How hard is nursing school? Another question...

Published

How hard is nursing school? My passion is to be an RN and I want some real answers lol. I read a post talking about someone contracting HIV.. That's SO scary to me and I feel so bad for that girl! My next question is.. How is the nursing life? What are the hardest parts about being a nurse? And how is working in the ICU? Because I am interested in that. How much is the salary in the first year of being an RN? Another question is... how many years it usually takes to become an RN.. with a BSN?

Specializes in CVICU.
Depending on the route you go for your RN it can be difficult to hard as hell. For example, a 2 year ASN-RN program is like this: 1st week, read 10 chapters for 3 classes (Fundamentals, Fund. Lab, and Pharm), some skill check-offs and 3 lectures ranging from 2 hours to 4 hours long. 2nd week, three tests covering what you read in week 1, then repeat week 1 scenario. week 3 is the same as week 2 etc etc.. The hardest part is keeping up with the reading because even though you are having a test and want to study ALL that material, you have 10 chapters of NEW material to read too. Once Fundamentals is over, you start Med -Surg 1 and its the same just more in depth (disease processes etc) plus homework and clinicals. LONG lecture days, tests pretty much every week, an ungodly amount of reading, long clinical days and pretty much no sympathy from instructors lol. Even though it may not seem that bad in writing, the stress you are under to maintain the scores to stay in the program gets to you, you lose touch with friends/family. Your whole world revolves around getting your studying done. you have NO time for anything else, a 10 minute break for "you time" is nearly impossible at times. You either gain weight because you sit and study and eat while doing so, or you lose weight because you study so much you forget to eat (Ive actually found this a good thing for me so far!). this all goes on for 4 semesters and in my case we only have short breaks in between semesters. Then after you graduate you have to study for the NCLEX and are under stress waiting to take it and waiting for the results. Then you have to find the job that fits you (more stress), once you find the job that fits you have to get into the swing of working on your own without your clinical instructors (more stress) until you finally find you niche and your level of comfort and become a real nurse (somewhere within 5 years of graduating so I am told).

BUT it is kinda fun, and it IS manageable but dont expect a cake walk =)

There are many in my classes that would say the same. I was in a 2 year ADN program and I did not have this experience, but it can be this way depending on the way you learn and the school you go to. My program was very intense, but I found it fairly easy to balance my school life and my home life with my husband and two small kids, and still had time to play all the video games I wanted. It may be because I married someone very supportive who picked up a lot of slack in terms of cooking and cleaning, or because I'm an insomniac who averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night at the time. Either way, I did not find the above to be my experience in a two year program, which is why I say that it's different for everyone.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
It sure seems like law school is easier. I keep hearing kids say they don't know what they will do so they decide to go to law school. It's almost like a default: I don't know what to do, so I'll go to law school. I've never heard anyone say that about nursing school! BTW - just what we need, more lawyers! Ha!

Law school doesn't require a set of prereqs, unlike most professional programs, and largely if you can pay you can go. The sad part about law school, thus the reason I didn't go, was that there are so few jobs for lawyers. There are more student seats than positions with more law schools opening every year. Additionally, law applies to all occupations. All organizations require the assistance of lawyers thus a transferrable job skill even though it's often touted as being more transferrable than it really is. If you get a job requiring a legal knowledge and the J.D. degree then you're going to be a lawyer, but like nursing there are a lot of areas you can work and move about in.

I'm also fickle so I did say that about nursing school. I started nursing school mostly on a "why not" although I was ready for a change. I don't know what I want to retire from. Science teacher, part-time paramedic, cop, nursing student, former law school applier, the list goes on.... Nursing school is the easiest prep program I've had. The hardest part is constantly listening to others b**** about how hard it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I loved all 4 years of nursing school, despite the fact that, at times we all cried and complained. Once you learn how to organize your time, the school is totally doable. Keep in mind that the program is designed to be challenging on purpose. Many people don't graduate, but these are the people who are just downright scary. So they can never be granted a license.

However, as everyone said, it depends on you. If you make up your mind to take it seriously and still have some fun, nursing school can be great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

I think nursing school is what you make of it.. Put in the time and dedication....get back rewards. It can be stressful, overwhelming, fun, interesting, stimulating, easy and hard all at the same time.. It is so subjective as to what you want to get out of it, what type of person/student you are.. For every nurse you will get a different kind of answer. Alot depends on where you go, what your life style is at that time, your background, your finances...list can go on and on. No one is exactly like you so no one can really answer how nursing school will be for you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just wanted to say that for those who think law school is easier than a associates degree in nursing, they are out of their mind and show ignorance. Again, one is an AS, the other is a JD: Juris Doctorate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

The percieved difficulty of nursing school depends entirely on the student!! So that's totally subjective and really cannot be answered.

You have a greater chance of contracted HIV on a date, than from the hospital....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You gotta be mentally strong -- first and foremost. If you're not, it will be extremely challenging for you. What I mean by mentally strong is you can't let stress and anxiety take over. If you do (which I have), you will not succeed. I have to repeat my med surg class because I let stress and anxiety paralyze me from doing anything. It was horrible. I will not let that happen again. I am coming back next semester tougher.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I went into the program with a 4.0 gpa and would never settle for anything lower than an A. However, I just finished my 1st semester in nursing school and have adopted the saying "C = RN". I still strive for that A, but I have a more realistic view on it now. It's hard, but it's doable, especially if you are truly passionate about becoming a RN.

As far as working as a nurse, that completely depends on where you work. The ICU in my opinion would be very stressful when compared to a physician's office that deals with primary care. BUT, again if you are truly passionate about being a RN, that stress becomes obsolete when you realize how rewarding your day has been!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Too Early.

I don't think it is hard. Just a lot of work. It also requires a lot of committment, planning and endurance. Hard though? No I don't think so.

Not so far anyway-ask me in three months. Med-Surg is next semester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm currently in an RN to MSN program. Can you let me know what I'm in for? What are the classes like?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion