Do most students have healthcare experience before nursing school?

rph3664 · Apr 19, 2008

As a pharmacist, the number of students who have no OTJ experience until they do rotations, or even until graduation, boggles my mind! How could someone embark on a journey this long and difficult without knowing what they were getting into?

I personally cannot imagine doing anything else for a living, but I tell anyone who is thinking about pharmacy school to get a job in a pharmacy ASAP. I've worked with several former pharmacy students who realized immediately that this was not for them, and thank heavens this happened before it was too late.

Bayley · Apr 19, 2008

It seems like it's kinda half and half. I took the CNA route first though just so I could make sure I was cut out for nursing before going through the process of applying. I think it also looks really good on your application that you do have relevant experience.

PeachyERNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2008

I had no experience before I started, and about 85% of my graduating class had none either. We all made it, and we all enjoy nursing so far :wink2:

vashtee, RN · Apr 19, 2008

I had no experience before I started, and about 85% of my graduating class had none either. We all made it, and we all enjoy nursing so far :wink2:

The same with my class. The people who didn't like the work just dropped the program in the first semester.

allnurses Guide · Apr 19, 2008

I had no experience before I started, and about 85% of my graduating class had none either. We all made it, and we all enjoy nursing so far :wink2:

Same with me and my class.

steph

kittyn, MSN, NP · Apr 20, 2008

I took a CNA class and was involved in HOSA during high school.

sunny261 · Apr 20, 2008

I have agree with the other posters. My class was mostly non health care background. Does it help to have some experience? I would have to say yes..imho...you know the market before you go into it. I would say that why invest time and money into something that you find out after your in it that it's not for you? Even if you did like a job shadow just to see what the profession is all about. I had several of my classmates who did great in the program and then decided after they graduated that nursing is not for them. Then what? Go back to school again to start something else? I don't have that kind of time or money...guess I would want to know before I made such a major investment.

Jaguar Boy · Apr 21, 2008

I would imagine that some students have experience, some don't...for me personally, my volunteer experience in a hospital has been so great! I started volunteering just to make sure that I would enjoy being in a clinical setting, and I was right, I do! But beyond that, I've learned so, so much. For example: Just last sunday, I was passing out meal trays and almost gave a diabetic patient the wrong meal. Even though i caught myself, and it wouldn't have been a big deal in the big picture, it really brought home the importance of double checking things and how easy it can be to make a mistake especially when you're really busy.

So, I'm sure that many students without previous healthcare exposure do just fine. But for me, I find it's teaching me some very valuable lessons that will help me later on.

NurseBettyICU, ADN, BSN · Apr 21, 2008

I for one dont have ANY medical experience. I've visited people in the hospital and given birth in a hospital twice - but thats about the extent of my experience.

I was reading over the new requirements for applying for nursing school at the community college I am now taking pre-reqs at - and it requires that you have some sort of experience.

Absolutely13 · Apr 22, 2008

I don't think it's necessary, but if you're not sure you are going into the right field, a little observation would never hurt.

I learn a lot by observation, so watching RN's do their thing has helped me greatly. Just watching their bedside manner and how they speak and relate to patients is a class in itself. I steal (borrow) only the best from every RN I know.