Do you have to be "smart" to make it through Nursing school?

jmgrn65, RN · Jan 13, 2008

Well you don't have to a genius. But If you study hard and work hard you would do fine. Having said that to get in if it is a competitive school then you may need a high gpa. It just depends on the school and area. GOod Luck

remmy3 · Jan 13, 2008

I was kinda nervous about nursing school because I felt like I wasnt smart enough. You would be surprised just how "smart" you are when you apply yourself. I have never been so determined to do something in all my life. Now I have 4 months of school left! I have done well and granted sometimes I do feel stupid, but nevertheless I have made it through this, and it was by luck, it has been lots of hard work.

allthingsbright · Jan 13, 2008

IMHO, GPA doesn't indicate how "smart" someone is... :) I know of some VERY intelligent people who didnt apply themselves in school and their GPA's reflected it!

And my vote is yes, you need some smarts to make it THROUGH nursing school. I won't vouch for the intelligence of people who actually just get "in."

Now, I do know of some people who made it through school with more "street smarts" than books smarts...but I wont get into that here.

shellsgogreen · Jan 13, 2008

what is "smart" anyway? being able to recite information, or pass a test with an above average grade?

i think it's more about being able to think critically, after all, when you're done with school, all the knowledge in the world can only go so far, unless you're able to think and apply accordingly

Jolie, BSN · Jan 13, 2008

You need to have an aptitude for the coursework, both the pre-requisites and the nursing courses themselves.

I have no artistic ability at all, so no matter how "smart" I am, I willl never be an artist.

If you have no scientific ability, you will not make it as a nurse.

But in my experience, success in nursing school has a lot more to do with motivation, hard work, organization and persistence than high IQ. I've known "geniuses" who couldn't cut it, and less-than-geniuses who excelled.

fedupnurse · Jan 13, 2008

But in my experience, success in nursing school has a lot more to do with motivation, hard work, organization and persistence than high IQ. I've known "geniuses" who couldn't cut it, and less-than-geniuses who excelled.

Amen! I'll take bedside smarts over book smarts any day of the week! Knowing facts or figures is useless if you do not know how to handle a crashing patient or an irate family member. Of course a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology is a must. You will learn far more your first year out of nursing school than you'll ever learn in nursing school!

ladylikeRN · Jan 13, 2008

For nursing school one has to be both book smart and have a ton of common sense. Also, having a good intuition and being very adaptable to change is extremely helpful. Determination is the key to success because you will never be perfect but nursing school is tough and sticking through it with all of the demands is a journey in itself.

Good luck!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

Let me put it this way: I don't know anyone who made it through nursing school by being stupid.

leslie :-D · Jan 13, 2008

yes, you definitely need a certain level of intelligence.

but...

there is so much more needed, to make a successful nurse.

leslie

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

I was kinda nervous about nursing school because I felt like I wasnt smart enough. You would be surprised just how "smart" you are when you apply yourself. I have never been so determined to do something in all my life. Now I have 4 months of school left! I have done well and granted sometimes I do feel stupid, but nevertheless I have made it through this, and it was by luck, it has been lots of hard work.

Give yourself credit...i'm sure it wasn't luck, but all the hard work you put in. You did something great!

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 13, 2008

I agree....what is smart? I think you have to work hard to learn the content and be able to apply it. You also have to be able make good choices. Better qualities to have would be hardworking, open to learning and desire.