Horrified to start nursing school in Jan

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I feel like all I hear is negative things about peoples experiences. I have a 4.0 GPA as of right now with all of my pre reqs. But, from what I hear from some of you that doesn't mean anything. I do have a child and husband and a part time job. I am sure that I can do this. But with everyone saying how nearly impossible it is and how hard it will be to find a job when you are done it can be very confusing. I hate to think that I am wasting my time and putting my family through a difficult time. I am extremely well organized when it comes to my time and ususally am able to figure out what the teachers are looking for after the first couple of weeks of school. Is there anyone that felt like nursing school wasn't that bad? Anything anyone has to say that is positive? I realize that a lot of hospitals are looking for people that have experience, but they also have transitional programs at the hospitals near my area. Please give me some words of encouragement. Thank you.

Terrified Mandy

I will be starting this spring (March) 2010 as a transfer student at Loma Linda. While I didn't have a 4.0 on my pre-reqs (3.4), I am very excited to start a new chapter in my life. I heard a lot of the horror stories about nursing school but I believe that with hardwork and dedication I'll be able to go through it without a hitch. I do have a wife and a 7 year old daughter and I told them what they can expect when I start school. Fortunately I don't have to work since I get GI Bill thanks to my beloved Marine Corps.

Regardless, you obviously have the study skills to get through pre-reqs with a 4.0 so just do your very best and you will be fine. :yeah:

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Nursing school is not as bad as other people are making out. Yes, you do need to be organized and manage your time well, but it's doable. As far as your GPA, I need to echo what others have said--even if you came in with a 4.0 don't expect to leave with one. I just got my first B+ this semester (in Med-Surg II). Tests aren't graded on a curve, and if you get more than 3-4 questions wrong on a test you're outta luck. The testing style can be confusing even when you know your material well. You just learn not to sweat it and to be happy if you're passing and maintaining a reasonably good GPA (3.5 or above is considered good).

I'm also worried about my job prospects once I graduate and I don't expect to waltz right into a job. Maybe if I were to do it all over again I'd choose some other field. But in this economy you really aren't assured of a job in any profession, and it takes time to get some experience and be hirable in whatever field.

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I think it's different for everyone. I just finished my 1st semester of RN school and it stressed me out really bad.

I wasn't use to all the reading, exams, and quizes that they threw at me. And, you HAVE to do well and be prepared at all times. We lost about 15 out of the 70 students just in our first semester.

For me, I had to make nursing school my TOP priority. All through my previous undergrad and during my Nursing pre req's, I NEVER felt stressed like that and did really well. However, we do have students in my program who don't feel overwhelmed and seem to be handeling it well, I'm just not one of them. :)

However, I will start this next semester with a positive attitude and make the best of it.

Just know that however you handle stress, you will have A LOT of reading and test taking to do and you must do well.

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This is a good thread that can be helpful to alot of us nursing school contenders. Its good to hear positive but truthful aspects of nursing school. I will be applying Fall 2010 for Fall 2011 so I still have quite a time before I even enter the job market hopefully things turn around. When I first started my pre-reqs new grads were getting sign on bonuses and receiving multiple offers from different hospitals but times have changed:o. Nursing has joined the ranks of the other competitive job markets. I must admit that it is scary to read about people that graduated in 2008 and still dont have a job:eek:

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I'd like to say as well to not get discourage if your 4.0 drops because the grading scales usually are different. after well you will just be thankful that you are passing because their will be some who are not. Also, we have alot of parents in our class who are doing well, i think that will help you even more to focus and stay on track.A job that I would recommend is a nurse tech, i work as a tech here in mississippi. it's a great flexible job where most of the time YOU make your own schedule, which is what a nursing student needs. It counts as experience and helps get your foot in the door if you choose to work there in the future

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i graduated in august from my rn program...and let me tell you what i have learned...

people looooove to talk about the bad stuff: care plans are hard...say goodbye to your friends and family...your broke...blah blah blah...

but...the difference here is it's worth something in the end...and it's up to you to focus on the good stuff (just like with everything else in life)

it's tough and you will cry...but you will learn very fast if you want to be a nurse or not...good luck and i think it's VERY worth it all ;o)

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You can absolutely do this! I'm enrolled in an accelerated second-degree BSN program. Many of us are married, some with children, some with part time jobs, some with a combination of the above. I find that most of us who have this additional life experience tend to do well. Those who are more traditionally college-aged also do well- not to disparage them! I just want to encourage you and know that it can be done, and done well. Well doesn't have to mean perfection. This is not to say that you should not work hard- of course you should and if being a great nurse means something to you, then you will. You'll find that drive. I'm just personally at the point in my life where I don't want to kill myself to get a 4.0 when a 3.5 will get me a job and will be sufficient to get into grad school later, should I choose to go. I'm doing well- I have not received anything less than a B in any class in nursing school. I work hard but I'm not killing myself to do so. I've seen less of my family and friends but I make a point to spend quality time with them on the weekends, and evenings when possible. I really haven't read much out of my textbooks, but do rely heavily on lecture notes. Nursing school, in my experience, has been busy but not horrendous. My clinical instructors have been great. They are great resources and as long as you do your part, they will more than rise to the challenge of helping you learn. There are some odd birds out there but I hope they're the exception.

Helpful hints: Keep yourself organized. Get yourself a system and stick to it. Modify this as necessary for your needs. This is a must! Keep an organized calendar with due dates of exams and assignments. This is important as things can change frequently. Checking off the days is also quite rewarding. :-) Also, I found that keeping an expandable folder with old clinical databases and important clinical information in it (passwords, phone numbers, syllabi, etc.) is helpful. If you can, type up your drug information and clinical information so you can cut and paste across patients (so if Pt A has hypertension, and Pt B also has HTN, you can cut and paste the pathophysiology or whatever you need). Roll with the flow of nursing school and all it's oddities, and realize that in the end, this will be YOUR license, not your professors', not your colleagues', not your classmates'. Yours, that you earned and sacrificed for. Sorry for the ramble, but I feel strongly about this. Best of luck to you!!!

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