Do you have to write a lot of papers?

iHeartNICU · Nov 16, 2006

I have completed 2/4 semesters of an RN program and so far we have had to write only a few and they were not even what I would consider " a paper." They were maybe 3-5 pages. The longest one we had to write had to be 5-7 pages. I kinda think this in not the norm though. Not sure. I do have one year left so maybe there will be more papers to come.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

I wrote a group paper first semester and a two page paper for skills lab last semester.

This semester, I wrote a 4 page paper and another two page skills paper. They were not too bad.

slou! · Nov 17, 2006

Well I am only a freshman so I am not in the "nursing school" part yet, but so far I have written 6 papers. And my English professor asked me what my major was and I told her nursing, and she said "Oh you will be writing a TON of papers then!" I don't think mine have been too bad yet, they are generally 4-6 pages but I hate the really long ones, like I have an 8-10 page one coming up. Not looking forward to it!

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

I am just about to graduate from an LPN program, let me tell you, I think I am single-handedly responsible for the loss of a rainforest somewhere!

Some instructors are paper happy, others are not.

tiggerforhim · Nov 17, 2006

Graduated from a BSN program (not that that makes much difference), but yes, we wrote lots of papers. On the flip side, most of my classmates were not that skilled in writing, grammar, spelling, and I noticed my professors weren't either. I have a BA in English, so I am a good writer, and I corrected a lot of papers during nursing school....

Angelsamongus · Nov 17, 2006

My instructor loves papers. We had two patient problem solving plans that needed to be 18-21 pages long, one group paper, and a clinical journal we turn in weekly, mine are usually about 10 pages long. I struggle with writing, but I have learned quite a bit and am more confident with my writing skills now that I have to do it all of the time.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

So far for seminar/legal issues class, we had 1 community assessment group paper due, 1 research paper about values/beliefs of nursing with references(4-5 pages), and have a cultural assessment paper due after TG. We hear we have to write a paper every semester for nursing seminar, and I'm taking english 1 this semester(as college won't accept transfer credit), and I hate having to switch from APA to MLA format back and forth. Too much happening these last few weeks!!! ARRGHGGHHGHG!!!!

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

It couldn't hurt to take a writing class.

In a writing class you'll have lots of chances to get it right. You'll get lots of help from your professor with making sure your references are done correctly, your grammar and spelling or correct and so on. In nursing school you'll be expected to know how to write a paper with proper references without any help.

I know lots of nurses and instructors have terrible grammar and spelling and I HATE IT! It really drives me nuts when I'm in class and I see glaring spelling errors on the power point. My confidence in my teacher goes down a notch when I see that.

Melina · Nov 17, 2006

So far for seminar/legal issues class, we had 1 community assessment group paper due, 1 research paper about values/beliefs of nursing with references(4-5 pages), and have a cultural assessment paper due after TG. We hear we have to write a paper every semester for nursing seminar, and I'm taking english 1 this semester(as college won't accept transfer credit), and I hate having to switch from APA to MLA format back and forth. Too much happening these last few weeks!!! ARRGHGGHHGHG!!!!

If you're writing a lot, it's totally worth the money to invest in bibliography software like Endnote. No more formatting, just fill in the blanks and choose a style: POOF!!

~Mel'

reebok · Nov 17, 2006

Writing is my pet peeve. I Hate writing essays, research papers,etc. with a passion. That's is one of the reasons why I'm behind in school. It's not that I have bad grammar or even bad ideas for that matter. I have a hard time putting what I have in my head down on paper. I'm a perfectionist. I overwhelm myself with multiple revising/editing. Im the sort of person that will tell you what I have to say instead of writing it down.

I'm in a BSN program. About 7 short essays in fresh comp. Only required 5 paragraphs with a three point thesis in the introduction. A research paper in Sociology. A case study in Microbiology,Anatomy,. I've also had to summarize articles but I dont count that as writing original work.

For the most part I've been extremely lucky.

Freshman composition is a writing class. So I wouldn't suggest takeing a writing course. Your professor should provide you with enough feedback.

ldh, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

I'm in my senior year of my BScN program and so far we've had to do many papers. Some are care plan-related, some are theory to practice related, some are community/primary health care related, some are philosophy-oriented, some are pathophysiology/micro related, and lots of self evaluations and peer evaluations, as well as reflective clinical journals. I've done so much reflection that I feel like I'm turning into a mirror!!

I would highly recommend taking an entry-level writing or university English course. I wonder sometimes by the quality of some of the charting I see by various staff members at various clinicals (not just RNs but other disciplines) if they even have a solid grasp of the English language! I am always reminded that once something goes into the chart, it becomes a legal document (care plan, progress notes, flow sheets etc.). Plus, good spelling and grammar, to me, indicates professionalism, and as an RN you might not necessarily be working in a "hospital" environment, you might be working in the community and writing proposals, doing research or giving presentations.