Do Not Underestimate the Difficulty Level of Nursing School
It's easy to become complacent about the difficulty level of a nursing program, especially if you have been doing well in your pre-reqs. However, realize that it's not anything like you have ever done in other classes. Do not underestimate it, expect it to be hard, and most importantly, be prepared.
As I am almost done with my first year of my ADN nursing program, I decided to write this article with some thoughts about where I was a year ago.
I knowI am being overly dramatic here, but hey what the hell may as well put my Composition II skills to use.
I started my journey April 2010, after having mulled over my choices for a career change for an extended period of time and deciding I needed to sign up before anything was going to change.
I spent the first 3 semesters taking classes on another degree I was picking at whilst I tried to finalize what I wanted to be when I grew up. I finally decided my greatest asset was my empathy with people and how much I was willing to give of myself for them. This eventually led me to Nursing.
I have always been a natural student. 4.0GPA without opening books, first one done with tests a few minutes after they were handed out, finishing homework before I even left class. I prided myself on all of this and eventually just expected it.
Pride cometh before the fall.
After signing up for the Pre-Nursing program in 2011, I overloaded my schedule to finish the 40+ hours of pre-reqs as soon as I could. All As, no problem.
In the Spring of 2012, I added the CNA license course to my schedule as it became a requirement for the nursing program. I don't know that I even paid much attention to the course, but I did find that I had an excellent connection with the patients. It made me feel like I was on the right track. It also made me feel like nursing was not a big deal, thinking being a CNA was pretty much like being a nurse, right? Sigh.
I bought all of my supplies, uniforms, and books...all ready to go. In my mind taking the courses were merely a formality at this point.
Then came Fall of 2012.
Like anyone else, I was nervous and apprehensive about doing something new, but quickly found that Fundamentals was a piece of cake, labs were no problem, quizzes were a joke...why the hell doesn't everyone take this class, right?
As the instructor handed out our first real exam, it was just another test after the hundreds of other tests I have taken in my life, no problem.
I got a 56.
Now you can imagine the utter shock and nausea I felt when I saw that lonely number on the paper. I panicked, big time. I can only imagine the inner voice of my instructor "muwahahahha my plan is working perrrrrfectly."
I knew then that I was in trouble, and I needed to pull my head out of my place-that-shall-not-be-named and shift my entire paradigm of thinking. It wasn't easy.
I quit my $20 an hour job, spend 12 hours a day studying, and gave up all notion of having a life/girlfriend/friends/fun/food not from McDonald's. And I am still barely passing. It's not a great feeling getting 79% on everything when you have to have a 77% or higher on pretty much everything in order to proceed. In fact it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I was able to feel like I was going to make it. And I know I am going to have to continue studying 12 hours a day and basically not have a life for another 16 months.
I worry about what kind of nurse I will be when I can barely pass my classes. But I DO know I will be the best nurse I can.
Here are some of the things I wish I had known last year
Commit totally, or find something else to be when you grow up.
Nurses heavily use and are tested using critical thinking skills. I cannot stress that enough CRITICAL THINKING. If you do not have that particular skill, go buy a self-help book to figure out how. Do it now, trust me just go get it. Stop reading I will wait.
If you have any thought whatsoever that nursing school is going to be a walk in the park, slap yourself as hard as you can and wake up. Talk to some 2nd year students to get a good idea of what being a 1st year student is like. Find your school's nursing club, they will be more than happy to share their horror stories.
Go get some books on nurse's stories, there are quite a few but they will give you a great idea of what being a nurse is REALLY like. One of my favorites is a "A Nurse's Story" by Tilda Shalof.
Do your research, make sure that being a nurse is really what you want. Based on what I have seen in clinicals, it's hard work, it's gut wrenching, it's sometimes menial thankless tasks that go on for hours. It's NOT Grey's Anatomy, ER, or any medical drama you have ever seen.
Continuing with the last point, go shadow a nurse, or volunteer at an LTC or hospital, get educated.
When you get actually started in your nursing program READ. ALL. ASSIGNED. CHAPTERS. Then read them again. Once you are done you should probably read them again.
Study groups are for everything but studying.
Working and kids and family and social life...forget about it. Make sure everyone is on board with what you are about to undertake. You will not be available, you will be studying. When you are available, you will be sleeping. If you are able to have a life and go to nursing school, I salute and secretly hate you.
Finally, after all is said and done TRY to relax and enjoy and take it all in...this truly is (at least for me) the most rewarding thing you can do in life. The first time I kept someone from choking to death swept away all of my doubts and fears and all the dumb stuff I did before I got to that point.
We were talking about ourselves in our new clinical groups yesterday. The whole "Why did you decide to become a nurse?" question popped up again. Then, "what's different about school than you thought?"
My answer made everyone laugh. "If I had known that it's not just doing all the skills but knowing why I'm doing the skills, I might not have picked this."
But, it's true. Being a nurse means that you have to see a patient, know what's going on with them and why, based on this, this, this and this. It's so hard to get through all the information and get to the cause. Especially with all the comorbidities out there. I think "critical thinking" is being able to see the picture of the patient, and dissect what's happening, and what's the most important nursing intervention and why.
I love nursing school. It's amazing. But, it's stinking hard. Great job OP.
But in nursing school aren't there only 2-5 classes per quarter/semester? That isn't a lot...unless they are all very time consuming...but some of the classes you can actually take before entering nursing school right
But in nursing school aren't there only 2-5 classes per quarter/semester? That isn't a lot...unless they are all very time consuming...but some of the classes you can actually take before entering nursing school right
A nursing "program" is different than just taking a few maybe-somewhat-related courses. You're in a cohesive program, and they own you and your time ? My program "owns" me Monday-Friday 8-5. They don't require me to be there all that time, but they can, and can give me as much work as they want. And I'm only taking 9 credits.
Think med school, law school, etc. Professional training is different than traditional schooling.
Oh man...sounds like myself. I also quit my $20+ job 4 days before starting the ADN program. Now I am in my 2nd semester and I dont regret quiting. Yes, it is tough not having an income but I also want to give 100% during thr program.
But in nursing school aren't there only 2-5 classes per quarter/semester? That isn't a lot...unless they are all very time consuming...but some of the classes you can actually take before entering nursing school right
You might want to talk to current nursing students if you don't believe that its "TOUGH" and I mean really tough. On a bad day, I study 6hrs. On a really good day, I study 8-10hrs.
Great post. I am glad I did not know how different NS was before I started as I might of never started. My first semester almost killed me. I cried alot.
You have to realize it is that they are just not teaching you facts but they are teaching you to think like a nurse. And more than one answer on the test is correct.
This was a great read--this experience has definitely been a humbling one and I imagine it will be for some time. For those who touched upon critical thinking skills do you have any books or exercises that you felt helped you with that? I wouldn't say I'm a slouch in that area but if boning up on that before starting my program will help, then I'm glad to do the legwork ahead of time.[/quote']
^Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgement...Best Book Ever. Search for it on Google or Amazon. One of my nursing professors gave it to me to assist in my test anxiety many moons ago...made me a better nurse!
Speaking from a failed nursing school once perspective, "critical thinking" IS a huge part of nursing...bringing those classes from the beginning to the nursing theory; your sciences, English, arts, even philosophy puts its all together...and once you enter the field, there's STILL more learning, even after 2, 5, 10 years and beyond. People who choose to enter this profession must be prepared to continue to learn, and practice as such...nurses who have been in the field will tell you "When you THINK you've seen it all, then you get the pt that will make you think otherwise."
I suggest for those who are struggling to get those recommended books...pay full price for those, and rent, buy used, or utilize the library-that's what I did when I went back to get my BSN. Those recommended books helped me MORE to bridge the textbook and the lecture.
As for when I got my Critical thinking book? When I failed ADN school, I went back to a PN program (after I finished my prereq's...took a while lol). That program helped A TON of us with test anxiety. They were focused one king sure we had the "critical thinking" as a base. It helped me succeed when I returned to school to go to the next level.
But in nursing school aren't there only 2-5 classes per quarter/semester? That isn't a lot...unless they are all very time consuming...but some of the classes you can actually take before entering nursing school right
Yup, 2 classes for me, yet they are 2 six credit classes. Meaning, its like taking 4 three credit classes. It isn't like taking JUST 2 classes. Its the lecture time, studying, testing etc of 4 classes slammed into one.
It sure sounds easy to those who think they are only one or two classses ..what's the big deal. Until you are actually buried in those "only" one or two classes you have no idea of the amount of reading, studying etc you will be doing.
And, my program requires an 80 average in order to be considered passing. Get a 79.9, guess what..you FAILED and do not get to move onto the next class.
BRAVO ,Everything you said is correct, I have already told my family I will not be meaning to ignore but patience is what I ask.This is going to be a very stressful road I excell in clincal thinking because I have worked in the Emergency room ,but that does not mean I am safe.It is very competeive all the way through I am much like you an over achiever if I made a low score I would be devastated as well. I manage to bounce back the nursing program usually starts off with a full class but windals down to less than half they do a pretty good job weeding out all the student that do not put in a 100 percent. They also if you are late which I never am will get you kicked out.
What i recommened
Never be late this will get you kicked out.
Do everything three times reading that is on all assighnments I did five times.
Do everything in advance colleges makes mistakes double check grades and assighment dates.
Ask a lot questions
Make sure your paper work to get in is done and make sure you call them personally to make sure they got it . I had to do this twice they lost my paper work.
Get A back pack rolling bag.
get the NCLEX now. student has said to start on this right away.
Study Groups ,Study Groups and oh and Study Grouops no more than 3 people. just because other get distracted and talk about hair nails ect omg REALLY . I have put everything on the back burner, including family ect . I have quit work to study and yes it will be 14 hours a day.
Good luck to all the nursing students Do not give up. :)
Yup, 2 classes for me, yet they are 2 six credit classes. Meaning, its like taking 4 three credit classes. It isn't like taking JUST 2 classes. Its the lecture time, studying, testing etc of 4 classes slammed into one.
It sure sounds easy to those who think they are only one or two classses ..what's the big deal. Until you are actually buried in those "only" one or two classes you have no idea of the amount of reading, studying etc you will be doing.
And, my program requires an 80 average in order to be considered passing. Get a 79.9, guess what..you FAILED and do not get to move onto the next class.
rubato, ASN, RN
1,111 Posts
We were talking about ourselves in our new clinical groups yesterday. The whole "Why did you decide to become a nurse?" question popped up again. Then, "what's different about school than you thought?"
My answer made everyone laugh. "If I had known that it's not just doing all the skills but knowing why I'm doing the skills, I might not have picked this."
But, it's true. Being a nurse means that you have to see a patient, know what's going on with them and why, based on this, this, this and this. It's so hard to get through all the information and get to the cause. Especially with all the comorbidities out there. I think "critical thinking" is being able to see the picture of the patient, and dissect what's happening, and what's the most important nursing intervention and why.
I love nursing school. It's amazing. But, it's stinking hard. Great job OP.