Can I survive NS without previous health care experience???

Published

Hi all,

I'm not starting NS any soon. But I'm already terrified about so many things about nursing school. The first thing is, I don't have ANY experience in this health care field. That's what scares me the most. Are there any of you in the nursing school / graduated with good grades without previous experience in health care. I always get good grades in my classes, but when I think of clinicles I feel like I will not be able to get through well. Please let me know your situations, how you survived, and how you knew the names of the things they use etc, in the hospitals and everything . I'm sure the book knowledge will not be enough to get through. But i'm determined to do well.

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

AniraP

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I'm startin my final semester of NS and have no other medical experience. I am doing very well (deans list) and it has not hurt me one bit. You will be taught what you need to learn. Some from books, some from just being in clinicals but you WILL learn it. Some have even told me they prefer no previous experience because they don't have to worry about any previously learned "bad habits".

Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just finished my first of 4 semesters of nursing school and I didn't have any prior healthcare experience. Lots of students have no prior experience, you won't be alone. A good nursing program will prepare you well to go to clinicals, don't worry about it. Yes it's scary at first, and hard to imagine yourself giving shots and things, but trust your program and professors!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm surviving NS just by my previous personal injury experiences - "Oh yeah, I've broken that!" :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys for replying, that's really encouraging. and congratulations on the nursing school and good luck to you all. may you all get the courage and strength to face the future !!!! GOOD LUCK :redbeathe:redpinkhe:heartbeat Have a wonderful new year!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm surviving NS just by my previous personal injury experiences - "Oh yeah, I've broken that!" :)

Good one :lol2: :lol2:. But I've been to a hospital only once to give birth to my baby, it won't help that much I guess....:D:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Let's see, one overnight stay in ICU from a motorcycle accident, two arthroscopic knee surgeries, two rotator cuff surgeries, bilateral plantar fasciitis surgery (at the same time), various ligament tears and tendon damage from all the martial arts and the general stupidity of youth...

I got enough past injuries to last me through NS twice at least.

Good one :lol2: :lol2:. But I've been to a hospital only once to give birth to my baby, it won't help that much I guess....:D:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I got decent grades first semester (2 Bs and a C that was a 84.4 % if you can tell I am still miffed about that LOL) and I had no previous exp. I also spent about 1-2 hours a week studying (if that). If I would have put forth a better effort I could have done a lot better. My only previous experience was as a student. I also got great reviews from my clinical instructor and a kick orifice letter of recomendation from both my Fundamentals and Pharm instructor.

It can for sure be done. There were plenty of students with previous exp. that failed. One girl was a pharm teck for years and failed Fundamentals and Pharm. In fact come to think of it, I believe all the students that failed my first semester had previous exp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

Many people in my class do not have previous health care experience and we are doing fine. I went to college straight out of high school so I had no time to get experience. Our program does not take in account of experience, and our teachers say that by the time we graduate, we would catch up with those who do work in the field (mainly CNA's).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Yep, by 6 weeks into our program the non exp. students in my program had the same skills as the CNA's in the class.

I am not at all trying to say exp. is a bad thing, but I do no it was a hindrance to a lot of the kids in my class because they were taught differently and their experience was from a different way of thinking, it was hard for them to "think like a nurse" because they had been thinking like whatever they were for so long.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes you can. I graduated from a BSN program in 1974 with no previous health care experience to speak of. All I can tell you is pay attention, listen to your gut feelings and never be afraid to ask questions. Tell what you know. Try to do some critical thinking, but keep asking the question until you find the person who knows the answer. Along the way you may help other nurses to find the answer, too. There is no such thing as a stupid question,as long as you are willing to make effort to find the answer. And sometimes there is no one right answer. Thats what experience teaches you. There will be really scary moments, but those are the ones you learn the most from. Don't make the same mistake twice. That means you weren't paying attention thefirst time. And always remember why you are there. To help the patient in the best way you can, to be an advocate for them when necessary, to respect that they and thir family might also be very frightened also.To take the time to listen, even if you think the patient in demanding and rude. Everyone copes with illness and disability in their own way. Your job is to offer professional compassionate care and know that some days you will go home wishing you had gone into tax accounting.

Good luck and God bless you on your path.

One of my favorite quotes is by Tangore.

I slept and dreamt

that life way joy,

I awoke and saw

that life was service:

I acted and behold,

sevice was joy.

May you be joyful in your job of service:nurse::nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU Level III.

I'd never stepped foot in a hospital before nursing school and I have had no issues with 'real nursing' and graduated at the top of my class.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion