"You'll hate your life"

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Hello everyone,

I've seen quite a few threads on how to survive nursing school here, but I decided to start a new thread to ask more specific questions.

I don't start the five semester program (BSN) until the Spring (I'm a sophomore). I've made all A's and one B in my prerequisite classes and my general education requirements. I'm a hard worker, and I study all the time. I don't party, and my hobby is organizing & color coding things. I've read about 7 books on preparing for nursing school, started learning med-math, and I'm making sure to succeed in my current classes. I became a CNA so I have a few basic skills, but I never worked as one. I have frequented this thread daily for quite some time. I'm really trying my hardest to be prepared. I'm even having my tonsils out over Christmas so I don't get strep throat anymore.

I am SO fortunate to be able to quit my job for school. I'm living in the dorms (and next year I'll have an apartment). My scholarships and my parents will be supporting me through school. I also have no children or pets. I am part of some organizations, but they don't take too much time.

However, I'm starting to have severe doubts that I can make it through the nursing program. Current students keep telling me to enjoy life because I'll "hate my life and hate myself" in nursing school.

I know that it's going to be extremely difficult and time consuming. However, is it impossible? I was looking forward to this challenge.... But all the current nursing students are telling me to change my major to something easier.

I know that nobody can tell me if I'm capable of this. But would anyone like to share their success story? I would love to hear some right now hah :)

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I know that it's going to be extremely difficult and time consuming. However, is it impossible? I was looking forward to this challenge.... But all the current nursing students are telling me to change my major to something easier.

Well, obviously it's not impossible since many people pass the NCLEX right out of school and receive their license

I think nursing tends to draw a lot of non-traditional students (single parents, second career, etc.), and they tend to have more obligations than a typical university student. Perhaps that is why many perceive nursing to be "impossible".

However, I have found it to be, personally, not that difficult. Then again, I am single and have no kids.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

You will have a lot of studying to do. There will be times where it seems like you have no life outside of school. Just pace yourself and set up a study schedule and do plan some time to do fun things. In the end, the time is really short and when you get that diploma, that pin, that nursing license, you will feel that it is worth it. FYI, I have some ADN classes under my belt.

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Don't be freaked out before trying! I'm currently in the first semester of a 2-year ADN program. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I have "no life". But it's only 2-years (4-semesters)! I'm married, 3 teenage kids, 3 dogs and a mortgage. I'm also in my 40's. If I can do it, so can you.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I'm 39 with four kids, very smart but tend towards disorganization, and I'm doing fine in my program. It is great that you love to organize things, that will be a great asset to you. You have the passion to do it and you will. No worries.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing; Medical-Surgrical.
Hello everyone,

I've seen quite a few threads on how to survive nursing school here, but I decided to start a new thread to ask more specific questions.

I don't start the five semester program (BSN) until the Spring (I'm a sophomore). I've made all A's and one B in my prerequisite classes and my general education requirements. I'm a hard worker, and I study all the time. I don't party, and my hobby is organizing & color coding things. I've read about 7 books on preparing for nursing school, started learning med-math, and I'm making sure to succeed in my current classes. I became a CNA so I have a few basic skills, but I never worked as one. I have frequented this thread daily for quite some time. I'm really trying my hardest to be prepared. I'm even having my tonsils out over Christmas so I don't get strep throat anymore.

I am SO fortunate to be able to quit my job for school. I'm living in the dorms (and next year I'll have an apartment). My scholarships and my parents will be supporting me through school. I also have no children or pets. I am part of some organizations, but they don't take too much time.

However, I'm starting to have severe doubts that I can make it through the nursing program. Current students keep telling me to enjoy life because I'll "hate my life and hate myself" in nursing school.

I know that it's going to be extremely difficult and time consuming. However, is it impossible? I was looking forward to this challenge.... But all the current nursing students are telling me to change my major to something easier.

I know that nobody can tell me if I'm capable of this. But would anyone like to share their success story? I would love to hear some right now hah :)

Nursing is not impossible. There will be times you will hate it but it is part of life. I worked full time (mostly nights)and went to school by day. So you who won't be working have the upper hand here and more time. I had no social life but I had my family and good relationships where we talk and vent sometimes(healthy). I did it and succeeded (thank God) so You can do it. I also advice you to buy the Saunders comprehensive nclex-RN examination book. It has all the content that you will learn in nursing school. Test questions in it preps you on how you will be tested in nursing school and at the same time you are getting yourself ready for the nclex exam. You will ace nursing school if you do this I assure you but it depends on how much u take time to study and organize yourself. Eat and sleep well. Eliminate the wrong crowd...no one needs extra negative stress from what nursing school will bring anyways.

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Thank you to everyone who graciously took the time to answer all my questions and give their honest opinions. It really means a lot to me.

I do study very hard, and I'm prepared to have no life outside of nursing school. My life situation allows it to be that way, and I'm very thankful and lucky.

However, I guess now my doubts lie within that.... maybe I'm not intellectually capable? All of the nursing students above me seem very intelligent & naturally smart, but most of them are failing out.

Any advice on how to pass once I get there?

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
However, I guess now my doubts lie within that.... maybe I'm not intellectually capable? All of the nursing students above me seem very intelligent & naturally smart, but most of them are failing out.

Any advice on how to pass once I get there?

My dearest happy, lucky and thankful student-nurse-to-be,

Stop listening to the losers who do nothing but complain. It's not all about intellect. A naturally smart slacker pales in comparison to an energetic, focused "average" student.

You have made excellent preparations to be successful in nursing school. Thousands of students make it through school and many enjoy the process. Nursing can be a fascinating learning experience and some people thrive on that challenge. As you succeed in one class then another you build a knowledge base that prepares you for the next level.

I would suggest to stay caught up. Understand things as you go, don't wait to cram or "get it" later. Most instructors want you to learn and will help you if you ask. As a PP said many students have outside distractions families, kids, jobs but are still very successful. You have a tremendous advantage in being able to concentrate on your studies.

Prepare to work hard but allow for fun and relaxation too. If you have a particularly enjoyable hobby save some time for that. I went to school in St. Louis and would go down to the Mississippi River to watch the boats and barges go by. Sometimes took the books but didn't really study that much. I got a mental renewal that was actually more helpful than a few facts about nursing theory. Imagine that.

I hope for you the absolute best!

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I absolutely love nursing school! Yes, it is challenging and I don't have much of a life. Yes, there has been less sleep. But overall, it is great. I don't hate my life or myself. I am enjoying nursing school, challenges and all.

I think it's all in your attitude, and having a healthy way to deal with stress.

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Loved the replies. I got freaked too. But I was determined despite so many people saying "you will have no time for family, friends, or sleep or a life" to keep some things in my life *namely family, friends, reasonable sleep and my responsibility to my dogs. If you just manage your time, it's very doable to have a life that isn't all about nursing school. Some people won't understand everything though and it's actually other people who might grumble about your new nursing school life. Some fam members for ex really don't understand that yes studying so much is necessary and will not result in my death from studying haha. (My aunt likes to say "don't kill yourself" when she knows I study so much)

Anyway I make sure to take advantage of time. Even if a project is due in a month if I realize I have a lull in school work I start the project.

So for me time management helps give me an easier life in nursing school.

As for whether you're smart enough. I wondered if I had good critical thinking skills and doubted I did. Nursing school should teach you what you need to be a critical thinker. They shouldn't expect you to solve a nclex style question without practice. It's different from being vocabulary smart and memorizing but you're gonna learn!

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing; Medical-Surgrical.
Nursing is not impossible. There will be times you will hate it but it is part of life. I worked full time (mostly nights)and went to school by day. So you who won't be working have the upper hand here and more time. I had no social life but I had my family and good relationships where we talk and vent sometimes(healthy). I did it and succeeded (thank God) so You can do it. I also advice you to buy the Saunders comprehensive nclex-RN examination book. It has all the content that you will learn in nursing school. Test questions in it preps you on how you will be tested in nursing school and at the same time you are getting yourself ready for the nclex exam. You will ace nursing school if you do this I assure you but it depends on how much u take time to study and organize yourself. Eat and sleep well. Eliminate the wrong crowd...no one needs extra negative stress from what nursing school will bring anyways.

Girl in life,the worst thing you can do to yourself is compare yourself to others! Many great men/women who would have been great or happier have never realized their dreams because they compared themselves to others or they listened to the negativity coming from people. No one can be your greatest cheerleader but yourself. When I encounter such negativity and extreme stressors in my life I get down on my knees and I pray; my faith and strength becomes stronger than ever and that is me...just sharing how I shut out negativity from my life. You see only you can tell yourself you can do it and only you can achieve that goal if you set your mind to it! I am asking you to believe in yourself!

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Wow everyone.... Reading all of these replies truly made my day. I love how so many of you took time out of your day to offer some much needed reassurance :)

You all definitely have given me some food for thought. I'm going to take all the advice given and really take it to heart. I'm going to study my hardest, keep a positive attitude, and not let others get me down!!

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