1st Year Nursing Student comes to an end

Wsmith16, ADN, BSN · Apr 15, 2008

It's the toughest thing I have ever had to do. The first semester was a joke compared to this semester--Med Surg. Schedule is jam packed, always studying.There's tons of info to learn in a very short amount of time.

Did I expect it to be this tough?

No. I have family friends who are nurses & I respect them alot more. Nursing school is simply alot of work. I can't really explain it. I've found that the only people who truly "get it" are other nursing students. I can spot them in the library a mile away. They are the ones carrying the EXTRA huge Med Surg book & sit in the library for hours on end.

Nursing school has taught me alot about team work & organization. I've had exams every two weeks for the last 2 months. We are all praying that we pass our final so we can move on to next yr.

It was hard getting into a program so I consider myself blessed, especially since so many studenst would love to be in my shoes. I wouldn't trade this MADNESS for the world.

am0r803 · Apr 17, 2008

I agree with the above post 100%! Never expected it to be this hard but it is so worth it!

It's great being able to use what you learn in the classroom to use in the clinical setting and seeing the difference you make with your patients. That little extra effort we put in [because we're still students : ) ] makes all the difference and I LOVE IT!!

I too would not trade this for anything in the world... I love what I'm doing and can't wait to go further. All I can say is that for anyone who is "thinking" about going into this field or is in school and struggling... First make sure it is what you truly want to do, and if it is then GO FOR IT!! It's a struggle, its really hard.. and I know because it took me some extra time and effort to get where I am now - but the end result is wonderful and you won't regret it...

Good Luck to everyone... One more year left for me!!!

tabrown1 · Apr 17, 2008

I expected it to be tough, but I didn't know I would have so much stress. Even when I pass a test, I'm happy for only a moment because I have another test in 2 weeks and the high stress start all over again.

There is someone in my school is complaining about she have bills, family responsibility and work and the school should accomadate her and sending emails to everyone. We all do. I want to say suck it up. There is no easy nursing school in NYC, and they all have the same thinking that your life revolve around them. I'm not being mean, but wow, we have to make adjustment and it worth it in the long run.

I'm going to school this summer and I just found out that I have a test every Monday. The Madness continues.

tachybradyRN · Apr 17, 2008

I certainly expected it to be tough, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of the situation. For learning how to say, "Yes ma'am, and how high would you like me to jump?" even when I disagreed. For learning how to ask for help even when my pride told me not to. For endless nights and drawn out weekends, nightmares about process records. For the REAL emotions I feel when I deal with particularly heartbreaking patients, and for the reality of letting go.

That said, I love what I am doing with all of my heart, and I can't imagine another career so fulfilling. Hard as it may be, it's my life's work, and it makes me happy day to day.

mb1949 · Apr 18, 2008

It is beyond hard, first semester was nothing, this semester I think we all talked about quitting at least once, we lost 2 people from my pysch clinical and 3 from my med surg, we started out with 40 in my class and are down to about 25, one clinical has 3 people left, care plans, quizzes, presentations, groups, orals, ugh, only 3 weeks left then finals. I pray every night I pass

dking821 · Apr 18, 2008

I have to whole heartedly (is that a word??) agree with every single response here. First semester was a piece of cake compared to second semester. But with a lot of praying, studying, and coffee, I am making my way through it. The hardest part is the time management for me. I am working fulltime and dealing with two kids. The one I gave birth to and the one I married. I am doing the bare minimum at work. I cant even begin to imagine what this yrs performance review is going to look like. At home the dust is soooooo thick on the furniture am gonna have to use a shovel to get it off come this May when classes are done. We haven't ate out of anything that is not plastic/paper since the semester started. Who on earth has time to wash dishes? Plus I got tired of seeing them piled in the sink.

All of that said: I absolutely love what I am doing!!!!!!

tabrown1 · Apr 25, 2008

I feel better after your post, because myself and a fellow student are experiencing the same thing. But the problem is that we were accepted to go to school for the summer so now we don't know when will have time to take care of home. But we did say to each other, only another nursing student will understand.

MrsCD · Apr 26, 2008

Yes, I agree with all of you. 1st semester was a piece of cake. I thought it was hard then but now taking med surg is INSANE........alot of crying, stressing......no sleep!!! Two more exams left!!!!!!

I would never trade it in for the world......as tough it is, it is soooo worth it...I love school and I am very grateful to be here.

mb1949 · Apr 28, 2008

:yeah: :bow:I have 2 quizzes and 2 finals left, all care plans are finished, just a few edits on my psych one, (ugh, I hate psych) and then 2 semester left

God helps us all get through this