What is actual nursing school like?

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I'm currently a first year in a 4 year BSN program. We are still just working on pre-nursing science courses and such. I'm excited about actually nursing classes...but I've heard horror stories. What are the clinical and the nursing classes like? There are probably lots of things to remember but is the info practical and easier to learn? What is a typical nursing student day like?

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Specializes in PEDS ~ PP ~ NNB & LII Nursery.

Every day is different so it is hard to explain just one. It is an amazing experience and yes, it is all practical with the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned which makes it a bit easier.

I wouldn't say nursing school is 'hard' or 'difficult' but rather 'different' and 'time consuming'. You get out of it what you make of it. When the stress level gets high or you have a bad clinical day, remember why you're there and what is important. Learn to pick your battles that you are there for your own future goal so don't let other students ruin for you by drawing you into their drama. If you set your standards early it will make it a easier 4 years.

I am very happy for you. It would seem you've already jumped the first huddle by getting into a program. The rest is smooth sailing!!! But sometimes it gets a little windy on the ocean so learn to ride the wave.;)

rags

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:) that's very encouraging, thanks for sharing!

best luck with your studies,

Vy

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

we are all scared of the unknown. you are always going to hear "horror" stories about just about anything if you look for them. you have to ask yourself this: if nursing is so bad, why are there so many people who have gone into the profession? there are over a million nurses in this country. if school was as horrid as you are hearing, don't you think something would have been done about it? nursing school is a very emotional time for most people. it's a time of some pretty intensive learning experiences. there are very few professions that pretty much force you to examine your own emotions and feelings about life and what is important about life and come to grips with it. the reason is because you see patients struggling with these issues every single day. you hold their hands and listen to them as some of them pour their hearts out to your about their thoughts. you can't help but go home and think about your own feelings on these matters. so, nurses in the early years of their careers tend to go through a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride. but, you know what? an experienced seasoned nurse is a battleship that you definitely want to have on your side. families brag about the nurses in their flock because they are proud of them.

nursing school is a bit nerve racking because you are exposed to a lot of new subjects for the first time. that's not easy to manage. however, thousands before you have done it. are you any different? hang in there. try not to let the "horror" stories you hear bother you. remember that there are two sides to every story. also keep in mind that gossip tends to take on a life of it's own. one of the things that nursing instructors are going to drum into you is to focus on facts. sometimes it's difficult to separate facts from gossip and opinions, but you must learn to do this or you will become a nervous wreck as a result of every piece of gossip you hear. nurses are scientists who strive to think in a critical and rational way about the things they hear.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Thanks Rags and Daytonite for the nice messages. I have to say I feel the same as Vy sometimes but I think overall I am just extremely excited to get started.

:)

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I don't know if your horror stories are from your particular school or from reading posts on these boards or elsewhere, but it truly will be a lot of what you make of it....stay out of the politics and any pettiness that other students might try to drag you in to...so far, in our second semester, I really haven't seen much of that, but on the whole, our class consists of a lot of older students; we're focused on the goal and getting us ALL through this!! Lots of support for one another and the understanding that no man is an island...

First semester was a bit tougher; the instructors were like eagle-eyes who didn't miss much and didn't let up....don't know if that was on purpose or just their style....second semester has been SO much more relaxed...it's busier on many levels, but some of the tension is off....I don't know what we have to look forward to in the coming semesters and haven't spent a lot of time worrying about it....I have to take it one day/week/test at a time...

Clinicals are interesting....that's where you'll get your real insight in to the profession....the classroom is theory....you'll see what's really going on....you will have great nurses who will be there to encourage you and help you, and others who you are sure would rather you didn't exist....make sure you thank those great nurses....the clinical assignment is frustrating, uplifting, and always different....after less than 6 months of doing this, I can't imagine all the other experiences and possibilities that exist out there....rather mind-boggling....pay attention to your patients, assessments, charting, and MEDS....I had a couple of close calls today...no excuse...several of us struggled today...we tried using the "yesterday's test took it all out of us", but truthfully, we weren't on top of our game....maybe we were feeling a bit too relaxed at this point in the semester? I don't know, but it was a HUGE wakeup call for a couple of us....

I think you need to get organized, get your priorities straight, let others know that you'll have your down time, but will have school as your first obligation....and then go and do your best....give it your all....don't let others bring you down....as humans we're good enough at kicking ourselves when we're less than perfect....and know that it will be over before you know it and you'll be out there making a difference in the world....

And hey, best of luck!!

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Specializes in OB.

Take Hell and wrap it up, and live in it for oh.. 3 or 4 years and you have nursing school :)

lol- seriously, it is the most time consuming, life draining thing you will ever do, but the rewards are endless and nothing beats a great clinical day! and yes, alot of it IS what you make it! good luck to you!!!!!

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Specializes in Med-surg.

I agree with alot of what I read. I graduated last spring and miss school already. Nursing school is like no other major. I remember trying to expalin to my roommate (engineering major) about my clinicals. I did a four year program as well. Your senior year is were it all comes together, the anatomy,pharm, growth and development. The hardest thing for me was the night before clinicals my first semseter trying to complete care plans. I agree that nursing school makes you think about life, death and illness. While clinicals put a face and family to the diseases process. It was intense but will be well worth it in the end.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Things to remember that will get you through NS:

1. The ABCs. If your patient isn't breathing, fix that first, mmmk?

2. Maslow

3. Erikson (I sure hope you listened in Psychology, but that's ok. You'll hear about Erickson over and over and over.)

4. Xanax. (Not for the patient. It's for YOU! Trust me, some days, you'll need it and then some.)

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I like MoonGirls answer: Take Hell and wrap it up, and live in it for oh.. 3 or 4 years and you have nursing school.

Actually, I didn't find any rewards. I quickly learned to take jobs where I only had one (surgery) or no patients (utilization management) , so I can't tell you about floor nursing. :eek:

Good luck, it takes a special person, and I was not that person. We each deal with things in a different way.

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Nursing school so far for me has been an emotional roller coaster. I am second semester of purely nursing school (all prereq's done). I have cried alot, I have laughed alot. I was superbly anxious my first semester and religously kept track of my grades. I started this semester on a bad note and dropped a class and thought I had made a mistake by deciding on this profession. I have relaxed since then ( granted I am now taking a half a xanax some days), I just do my best and I don't even know how many points I have towards my grades (though I do know I am doing at least ok in everything). I have gained back my fervor and am realizing once again why I wanted this in the first place. The people I am riding this roller coaster are probably the closest group of friends I will ever have. I can tell you also that I am sooo much a stronger person than when I started this journey and I am becoming more strong and self assured every day.

It is an incredible journey!

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I started classes in 8/03 and I will be graduating 5/07. Nsg school for me, has been like a really long stressful marathon with lots of hurdles to jump.

1st hurdle : acceptance into the program. You compete against so many for your one spot.

2nd hurdle:Once you are in classes, the constant unit test each week take a toll on your emotional health, esp if you started with a 4.0 and hope to be graduating with at least a 2.0!

3rd hurdle: Emotional attachments to classmates. You make great friends and have to watch some struggle and fail out. There are also bickering clicks however entertaining at times , can really get old.

4th hurdle: physical stress against your body. You are exposed to so many germs at your clinical. You also hold your bladder & bowels all day because you haven't time to take a break in the 8 hrs your on the floor. You go without eating or drinking anything some days. There is also heavy lifting of patients and people. You are free labor for the hospitals and they take the advantage.

5th Hurdle: Your immune system takes a beating..Stress of classes, & all the germs you pick up at the hosp. Lack of sleep and unwanted weight gain.

6th Hurdle: Life's unpredictable events...three of my classmates have lost a family member to death. Some have gotten pregnant, some lost lost jobs, some have gone through divorce etc.

7th hurdle: making it to Graduation.

The finish line: Passing the NCLEX!

I'm on my last few weeks now and when I graduate, it's going to feel like the greatest accomplishment for me in the world. I will be so proud of myself that I DID it and didn't give up, (even though I thought it about it many times :chuckle).

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