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.

I think that if you are used to working hard and focusing on your studies that nursing school will be fine. If you are used to just skating by and barely getting through, you probably won't succeed!

Specializes in ICU.
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.

There it is.

I only wish we were given the list of information at the start of the summer. Our book list only came out two weeks ago. Our reading assignments were released on Monday.

HOWEVER! I love reading your post, I am a full time employee, single mother of two young children, going into my first semester of the nursing program (having completed all of my pre-reqs). You post was encouraging, thank you for sharing.

I'm into my second week and so far it's been manageable. I've been asked "How can you work while in nursing school?!?" Uh, because I HAVE to. I can't call my electric company and say "Yeah, about my bill....I can't pay it for the next two years because I have school." I have 3 kids, I tutor my fiance in math (which is a job in itself, math is very hard for him), plus help him with his computer business.

I think a lot of it depends on your attitude and how you study. As in, if taking notes doesn't work for you, then don't sit there writing page after page of notes, just hoping something will click. Also, I utilize little minutes in the day that might get lost.....instead of taking a full 20 minute break, I might take a few minutes to use the bathroom and get a drink but use the other 10 to look over stuff. It frees up time later.

My study habits are constantly changing, depending on what I'm studying. Right now I take very little notes and don't dig hardcore into the books. My big thing is rephrasing what I might read if it's too confusing. I'm more likely to remember it. I also fill out the study guides they give us rather then take a ton of notes. For some reason my scores way up when I do the study guides, study a little bit and take very little notes. But to ignore the study guides, spend quite a bit of time studying and a lot of notes? Forget it. I might as well just not show up for the exam.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
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:

Bingo!

Or people will try to downplay your experience by saying things like "well I go to one of the harder schools, or my program is a lot harder than others" How the heck do you know, have you experienced every different nursing school???

My situation, I am in my 3rd semester, have 4 children and a husband that works out of town for 5 months a year. That said, I haven't found nursing school to hard at all. I haven't given up having a life. Shoot I spend way too much time online, watching tv, going out (not like partying going out), going out to eat with friends, and I still do pretty good. I am sure I could do better but I am not doing average or poor either. I did learn one thing my second semester, I can not leisure read any book series while going to school. I am to much of a book addict and I did bad in med/surge when I started a 10 book series for fun. :|

Still, we have had some rough weeks where there is a LOT going on, we had "hell week" first semester that we were positive was set up to make or break us LOL but overall I can't say that nursing school has been a bad experience. I have had a lot of fun with it.

I think besides the very very small % that just get stuck with super crappy programs, Nursing school is what you make of it.

If you choose to freak out about it and every little thing and any change and so on and so forth and you choose to let stress consume your life and negativity be the new "black" than that is what you will get. I see it in my own program and I know how tough my program is, some of us just choose to handle it differently and in a more positive light.

Nursing school is not MY LIFE. It is simply a part of my life.

Nursing school is not MY LIFE. It is simply a part of my life.

I'm so glad you said that!

I get so sick of post after post where people say that nursing school should be your number one priority while you're in the program. That is so stupid to me! If there are people that choose to make nursing school their number one priority, then fine. But there are others who have more important things in their life to focus on such as family and friends.

Nursing school doesn't have to consume your entire life in order to do well in the program...

:tku: !!!!!! all for your positive posts!!

Much needed words for those of us still waiting to get in!

WELL speaking from experience...yeh the FIRST semester is NOT that bad just basic NA stuff just wait till all the other STUFF STARTS being piled on you:eek:....

I am a fourth semester student so I DO KNOW what I am talking about;)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I still stand by my assessment that the first semester in my program is absolute hell, but it does get better....much better. :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
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:

Thank you! So true.

To dare the flaming gods: 3.87 GPA after 30 hours in 10 nursing classes; damn that one B! :clown: I do have to add that confidence in clinicals is still a bit shaky, and I'm ok with that. I shouldn't be 100% confident with any clinical; I don't know enough yet.

I hate you!

Boy, I feel better now... LOL!

Good for you girl, I am EXHAUSTED. I am barely making it and working my butt off. I have three kids, and work very little but I am so overwhelmed and feel like I am drowning. I can't believe I have two years left of this HELL.

Good luck!

I am so happy to see this post!! It seems most posts are about negativity or bad experiences, especially over on the other side, if you know what I mean? I am so glad to see people who are positive! Yes it might get difficult at times but geez if it was that bad why would so many still do the job right? Thanks ladies!

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