Can I hear some positive things about nursing school?

MIA-RN1, RN · May 15, 2006

I am done with my ADN program in a week. I absolutely LOVED every part of nursing school, even the stressful stuff, because it showed me that I am made of stronger stuff than I thought. I am a role model for my kids (18 and 11 3/4) and my husband is proud of me. I am adding to a legacy of nursing that started with my mother in law, my sister in law, and now me. I hope to add my kids to the list but my son (18) has no idea what he wants to do and daughter (11 3/4) has got aspirations to get a master's degree in child psychology. I like to think she gets her aspirations from seeing her mom go to school.

I would get my books and outlines early every semester, and just revel in looking thru all the stuff that I'd be learning for the semester. I loved the smell of new textbooks and buying the notebooks, pens, and highlighters.

Clinical used to have me shaking in my boots but after the first semester, it was not so bad. This final semester, I actually looked forward to the chance to provide patient care during clinical.

At times I could almost swear that i feel my brain cells expanding as I absorbed so much cool knowledge, and the thought that there is SO MUCH out there that I will learn in practice is just a rush!

I became part of a community, and will soon join the larger community of Registered Nurses. I found out a lot about myself and I learned way more than I ever realized I could.

Being an 'older' student has only enhanced my education because I bring my life experiences into my studying and it has helped a great deal.

My kids know more about anatomy and disease process than most lol.

I was never up late studying. I just made a schedule and stuck to it. Seriously. I posted about it somewhere over the last year. I blocked out EVERYTHING and just did what it was time to do when it was time to do it. Bed was almost always around 9pm, and I never sacrificed sleep for study. Housework and laundry...well, okay. But sleep? lol Never! yes I had insomnia sometimes (SUnday nights before 7am Monday clinical lol) But that's when I learned that yes, even at my age if I have to I can function on 2 or 3 hours sleep.

Trust me, you are in the ride of your life and you are going to LOVE it.

glb1960 · May 15, 2006

Congrats on returning to school. I like to tell people that I figured out what I want to be when I grew up, at 40 years old. I was 44 by the time I got through everything. I've been a RN for 1 1/2 years now. It has been the most rewarding time of my life. You will need prioritizing and scheduling skills. Hopefully you have a supportive husband and the kids are somewhat self-sufficient. There will be 3:00 am nights rewriting papers, practicing demos or preparing med sheets for your clinicals, but you will survive. There wil be new, tight friends and some you can't stand, as in life. Favorite and despised instructors. Classes that will come easy and some to struggle with. And for myself, I was THE token male of my class. If this is what you truely want in life, then you will find a way. If you are iffy about it, the struggle may just knock you out. But know this, life as a RN is amazing. You are greatly respected and many want/respect your opinion. You will be part of a team that in many cases are giving someone another shot at LIFE. Go for it and join us as a RN.

EMTandNurse2B · May 15, 2006

I have really enjoyed my journey through nursing school thus far. I am just starting my third of five semesters in an ADN program. I posted on this topic a while back, you might see if you can dredge up that post, some of the other people had some great input.

I have met wonderful people in nursing school, and had the opportunity to care for some real heros in the battlefield of life. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to care for others in clinicals.

I have had some wonderful instructors that became more than instructors to me, they became examples, mentors, role models, and friends. I have had wonderful classmates that will all pitch in and help each other out, even cry on each other's shoulders frequently when the going is rough.

I love nursing, and love the stuff I'm learning. It is allot to learn in an incredibly short span of time, but it's incredible stuff to learn! I'm really enjoying it and hope you do to!

Fun2, BSN, RN · May 15, 2006

Thanks for this thread. I'm starting nursing school in August, and it's great to read positive comments. :)

glb1960 · May 15, 2006

One of the most important things I can recommend, and I can't believe I forgot this in my earlier post, is surround yourself with a good study group. And I do NOT mean only the best and the brightest. A study group is fluid and changing but mostly everyone brings different skills, experiences and learning styles. I found that in my group, there were some that learned best by rehearing/reinforcing the lectures again helped them. I found that by me explaining something to these in my group, it stuck best in my brain. And the times there was something inaccurate I my explaination, the whole group learned while we dug up the right answer. Some in my group are still friends. Good luck, glb

junerose · May 15, 2006

Well, i am returning to nursing school after 22 years, my experience i had before was good or i wouldnt be returning. I think you will enjoy all your experiences. i wish you a world of luck, and have fun!!

:)

catecrum · May 15, 2006

Nursing school is a great time to challenge yourself and take pride in each and every little accomplishment. Study hard and be proud of every milestone. As an older adult take advantage of any learning resources available to you such as help with math or writing if you need it. Make friends but keep in the back of your head that all in all each of us is in it alone. Avoid negative and find the positive. The one mistake I made was not finding a job as a CNA. It really becomes helpful if you are working as a CNA in a hospital when it is time for the job search. As someone else said something has to give if you are going to be sucessful. Stay strong to your desires and most of all be true to yourself.

barbnyc · May 15, 2006

I'm glad you started this forum. I've been taking the preclinicals for the past year. I just got accepted into a nursing program for Fall 2006. My kids are grown (thank God I had them when I was young) and I'm feeling a little anxious about nursing school. The postings have been wonderful and I am so grateful I viewed this forum.

I can't wait to dive into the program. I think one of the advantages of being over 35 is that life is more interesting.

The nursing school where I interviewed said that they the mature students do much better than the very young. The interviewer said the instructors love working with the adult learners.

Good luck to you and stay connected.

P.S. I learned to ignore most of the people around me. I can't tell you how many times I heard at the community college "if you don't do this ... or if you don't get this grade ... you'll never get into the nursing program." After hearing this about 500 times, I applied to a private college and thank God it all worked out.

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · May 15, 2006

I just finished my first semester. I am 38, married and mother of one. I LOVE IT! I truly felt after starting clinicals that this is what I was meant to do. You have gotten so much great advise so far on this thread, I am not sure I can add much. I think being a "mature adult" (I am not so sure I like that term, I dont feel as old as I am) gives you an incredible benefit in your perspective. You have life experience that a younger person cannot match. For me, I see it in those of us in class over 30. Not to say there are not younger people that arent as focused as we are, there are and some are in our study group. But I think you come into this expecting it to be alot of hard work and you wont be disapointed.

My advice, study anytime you can, even in the checkout lines, (I keep flash cards on me at all times). A big calendar or one of those write on wipe off boards is essential in family organization. I schedule EVERYTHING. That way there is no question what needs to be done and when. Make sure you make time for you too!

As far as school goes, remind yourself to stay focused on what you are there for and avoid any of the drama that seems to be inherent in all classes. Our maturity is a godsend in the sense of knowing what is important to be involved in and what is not.

You will make new friends, and find study buddies that will be on the same plane as you. This is a ride, enjoy every second of it, even the ones that seem like they are stressful. At the end you will look back on it with smiles.

bbluvnursing, RN · May 16, 2006

I just finished my 1st year of nursing school and WOW- it feels amazing! I have learned so much in the past year, not only nursing, but also about myself.

Here are some nursing school survival tips for you...

Studying for nursing tests is much different than studying for normal college classes. The tests usually don't consist of definitions, matching, true/false or fill-in-the-blanks. They are "NCLEX style" and involve a clinical situation and four possible answers- sometimes all 4 can be right in certain aspects, but only one answer is the "best" answer. You will hear this alot in nursing school!!!!!!!!!

You will hear your instructors talk about "thinking critically" in clinical situations and in answering test questions. You will most likely get tired of hearing it, but it is definitely the most important thing you will learn in nursing school. Take it to heart!

Cherish your clinical time b/c it is the best time to really learn. I love when I have a test question come up and I saw the particular scenario at a clinical and am able to answer it confidently!

However.... sometimes what you saw at clinical is WRONG!!!!!!!

Anyways, good luck to you! Nursing school is so much fun and I hope the best for you!

bbluvnursing, RN · May 16, 2006

STUDY STUDY STUDY! Flash cards will become your best friend. I can honestly remember studying my flash cards while DRIVING to school one day! Make time for yourself also... it is very important!

SoulShine75 · May 16, 2006

i am about to embark on my journey in to nursing school. i have dreamed of this moment for many years and it is finally happening. i am an older student, wife and mother. i know there are alot of students that fit my profile, and i would love to hear some encouraging feelings on the positive aspects of attending nursing school. i have been hearing a lot of negative feedback and it almost scares me. it makes me think i am really heading in to a war zone. please someone out there reply with some positive thoughts on your experiences. :monkeydance:

the most positive thing i took from nursing school was the feeling i had driving home after the final from the last day of class. that was priceless.

also....the friendships. everyone is in it together so you begin to bond with your classmates.