How did you feel in NP school?

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Specializes in Mother/Baby.

Hi everyone,

So this was my first week of NP school through ODU. I am on the WHNP track right now. It's the end of week 1, and I am having some serious doubts about whether this is something I want to do or not.

When you were in NP school, how did you feel? When I am sitting in class and they are telling me the work that is required, instead of being up to the challenge, I find myself not being excited at all. Usually, I like school, but I can't even imagine myself doing all this work. It seems overwhelming and I wonder if I can even keep up. There is a lot of self-teaching involved, and I am also working part-time.

I am taking Advanced Patho, Advanced Pharm, Advanced Health Assessment and Lab, a research class and a class in family health.

Does my lack of enthusiasm mean that this might not be right for me?

Thank you.:(

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Was that your course schedule for the entire year, or just this semester? If it's this semester, I don't blame you!

I'm just starting my first semester of an FNP program. I'm doing it over three years, so I'll be taking roughly two classes every semester, and going through the summers also. I work part time.

I'm somewhat overwhelmed now, also. I got my BSN 7 years ago now, and I've gotten nice and used to being lazy and doing what I want, when I want. Being on a school schedule now is a major bummer. ;)

I think it will be worth it in the end. I hope. I'm treating as a new job in a way...it takes time to get involved, feel invested, and make friendships with your peers. Until then, it's easy to feel very blah about the whole thing.

Can you slow your schedule down at all?

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BTW, I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate writing papers, so that is what I am dreading most at this point. And i know there will be a lof of that!

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Specializes in Mother/Baby.

Yes, all of those classes are in one semester. I could go to part-time and do a couple of classes a semester and stretch it out over 3 years, however I would prefer not to do that because I'd rather not wait to start a family for three years...I was hoping to start one earlier than that. I don't want to be in school for three years..yikes! I already did 6 years of undergraduate school (two bachelor's degrees). I just don't know how to tell if I even want to do this or not.

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Specializes in Mother/Baby.

Yes the papers are horrendous!!! We have to write a proposal for a research project...a paper that is stretched out over 3 semesters. I couldn't care less about designing a research project either, and I can't even come up with a topic right now that I would be interested in absorbing myself in for three semseters.

Oh yeah, and I have papers in most of my other classes. They must really want to weed out people this semseter!

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I'm not sure what to do about the family issue either. I turn 30 in December, so basically I'm planning on TTC during school at some point. We actually started last summer and found out we both have some fertility problems, so that's going to be an extra challenge. (Once upon a time, I thought I would be done with both school and kids before I turned 30. Doh!) :chuckle

I figure I'll just slow it down to 4 or even 5 years if I absolutely have to. I like my current job, so I'm not in a huge hurry to get out.

Our research project is supposed to be more of a small group thing, from my understanding. I don't take my research class until next year though, then we'll get more involved with it after that. I'm already trying to think of general ideas though!

I think the answer will present itself to you as you continue through the program. You'll either get into it or you'll find yourself running away screaming. ;)

I posted something similar a few weeks ago, should be down below. Post is called "Is it normal to feel this way?" Got some good replies.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I'd be feeling overwhelmed if I had that many classes at once too (I work full time!). In fact, I'm feeling overwhelmed and I am doing 3 classes this term (patho, stats, role prac).

Three years will pass whether you're in school or not - I'd rather do it at my own pace and do as well as I can, without going mental. You're the only one who knows what works for you. I would wait a few weeks and see how the classes are panning out though - it's too early to tell yet IMHO.

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Having a lack of enthusiasm for class... although I wasn't out of school for as long, I remember feeling deflated when I realized NP school had some impractical "hoop jumping" in it. Or that some of my profs were PhD's who hadn't touched a patient in years trying to teach me about ARDS... um hmm. For some reason I thought it would be different. That first semester was frustrating.

Wait until you get into clinical. That is where the rubber meets the road and the real people live and work. Then you will know if you could see yourself in that role. The learning also makes much more sense after you've been with an NP in action. It also may help to think about why you decided to pursue this in the first place.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I think anyone would be overwhelmed with that schedule! Don't worry, you are normal. :) I was a full time student NP student too and was working part time as an RN also, so I totally understand how you are feeling right now. After a while you will get into your routine and it won't seem so crazy. (ok, it will still be crazy, but somewhat more manageable hopefully!) good luck. :)

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Specializes in ER.

Last night was my first round of classes....and let me say, I am right there with you in feeling a lack of enthusiasm, at the moment, for doing all this! And I am only taking 8 credit hours- advanced patho, and research.

I am trying to remember that in undergrad, I felt overwhelmed at the start of EVERY semester when I read the syllabus...thinking about all that work as one big chunk. Then, when I was done hyperventilating, I would remind myself to take one day at a time, one assignment at a time. It never failed that as the semester progressed I was, indeed, busy but I calmed down and gained confidence in my ability to keep up.

I have faith (Lord, let it be true!:bow: ) that this will be the same way. I have my elephant on the plate, and took a bite last night (although it felt like I was using a plastic fork).

We'll get through it.....if it wasn't doable there would be no APNs out there, right?

P.S. I REALLY need to go part -time at work:lol2:

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Specializes in Mother/Baby.

Thanks so much for the comments! I think that makes sense about feeling overwhelmed at first when you learn about everything you have to do. I decided to stick it out and try to get myself together. Thanks so much for the encouragment everyone!

LeesieBug good luck in school. It's nice to know somewhere, someone is feeling the same as me. I really recommend part time!!! Even going part time, I wish I had less hours to work, but that's not an option for me.:rolleyes:

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I am in an online RN to BSN program that started last Monday. I'm taking 18 hrs. and I don't know what I was thinking. Getting back in the swing of school stinks. I am exhausted, feel like I'm getting too old for all this college stuff. I feel out of place and overwhelmed and wonder if I can even keep up. I really do not look at all the coursework with the same enthusiasm I would have in my early 20's.

It just seems like a burden and a hassle and more to complicate my mind when I need to simplify my life.

I keep pressing on, though. I guess a lot of it is that I wouldn't know what else to do with myself. If I spent my free time doing crossword puzzles or watching tv I would feel guilty. Just last night I was talking to another nurse (LPN) at work who was burned out and trying to figure another "job" to get into. The way I see it, she can only move horizontally--from one dead end situation to another. I'm hoping that with a BSN, and then a NP, I can at least look forward to moving vertically. It's like the Gold Rush, I guess; people leaving out for the West hoping and searching for a better life. I just hope to have more luck than most of them did.

So, in spite of feeling burdened and unenthisiastic with my studies I'm sticking with it, hoping it will pay off in the long run.

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