Easy?

lauraivette · Sep 12, 2013

You're not the only one! I feel the exact same way too seeing all of these posts about how difficult nursing school is makes me nervous I wonder if my school isn't challenging me enough?

What school do you attend?

SubSippi · Sep 12, 2013

The first semester will be different, you'll be focusing on more task oriented things and more basic medical conditions. It gets hard when you have to learn how to make judgement calls based on what you've learned.

Basically, if it doesn't get any harder, I would be scared! Have y'all taken your first test yet?

sjalv · Sep 12, 2013

How far in are you? In my program, you have to complete A&P and all such prerequisite classes before starting the nursing program. The first week or so of the first semester is common sense and infection control stuff, but after that, we delve into the nursing process and it's a whole new game.

jolie_tasso · Sep 12, 2013

Same here! I'm in my second semester, OB/Pedi rotation, and last semester was fundamentals and pharm. I'm worked I'm not being prepared, but then again my classmates aren't all cruising through so maybe I'm just better at this coursework? I don't know, but it's worrisome when I read these message boards.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

It gets harder after each semester because it's assumed you will retain and be able to apply everything you learned before in progressive settings, but nowhere is it written that everyone has to find it skull-splittingly difficult.

whealer · Sep 12, 2013

I'm in my first semester and feel the same way... I'm holding my breath for the next semesters since I can already tell they'll be challenging, which will be both a refreshing and hair-pulling experience. :cat:

green34 · Sep 12, 2013

First semester is usually the easiest. It also depends on your teachers too and how hard they are. There are some easy and some hard teachers. There are some teachers who do not try to be hard but they are horrible.

RNstudent13renee · Sep 12, 2013

I'm in the middle of second semester and feel similar. My first test was a breeze to me, I mean I did study and I studied at least a little bit every day, but I was really shocked. I made a 94 and the class average was like a 76, one of my friends failed it and passing is 76.5. First semester was the same way. Idk. I've been inquiring about other programs at the hospital I work at and most of them say their program is tough also. It may just be easier for you, but for me the prereqs were harder than this. I'm actually hoping I'm wrong, and that it becomes a little more intense, because I don't feel very challenged. At the same time I'm thankful though!!!

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 12, 2013

My opinion is a little different from the previous posters. Some people don't find the "scholarly" aspect of nursing to be all that difficult because it is not always taught in a way that is academically rigorous. One of the weaknesses of our profession is that it's scholarly aspects are not emphasized enough. If you are strong in that area, can think logically, etc., you may find that none of the exams are very challenging or makes you use your full mental capacity.

That's the way it was for me. Learning the material, taking the tests, etc. was always easy for me. It may be that way for you. However, that doesn't mean I sailed through nursing school with no stress or problems. I had other challenges to overcome and you may encounter other challenges as well. For some people, the technical skills are difficult. For others, it is the organizational skills needed to coordinate care for multiple patients. For others, it is the emotional aspects related to taking responsibility for another person's life and health ... or the fear of making a mistake that actually hurts/kills another person ... over-involvement in their patients' problems ... etc. For yet others, it is difficulties with the interpersonal dynamics of working with your colleagues as a team.

You might get lucky and find all of these things easy, but most students struggle with something. For you, it just might be that the academic part comes easy. Be grateful. That's one less thing you have to worry about. (That's assuming, of course, that you are going to a well-respected school known for producing smart, successful nurses. It coudl also mean that you are going to an unethical school that is taking your money by keeping you in school while not teaching you what you need to know.)

kaydensmom01 · Sep 12, 2013

The first semester I found to be time consuming, but easy. The second semester we really dove into medical illnesses, yet it was the easiest semester for most of us. The third semester hit me like a ton of bricks, it was not only time consuming but the material was intense. Clinicals became much more intense- I have never thought that I may not make it before but it came to mind several times in that semester. Fourth semester was even harder!

Stephalump · Sep 12, 2013

My opinion is a little different from the previous posters. Some people don't find the "scholarly" aspect of nursing to be all that difficult because it is not always taught in a way that is academically rigorous. One of the weaknesses of our profession is that it's scholarly aspects are not emphasized enough. If you are strong in that area, can think logically, etc., you may find that none of the exams are very challenging or makes you use your full mental capacity.
That's the way it was for me. Learning the material, taking the tests, etc. was always easy for me. It may be that way for you. However, that doesn't mean I sailed through nursing school with no stress or problems. I had other challenges to overcome and you may encounter other challenges as well. For some people, the technical skills are difficult. For others, it is the organizational skills needed to coordinate care for multiple patients. For others, it is the emotional aspects related to taking responsibility for another person's life and health ... or the fear of making a mistake that actually hurts/kills another person ... over-involvement in their patients' problems ... etc. For yet others, it is difficulties with the interpersonal dynamics of working with your colleagues as a team.
You might get lucky and find all of these things easy, but most students struggle with something. For you, it just might be that the academic part comes easy. Be grateful. That's one less thing you have to worry about. (That's assuming, of course, that you are going to a well-respected school known for producing smart, successful nurses. It coudl also mean that you are going to an unethical school that is taking your money by keeping you in school while not teaching you what you need to know.)

+1

There are way too many factors for us to know of you "should" be worried or not. For now, just focus on leaning as much as you can. Don't slack off, and don't borrow trouble because trouble will surely find you on it's own.