Which semester did you think was the hardest?

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I'm in the 2nd half of my 2nd semester (psych) and so far maternity has been the hardest. Of course I don't have much to compare and gradewise it wasn't that bad (I got an A) but I just hated it! From what I hear nursing 3 is that hardest. Good luck!

STL2008, RN · Mar 28, 2010

I thought 2nd semester was horrible for me. It was a mix of OB and Med surg 1. Im taking Med surg 2 right now with a mix of peds, and Psych. It isnt a walk in the park either. Im hanging on with a 76% that what I need to pass the class. I have a test on GU/Renal/Bilary on wednesday and Im freaking out. Because I dont understand! Im just going to try my best and hope for the best!

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 28, 2010

I've always heard that 1st semester is the most difficult academically, because you are learning HOW to study, WHAT to study, and trying to get a handle on those wonderful NCLEX-style questions. After that semester, it becomes harder mentally. The toughness of the material increases each semester though as you study more advanced subjects and procedures. My :twocents: .

seasoned hopeful · Mar 28, 2010

i asked this question a while back for the same reasons. there were many answers and they were all right for that person. the best answer i got was, "which ever one you are in!!!" i loved it it is so true:lol2:

chevyv, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

My most difficult semester was 4th! That was the last and I'm not sure if I was burnt out (went part time though) or if my life was too much. The theory class was so condensed and difficult! It sucked big honkin baboon butt!!! Clinical was really good though and I had the toughest instructor (again).

andrewprincesspeach · Mar 28, 2010

I am only in my first semester at this time. But from what i have heard is you get used to everything as you go along. After the first semester you used to the things that go on. and it doesnt seem that bad.

lkwashington · Mar 29, 2010

It the classes to easy it is not worth it. There is something wrong. In another forum another person stated some facility do not like to hirer new grads because they are teaching them things the nursing school should have. In my opinion please ask questions and curriculm should get tougher every semester and studying hours should be longer. Just a thought.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Mar 29, 2010

My hardest quarter so far was my just-completed fifth quarter, where I had Critical Care, clinical in the ICU, my research proposal write-up, my biostatistics course, and the Med-Surg ATI at the end.

Second to that quarter, my hardest quarter was the first. I'd been out of school for two years, and my undergrad had been a semester-based school, so taking fundamentals, basic assessment, and pharm the first term was a lot to take in, especially since those courses were taught over 10 weeks instead of the 16 I was used to. The three quarters after that were easier as I was getting the hang of things and the nursing philosophy started making more sense.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 29, 2010

I am only in my second half of my second semester. So far the first half of my second semester was the hardest. Not harder in like understanding the material so much as the class and clinicals were very time consuming. Our first semester we had 3 classes at one time but it was all broken apart well and left for a lot free time. First half of our second semester that wasn't the case.

Now I am in Peds/OB for my second half, and time consumption wise, it's been a lot better. We usually get out of lecture early. We will only have clinicals 2 weeks for 3 days each those weeks and then 1 day of respite care. We do have 2 big exams weekly and when clinicals start soon our amount assignments is going to go up a lot. But so far it's been pretty easy.

wahwahgerman · Mar 30, 2010

It sounds like the consensus is the 2nd semester, which includes OB/peds. Although the 3rd semester might be a bear too!

The first semester has been very manageable, so I guess I have more challenging things to look forward to in the fall Maybe the 2nd semester will weed out some of the people who are barely hanging on right now.

sherriberry1 · Mar 30, 2010

I am in my second semester of RN....we had our OB rotation first which was pretty good for me...now we are in Med Surg rotation and you talk about HARD....well actually it is all the INFORMATION you have to read and be able to retain for the tests. I do not have a lot to compare it to but 1st semester I came out with a high B but this one....just let me have a 80 at the end when it is done:yeah:. Then I can see what summer semester is about.