It's actually NOT so bad!

Nursing Students General Students

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I should preface this by stating that I'm all of one week into nursing school, so I can't profess to be an expert. However, this is going to be do-able. I also work full time and have three kids, so I don't have much time, which I thinks makes me quite efficient. (This is the first time I've visited this site in a while because I was studying and such.) My recommendation, when you have summer reading- read it over the summer! I did all 28 chapters, wrote my outlines and took my pretests. So, the four chapters that have been assigned in the first week- not much trouble. For the students that were buying their books the first day of class- they're overwhelmed. I've used all the outside resources for our upcoming med math qualification exam. So when the professors asked how our math calc is going, I could ask a question while many students were wondering when we would go over it in class. They were expecting days devoted to it when we'll actually have one hour in lecture next week. That's it. This is no longer spoon-feeding school. There's a lot to be done and it's up to me to do it. But that's something I can handle. I'm not saying it's going to be easy throughout. The testing format is new to me and can be quite tricky I'm sure. And the schedule itself will be tough with school, clinicals, work and family. We'll all make some sacrifices, but it will be worth it in the end!

I hope that others are finding that things are going well. And for those pre-nursing students, I just want to let you know that it's going to be possible to do it. You just need to put in the work.

Specializes in Hope to be in the NICU.
Your post reminded me of me on nursing school, worked 48 hours per week so I could pay for the school, took care of my dad and uncle, and 2 dogs, graduated with a 3.8 GPA and passed the NCLEX like a breeze...

Don't lose your will power, that is what made me shine, and you are going too!

Let me know in the future if you have any questions and I will be glad to help!!!

WOW!!! You don't know how bad I needed to read that. I work full time 40+ hrs a week on 3rd shift and go to NS during the day. I have 3 kids and am busy too. I have heard NOTHING but negative when it comes to my situation, and to be frank I'm tired of people asking me how I'm going to handle it!

You are an inspiration! THANKS!!:yeah:

I'm in my third week and studying for my 5th test so far. I don't think any of the material is too hard yet but I've flipped through my Pharm. book. I know what's coming up and it's not going to be pretty...lol. That's great that you are having a good experience so far. :)

I think sometimes people forget how far a positive attitude can go. Even when things are downright hard that doesn't mean you have to go out in the backyard and start digging a grave for yourself. Compare yourself to what you were like during clinicals. Some people thought that A&P, Chem and Stats were going to kill them. But I'm an overly optimistic person for the most part so I guess I just look at things differently.

It does vary by your personality, how well you can study and just how you handle stress all together. Maybe I won't be as enthusiastic a year from now but maybe I will, anything is possible.

Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

As I've said in other threads - the amount of complaining a nursing student does on the allnurses boards is inversely proportional to their GPA. People who are doing just fine academically tend not to put up endless threads about it on the discussion boards.

As I've said in other threads - the amount of complaining a nursing student does on the allnurses boards is inversely proportional to their GPA. People who are doing just fine academically tend not to put up endless threads about it on the discussion boards.

Agreed, I mean how many "I'm doing great!" posts do you actually see around here. ;)

Specializes in Operating Room.

Although this site has been very helpful to me, I'm so glad I didn't find it until after my first semester of nursing school. Otherwise, I'd be scared out of my mind! I understand people come here to rant their frustrations, but some things they complain about are just ... hmm. I tend to take the things I read here with a grain of salt (mostly the rants and opinions) but the facts are great. Nursing school is NOT that bad ;)

I start NS on tuesday and I'm *very* excited. We received our 3 page (gasp) reading list for the first week and I've finished all of it and been looking ahead through other chapters that I'm sure we'll be reading soon after. I have also finished the dosage calc book that we were told to study because I have a test on Wednesday that I need an 85 or better on (starting next semester we need a 90). I am very happy to read that doing as much as you can beforehand helps. I have two children, ages 2 and 4, and I know that I will need to manage my time well. I am lucky that my husband is supporting us financially right now but I also know that things are going to be very tight for the next 2 years (if I am lucky enough to get a job right away!).

I plan to stay on top of the readings and assignments. I have a 3.94 GPA and plan to keep it that way for as long as possible! I think it's better to spend time preparing instead of complaining about it all!

GOOD LUCK!!! :)

I agree that reading this site before starting school DID make me super paranoid and expect the worse from school. I am in my second week and although I find the schedule challenging... it's not THAT bad!!! We didn't have much pre-reading to do... just a few chapters in each book which i did complete before classes started but in my case it wasn't very beneficial but please don't take that to mean that you shouldn't read because every program is different!!! I have already had three skills labs and have been checked off on all of them (though my making an occupied bed was a disaster!!!) I do get tired of waking up at 6am, fight the downtown traffic and ALWAYS having something to read or study but it is what you make of it... I feel that it's doable. I know it will be difficult at times and you sacrafice alot of free time to study but overall if you want to be a nurse you will do it!!! = )

Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

I'm another one who started reading here as a pre-nursing student. I was FREAKED. I didn't get a reading list, so yeah, I have a LOT of reading to do right off the bat, but it's not nearly as dry as say, A&P, so I am perfectly able to handle it. Today was the third day of school and a few of us are already meeting two or three hours prior to classes to go over everything. So far, what we like, is that we are being HEAVILY encouraged to start critical thinking and communicating with eachother as professionals. That is SO helpful during our study sessions.

So yeah, I see LONG days and nights ahead, but they really seem like they'll be USEFUL long days and nights, and the times may actually be, gasp, ENJOYABLE! (Now someone remind me of this statement in a semester or two. LOL!)

Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

Those of you who were able to get your reading assignments before the school year are extremely lucky. We aren't allowed to have any assignments ahead of time, even if we beg. So because of that, we're never able to be ahead of the game like you are right now. Enjoy it while you've got it, because few of us are ever this lucky :)

And like other people have said, a positive attitude really does help a lot!

Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.
Agreed, I mean how many "I'm doing great!" posts do you actually see around here. ;)

It's because when you say "I'm doing great!" or "I think med surg has been a breeze!" the hater nation usually comes forward to write off your confidence and general well being as arrogant, insensitive, and/or a load of crap. It's the "all A students are teacher's pets and must be ridiculed" grammar school mentality resurfacing. It happens in every academic setting, and it still ticks me off. :rolleyes:

Besides.....statistically speaking, people with a negative experience are more likely to post about it. That's ANY message board about any topic lol The whole squeaky wheel thing.

Way to go, OP. I was damn near terrified my first couple of weeks because I fed into the hype. But looking back....it really wasn't that deep. Still isn't. I just never had the guts to tell some people "suck it up, it's just nursing school!" because I hadn't been through it yet :lol2:

Specializes in None.

I'm in my second week of NS and it's been ALOT better than what I was prepared for. After reading countless horror stories, after my first day, I felt so much better about it. I feel like this is doable and that I'll be okay. I think approaching NS with a positive attitude will do WONDERS in your performance and information you retain. I think if you go into it thinking "I'll never be able to do this", that negativity is going to keep you from retaining to your full potential. But going into it with a "Can Do" attitude, as corny as that sounds, I think will help anyone retain the material and perfect their skills to the best of their ability.

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