How hard is First semester in Nursing school?

2006RNCS · Jun 11, 2008

I would not suggest taking Micro and Human Growth along with nursing classes. Both classes are fairly difficult, and you don't know what to expect from your first nursing classes, so I wouldn't recommend it.

You took 5 classes last semester, but both these classes are fairly difficult and time consuming, and A LOT of info is thrown at you during your first couple of semesters of nursing courses. I don't recommend taking any extra courses while in nursing school. I only took nursing courses while in nursing school, and I graduated at the top of my class. Some classmates of mine did take co-reqs along with nursing courses, but they normally struggled or were very stressed. I didn't work while in nursing school either. Some do, and I applaud them, but I couldn't risk it. It wasn't easy, but I managed to get by financially until graduation. Some don't have that choice though.

I can see where the closer classes would really be an advantage over the course of the program, but I still wouldn't recommend taking two hard classes at the beginning of nursing school. Can you take one the first semester, and another the second semester? If you can, that might be an alternative.

Good luck!:heartbeat

Jules A, MSN · Jun 11, 2008

That is a tough call although I would probably try whatever I could to start a semester sooner and be much closer. I didn't think the nursing program work was all that difficult and my biggest issues with the first semester was getting used to all the politics etc. that seem to be a part of nursing school.

I did growth and development for my RN while in LPN school and found it to be an easy fluffy class however I'm not sure I would have wanted to do micro along with a full load of nursing classes. I did take an extra class each semseter all through and worked a min of 30 hours a week so it can be done.

Can you take micro this summer? What about doing a CLEP for growth and development? One school that I considered accepted CLEPs for that one. I'd try everything possible to at least get one of those classes out of the way now. You young students amaze me! Best wishes.

OregonGal · Jun 11, 2008

First semester is about learning how to organize yourself and settle into the nursing coursework "style".

After I was accepted into a program, I was given advice from the 2nd year students about getting my prereq's out of the way, take all the classes I could during the summer, so that I could concentrate on nursing coursework in the Fall. It was excellent advice! I also quit my full time job right before school started.

I agree with previous posts, although it may be possible to do nursing school and work/take extra courses, it all adds to the stress. The amount of reading assignments far surpass the amount of time in a day.

Because my program (2 year RN) admittance was based on a lottery drawing, it took me 7 years to get in. I wasn't about to mess around with my ability to stay in the program. I made sure my prereq's were out of the way. Out of about 100 people we started with in the fall, we have about 80 left (various reasons).

Do what you need to, and remember nothing is impossible. :specs:

MikeyJ, RN · Jun 11, 2008

I think it depends what your first semester consists of. Some programs have an excruciating first semester while others ease you into it with only a few classes.

First semester for me was definitely tough -- mainly because it is a huge learning curve, and nursing school is all about busy busy work. It was a challenge just figuring what was due for what class.

OregonGal · Jun 11, 2008

An example of what was covered in my first semester (NUR106) for 9 credit hours (which is no reflection on the large amount of studying outside of class):

Lecture Topics (2-4 hours each):

Skin Assessment

Elimination

Professional Issues

Medications

Barriers

Clincial Decision Making

ADPIE (Nursing Process)

Parenteral Meds

Functional Assessment

Homestatis

Cardio Pulmonary

Oxygen & Perfusion

Self Care Model

Communication

Older Adult

Pharmacology Classifications

Immobility

Role of the Nurse

Client Records

Nutrition

Antibiotics

Ethics

Values & Culture

APA Style

Projects:

Community Survey Presentation

Older Adult Interview

Health Promotion Project

Culture Paper

Lab:

Musculoskeletal Techniques (1 hour)

Intro to Medication Administration (4-8 hours)

Isolation Precautions (2 hours)

Sterile Gloving (1 hour)

Sterile Field (2-6 hours)

Injection site selection (2-4 hours)

Drawing Up Meds from Vial & Ampule (2-4 hours)

IM Injections (2 hours)

SQ & ID Injections (2 hours)

Urinary Catheterization (4-6 hours)

Mixing meds in a syringe (2-4 hours)

Cardiopulmonary Assessment (4 hours)

Oxygen Adminstration (1 hour)

Simulation Lab: transition into clinical & cardio assessing

Video Lab: Communication & Human Needs

And also Clinical site experience for 12 hours per week x 5-6 weeks

Doing the prep work, keeping things organized, and testing on each subject keeps one busy!!!!

meyun06 · Jun 11, 2008

I thinks it's best to get all of your non nursing classes out of the way. I've taken all of my non nursing courses(AP1&AP2 lec/lab,psychology, human growth, etc.) so when I go to nursing school, I can just focus on those nursing courses. Whatever you decide GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

casi, ASN, RN · Jun 11, 2008

I think it depends on you and what else you have going on in your life. I wouldn't say my first semester was hard, but I will say it was a lot of work and a lot of information to digest.

Saying that I'm sure there are a lot of people who do pre-reqs and nursing course work simutanously and succeed wtih it. It at all possible I would see if I could break up micro and human developement between two semesters or take them in the summer.

A fulltime job is definately difficult to do in nursing school.

jla623 · Jun 11, 2008

That is a tough one. I think it would be very difficult to take two additional classes. I think you could get by with one, but two is pushing it. I know my first semester was very hard and there is no possible way I could have taken on anything else. Even when you are not in class, you are still practicing for skills check-offs....it's more time consuming than you might think.

Do you HAVE to take the classes first semester or will they let you take one first and one second semester? Maybe they would work with you.

Pinkster · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks for all the input everyone!

I wish I could take Micro over the summer, but I am already taking AP 1&2 over the summer. Its a lot to digest in such a short time, but I'm a week away from finishing A&P 1 and I'm pretty sure I've got an A (if I do well on my test tonight lol)

I know that they are offering Mico Online (fall) with an in class lab on Saturdays

and Human growth I'm not sure if that would be online or what, that would probably be a deciding factor as well.

jla623...thanks that is a good suggestion, and yes I would be able to take human growth and development in second semester. That would also help my budget.

Here is the schedule for the first semester (M-F)

Fall Semester

NUR 1820Socialization I

Credits 1

NUR 1142Pharmacology

Credits 2

NUR 1022CIntroduction to Nursing

Credits 4

NUR 1024CNursing I

Credits 3

Total Credits

10

I am just thinking that If i am driving an hour each way thats two hours a day that I don't have to study anyway that I could use for another course, ya know? Because the drive itself is very stressful, two lanes most of the way, which is veryy aggrivating when you need to be somewhere on time lol

OregonGal · Jun 11, 2008

Consider recording the lectures/discussions, so you can review as you fall asleep at night, or running errands in the car. Digital recorders work best, because you can download them on your computer easily. Multi-tasking!

jla623 · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks for all the input everyone!
I wish I could take Micro over the summer, but I am already taking AP 1&2 over the summer. Its a lot to digest in such a short time, but I'm a week away from finishing A&P 1 and I'm pretty sure I've got an A (if I do well on my test tonight lol)
I know that they are offering Mico Online (fall) with an in class lab on Saturdays
and Human growth I'm not sure if that would be online or what, that would probably be a deciding factor as well.
jla623...thanks that is a good suggestion, and yes I would be able to take human growth and development in second semester. That would also help my budget.
Here is the schedule for the first semester (M-F)
Fall Semester
NUR 1820 Socialization I
Credits 1
NUR 1142 Pharmacology
Credits 2
NUR 1022C Introduction to Nursing
Credits 4
NUR 1024C Nursing I
Credits 3
Total Credits
10
I am just thinking that If i am driving an hour each way thats two hours a day that I don't have to study anyway that I could use for another course, ya know? Because the drive itself is very stressful, two lanes most of the way, which is veryy aggrivating when you need to be somewhere on time lol

Then I think you have made up your mind! I think the whole driving thing would get old pretty quick. The first choice just seems SO much better even though you may have to work a little harder. I'm taking some additional classes 3rd and 4th semester.