new student, not what it seems.

[ddr436]

I am 9 weeks into an accelerated bsn program. we just finished all of our skills checkoffs and start clinical rotations soon. So far i have taken 4 theory tests and did 9 check offs, above average. I do not study that much. I am definetely not one of those students who just gets good grades without studying, my school has one of the best reps in the state with a ridiculously high nclex pass rate. and yet i do not think nursing school is as hard as everyone makes it seem. I think people exagerate a lot.

however, i do wonder if ill be one of those students who freaks out during clinicals when we replace the mannaquins with real patients..i hope not lol

i would love some feedback on your block 1 experience. i love my class but i dont want to share this with them.

[jjjoy, LPN]

There are *many* potential reasons that you're finding the first term of school to be comparatively less of a struggle than some of your classmates are. We can only guess what those reasons are given that we don't really know you, your classmates or your program. Nursing schools vary A LOT in how they administer their program (how easy or difficult it is to pass or to be failed) and students coming in to nursing programs often have a wide range of backgrounds, some of whom found the pre-req classes very difficult as well. So it's hard to give you any insight into why you might be finding it easier than your classmates.

I think you'd probably do well to simply enjoy the fact that your first term hasn't been too stressfu; just don't assume that the rest of the program will go along the same as the first term has. Many programs quickly snowball in terms of content covered and assignments that need to be completed in very short periods of time. As others have noted, it's often the sheer pace and volume of material covered that is makes it difficult as opposed to the level of difficult of the content itself.

If, however, you continue to feel that you don't need to put in maximum effort to do well, then I'd suggest investing that extra time and energy in building on your nursing knowledge and skills above and beyond what is required to pass. Nursing school gives you an *introduction* to nursing across the board and a *basic* foundation to reinforce the importance of patient safety and careful practice. Nursing school graduates are simply ready to *begin* their journey in the practice of nursing. So if you can manage to take advantage of any extra opportunities as a student, do it!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Good for you! Hey, I do extremely well also. I do study though!

I don't just sneeze my way to good grades. But don't have a problem with people who do. You all are amazing to me.

I find that in life/career, those who find that they need to "put in more time", but refuse to, will drop by the wayside in all things. It is about finding where you need to improve, and then doing it. Not about whining because someone else has something you want or want to be - regardless if God-given talent!

[jaywife]

where there is a will

there is a way

it's true

[RossayRN]

All nursing schools conduct their programs and expectations differently (not all nursing schools are the same). But one thing I can say about my program is (i just completed number 3 of a 5 semester BSN program) Intro and fundamentals were not that hard. It definitely gets harder towards the middle and thats because the content is much more, it's focusing on disease processes as well as skills, and there is a lot more material to cover in a shorter amount of time later than in the beginning of the program. I study alot moe now than I did the first and second semester and have to take an Exit exam after the final for every course starting with fundamentals. That's how my school is, and what I have experienced up to this point. Oh I have 2 children, and a fiancee that I wouldn't be able to get through this without.

[beth66335, BSN, RN]

I think it's true that everyone's experience is different. In my program 1st semester was Fundamentals and Pharmacology. I breezed through Funamentals probably because of my CNA experience but Pharm almost killed me! The next semester was Med/Surg 1 and OB/Peds. I loved OB/Peds and devoured the content; Med/Surg 1 almost killed me, lol! We will see how I do in Med/Surg 2 this Fall...I've heard it's hard...but I've heard 4th semester is much better with Transitions to nursing practice which has no tests:) and Psych which is a lot of short papers and 3 tests plus a final. I think if you can keep on top of all the stuff i.e. careplans, papers, clinicals, reading, etc. it's doable.

[RLPORTEE]

I haven't even started school yet. I have registered and now where I am going. I am scared I can't lie. I been dreaming for years to be an RN. So far I've had some people tell me it's hard. I guess my biggest worry is knowing how bad I want it.

Right now I am going to go to Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL. I just got my finacial aid and have to go talk with a counselor. One of my main questions I guess would be should I take all my academic classes and leave my nursing classes last. Or try to take them as they are noted on my sheet of course examples. As of right now I figured I would knock out all of the academics and leave the nursing classes for the end so I could focus better on them rather then learning to be a nurse and then worrying about passing math, Bio, Phy, Eng all together!

I hope someone could tell me what they think about that idea so far!

[beth66335, BSN, RN]

I went into my program with all my prereq classes done, except English, and I did that one in the Summer last year so I could concentrate on nursing classes only my last 2 years. It has worked out best for me that way. It depends on your situation though, I have paid for college myself all the way through, so I could take as many or as few hours as I wanted. If you're doing financial aid you may have to take a certain amount of hours each semester so you might need to save a class or two back for that. For example our 2nd semester is only 7 hours, so some of my fellow students had to take a wellness class to fill the gap to 10 hours for their financial aid. Just check if you can to see what your semesters will be like if you have financial aid...otherwise those classes over with now! Hope this helps!

[RossayRN]

I'd get all the none nursing class out of the way if I could. At my school you can't even apply to the program until all prereqs are completed and with good reason. I have a 17 credit hour load a semester of nothing but nursing so if I had prereqs on top of all those nursing classes I think my gpa would suffer as well as actually learning the stuff and storing it long term verses just knowing it to pass the class and in a few months time you hardly recall anything because you didn't have time to learn it well enough for long term memory storage.

[Cilantrophobe]

Which nurse do I want taking care of me: The one who gets "above average" grades without studying, or one who goes the extra mile and actually cares to learn, comprehend, and apply the content?

Hm...tough choice!

Last time I checked, above average grades only come to those who go the extra mile...

To the OP: thank you for posting this. Because it is nice to hear that nursing school isn't always the hardest thing in the world. Good grades come easier to me and I consider it a total blessing. Because when I study something, I actually retain it, and can better apply it when needed. Apparently not many people appreciate hearing how well others are doing. But I sure do.

Maybe you broke some sort of code, where you are not allowed to say that it really isn't "what is seems"

[whodatnurse]

lol i dont understand why people are getting so hateful. i wasnt trying to make anyone mad i was just trying to understand why its not as hard for me and really hard for some poeple. and like i said I DO study i do comprehend the material. i think a lot of people that are reading my post are thinking that im saying its so easy and anyone can do it..no thats not what i said. I know its not supposed to be easy...which is why i am confused. i realize that im only 9 weeks in that is WHY I AM ASKING FOR OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCES. not lectures, not "what nurse would i want to take care of me" nonsense. soooo i hope people are not wishing i fail haha.

i have a test today so we will see how THAT one goes :)

thanks for all the positive responses and feedback. and NO THANKS to criticism and lectures. be a little more compassionate people. all i want is feedback about your experiences.

"i do not think nursing school is as hard as everyone makes it seem." "I think people exagerate a lot.'

Well...since you don't seem to understand how you might be coming across...I'll venture a guess that you ruffled some feathers when instead of stopping with not finding it hard, you then when on to suggest that folks who ARE can't possibly be serious.

[ddr436]

im not trying to undermine anyone. its just that i have spoken so several nursing students who set me up to think that this is the hardest thing anyone could ever go through...

and you know you've heard it too..its out there.

i just wanted to see what was going on, not bring anyone down.

[ErinJane]

About the prereqs. I was able to get into my program without all of mine done, but I was the only one my year. I ended up with 24 credits (all nursing, A and P, chem and nutrition) in one semester. However, I passed. And this was my first semester, so yes first semester is considerably less of a challenge than other semesters, but I sincerely hope that you find nursing school as easy all the way through! There is nothing wrong with that.