First semester of nursing school...what to expect?

BeachyRNn08 · Feb 10, 2008

Hi everyone! I got accepted into Nursing School and start in May. I am nervous and excited about starting but am curious about what to expect. Do you think there will be clinicals? What can I review now so I won't be so overwhelmed my first semester?
Also, what can I expect out of clinicals? What are some of your experiences? Are their labs where we work with dummys AND time in the hospital/LTC? I don't really understand how that works.
Do you have any tips for someone just starting nursing school?
Also, about how much would you say nursing school cost you? I will be going for my accelerated BSN (which will be about 5 semesters of study in a year and a half).
If anyone could help with any or all of those questions, that would be great....thank you so much!!

Congrats on getting accepted to nursing school! I'm sure you are so excited, nervous and scared all at the same time. That's exactly how I felt when I started. I am getting ready to graduate from a BSN program, so I know how you're feeling. Get ready, because your first semester is going to be hectic. Nursing school is different than any other class you've ever taken. It requires so much more than just craming the night before the test. You will more than likely feel overwhelmed, and that's okay. I promise that feeling starts to get better by the end of your first semester, and by your second, you'll get the hang of everything.

In my program, we did have clinicals first semester, but they were all in our skills lab, learning how to do basic skills like foleys, IV starts, NG tubes, bed making etc. We did practice on dummys and our school has a "sim man" that you can take his vitals, start IVs and all that. At the end of the semester we had two days in the hospital. Those first days were so nerve racking, I felt so nervous! But like your classes, you will get used to it and will start having fun. There's no other feeling to me in nursing school than getting to do something for the first time like giving a shot or starting your first IV.

To answer your question about costs, I think I have paid about $10,000 total. But totally worth it, and you can probably find an employer to pay your loans back if you have any.

No matter how much you have to do, or how overwhelmed you feel, don't forget to take time for yourself. I know so many people that said they had no life in nursing school. I have not found this to be true. I have still been able to keep good grades and have a good time on the weekend. I believe it has helped keep me sane!

Good luck!

likatutata · Feb 10, 2008

1) be prepared for more reading than you've ever EVER done before!

2) and at least twice as much studying as you did for your prerequisites

3) your program may recommend you stop working or drop down in hours. if you have ANY other committments (kids, husband, etc) listen to them!!! if you are single and basically committment free, you may be able to work more but be prepared for not much free time.

congrats, i'm happy for you! you can do it!

MB37 · Feb 10, 2008

Hi! I'm in semester 3/4 of an ABSN program, and it's certainly one of toughest things I've done in my life. Congrats on getting in! We did not have clinicals until second semester at my school. We started over the summer with patho, pharm, and a legal/ethical class so we'd know some basics before going in. We went to the hospital in the fall, and we stay at the same place until we graduate. Right now I have MS1, MS2, Psych, Leadership/Management, a NCLEX review course (1 credit), and 20 hours/week of clinical, plus lab time and other obligations

It's really busy, but I've been able to get As so far. I don't work or have kids though. Not everyone who works fails out, but most people who fail out either work or have some other obligation that eats up their time - kids, really long commute, drinking problem, etc. If you can eliminate as many of those as possible (can't really elim kids, but if you have some, find reliable child care), you should be fine. You just have to enter an accelerated program expecting to spend the vast majority of your non-class, non-sleep hours studying, and then hopefull you'll be pleasantly surprised. Good luck!

Reese17 · Feb 11, 2008

Congatulations on gettin in. If you dont start until May, my advice would be to enjoy yourself until then. Dont worry about school until May because once you start it will take up most of your time. So relax, enjoy this time off, cherish your weekends. I've been in school for 5 weeks and every weekend is spent studying. My first week I had 33 chapters to read and that didnt include assignments due. I also work (did cut back on my hours to 20 a week), I have 2 kids and a husband (like a 3rd child). But its all worth it in the end (so they tell me). So just relax and enjoy yourself. Good Luck.

NoviceRN10 · Feb 11, 2008

I would suggest actually checking out your program. I'm kind of surprised you have been accepted to a school and have no idea what the program entails. Don't believe everyone that says you need to say good-bye to your life. I'm starting week 6 of my first semester this week and I don't see any more intensity in the nursing program than I had taking micro or A&P. I know it's going to get tougher as I go along, but I'm pleasantly surprised at the workload and ease of classes so far.

Inland18mempiree · Feb 11, 2008

Someone already mentioned this on here, but be prepared to read a LOT. I mean a LOT. Not only do you have to read it, but you have to study it, sleep with it, and think about it, and memorize it. 95% of exams came from the chapters - and not the lectures. This was a complete shock because I had been used to taking REALLY good lecture notes, studying those, and doing fine. But not in my nursing school. I had to read every chapter. But on a positive note (hehe) it is doable. I just graduated last semester. And on a side note, I remember someone told me "if you can get through the 1st semester, then it'll be a piece of cake to finish the rest". What a bunch of crock! I had to really put forth a ton of effort in every class six days a week. Just take one class at a time, study what's relevant for your upcoming test, and you'll probably do fine. My class started with 60 students, and we graduated with less than 40. So statiscally, about 1/3rd will not graduate but I know you'll do just fine! The first several weeks of nursing school are pretty easy - it's all very basic stuff. But come the advanced classes you'll probably want to rip your hair out - just know that everyone else is probably feeling the same way - but they don't like to admit it. :)

Triple A's · Feb 11, 2008

:yeah:CONGRATULATIONS:yeah:

The only advice that I can share is simple, DON'T underestimate nursing school. Many people begin NS with either a laid back attitude thinking that it will be a piece of cake or feel overconfident. Nursing school is not like any school you have attended, so please approach it like such, come with an open mind.

EmilyUSFRN, RN · Feb 11, 2008

i think you should expect to revamp your time management skills if you have many struggles w time management, ditto for organization.

you will be studying and reading ALL the time. it gets boring, frustrating, and awful feeling (myself, reading makes me fall right to sleep in a pavlovian style, so I would go to the library, the park, a coffee shop, ANYTHING to not fall asleep).

what you learn your first semester is the basic fundamentals of nursing practice, the things you will do most often. everything else builds on this information, so pay attention!!

Your school should have the prices in a catalog or online (cost per credit x credits taken, just like normal school). be prepared to spend money on things like uniforms, supplies, and sometimes testing supplies.

You'll make new friends and they'll know what you're going through, so be prepared that noone else will and chances are your own family won't understand what is going on in your life.

IT GETS BETTER! Just stay on top of reading/studying and take care of yourself.