

Thank you!! Your coworkers, patients, and students like me are blessed to have positive, enthusiastic, encouraging nurses like you around!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

While I'm not in the field yet (I take my nclex in a couple weeks), my school did get me a health care companion/sitter type job for a family whose father was in a nursing home. It was an amazing experience, and I got to meet a lot of people in the profession. If I wish to work at that facility as an LPN, they will hire me because I've been a familiar face for the past seven months.

I miss nursing school, and the day after graduating from my LPN program, I was up at the local community college registering for classes. It definitely inspired me to keep going with my education!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I will take away every bit of what I put into it. I am actually thinking of bringing some cheese and crackers first day this semester to go with all the WHINE. he he he... Whining hasn't help the complainers one bit. I am starting my last semester in a couple weeks. I've already had one job interview and two more coming up semester. I am assertive and wait for nobody I go after what I want, if I fail it is only my fault. I will own this!! Be positive and don't be afraid to make it happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I will take away every bit of what I put into it. I am actually thinking of bringing some cheese and crackers first day this semester to go with all the WHINE. he he he... Whining hasn't help the complainers one bit. I am starting my last semester in a couple weeks. I've already had one job interview and two more coming up semester. I am assertive and wait for nobody I go after what I want, if I fail it is only my fault. I will own this!! Be positive and don't be afraid to make it happen.

LOL! I generally have this type of attitude as well. But ya know, sometimes even the strongest, most determined, no nonsense type still need a splash of water to the face. I was voicing my concerns to my older daughter, she looked at me like I had grown a second head and asked, "Since when do you listen to anyone? Especially, complainers?" *snort* She knows me.

Okay, off to put on my mental combat boots. I'm feeling great about starting next week! I got this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psych.

As with most things in life, it's all how you look at

things.

I've rarely met anyone who thought nursing school was a breeze (although they are out there), but there are those who dwell on the miseries and those who choose to thrive. Yes, CHOOSE.

I love a challenge. I always doubt myself, so doing things I never thought I could do is amazing. There are times when I simply do not think I have it in me to dedicate one more second to nursing, and then someone pushes me a little further and the success feels amazing. Good clinical days can leave you smiling for days. The constant stress of the program creates bonds between you and your classmates that you wouldn't expect. When your family pulls together to make your hectic life work, you're all stronger.

When you're faced with all the various personalities of your instructors, classmates, patients, and nurses, you're bound to learn a thing or two about choosing your battles, rolling with the punches, and who you are as a person.

You'll learn new ways to cope with stress that could carry you for the rest of your life. And you'll be smarter, wiser, and hopefully find something you absolutely love.

Nothing good comes easy, so be prepared to work hard. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Kick butt next week!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you to everyone who kept this thread going. I start next week, and I was so relieved to finally see a positive thread that made me even more excited and happy to begin this new journey!! I'm going into it with a positive attitude and the knowledge that I can choose to either maintain that positivity through all the ups and downs or fall along in line with all the Negative Nancy's. It is MY choice!! Good luck to everyone!! We are going to be great :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/hematology.

No sunshine and rainbows here. It's hard, hard work.

But, I wouldn't trade nursing school for anything. I have met the most amazing people in my fellow students. I have touched lives in clinicals and had my heart tugged many many times by my patients. I have cried (more times that I care to admit), but I've laughed a lot more. I have let go of my perfectionist, control freak tendencies. I am learning things that amaze me.

Basically, it's been the most stressful yet rewarding thing I've ever done, and that's after only 1 semester, I can't wait to see what I'm in for this semester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It is uphill both ways......but so worth the effort. I have been a nurse for 34 years. I LOVE my job.....I HATE the bureaucracy. I LOVE my patients ....for the most part ;). My favourite poem says it best.....

Being A Nurse

by Melodie Chenevert

Being a nurse means. . .

You will never be bored.

You will always be frustrated.

You will be surrounded by challenges.

So much to do and so little time.

You will carry immense responsibility

and very little authority.

You will step into people's lives

and you will make a difference.

Some will bless you.

Some will curse you.

You will see people at their worst--

and at their best.

You will never cease to be amazed at people's capacity for love, courage, and endurance.

You will experience resounding triumphs

and devastating failures.

You will cry a lot.

You will laugh a lot.

You will know what it is to be human

and what it is to be humane.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment