What is nursing school like???

Nursing Students General Students

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:) Hello everyone. I was hoping a few of you could describe your feelings since starting school this semester. Do you have tons of homework. What is a typical classroom day like. Is it few hours lecture. Is there a lot of papers you need to write in Nursing School. Those with kids, are you coping. Sorry so many question, it's just I am now in A&P and feeling a little overwhelmed myself, wanted to get an idea of how nursing school is. Is it more critical thinking and comprehension, more so than just memorizing info. Thank you for any info you can give me! And wish luck to all of you.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am in my third semester of 5. This semester I have lecture Monday and Friday from 9-11. Clincal on Wed. from 0645-1330. Then there is about 4-5 chapters of reading total for each lecture from 3 or 4 different books, papers to write that are due about every 2-3 weeks or so on the day of your unit exam, there are articles to read on just about every lecture that you need to find online from different nursing journals, or take a trip to the school library to read their copy on reserve, then there are videos that need to be watched, CD roms to do with quizzes all before each unit exam. There are case studies to do, these also have to be typed up, then there are papers to write about different clinical experiences. There are care plans that need to be done each clinical day. Then there is the clinical experience that is outside the hospital setting that could not be scheduled on your regular clinical day. There is working 30 hours a week to pay for your life and school debts. Then there is about 35 hours or more of studying each week. About 3 hours a night to sleep. And somewheres in there you have to take a shower and do laundry.

Nursing school is wonderful!! I would not trade it in for anything in the world. I love it and it is almost done. I personally think the semesters I have finished already were wayyyyyyyy easier then the first semester of A&P by itself:chuckle. good luck and do not get discouraged. It is hard, but it will all be worth it in the end!! :nurse:

I think it also makes a difference if you do a two or four year program. I am currently in a 4 year program and it is tough but we do not have to cram 4 years of information into 2 years.

Hey Brandy,

I am 19 years old, but I am one of the youngest in my class. I would say 1/3 are currently raising children and they are doing awesome. I really have so much respect for them. Nursing classes are completely different than g.e. courses. Nursing isn't just about memorizing or understanding a concept. Its about taking that understanding and applying it. In that area nursing is completely different. When you walk out of an A&P class you generally know what you got wrong on a test. In NUR courses you are never sure b/c everything isn't black and white anymore. However, don't let any of that scare you. Once you are in nursing school you get used to this quickly and it isn't a big deal at all. The course load isn't wonderful either, but its something you get used to (just like the testing). I personally am really enjoying my program.

There are times when you are gonna be crazy, but take advantage of the fact that there is a classroom full of people experiencing the same things you are. The best advice I can give you is make some good friends in school, because they provide a great support system.

I remember asking the same questions last year and being incredibly nervous. Hopefully, I managed to help. This is something you really can do and don't worry about it. When you are in school you will figure things out and everyone in that class is gonna be figuring them out with you ;)

Thank you all for all the comments. Wow it does sound very intense. Thank you also for the encouragement!!! I guess everyone has my feelings. I am taking my first semester of A&P and find it very difficult, I don't feel I am understanding the whole chemistry portion and how much info can there be on cells. It's amazing that our body or one cell is doing so much work. So much to remember. I read posts and can't believe I will actually be learning everything you all are learning, about medications, and all the medical terminology. I really need to take medical terminology, because I really do not have any medical background. I am truely afraid of the whole learning dosage calculations, I am horrible at converting. That is one part of NS I am more afraid of. Also Loren do you have a lot of oral presentations. I get very nervous when it comes to standing in front of a lot of people and giving a presentation. :sofahider . Well thanks again. Good luck to all of you in NS already.!!!!

I agree with what all the posters said. Expect to do tons of reading. I am in a Context Based Learning program and trust me when I tell you this, it is the most bizarre way of learning that I have ever seen. But regardless, (see my post on CBL and how my class is losing their minds)...I think in time it will all sink in. Just a way different way of learning than what I am used to.

Add to the mixture the fact that I have a 14 year old son with ADHD and Conduct Disorder and there is not a day that goes by that I am not dealing with that stuff........

And throw in this little tidbit.....When I was at school yesterday, someone broke into my house and stole every single xbox game, the xbox game itself and a game cube game...stuffed it all into a pillow case, cut open the basement screen on the window and let my "indoor" cats out the window to roam free in the dangerous neighbourhood full of dogs.....sigh. (they are home safe).

So ya, if you can deal with the pressures of the nursing Plus deal with all the issues of Teenagers and neighbourhood crime...well. Good on ya.

I have today off.....and time that I should be studying will be spent down at the police station reporting the intrusion into my home.

Fun stuff eh?

One thing that I noticed about nursing school is the bonds you will make with some of your classmates. It is very intensive and I found that you really become close to some of your classmates. I had been through college before, but nothing like this. Since it is so intensive and there is always the worry of getting cut if you don't make the grade, you really cling to each other for support. The friends I made in nursing school are dear to me.

Specializes in Operating Room.

WOW! I don't know whether this should drive me crazy 1132.gif or make me more excited! lol

I sure hope the fact that the 6 out of my last 7 classes were fast-track will help. I've definitely learned how to work well underpressure! lol (A's all 5 fast-tracks that I have finished, and working on the 6th, plus made an 101% on A&P 1, which was full-length.)

I realize that what will be required to do so much more, and I will be required to think in a whole different way, but I really think I can do it!!! :)

I can't wait!!!! (NS hopeful, Jan '06!!!) ....I'll soon know! 23 days to find out & counting down!!!!!

Specializes in SICU.

Nursing school is definetly very intense. The first semester was not so bad, I felt like it was a lot of work just to stay on top of everything that was due, but it was nothing compared to the second semester (med-surg). Med-surg is a very time-consuming class with a lot of reading and studying outside of class, and 12 hours of clinical each week. However, it is definetly worth it to be in the nursing program, and you get a lot of support and help from your fellow classmates, because just about everyone feels stressed out. Good luck!

Specializes in Med/Surg.
Nursing school is definetly very intense. The first semester was not so bad, I felt like it was a lot of work just to stay on top of everything that was due, but it was nothing compared to the second semester (med-surg). Med-surg is a very time-consuming class with a lot of reading and studying outside of class, and 12 hours of clinical each week. However, it is definetly worth it to be in the nursing program, and you get a lot of support and help from your fellow classmates, because just about everyone feels stressed out. Good luck!

I agree with you clinicalcutie. That med/surg was very time consuming..and I took it in 10 weeks this summer. I feel that this semester is even more time consuming (chronic heath problems), but I guess this is the price we have to pay...it will all pay off in the end. I still say it is easier than all the pre-reqs we had to jump thru to get here. Don't let it scare ya guys...we can all do it and we will!!!

Im in my first sememster of 6. I work full time, have a 2 y/o daughter, and go to class at night. Im 5 weeks into the semester and so far it isnt too bad. I have ALOT of reading each week but my professors are wonderful. If you dont understand they explain in another way. My school has a great feeling to it. THEY WANT YOU TO SUCCEED! Most people have told me their school is rough and they professors want to weed them out, but I havent witnessed anything like that. NOr have I heard anythign talking to other students.

I think the hardest thing for me is balancing my time. Studying, class, work, daughter, fiance, housework, errands, and of course always last and very much least ME TIME!! :eek: I took A&P I & II in 10 weeks this past summer while working fulltime and doing my family thing. By far the roughest thing Ive ever accomplished as far as school goes.

You will be fine as long as you really want to do it. YOu can do anything you put your mind to.....always remember that. :specs:

Specializes in ER, OB/GYN, Womens Health.
:) Hello everyone. I was hoping a few of you could describe your feelings since starting school this semester. Do you have tons of homework. What is a typical classroom day like. Is it few hours lecture. Is there a lot of papers you need to write in Nursing School. Those with kids, are you coping. Sorry so many question, it's just I am now in A&P and feeling a little overwhelmed myself, wanted to get an idea of how nursing school is. Is it more critical thinking and comprehension, more so than just memorizing info. Thank you for any info you can give me! And wish luck to all of you.

Well, I went to Nursing School a loonnnggg time ago, and I'm sure with the ever increasing changes in the profession, the classroom is showing no less mercy than it did back then. Soooo....make sure you have plenty of highlighters, pens, paper and photogenic memory! Best of Luck to you............you will get through it.

wow! i don't know whether this should drive me crazy 1132.gif or make me more excited! lol

i sure hope the fact that the 6 out of my last 7 classes were fast-track will help. i've definitely learned how to work well underpressure! lol (a's all 5 fast-tracks that i have finished, and working on the 6th, plus made an 101% on a&p 1, which was full-length.)

i realize that what will be required to do so much more, and i will be required to think in a whole different way, but i really think i can do it!!! :)

i can't wait!!!! (ns hopeful, jan '06!!!) ....i'll soon know! 23 days to find out & counting down!!!!!

congrats girl! i'm crossing all digits for you and wishing you the best. :)

I am also in my first semester, and I am seeing a lot of memorization. When it comes time for me to go to clinicals, however, I'm sure that's when the comprehension will come into play. But so far I'm enjoying it so much! I'm getting really good grades on exams in pharmacology, a class I thought i was going to be doomed in! Good luck!

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