How have you changed since starting school?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 19, 2014

Looking back, I'm a lot more direct in conversation. While I can do therapeutic communication as well as any other new grad, homey don't play dat at home. I've become more blunt about things and I tend to say what I think. On the positive side of things, I do say how I feel about things a lot more. This isn't exactly a normal thing for a guy...

The family has had to get used to a different "me" from what they were used to before I started school.

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Oct 19, 2014

I start nursing school in January, but since I've been in college I am MORE confident in conversation and have a better general knowledge.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2014

I'm in my last year. When I started, I felt that grades were the most important thing. I sacrificed hours away from my family to earn those A's, because I wanted to go through all levels of school as quickly as possible to earn my Masters.

Not so much now. I love clinical, and I can't wait to be finished so I can get a job as a nurse. I can't wait for that! I'm going to take some time before continuing my education, and just focus on being the best nurse I can be. I want to get through the first year and become that nurse that nursing students love to be assigned to.

Also, nothing grosses me out anymore.

boomerang12 · Oct 19, 2014

I would say the only things that have really changed (other than nursing knowledge obviously) are that I am more of a communicator; less shy and easier to talk to than I used to be, and I definitely care a lot less about other peoples judgements of me; the only thing I really concern myself over these days is doing the best I can for my patients and whether or not I'm going to be a good nurse when I graduate. Other than that I think have more just solidified the kind of person I want to be. I know more now about what I value and the things I am or am not willing to compromise on. Some of that is just growing up, but I will attribute at least part of it to nursing school. -- And as an addition to what the OP poster said about nothing grossing her out, I'll say I've lost my sense of what will gross other people out. Lol.

Everline · Oct 19, 2014

I am not the same person that I was when I started nursing school. There are so many ways it has changed me. I see everyone around me in a different light. I consider the feelings and needs of strangers in a way I never came close to doing before. I have never been much of a talker and that has not really changed. But the things I say to people are geared more to having them talk about themselves and feel that they are being heard. At home, I am much more straight forward than I was before. I also am much better at seeing my own part in disagreements and situations that arise between me and my daughter. I simply think more about situations and strive to improve my relationships in ways I didn't do before school.

But all the changes aren't necessarily good. Nursing school has had a heavy emotional toll on me. And I've lost some of my joy in life. Nursing school has stressed me out so much that sometimes I don't even know how I will back to the more balanced existence I had before. I basically forgot what it was like to have fun. The things I found joy in had to be pushed into the background as I concentrated so heavily on doing well in nursing school. I feel like I lost my happiness and passion. But as I get closer to graduation (just 50-something days away), I feel maybe I'm starting to "come alive" again. Yesterday I went outside and sat on my porch and enjoyed the nice weather. I sat there noticing how good it felt and how beautiful nature is. That was a first for me in a long time. So, I think I just might find my way back to JOY. :-)

sjalv · Oct 19, 2014

I think the most obvious change has been how I communicate with others. Therapeutic communication sounds forced and robotic 90% of the time, but I don't think I had ever said "How are you coping with your problem?" or "How do you feel about that?" before nursing school. They are very obvious questions, but surprisingly not ones that get asked too often in the real world.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2014

I agree sjalv. It's funny how often I use therapeutic communication with my patients, but at this point it feels natural. It's amazing how quickly people open up when you ask a question, and just wait for a response. I'm given more information about a patient, their disease, and any problems they've had by using therapeutic communication than I have asking questions during an assessment. People open up when you spend time to listen.

Loving these responses.

hkqueenx3 · Oct 19, 2014

I think the biggest change for me is I'm definitely becoming thick-skinned :cat: I did not used to be like this, I was always so sensitive, and I couldn't take criticism without it eating me alive and punishing myself.

I'm only in my first semester, but I'm telling you, you learn quickly that you gotta put your big girl panties on for this field. It was tough for me to accept at first, but I'm slowly learning to like it, and hey, I'm thankful that I'm slowly losing that whole baby, crying, sensitive, side of me. You'll make a lot of mistakes on this journey, but you gotta learn from it. I used to hate criticism because I didn't like being told I was wrong, but now I appreciate it so much. My clinical instructor isn't the most easygoing person, so when you don't do something like you were supposed to do, she really lays it on you. I cried my first day of clinical because of that, but now I nod and agree to whatever she says because it helps me see what my strengths and weaknesses are.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Oct 19, 2014

I think mine is just being more comfortable with people in intimate ways. Check offs helped me with that. I'm a very private person and I don't really get up close and personal with people in general. I like people, sometimes I just feel like I am invading personal space. I got over that quickly!! I'm in my first semester.

guest07/14/15 · Oct 20, 2014

I just started nursing school in August and I already noticed that I am opening up to new people much faster. I am also not nervous to give presentations like I used to be.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Oct 20, 2014

Like others, I find myself being more assertive and not worrying so much about what other people think. I still genuinely want to make a good impression and to be liked, but I place a much higher value on knowing for MYSELF that I've done a good job and know my stuff.

Same with the therapeutic communication. I feel like I wanted to be a good listener and communicator before, but now with knowing how to assess and what to ask, I can have a much more productive conversation that helps the client feel heard AND start working on things.

I am even more a perfectionist now. The more I know, the more I expect of myself. This is both good and bad.

I lost a lot of weight at first from stress...and then I GAINED a lot of weight because I combatted stress with chocolate...so I guess that's not much of a change. :)