most difficult part of nursing school?

cursedandblessed · Apr 13, 2009

oh yes the white uniforms and the white vs. flesh tone brief issue!! not difficult per se' but would someone please make up my mind!! i've had instructors who preferred one over the other, some who didn't give a flying hoot if someone wore pink polka dots, and one who changed her mind weekly.

i really have more important things to think about than that.

Matt,RN · Apr 14, 2009

Care Plans - I would say that they really arent difficult as long as you listen to the instructors points and change your technique according to that, then you should be fine.

Pleasing the Instructors/Stroking their ego - Stay in good with the instructors. By all means, ask questions, but do not challenge them or their authority, and trust me, this is easier to do that than you think and you will see this if you choose to go this route. At times, you need to just smile and nod along with dotting your "i's" and crossing your "t's". It shouldnt be a problem as long as you are doing what youre supposed to do, BUT there are times, aside from when something or someone is in danger of course, when you need to just keep your mouth shut and let whatever it is go. :-)

Personal Life - You will have none. I mean its not impossible, but it all depends on what grade you want, and keeping above that minimum grade to pass is more difficult than people may think also. Im doing well myself but yea, no life here.

Material/Subjects - Lastly I would say theory lectures might be a problem, depending on what interests you and what does not. Lectures may get pretty boring....I might suggest recording it and listening to it later, BUT I cant guarantee you will be any more interested in it later. ;-)

Obviously, it is going to be different between schools and instructors, but this is what I found in my program.

Overall, despite these issues, I have found more good in the program and my chosen path than anything else. It is definitely worth it for someone dedicated to helping people in any and every way. Just keep in mind, for some patients, you will need to do EVERYTHING for them, so its not always a glorious, well-paying job....but I love it!

Let me know if I can help with any other questions! Take care and good luck in all you do!

-Matt

skyandsydneysmom · Apr 14, 2009

Staying on top of everything!!!!!

I learned that you cannot get behind on anything...period.

Can it be done...of course.

Can it be done with a husband, 10 year old, 9 month old, two cats and a dog...I am living proof.

It seems impossible at times but it certainly beats the alternative...not fulfilling my calling.

Am I looking forward to summer break? (Well, that is a dumb question)

If you are fortunate enough to get into a nursing program you have to embrace it and give it your all! You will not be disappointed...even when you are cursing the name of your professors (LOL)

By the way, if you concede to the fact that you do not have to be a straight A student anymore it really helps. I struggled with that but realized eventually that sleep and family time was more important to me. Both of my professors said that they knew we were all perfectionists (why we made it into the program in the first place) but that all we had to do was PASS the classes. At my college passing © is 78%...that is what I am shooting for (LOL)!!!!

Good luck to you and if you have any particular questions about the program or what it entails I would be happy to let you know!

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 14, 2009

The hardest part for me....group projects when other people in the group are lazy. Oh yea I'm a guy, so hearing all the drama from everyone gets annoying too...100+ girls in one room, bad idea...especially when certain ones try to get with others' boyfriends, etc. And the last hard thing, trying to ignore all the stupidity you hear buzzing around you. Don't get distracted by peoples' crap whether it's cheating, they guess and make 100's,they brag about how they forget everything...nursing school is as hard as you let it be. Do your stuff for you and it's all good. And do not, do NOT just say," All I want is a C, RN=C"...that mess should stop lol. It's a career, build on each semester and get the most out of school you can.

skyandsydneysmom · May 7, 2009

I wanted to clarify something....

Responding to a comment made by kgh31386- I did not mean to imply that now that we are nursing students all we have to do is get C's. I agree that we have to strive to learn everything that we can and that all of the information we are being taught is important HOWEVER...

I choose to go to my son's baseball games instead of study for an extra 2 hours before an exam

I want to spend time with my husband and choose to when I know I could be studying

I procrastinate sometimes before a care plan is due because I have to help my son with homework

BUT...

I still get it all done and very well at that.

I just want potential students to know that your life does not have to come to a screaming halt once you begin nursing school. It should not be something that you are scared of starting but something you look forward to. I wish that someone had shed this light for me because I was petrified that I would be a non-functioning member of my family for two years- but I am not. It is what you make of it! Of course you can let school consume you, but I choose to not let it. If I don't get a 100% on an exam so be it. I will remember the fly ball in the outfield my son caught and happily take the 87%

gillytook · May 7, 2009

I think the worst part for me was performing a skill in front of someone while they were evaluating me.

But the high points.... Having a patient say that you gave the best care they have ever had. Having a RN tell you that you are going to be a fantastic nurse. Making the most irritable, miserable patient content as a clam with a little TLC. Easing someone's last moments. Earning the respect of your instructors. That look of pride on your child's face when they pin you as a nurse at your graduation.

Every stress-filled minute was worth it. Nursing school is not just about learning. You get transformed. And yes that is painful process. But you come out the other side a stronger, more confident, wiser individual.

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · May 7, 2009

Oh nonono I didn't think you were implying that all. It's completely understandable, I do the same thing. Nursing school shouldn't ever be your WHOLE life. But there's a difference between doing family things such as that, and those who choose not to care at all..then blame our teacher that they failed. And say the famous quote," Anyone that didn't fail guessed". Or the ones who laugh and say,"oh well I won't see this anymore after I graduate, C gets me that degree".

I wanted to clarify something....
Responding to a comment made by kgh31386- I did not mean to imply that now that we are nursing students all we have to do is get C's. I agree that we have to strive to learn everything that we can and that all of the information we are being taught is important HOWEVER...
I choose to go to my son's baseball games instead of study for an extra 2 hours before an exam
I want to spend time with my husband and choose to when I know I could be studying
I procrastinate sometimes before a care plan is due because I have to help my son with homework
BUT...
I still get it all done and very well at that.
I just want potential students to know that your life does not have to come to a screaming halt once you begin nursing school. It should not be something that you are scared of starting but something you look forward to. I wish that someone had shed this light for me because I was petrified that I would be a non-functioning member of my family for two years- but I am not. It is what you make of it! Of course you can let school consume you, but I choose to not let it. If I don't get a 100% on an exam so be it. I will remember the fly ball in the outfield my son caught and happily take the 87%

Brittanya34 · May 7, 2009

The best answer that I can give to you is not to look at what the worst part of nursing school was, but what the best parts of being a nurse are. I just graduated in December and started as a new grad in the ER this past February. I love it. Any problems I encountered in school have been far outweighed by the joy I have experienced in giving direct patient care. I felt the same way with the patients during clinicals in nursing school. Any thing worth having in life requires work, whether it's nursing or some other occupation. Good luck with your decision.

I agree with this. The best parts

1. When a patient thanks you for all of your help

2. After the first time you do a skill right and want to do it again and again.

3. Making great friends in nursing school (we get really close because of all of the suffering we go through)

4. Starting to understand what is going on on the medical tv shows.

5. getting an "ah-hah" moment of "this is what I want to do

6. getting a test back that you did great on because you really earned it.

yeah care plans suck, clinicals are rough sometimes, class is long, instructors are tough, the reading lists are long.

But those worst parts are what make us good nurses. If nursing school wasn't hard imagine what hospitals would look like. If you always look at the positives than you will get through it.

PedsER/ICU · May 7, 2009

working full time during school... don't do that if you can pull it.... it was a semi-miserable time in my life.

oh and risk for impaired skin integrity....

i'm a total adrenaline junkie and i had been working in a level 1 trauma department for 2 years before clinicals started... i hate being bored. my hardest part of nursing school was having to act like i was busy and learning and having this great clinical experience while i knew i was learning WAY more at work... brutal