How difficult

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · May 30, 2005

The most difficult part of nursing school is learning their way of "critical learning" and the clinicals. The nursing classes are definatly more difficult than the prereqs but its all worth it!

Iluvhospice · May 30, 2005

I think that learning to "think like a nurse" is the most difficult part. That, and prioritizing care. They usually put an emphasis on this during the first semester, and then, once you get it, it is required throughout the rest of school and your nursing career.

The nursing school classes are more difficult than prereqs because you have to learn to think differently - as stated above. The classes are more interesting (to me anyway) because they are more applicable - and you get to apply the knowledge in clinicals.

Nursing school is hard, but it's fun too. I'm going to have great memories and great new friends because of it. It was definitely the right decision for me! (did I mention that I have my VERY LAST clinical on July 29th!! )

Best of luck to you! Sarah

Jen2 · May 30, 2005

I did find nursing school very difficult, but not impossible, otherwise, I would have never just graduated. I was a terrible student in high school because I didn't care and didn't apply myself. When I went to college I applied myself 100% and the result is I am now a GN. Anyone can do it if they set their mind to it.

The most difficult part of nursing school for me was the high demands and the discipline. Once I learned how to discipline myself (ie. studying instead of watching TV) I started to do really well. The demands that are put on you by the instructors are very high. I swear sometimes my instructors were plotting our demise. You will learn that there is actually a reason for all of it in the end. Nursing school is hard because nursing is hard and you will be on the front lines with lives in your hands.

My prereqs were a breeze. One of the hardest for me was anatomy because of the whole cat thing. I was so disgusted with that dead cat by the end of the semester I couldn't concentrate anymore. I also had a difficult time with Chemistry, mainly because I never had it in high school and I'm pretty bad with math in general. Many find Microbilogy to be very difficult, but I loved it and it came easy for me mainly because I worked in a lab for years and had a doll of an instructor for the course.

Congrats on being accepted and enjoy the ride. Best of luck to you.

abmsam · May 30, 2005

You'll get as many different answers as there are nursing schools. Each program is very different. For me, nursing school has been the most difficult challenge I've ever faced. Clinicals are the easy part! The hard part for me has been the testing. The tests you take in nursing school are different than any test you have ever taken.

Get ready! It's definitely an exciting ride!

nfsaldal · May 30, 2005

I've found the hardest part of nursing school is the incredible demand on my time. The material itself I didn't find to be so difficult, it was just the amount of time everything took up. Careplans, client preps, terminology, it was endless.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 30, 2005

I was just accepted into the ADN program. I have questions about nursing school? Did you find it to be extremely difficult? What is the most difficult part about nursing school? Which is the most difficult, prereqs or nursing courses?

That depends, what kind of experience do you have? I haven't found nursing school difficult at all yet. I have completed one year and have one year left. The nurses I have talked to told me that if you found A&P easy, then you will do OK in nursing school. The only thing that is hard is when they say something in lecture that you know isn't true, and so you have to unlearn what you know is right, to learn it the way they want it. Other than that, if you have some experience in the field, it should be a breeze.

Love4Me, RN · May 30, 2005

Nursing classes are definately harder than prereqs. I had a hard time reorganizing my time and priorities. I also had a hard time transitioning into thinking like a nurse. I pass my tests usually with good grades, but then in clinical I have to know how to apply the information from my theory to the patient. It is a WHOLE new ball game once in nursing school.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · May 30, 2005

The most difficult part of nursing school for me was the anatomy and physiology. I really learned them well which was what made it so hard. Thank goodness I learned them because that knowledge has really helped me get through. It seems like once you are done with all of your sciences nursing school is a lot of repetition of stuff you already know. There are different classes like OB that are different but if you understand how the body works then you will be fine.

I find nursing school to be a lot of independent study. The profs will mention something and you have to figure it out, i.e. nursing diganoses.

Never get behind. I made that mistake last quarter and I was so stressed out because I was barely getting by by the seat of my pants. The first couple of clinical days are overwhelming because you are with real people who are sick and aren't your classmates.

Read the textbook, if you read you will do so much better. So many people tell me that they don't read and do fine. I was never a reader until last quarter and I was amazed at how much the book helped. The profs lecture as if you understand what they are talking about and leave some things out, when you read the book you will be like, a-ha now I get it. It is amazing how little details can put the entire picture together for you.

Good luck to you, you are in for quite a ride. It won't always be easy and you may doubt your choice at times but stick it out. Nurses care for people at the most vulnerable times in their lives, so they really need to know their stuff.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 30, 2005

It was the toughest most demanding thing I've ever done in my life. Mainly because it was so much to learn in such a little amount of time. Not that it was hard, because I can learn anything I study, but just that it was so much.

Maisie · May 31, 2005

Thanks for the replies. It really helps to know what to expect. I am a career changer-- spent more than 20 years in the computer field, so anything I can learn to prepare me for my new career is helpful.

Tweege · May 31, 2005

I did find nursing school very difficult, but not impossible, otherwise, I would have never just graduated. I was a terrible student in high school because I didn't care and didn't apply myself. When I went to college I applied myself 100% and the result is I am now a GN. Anyone can do it if they set their mind to it.
The most difficult part of nursing school for me was the high demands and the discipline. Once I learned how to discipline myself (ie. studying instead of watching TV) I started to do really well. The demands that are put on you by the instructors are very high. I swear sometimes my instructors were plotting our demise. You will learn that there is actually a reason for all of it in the end. Nursing school is hard because nursing is hard and you will be on the front lines with lives in your hands.
My prereqs were a breeze. One of the hardest for me was anatomy because of the whole cat thing. I was so disgusted with that dead cat by the end of the semester I couldn't concentrate anymore. I also had a difficult time with Chemistry, mainly because I never had it in high school and I'm pretty bad with math in general. Many find Microbilogy to be very difficult, but I loved it and it came easy for me mainly because I worked in a lab for years and had a doll of an instructor for the course.
Congrats on being accepted and enjoy the ride. Best of luck to you.

Wow, My story could be the same, except that the phisiology part of A&P was hard for me. I made an A in the class, but felt like I struggled through it. I haven't had micro yet. Chemistry was tuff, never had it in HS either. I hated math, it's hard for me, didn't care in HS just wanted to get out. But I am alot older now and will work very hard to acheive my goal, unlike 23yrs ago, I want to do well in NS not just get by.I did ok in College Algebra with a B. I guess thats what I worry about most is not doing well with the calculations and such.