Did (does) anyone love nursing school?

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 29, 2009

I always loved school and learning but nursing school & classes (core classes, not pre-reqs/co-reqs) were different from any other educational experience I had had.

It seems to me that many nursing schools *provide opportunities* to learn about nursing and practice some nursing. They provide a curriculum and clinical rotations in various facilities. They actively weed out students who are likely to fail the licensing exam (NCLEX). It doesn't necessarily *train* students as nurses, though. I had expected more training and instruction... not to be "spoon-fed" as some might call it, but to have more guidance, instruction, and clarity of learning objectives... and so I found nursing school frustrating and unsatisfying as an educational experience.

Lectures felt like rushed cursory cram sessions, tests seemed more about having good test-taking skills than about understanding and retaining facts and concepts, care plan evaluations often felt arbitrary and inconsistent, opportunities to practice hands-on skills were often limited (only one chance in two years to insert a foley or NG tube for example), and with just one clinical instructor for 8-10 students and liability concerns, there was lots of waiting around or doing basic care (eg bed baths) in clinicals as opposed to really practicing the multitude of RN-level responsibilities.

Many schools seem to take the attitude that "it's up to you make the most of your school experience" - which often equates to "you're on your own to find opportunities to practice skills in clinicals" and "if you want in depth comprehension, go research it yourself." That's fine for some people, but I do better with more structure when getting started. Given what I now know about my learning style in regard to applied skills and how many nursing schools work, if I had to do it again, I'd seek out a school with a shining reputation for providing strong clinical training.

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 29, 2009

I loved school too.

I guess I loved that time of my life when I was young, free from family responsibilities, and had plenty of free time left over even after school and my part time job.

Compared to the daily grind of work at times, nursing school seemed so nice.

HippyGreenPeaceChick · Apr 29, 2009

I loved school too.
I guess I loved that time of my life when I was young, free from family responsibilities, and had plenty of free time left over even after school and my part time job.
Compared to the daily grind of work at times, nursing school seemed so nice.

That is my thing I am still young, free of family responsibilities, I have plenty of free time and I enjoy it. So for me its never a grind.

swirlything · May 7, 2009

I just finished nursing school. I'm like you, I always enjoyed school. As far as nursing school, I very much enjoyed most of my classes. I had a one teacher who used the word "okay" an average of 6 times per minute (I counted it on several occasions); her lectures were difficult to endure. But otherwise I very much enjoyed the classes. I didn't mind the labs, but they weren't my favorite. The written work I found to be mostly time-consuming busywork, and fairly annoying. As far as clinicals, I loved it when I was doing things that RNs do, and I did not enjoy it when I was doing things that techs/CNAs do. Unfortunately, most of my clinical experience was being an unpaid tech... and after a couple semesters you get used to that too. I just recognized that this is just what I have to get through to get where I want to be.

The tests didn't phase me. I enjoyed learning the material. I made some GREAT friends. That being said, I'm really glad it's over! Nursing school is pretty much a full-time job, and I'm ready to be paid for my time.