Can I hear some positive things about nursing school?

nadjjaa · May 18, 2006

I just finished my first semester of nursing school, and it has been a wonderful experience. Just since January I've made a bunch of new friends - we've gone out together and had BBQs. I'm closer to those in my clinical group, but the great thing about my class is that everyone is supportive of everyone, we're not competeing with each other and so in times of trouble, there's always someone to talk to.

I feared failure from the moment I got my acceptance letter, but I found that the people we've lost so far, most of them made the decision to leave - they didn't fail grade-wise. Either they weren't motivated enough (one girl used to sleep in lecture, we weren't surprised to see her go), the rest had gone into nursing school thinking they could work 40 hours a week (I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's got to be awfully hard) and still maintain that 76% required to pass. In the past, our instructors said, students dropped out because they decided to get married or have children or some other very life-changing event prevented them from focusing on school. My point is, for the next two years (if that's your program), your #1 priority has to be to school. Forget the cleaning and cooking (order pizza or Goodcents) and study.

In my program, the best thing we did for ourselves was do as well as possible in the beginning to build up your grade so that if something happens and you need to slack off a bit down the road - you have a "cushion". Eventually, my grade got the point where I couldn't do much to change it, but that was okay, because I was sitting at an 89%. For those that didn't do as well in the beginning, they were struggling all through the semester just to stay above passing. So study, study, study, especially in the beginning. Do your reading, as much of it as possible. Take notes in class, even if the teacher gives you powerpoint slides - writing it down helps committ it to memory. And if you're having trouble, ASK FOR HELP.

Also remember that if you're used to being an "A" student, prepare to be a "B" student. Nursing school is harder than just taking some pre-reqs. This advice came from my instructors, and it was true for me. I had a 4.0 until I started nursing school, and I took it hard in the beginning, but remember the main focus now is not on getting the best grade, it's learning how to be a good nurse. If you learn the material and skills well, the grade will come naturally.

As for good things....I sort of got off track, but you will be fascinated at the stuff you will learn. Inserting catheters, giving injections, sterile technique....I don't know, I thought it was all so COOL when I learned it and got to put it into practice. I've been watching nurses and doctors do that stuff for years, now I finally get to do it. I gave my first injection a few weeks ago.....no big deal, just a Sub-Q.....but I was so excited when I was done. In a few weeks we'll be going into surgery and I can't wait for that!!! You'll learn so much in just a short time. I was surprised at how much I would learn every day at clinical.

Oh, don't get pissy with your instructors, no matter what!!! They hold the power over your grade, your degree and thus, your eventual license to practice nursing. But don't kiss up either.....some of them really hate that.

Care plans aren't that bad.

I also think it's in a student's best interest to have a good stethoscope. Many nurses have told me, "Don't spend the money on a good one until you graduate", but I beg to differ. Without a good steth, it's hard to hear those lung and bowel sounds, and hearing them properly when you're learning is really important. Besides, I've never heard of a nurse having their steth "break down", you can still use it when you're done with school. Also get some comfy shoes. I recommend Nike Airliners - hands down the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. Way more comfy than all of those "nursing shoes" I've tried on.

Stay healthy - get your eight hours of sleep, no matter what. You can pull an all-nighter studying, but you'll probably end up with a better grade on tests if you study a few hours less and feel rested when you take the test.

I had my "breakdown" about a week before spring break. Don't worry, you will probably feel overwhelmed about four to six weeks in, but it will pass.

There's a book I really like called "How to Survive Nursing School and Maybe Even Love it" by Kelli Dunham. Tons of useful tips. Allnurses.com is even mentioned in it!

Okay, that's all I have to say. Good luck, sorry for the long, long post! Welcome to nursing school!!!!

nadjjaa

:welcome:

Annieisfun · May 18, 2006

Good luck! I just graduated with honors, last week from an associates degree program. Yeah! I also am a non-conventional student (divorced and raising 4 children). I did not read all of the posted responses, but if I can make a suggestion for your second semester... work as a CNA or a "student nurse extern". You will have the chance to learn and see so much more than you will simply in clinicals. After a month or two working as an aide my evaluation skils went through the roof, and I was no longer shy or uncomfortable around clients. Now I can relax and just do my job. So, congrats on getting accepted into a nursing school. Remember that you would not have been accepted unless you were able to succeed.

rntoben2008 · May 18, 2006

This is so awesome. I never dreamed I would get so many responses. Thank you so much everyone. I really have enjoyed reading the many different views on nursing school, from young people to professors responding. This is so nice to hear.

MrsMommaRN · May 18, 2006

nursing school is tough. don't let anyone tell you different. you have to work for what you want and want to be there. there are so may positives to it. the instructors are incredible and want you to succed. you make friends that are honest and true. you learn to test yourself and push yourself to be the best.

best wishes to you!

babygerl · May 18, 2006

nursing school can be fun but it's also alot of hard work. it's what you make it and what you put into it. good luck.

RN2BNAR · May 18, 2006

:balloons: when i actually got into nursing school (after finishing my pre-reqs), i had just turned 51 y/o and i will graduate this december 9th, six days b4 my 53rd b/d, so i am definitely one of those people who entered into nursing school at an older age. i am the oldest one in my class and have absolutely loved it! i have had so much support from all of my classmates and instructors. yes, there have been days when i have felt like i was drowning & i wasn't going to make it, but all of us (even the younger ones) have had days like that, and that is when we pick each other up & encourage each other. nursing school has been, by far, the hardest thing i have ever done in my life (and that includes raising 3 children & having a successful career prior to entering nursing school), but the reward is going to be so worth it. i have never once been sorry that i made this decision - actually, i think the lord made it for me, but i have never had any regrets. i know my last semester coming up will be even more challenging, but i will perservere & with god's help, i will make it through. try to stay as organized as possible & keep up with your reading assignments - that is one of the toughest things. always go to your instructors for advice and ask questions if you don't understand. the instructors are there for you - you just have to ask for help when you need it. if possible, get some good study guides to go along with your books. med-surg made incredibly easy and fluid & electrolytes made incredibly easy were really helpful for me as was nclex study guide made incredibly easy to do some practice questions before tests. anytthing that works for you. know your study strengths and utilize them to the max! hope this helps. i wish you the best of luck & i hope you enjoy it as much as i have

hardcorae · May 18, 2006

Honestly...as much as I've loved making new friends, the most rewarding part has been making a difference in the lives of others. When someone tells you how grateful they are for what you've done for them, whether it's acting as an advocate to get them on a proper dose of pain meds, helping them to better understand their illness, or serving as a shoulder to cry on, you get this feeling that just can't be replicated. It's motivating, it's fulfilling, and it helps you to grow as a person.

barbnyc · May 19, 2006

Rntoben2008,

Your idea for starting this forum is great! I have been reading these postings since the forum started and I am so grateful for the generosity of the people sharing their experiences. I can't wait to get started in the Fall.

mtallen1976 · May 19, 2006

Nursing School... the best thing I can say about that is: The lifelong friends you will make. The pride that you will feel when you are done. It's alot of work, stress, blood, and stool. But believe me, it's all worth while!

Good luck to you on your journey.

student5390 · May 19, 2006

I have just completed the first year of my RN program. I'm teetering between the extreme negative feelings and trying to focused on the positive. It's surely hard to do. Nursing school has been the hardest thing I have ever had to endure...ever! I think a lot of things we as current students "in the meat" of our education towards nursing say are true I think they're just said differently which comes out to sound negative. For example, as I stated earlier ..."the hardest thing I've hever had to endure..." sounds pretty negative to me but I think it's the same as saying "It's very challenging" which puts a more positive twist on things. I believe for any challenging, well paying career path school is designed to prove you have the discipline to get through it. You really learn more "on the job." Luckily, as a student in some places, like where I go to school, (this is a positive coming up) after one semester they have jobs you can work called a nurse tech which is a GREAT position because you're basically the nurse but your "real" nurses you work with know your students so they help teach. I work as a tech in an E.R. and the nurses and doctors I work with help and teach me so much, it has made me a better student. They help me study and help me focus on what the tests want (which is the secret to getting thru nursing school I think). So nothing about nursing school I think is really negative, it's just really hard. So to make it, it's life altering. Instead of everything focusing around what the family or kids or work is doing, everything in your life and schedule must focus and be scheduled around school and study time. It's all ok and very do-able but it is hard and it is such a drastic change especially if you don't anticipate it before hand that it may pull out negative feelings that might otherwise not have been there. But, you have the heads up now. You've gotten a lot of really great advice from the previous threads I read after yours. I would've given anything to know of these forums BEFORE I had started nursing school! So you already have the heads up. Try to share your enthusiasm and positivity. Don't be bogged down by the ones that didn't anticipate such a life altering change right away. You're going to be great. It is hard with kids (I have 2 kids that are ages 3 and 5) so the guilt gets to me sometimes but it's not the quantity of time you spend with them that counts its the quality of the time you spend with them. You'll be great, have no fear and just pray about the fears you may have and use these forums I think they are so helpful. Good Luck!

Lurksalot, BSN, RN · May 19, 2006

positives:

It is over. :lol2:

Just joking(or am I?)

It is challenging, and when you have successfully completed it, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that is unimaginable. You will have a good perspective of the kind of nurse you want to be, and you will have the resources you need to get out there and go after your goals. You will meet incredible people who motivate you and inspire you. I haved learned more about myself as a person, I think, in these past four years...I feel like I have finally started growing up.

Negatives...well, it's school, and there's a LOT of homework. hehe.

Good luck. Be proud to even get into nursing school, it's not an easy thing to do for many.

daisy3ladies · May 19, 2006

I Am Entering Back In The Nursing Program Once I Pass The Entrance Test I Always Miss Math By One Or Two Points. But I Am Still Trying That Is My Goal To Be A Nurse. I Will Be So Happy When I Can Graduate From School That Will Be The Big Day Until Then Don;t Give Up On Your Dream It Is Hard But Keep On Keepin On.