Do YOU enjoy nursing school?

[tammy_zeidan09]

I am a prospective nursing student, waiting on a letter to come in the mail! Wish me luck!

I hear how tedious and gut wrenching Nursing school is. I hear how you cannot and WILL NOT have a social life; or life at that. I hear how extremely difficult it is; almost undoable.

I don't mind not having a social life and comitting my whole life to nursing school.

I don't mind the large amounts of studying.

I don't mind the hard work I will put forth..

But what worries me is that it's near impossible. Obviously it isn't since there are so many nurses and graduating nurses. But students nowadays are making it as if it's impossible to get through.

My question to you is:

Do you [did] enjoy nursing school?

Was it something you couldn't wait to get it over with bc it was just so bad?

Is it doable with a child? [i am a single mom of a 5 month old at the moment]

What are your inputs?

[QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Seriously, I don't know. Its not that bad but it's a lot of work. Theres always little extra you have to do for you clinical so break is always ruined. Then you have to worry were your hospital placement is and when you do get it theres always all this training stuff to do. All this kind of little stuff drives me nuts.

THIS!

It's not hard material, no. But the tedious little side hoops they run you through is enough to make you want to punch someone in the face.

I had NO real break this holiday season. I was too busy preparing for theory, lab, and clinical. Thanks a lot nursing school!!!'

I know I signed up for it, and I truly want to be a nurse (that's why I tolerate this crap), but nursing school has made me jaded and cynical. It's almost like being a little dead inside.

[bigsick_littlesick]

As hard as nursing school is, I am really, truly enjoying the whole experience. I must be sucker for sufferin' but I cannot wait till school starts in two weeks. Like someone earlier said, I know in my heart that in order to do well in nursing school, I MUST make it my number one priority. Nothing, NOTHING is going to stop me from succeeding. Partying, friends (the good ones), vacations, fun times... they'll all be there for me when I'm done with school.

I'm in my second year of my ADN and there are many people in my class who have children of all ages and they somehow make it work. They have REALLY great support systems at home and I always think to myself, "If they can do it, I can certainly can do it." I also work 36-42 hours q 2 weeks in addition to school so it is doable. But yes, bottom line, I am loving it!

[MiaNur]

I really like nursing school because I love the subject and what I am learning. Every day and every new lesson is like a new adventure that I look forward to.

As far as kids, I don't personally have any, but there are lots of people who do. One of the girls in my class has three kids all under 3 years old (including twins that are about 1) and is doing the FT program.

Nursing school is not impossible; it just takes dedication and sacrifice. You will figure out during your first semester what you can and can't sacrifice and learn what works for you. I can't sacrifice sleep (no late night-ers for me!), but I don't care if my house is out of whack. I also have a very diligent study schedule and method which I figured out during my first semester and now I just make sure to go by it. I have learned that I need a study partner (not a group; more than 2 is a waste of time for me). I also need a huge amount of post-its and I need to have super organized books and binders. I have found this to be the key to my success: organization! I also make sure to schedule in fun. The only day I can fit it in is after my clinical on Saturday, so Saturday night is fun time (you don't want to burn out).

Another tip is to remember that it is your responsibility to learn the material and learn it well, not the professors! If you know you did not understand the material in class, go out and buy a review book. Google the subject, ask the professor for help, just do something about it, don't wait until test day.

[scruggs420]

I loved nursing school, it was b*tch but completely worth it. The best thing I did during school was to form a study group with some like minded students. A study group with people with different agenda's usually doesn't work and the ones where they all went to high school together and know each others friends NEVER works. I found some girls that were serious about school, never met until classes started, and had a sense of humor. Without that group, I think it would have been a lot harder and maybe some wouldn't have made it. We all became friends and when one would have to miss, the others would pick up the slack with notes and projects.

If you commit to school, make it total. There are very few valid reasons to miss, many will come up with anything not to come to class but don't fall into that rut. Show up, do the work, make friends, have a few laughs and learn a truly great way of life.

As far as homework goes....It's college, not many worthwhile carreers are obtained without a lot of work. You'll think you can't possible do all that work but you can and you'll learn to do even more. I may be wrong but I feel if you really want to be a nurse, the hard work and sacrifice won't seem like such a big deal.

Good Luck

[bernikitty]

i'm in my 4th semester and 210 days till graduation. yes i'm counting the days! not that i hate NS. i hate being broke and can't wait to start working.

one year ago i was like you: scared that i was about to embark on a task doomed to failure.

this is the truth about nursing school i've learned:

-those that tell the worse stories about nursing school are the ones who failed out.

-every nursing instructor is different. some make the material understandable some will confuse you and not be able to coherently answer your questions. in the end it doesn't matter because must read your book!! regardless of what or how the teacher lectures anything and everything in the chapters covered is fair game. so you must know it all.

1) read your book!!!!

2) re-read the material in an outline review book

3) do all the nclex style questions on the material you can find. (the teachers teach you theory but your exams will be on critical thinking application of the theory)

-some people recomend study groups this never was an option for me because i'm a single mom with 3 kids. i study when and where i can.

4) get an calculations book and learn how to do calculations. if math isn't your strong suit work on it everyday till you get comfortable with it.

5) either ask an instructor or search you state board of nursing for the module obectives covered in your up coming classes. this will enable you to figure out what chapters will be covered in those classes. you can get a head start on your reading. i always get all my reading done on the breaks between semesters. so during lecture i can ask for clarifications and lecture is like a second review of the material and i'm well on my way to learning the material. because of this i honestly never felt rushed or pressured to learn material. once classes started i only had to take notes during lecture and study. other students were buried under a mountain of reading and freaking out.

6) grab a student in a semester a head of you and get the skinny on the classes for the up coming semester. get their opinion on what you need to do to get prepared for that semester.

7) you must read and/or study every day. set a daily reading or study goal for yourself and sit and do it till it's done.

8) you can succeed in nursing school or have a spotless clean house. it's almost impossible to have both.

9) go to local thift stores and look for nursing textbooks. my class mates have spent a few K on books at this point. i've spent less than $200. alot of people don't make it thru NS and end up throwing out books...go look. i promise you you will be surprised at what you find.

10) for clinicals: leave an hour before u are suppose to be there. better early than an F in professionalism for being late.

11) learn how to write a narrative physical assessment and always include it in your nursing notes.

12) write neatly--sloppy-hard to read handwriting will make the instructor hate your work

even if it's brilliant correct and complete.

13) leave the attitude at home. smile!! be pleasant and humble when other nurses are being mean and/or when the instructor is critisizing you. a nasty or defensive attitude will get you no where. it's a temporary learning situation. learn what you can from it.

14) for documentation: write a complete picture of how you found your pt. for every abnormal finding you document you must document what you did about it and follow up and document if your intervention was effective.

good luck!! you CAN do it!!

[BBRANRN2013, ASN, RN]

It is very doable. I have 4 children ages 13, 8, 7, and 5. I'm in a part time program so it's only two nights a week and we have to make time for skills check offs in Lab, but it's fun to me. I love the thrill of learning all this new stuff. I study a good bit but still make time to be with my family and have an occasional night out once in awhile. It's only as hard as you make it. If you are determined you will succeed. I'm going into my 4th semester of an 8 semester program and still love it just as much as I did when I started. Good luck!!!

[RN4008]

I am currently in nursing school and while it definitely has its challenging days, i definitely find it to be enjoyable. I also do not agree with others who say you cannot have a social life, because I have had no problem with that. I am a traditional undergrad, but from what I have seen, many of the older students with families end up with the highest gpas.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I did enjoy it the first time around, even though it was a lot of hard work.

I enjoy it even more for the RN-BSN, because now as a practicing nurse I find I can identify and make connections with the materials a lot easier, since I now have the experience.

More importantly, in a RN-BSN program, there's no NCLEX waiting at the end for me :) I can fail out in the most spectacular fashion and I'll still be a RN--they can't take that away from me. So there is a lot less pressure on me this time around because instead of worrying about the Nursing Test of Doom, I can really focus on the whole picture and enjoy myself.

[Isabellah]

I agree nursing school is a love/hate relationship. It is hard but not terrible as most new nursing students are lead to believe. The only terrible thing I have encountered is the cattiness of my fellow nursing students. I agree go to every second hand store or used bookstore in your area. I have found editions of our textbooks (yes, they was a year or two old) for way cheap. I have also found NCLEX books at yard sales for twenty-five cents. Cost can be cut but you have to look for cheaper alternatives. I wish you the best on your journey. A journey begins with one small step.

[angelznurseaid]

Hello and congrats for taking the 1st step in being a nurse! I hope you get your acceptance letter! What a wonderful feeling that was! I am currently still in nursing school and graduate in August 2012. I however, will not lie to you...it is hard, but achieveable! It is my life right now and has been since day one of nursing school. You have to set your mind that it is a priority on top, and stick to it. Do not procrastinate. It is hard work and a must on work ethics! When it's class time, it's class time. Be early, never late, come prepared at all times, and be flexible. It's not all fun and games but it is worthwhile. I love what I do! I have been a nurse assistant for almost 10 years and love healthcare! You are correct when you have heard that there is not much time for a social life. This is true, dear! My family still can't understand how someone can study so much and not have time to visit all the time. They say I study too much and I have to remind them...we lost 19 the 1st semester!! that is quite a bit!!!! So with that being said....stay strong, study hard, don't let your social life get in the way of your dream. It can be overwhelming at times, and yes, there are times we have several wonder can I make it, but you CAN!!! It is what it is, and if you are dedicated and have the willingness to put in effort, it can be one of the most rewarding times of your life thus far! My prayers are with you, you can do it!!!! )

[angelznurseaid]

Oh, and as for liking it, I love it!!! I truly feel that it is more of a ministry for me. It blesses me to know I am in a position to help others in a time of need. What ever that need may be!!! If you are a person who loves people, your going to love it. It is stressful and overwhelming at times, but all worthwhile! Blessings!

[corsair]

I have to say that I enjoy nursing school. I am (like several other posters) a total night owl and my DH works 4-midnight, needless to say it makes for some serious sleep deprivation. The first semester I was a complete zombie, worked 32 hours a week, slept 3 hours a night and the house was a disaster. I don't have any kids but I have become more organized and I am hoping that this semester will be less stressful. I found a great thing for keeping up with the house (google "flylady") I don't go for all the psycobabble on her website but if you follow the steps and or follow her emails you will be suprised at the improvement (if you are a disaster like me anyway lol). I think the most important thing in NS is to try to see the big picture and not just memorize facts, look for the why and how of things. Also get a good NCLEX review book (I like Saunder's) and start studying for the big test now, it really reinforces things. Many times the teacher will tell you to skip a section, but it will be on the NCLEX and you may as well learn it now (also it can help other things make sense later).