Do you learn a lot about yourself in nursing school??

Gator,SN · May 26, 2005

To answer your question, YES! I learned a lot about myself during nursing school. I was always pretty patient but sometimes that translated into being a doormat. Now I am more self confident and I know how to set limits and say no. I have also learned not to take everything so personally. Some people/things are just the way they are and most of the time it has nothing to do with me. I have learned that people have to work things out in their own way, in their own time. I am not responsible to fix everything. I am in the process of learning to take better care of myself and more money does not = more happiness.

The most important thing that I learned about myself is that it is very important to set goals and to achieve them. It has given me more satisfaction then I ever thought possible. Now I just want to keep learning and growing as both a nurse and a person.

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · May 26, 2005

I have never had so much confidence in myself as a person. Now as a nurse, no I don't have the confidence there yet :lol: but thats ok. I'll get that after years of working. I learned the time management when having the twins and Trinity to take care of. I don't think that is something they will teach you, you have to learn it yourself. The same for being a people person, either you are or you arn't. But it doesn't mean you can't be a good nurse. It just means that you have to pay attention to what you are saying, your body language, and how the patient is reacting.

You won't be the same person coming out of nursing school that you were coming in.

grinnurse, RN · May 26, 2005

Nursing School changed alot in me too! I had some self esteem issues prior to ns and now I have gained confidence in myself as a person and I know that I am just as intelligent as the next person, I deserve happiness in my life, and that I am a valuable iindividual no matter what anyone else says or thinks. I also used to consider myself a "doormat" but I am getting better at this as every day passes. The most important thing that NS did to change my life was to show me that I can be independant and what's more is that I desire that independance...................too much so in husbands opinion.

Time management skills is something that you will learn to some degree in NS but it is not from what they teach you it is from trial and error (was for me anyway). IMO, organization is the key to time management. As far as people skills go, I agree with what the other poster said about it, you either have it or you don't but doesn't mean you won't be an excellent nurse. I never considered myself a people person either until I took my first job in a hospital and it developed and now I am extremely comfortable with that skill, and it is a skill. I believe that if you have the true desire to want to help people, people skills will develop naturally but if you are just going to NS for the money then really concentrate on body language, tone, etc.

NS will definately make you a different person in some areas but your core personality won't change that much. Good luck to you on your journey and visit here often b/c it will help when you are feeling overwhelmed and need a shoulder to cry on.

KimberlyT · May 27, 2005

I have learned a great deal about myself since starting nursing school and becoming a nurse. I remember that before my first nursing school exam I went into this little room and cried. I couldn't imagine what possessed me to think I could do this! (I ended up getting a perfect score.) In my experience, nursing school, and now being a nurse, constantly confronts me with 2 things: 1) I'm not "there" yet; and 2) I'm a smart person who's capable of WAY more than I ever thought I could be. Nursing is really demanding, both mentally and physically, but it's rewarding too. I was dressing a stab wound on a patient the other day, and I thought to myself how much more interesting my job is now than when I worked in a law firm and watched the clock all day. BTW, one of the first things I realized as a nurse on the floor was TIME MANAGEMENT!! Get that down and everything else will be manageable. Without that -- you're in big trouble! Good luck.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · May 27, 2005

I've learned acceptance that at 50, I'm not going to be in the center of social circles of students whose average age is 30. They're at different places in their lives and aside from school, we have little in common. I'd have to say that has been the most difficult aspect of nursing school for me, and one of life's most difficult lessons and I'm satisfied with the way I've dealt with it.

I've gotten a lot of satisfaction from the nursing school experience.

MIA-RN1, RN · May 28, 2005

I found a LOT of self-confidence in myself that I didn't know I possessed before starting nursing school. I still have a year to go, and I know that there will be many more confidence-shaking moments, but even after just the first year of clinical nursing school, I am carrying myself better.

Time management just happens--I don't think its taught. You just realize that you HAVE to get the work done and figure out how to do it.

They teach you people skills--they call it therapeutic communication but it reaches farther than just nurse/patient communication. It helps in lots of aspects of life outside of nursing. I'm better at small talk at parties! :)

I think that we all have attributes inside of us that stay hidden until we do something to bring them out (In our cases here, nursing school). Its when these strengths and abilities suddenly start showing up that we can truly feel we are on the right path in life. You will know if you are cut out to be a nurse soon because school will make that choice clear to you probably pretty early in the semester. I questioned whether I wanted to do it for QUITE a while ( I was first in school for nursing 15 years ago and stopped) and then again when I started back this past fall--older and wiser--I still wasn't sure. Until I got there, sat in that lecture hall and looked around. It just hit me. This is what and who I am and who I have to be.

You will find out as well that this either is or isn't the right path for you. The fact that you are nervous or scared doesn't necessarily mean that you are not cut out to be a nurse--I think many of us feel that way!

DZcarrie · May 28, 2005

I am so much more emotional now. I guess this came from actually meeting patients that are going through so much "stuff" . since nursing is so holistic, you really get into family issues, lifestyle issues, etc. people confide in you. family members look to you for support...it's not like anything that i've ever experienced before.

it's also very stressful. you really push yourself and do things you never thought you could do. there were some weeks that i felt like just quitting because i was so stressed out, but i really LOVE doing this. :redpinkhe i'm done my semester now and i can't wait to go back although i know next semester is going to be extremely difficult.

i think that the people that were in my program for the wrong reasons (i.e. they were "sick of being laid-off", etc.) have not succeeded. i think that you have to really WANT to be a nurse to get through the program.

Time management...hmm....i've been told i have issues in that area, when i thought that i was doing well. so, i guess i've been taught better time management in the clinical setting. er....pointers....

people skills...you will come in contact with a variety of people, thus sharpening your people skills. also, as one person mentioned, you will learn therapeutic communication-which helps. i think my school offers some kind of assertiveness elective or something, too. so maybe if you are having trouble, just ask someone for help.

Don't be afraid to begin! Be excited! It's F-U-N!!!! Good luck!