How hard is First semester in Nursing school?

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, I need some advice from those who are in or completed their first semster in nursing school.

I am finishing up my pre-reqs and can begin the application process to the nursing program in my area. One of the campuses that offers it is 10 min from my house, the other is an hour away. Obviously it would be more efficient to go to the closer of the two, but the only problem is that the closer campus only starts in Fall and I still have 2 more co-reqs (Micro and human growth) and would have to take them also in fall. (yes this is allowed but not recommended, but they say you shouldn't have a full time job either and I know that people do and do well) I won't be working and am an excellent student.

So do you think that it would be worth it to wait until spring and apply to the farther campus and have a lighter corse load for the first semester or go ahead and have 6 classes (I did 5 in spring) and then reap the benefits of the other 3 semester being close to home?

Thank you for any advice.

First of all, whatever you decide to do it sounds like you'll do fantastic with it. You're organized, youre thinking ahead, and you're planning. Great qualities to have in nursing/nursing school. My first semester I had my 9 hour nursing courses, then i also took physiology (4 hours) and pharmacology (2 hours). It was stressful, and it was crazy, but I was able to pull it off without pulling every hair out. If you can split up the classes, then do so. take one first semester and the next the other, that will definitely help. I just finished my second semester and i took 2 additional classes with my nursing courses again and found it to be no problem. (even though 1st semester was a joke compared to second semester). I would suggest staying close to home, with gas prices and if you still need to work trying to work your schedule around a 2 hour commute a day gets pretty tough, especially with studying and everything. But again, whatever you decide you'll do great and that's all that matters. Best of luck to you! Let us know what you decide on!

:heartbeat

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Specializes in Im interested in ob,L&D, crna, and np.

good luck!!

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Specializes in Cardiac.
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!

great Idea, my friend in anatomy is video recording the lessons on his laptop and it seems to be working for him! I might have to try and figure out how to do that because I'm very visual.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
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.

haha yes, I had a class last semester and only had to go once a week and it was horrible. I'm glad to hear others are taking additional classes

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Specializes in Cardiac.
First of all, whatever you decide to do it sounds like you'll do fantastic with it. You're organized, youre thinking ahead, and you're planning. Great qualities to have in nursing/nursing school. My first semester I had my 9 hour nursing courses, then i also took physiology (4 hours) and pharmacology (2 hours). It was stressful, and it was crazy, but I was able to pull it off without pulling every hair out. If you can split up the classes, then do so. take one first semester and the next the other, that will definitely help. I just finished my second semester and i took 2 additional classes with my nursing courses again and found it to be no problem. (even though 1st semester was a joke compared to second semester). I would suggest staying close to home, with gas prices and if you still need to work trying to work your schedule around a 2 hour commute a day gets pretty tough, especially with studying and everything. But again, whatever you decide you'll do great and that's all that matters. Best of luck to you! Let us know what you decide on!

:heartbeat

Thank you so much that was very encouraging!!!

I just found out that Human growth is available online so I'm not to worried about that class. I wish I could take it durring summer but I have to wait for fall for more financial aid. But I feel confident that If I chose to start in Fall I can do it.

Thanks everyone who responded with your advice!!!

:yeah:

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Hi Pinkster,

I found the first semester of nursing school to be the most difficult semester. Reason being, you're starting off fresh and all the information and clinical work seems very overwhelming. But as you get further into the program, you become more familiar with everything and it will tend to get easier. I would suggest doing a light load for the first semester so you can get a better feel of everything. I wish you all the best. Good luck!:redbeathe:heartbeat

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It all depends on you. I am in the middle of my first year and am working part time (24hrs but sometimes close to 40) and I am taking an extra class as well, the class is online and simple but does require writing a paper every week. I have a low A, and I am satisfied with that. I am not overly stressed in general, but some days I do get stressed. I know plenty of other students who are doing well and also work full time and take other classes. I know some who don't work aren't taking other classes and aren't doing so well. Its all up to you and what you can handle, or what you want to put yourself thru. Good Luck

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I am in my first semester now and it is very hard. My program is not one to take lightly. It is a lot of information to be digested in a short amount of time. We hit the ground running from the first day of class and it has not let up. And I do not work. I could not even imaging working right now. It is that difficult seriously.

I also hear that it depends on the school you go to. I was under the impression that all nursing programs were pretty much the same as far as hardness, but I have heard that some schools are a bit more relaxed than others.

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Quick reply because I'm so busy with 1st semester nursing school, finish your prereqs!!!! No question about it - and I don't have to work during school. All I do is study and I feel like it's not enough time! Good luck!!

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I had to laugh at the "challenge just figuring what was due for what class" part. That has been the main - if not only - source of stress as I begin this journey toward "RNdom" Seems like there's a new assignment posted every day in one or the other or all of the above. My brain hurts.

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Wonder how that all turned out. Sounded like she needed to just a year and get the pre-reqs done. A/p 1 &2 in the summer sounds intense- We all are guilty of lack patience for our goals.

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Wonder how that all turned out. Sounded like she needed to just wait a year and get the pre-reqs done. A/p 1 &2 in the summer sounds intense- We all are guilty of lacking patience for our goals.

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