How Many Hearts Are Broken By Nursing School?

Nursing Students General Students

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Failing grades, personality conflicts, money problems...

How many get their hearts broken by nursing school?

Not me, but it seems that many may...

:nurse:

Specializes in OB, NP, Nurse Educator.

Sentimental Women Need Not Apply is a movie about this very topic. I saw many kind, caring people crushed in nursing school because they weren't "tough" enough. And I see other kind souls crushed among the ranks of nurses today. I consider myself like many others as being tough - at the start of my career I learned to act that way or be run over by others, and eventually evolved into that role.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
What I meant was learning to be a nurse.

Ahhhhh.... I took you literally and misunderstood your post. I'm sorry.

I agree that nursing instructors should not generally try to break the spirit of the students. However, I have been an instructor and have seen it from the other side. Some students lack basic interpersonal skills and personal characteristics (such as diligence, committment, and integrety) and need to make some significant changes in their approach to their work -- changes that must be made at the start of the program, not at the end.

Of course there are some bad instructors out there ... but there are also some bad students who need to either "shape up or ship out" and who won't do either so unless someone forces them to choose one direction or the other. It's sad, but some of it is necessary.

llg

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
...... but there are also some bad students who need to either "shape up or ship out" and who won't do either so unless someone forces them to choose one direction or the other. It's sad, but some of it is necessary.

llg

Methinks these are the many, not all, students that say "my instructor doesn't like me and is out to get me for no good reason".

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Specializes in ICCU - cardiac.
Ahhhhh.... I took you literally and misunderstood your post. I'm sorry.

I agree that nursing instructors should not generally try to break the spirit of the students. However, I have been an instructor and have seen it from the other side. Some students lack basic interpersonal skills and personal characteristics (such as diligence, committment, and integrety) and need to make some significant changes in their approach to their work -- changes that must be made at the start of the program, not at the end.

Of course there are some bad instructors out there ... but there are also some bad students who need to either "shape up or ship out" and who won't do either so unless someone forces them to choose one direction or the other. It's sad, but some of it is necessary.

Glad we cleared that up! So in your opinion an instructor is looking to see students who are committed and show integrity and diligence. Gotcha! It's hard for me to imagine any student taking the nursing program 'lightly,' but I am sure they are undoubtedly out there!

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llg - was it your experience that it was younger students, perhaps ones just out of high school, who were not ready to handle the difficulties of nursing school? I would tend to think the younger students have it tougher because they haven't learned enough life lessons or haven't learned enough about themselves and what they are capable of doing yet.

As a thirtysomething who's already worked for 9 yrs in a stressful, demanding, soul-crushing industry, I think I will be okay once I start nursing classes because I fully understand the hard work needed to accomplish difficult tasks. I've also learned resourefulness and assertiveness, and how to deal with all types of people. I don't know how well I could have done it as a 20 yr old.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
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Glad we cleared that up! So in your opinion an instructor is looking to see students who are committed and show integrity and diligence. Gotcha! It's hard for me to imagine any student taking the nursing program 'lightly,' but I am sure they are undoubtedly out there!

I'm glad we cleared it up too.

People struggle with becoming a nurse for many reasons. Some, because they take it too lightly: they simply didn't expect it and/or are not willing to do the hard work that is involved. They thought nursing was an easy program for girls who aren't smart enough to go into another profession. Some have never had to work hard in their lives and don't know how to work hard.

Other people are simply too stubborn to learn. They aren't willing to change anything about themselves and therefore, they can't learn and grow in the ways necessary to become a nurse. They may take it seriously, but they want to do everything THEIR way -- an attitude that will not work as a nurse.

I could probably come up with a few other possibilities, but I think you get the picture -- and you definitely do NOT sound like you have any problems in this area.

Good luck to you!

llg

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

It frustrates me when people say things that imply that people should just try harder. Sometimes, pure will just isn't enough.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
llg - was it your experience that it was younger students, perhaps ones just out of high school, who were not ready to handle the difficulties of nursing school? I would tend to think the younger students have it tougher because they haven't learned enough life lessons or haven't learned enough about themselves and what they are capable of doing yet.

As a thirtysomething who's already worked for 9 yrs in a stressful, demanding, soul-crushing industry, I think I will be okay once I start nursing classes because I fully understand the hard work needed to accomplish difficult tasks. I've also learned resourefulness and assertiveness, and how to deal with all types of people. I don't know how well I could have done it as a 20 yr old.

I don't think age has much to do with it.

Some 20 year olds know how to work hard and are very teachable. They respect authority and are willing to take guidance from the faculty and experienced nurses. They know they still need have a lot to learn and understand the process of learning will require them to grow and change. Such students and new grads can be a joy to work with. They steadily improve their knowledge and practice and make steady progress towards expertise.

Some (but of course, not all) older students are too set in their ways to be taught. They are over-confident and want to do everything THEIR way. Their constant challenging of authority and their stubborn refusal to change prevents them growing (which requires change) and often leads to failure.

I try to give each new person I meet a chance to show me what type of person they are before I jump to any quick conclusions based on their age.

llg

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
It frustrates me when people say things that imply that people should just try harder. Sometimes, pure will just isn't enough.

You're right ... and I am sorry if I have given that impression. I think some of use the expression "work hard" to cover a wide range of things that are too numerous and complex to list individually within the context of the post. It's not just a matter of effort expended or of hours of work, it's much more as well.

llg

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.
You're right ... and I am sorry if I have given that impression. I think some of use the expression "work hard" to cover a wide range of things that are too numerous and complex to list individually within the context of the post. It's not just a matter of effort expended or of hours of work, it's much more as well.

llg

I'm sorry that was so short. I'm just feeling frustrated right now.

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llg - was it your experience that it was younger students, perhaps ones just out of high school, who were not ready to handle the difficulties of nursing school? I would tend to think the younger students have it tougher because they haven't learned enough life lessons or haven't learned enough about themselves and what they are capable of doing yet.

As a thirtysomething who's already worked for 9 yrs in a stressful, demanding, soul-crushing industry, I think I will be okay once I start nursing classes because I fully understand the hard work needed to accomplish difficult tasks. I've also learned resourefulness and assertiveness, and how to deal with all types of people. I don't know how well I could have done it as a 20 yr old.

:thankya: I agree with you 100%. I'm in the same boat 10yrs of working in a physically and mentally stressful field has preped me for the rigors of nursing school. I'm tougher now than I've ever been. I have motivation, assertiveness and confidence that I never had at 20. I know some 20 yr olds have the wherewithall to tackle nursing school but, I for one did not. I know I would have flunked out. I was a know it all who could not be taught. Now I know how to shut up long enough to get something in my head. At this stage of my life flunking out is not an option. Quitting is not an option. Graduating on the dean's list is my goal. I will not be denied!!!

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At this stage of my life flunking out is not an option. Quitting is not an option. Graduating on the dean's list is my goal. I will not be denied!!!

ME TOO! I'm SO glad that I waited til I was older!

I know I'll make it too:mortarboard:

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