How is Nursing school?

Hey, so happy you're considering becoming a NICU nurse as a junior in hs! Just a reminder that you need to take your gen-ed's and prerequisites before you apply into nursing school (Traditional BSN track). Your prerequisites generally test your study skills and academic strength so the nursing admissions can see how well you may be able to apply yourself in the actual nursing program. Keep in mind that you have to consider the requirements of each nursing program you plan to apply to so that in your first two years of prerequisites (for the traditional BSN), you can exceed these minimum requirements and make yourself a stronger candidate for competitive programs. Try volunteering in a hospital department that will expose you to the actual work of nurses (not just secretarial duties or stocking supplies). You can also try and shadow nurses and see what the work is like. I've taken an early interest like you have to become a NICU nurse and I volunteered in the ER/ICU (for critical care experience) and then the newborn nursery (for the mother/baby experience).

As for your questions, with my specific program (after you finish 2 years of prereqs & geneds, apply into the program, and get in), 2 days of the week are dedicated to lectures. Each of these 2 days has 2 different classes that last for 3 hours long beginning from 10:30 am until the 2^nd lecture of the day ending at 4 pm (so, 4 separate classes). The other days of the week are dedicated to either labs on campus or 12-hour clinicals 6-7 am to 6-7 pm. It’s a lot of sacrifice but if you’re really passionate about becoming a nurse then you will get through school. The key is to balance other parts of your life and you will be able to actually have a life. Studying becomes a priority but you have to remember to take breaks as well. If you have any other questions, let me know!

Thank you soo much!

What is a typical day like in nursing school?

-BUSY! at least at my school! in my first semester, i took 3 land classes and 1 online class...mind you i have a 1+ hr commute to and from school ... the reason i was so busy is because i was on a wait list .... i got a call to start my clinicals in the spring of 12. had i declined, i would have started in the fall of 12 and could have only taken 2 classes this semester. it was rough, but i got thru it!

Do you like it?

-i LOVE it!

How long does your day usually last?

-it all depends on your classes, just want to say this, just because classes are out, doesn't mean it stops there. there is always homework and reading which you must stay on top of or you will fall behind.

Do you ever get to do anything outside of nursing while in college?

-for me? no! not trying to discourage you, but nursing school is hard work. as i mentioned before, school doesn't stop once you leave and come home, there is always readings to do and exams to study for.

--lecture, after lecture, after lecture. read your notes daily and pay close attention in class. 2 days were clinical experience as nursing student...you master giving bed baths...lol.

--i love nursing school. i will miss my professors = cherish them, once you graduate you are now the rn and can't run to teacher for help.

--clinicals are roughly 7-8 hour shifts, 2 days a week. lecture was 8 hours, and lab was 4 hours.

--i didn't work=thank the lord my parents supported me (i will work during rn-bsn though). i serve at a church and was able to continue doing that throughout nursing school. once exams come in, there really isn't time to do anything.