Am I going to a bad school or is it like this for everyone?!

ShelbyaStar · Mar 15, 2015

Sounds pretty normal to me. We have a lot of readings and we're expected to know what we read. We have had a lot of application questions in lab and clinical to reinforce our lecture and readings, but they definitely don't spoon feed it to us.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 15, 2015

The school I attend has a "career ladder" option in the nursing program. After the first semester, you can become a CNA. After 2nd level (1st year), you can sit for the NCLEX-PN to become an LPN. You have the option of exiting the program as an LPN and returning later, if you wish. Then, after 4th level (2nd year), you take the NCLEX-RN. Many of our classmates got their LPN so they could work as an LPN while finishing the last year of the program. We didn't have anyone in our program opt out at the LPN level in our cohort.

As far as course content & studying, what you describe sounds par for the course. They expect us to have read/studied the material prior to class. We do not learn anything "new" in class since we've already read it prior to attending. We do a lot of case studies in class and apply what we know. Sort of like a flipped classroom.

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 15, 2015

There is a big difference between education at the primary/secondary level (up to grade 12) and adult education (college/university). You may benefit from a brief overview of adult education theory as well as determining your personal learning style(s). Knowing what ways you best learn and retain information can make the amount of information not seem quite so overwhelming. One of my personal favorite sites to determine learning style is VARK (The VARK Questionnaire | VARK). If this is your first experience with education beyond high school, then of course it's going to be overwhelming- it's a big change.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2015

This is college. They don't feed you everything; you are expected to be able to search out more than you hear in lecture, read more than you get handouts for, and recognize when you need help and get it yourself. They will not come to you. You aren't going to a "bad" school. You're going to one that treats you like an adult. Time to grow!

Your LPN friend may be surprised, but if she's not in an RN program she doesn't know what she's talking about.

In nursing, professional education begins here, but it never-- never-- ends. Another think you are learning is that this is how to maintain continuous learning as long as you hold a license. I still buy books, take courses, and seek out new information, and I've been out of school for decades.

MidLifeRN2012 · Mar 15, 2015

If I had a "bad" teacher in class or didn't understand a topic, I looked elsewhere for better explanation, such as You Tube.

I'm a visual/hands on learner so I supplemented a lot of textbook reading and lectures with online videos. For example, I had a hard time with analysis of blood gases and didn't finally 'get it' until I searched You Tube for a better strategy / explanation. You Tube also got me through Chemistry while doing pre reqs.

You have to do a lot of supplemental learning on your own.

Shagce1 · Mar 15, 2015

Nope. Sounds pretty normal. If you are concerned about it being a bad school, find out their NCLEX pass rates. That may give you a better idea of good vs bad.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 15, 2015

This is college. I'm in a four semester RN program and this is how it works. Wait until finals when you have to know all the information for one cumulative test. This is to easy. It takes a lot of time and effort on your part. Find a study group.

Bbett, MSN, NP · Mar 15, 2015

Sounds standard. The instructors don't teach you , just give the information for you to teach yourself.

Spangle Brown · Mar 17, 2015

My first test covered 17 chapters. As stated, we read our chapters before coming to class and the Professor reviews them quickly. Any questions? Ok, moving on. So yes, it is pretty much self taught. Lectures are a chance to ask questions, clarify and asking for a little help understanding a concept. We can print off the powerpoint, and not all the slides are in it. That is about all they 'give.' The rest we do our selves by making study groups. Also, they listed optional books that might help studying for tests. Like "Fundamentals for Success."

dlcjrnlac · Mar 17, 2015

My accelerated BSN program largely consisted of people reading Powerpoints to me. Got a good library out of it, though, and You Tube is a surprisingly good (and free) resource. Like most others, though, nursing school did NOT teach me how to be a nurse.