Go ahead...ask me!

DarkBluePhoenix · Apr 9, 2011

Favorite part about nursing school. Could be a rotation etc...

and least favorite.part

xohaileyyyx3 · Apr 9, 2011

what do you think is harder - all your nursing pre-reqs, or your work once you actually got accepted to clinicals?

I've heard so many different answers! Some people say they though pre-reqs were hell, but once they started doing nursing classes, they loved it and it all came easy!

Then I have heard other people say they miss pre-reqs and are having a hell of a time now that they are officially in the program.

what do you think?

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Favorite part about nursing school. Could be a rotation etc...
and least favorite.part

Hmmm...I have lots of favorite parts. Learning about the human body amazes me. Patients never cease to amaze me with their perseverance, patience, and kindness with students ("SURE you can try to start an IV on me, honey!). And I enjoy that I amaze myself sometimes when I actually grasp something really difficult or I push myself to do an assignment when I'd rather poke my eyes out! I love feeling "nursey" when I finally "get it" or when I get to do a new skill. As far as rotations, I loved psych (VERY interesting), and I love ICU (because I love pathophysiology and all that nerdy stuff).

Least favorite parts...watching a patient's family keep them alive when that means enormous suffering for the patient, nursing students who don't support each other.

You can see I have lots more positives than negatives :)

DarkBluePhoenix · Apr 9, 2011

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

I am applying to BSN programs this Sept and Jan for fall 2012

And God willing, ill get in

Then I can related to the other 75% of people on this board lol

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

what do you think is harder - all your nursing pre-reqs, or your work once you actually got accepted to clinicals?
I've heard so many different answers! Some people say they though pre-reqs were hell, but once they started doing nursing classes, they loved it and it all came easy!
Then I have heard other people say they miss pre-reqs and are having a hell of a time now that they are officially in the program.
what do you think?

I think this is very individual, and might depend on what type of learner you are. Pre-reqs are typically hard because of the content, much of which is memorization. For instance, I had to memorize every muscle known to man for A&P, but could I tell you 1/3 of those muscles now? Probably not, unless you can give an injection in it! :lol2: So if you're a person that hates rote memorization (like me), or you can't wait to see "how it all comes together", you'd be glad to get past pre-reqs.

Nursing classes are, at least from my point of view, much more conceptual and look at the bigger picture. Instead of naming every muscle and cranial nerve, you begin to learn how to assess for nerve damage or tell if a patient has neurological deficits. Instead of memorizing the names of all the tubules in the kidney, you learn how the kidney normally works and what happens when it doesn't. You learn how the heart affects the kidneys and why a person with a severe cardiac problem might progress to kidney failure and then multi-system organ failure.

I LOVE that part of nursing school since I am a conceptual learner, but some folks don't like that and often dislike or have trouble with nursing content or tests.

So it depends on the person, and sometimes even the day. If nothing else, nursing school lets you start to use what you've learned previously, and that makes it worthwhile. :)

Edited to add: I found nursing school much more difficult, mentally, physically, and emotionally. But I enjoyed it immensely more than pre-reqs, also. That doesn't seem like an answer, I know, but it's true.

xohaileyyyx3 · Apr 9, 2011

Wow - you couldn't have answered my question back at a better time! I'm currently studying for a AP2 exam on the urinary system! This test is killing me. I find this so boring and it is so much to memorize.

Everything you said makes me want to keep pushing through and finish this chapter, even though I hate it with a passion :)

one more question -

How do you cope with losing patients an dealing with their families? Is it still as hard as it was in the beginning? Is it something you learn how to deal with? Are you taught about this in nursing school?

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Wow - you couldn't have answered my question back at a better time! I'm currently studying for a AP2 exam on the urinary system! This test is killing me. I find this so boring and it is so much to memorize.
Everything you said makes me want to keep pushing through and finish this chapter, even though I hate it with a passion :)
one more question -
How do you cope with losing patients an dealing with their families? Is it still as hard as it was in the beginning? Is it something you learn how to deal with? Are you taught about this in nursing school?

I'm so glad I could encourage you a bit! :redpinkhe

As far as losing patients, this is something I came to terms with a bit before I even started nursing school. I worked in a nursing home at that time (nothing clinical, just housekeeping), but even so, when I told people I worked there, they said, "Gah! How can you work there? It's so depressing."

It struck me as odd, because I'd never thought of it that way...ever. Sure, I saw confused older folks, but I talked with them when they were agitated. Sure, I saw people die, and I missed them, but it didn't depress me.

My thoughts are: whether or not I am a nurse, this patient would have still gotten into a car accident (or had a heart attack, or had cancer, or kidney failure, etc.). But now I'm here, and I know I am going to do my darndest to provide the best care for this patient, comfort the family, and be kind, competent, and honest. If I'm not there, someone else would be. And perhaps they wouldn't be as kind.

That's how I look at it.

And as a side note, "dealing with it" doesn't mean I don't get frustrated or upset or cry sometimes when I get home. You see lots of things, and you have to process it in whatever way works for you, but knowing I was involved in someone's life (whether it is the beginning, middle, or end of it) is an awesome privilege and responsibility, and I'm honored.

Edited to add: They do teach you some communication techniques and ways to approach people in nursing school. Just as important, though, are the experiences you bring with you.

newRNstudent02 · Apr 10, 2011

You're awesome! Thanks for doing this! What books do you find the most helpful when doing care plans, studying for exams, and preping for the NCLEX (as side from the books the school makes you purchase)? Also, how are you paying for school?

newRNstudent02 · Apr 10, 2011

Oh, and what shoes you sportin'? :)

Mentalageis16 · Apr 10, 2011

how is the job market out there? any hirings ?

Always_Learning, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2011

you're awesome! thanks for doing this! what books do you find the most helpful when doing care plans, studying for exams, and preping for the nclex (as side from the books the school makes you purchase)? also, how are you paying for school?

you're very welcome :)

for care plans, i only ever used one book: "handbook of nursing diagnosis" by carpenito-moyet. it takes a little while to get used to, but it lists sample interventions that can get your brain going in the right direction for a care plan. mine also had a handy card that came with it that listed all of the nursing diagnoses (it was nice for when you felt like you were going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo" for a diagnosis!)

as far as studying for exams, i didn't buy any extra or "special" books. i mostly studied the power points or documents provided by instructors. you'll kill yourself if you try to learn everything about the heart, for example. study what they give you; that's more than enough, and that is usually what they feel is important. then just supplement with other info if you need it (for example, i would look up youtube videos on cardiac circulation because it's easier to visualize it than just reading about it).

for nclex prep, some people swear by one author/version or another...i don't really find much of a difference. i would, however, definitely recommend an nclex book that breaks down the questions into subject areas (ob, peds, etc.) instead of just throwing them all together. this way you can study questions along with the content you're covering in class and kill two birds with one stone. a book that includes "alternate format" questions (select all that apply, graphic questions, "hot spot" questions, etc.) is also benefical, since these pop up on nclex too. (side note: i wouldn't recommend starting nclex questions too terribly early or trying questions on subjects you haven't covered yet in class...been there, done that, and it just panicked me and made me feel stupid! lol) :lol2:

paying for school....i did a work agreement with my hospital (they pay tuition, i agree to work for x years). it's not for everyone, but i try to avoid debt like the plague...been there, done that too!