How was nursing school?

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2016

Not the OP, but I have a few questions:
What was a typical week like when you started clinicals, schedule wise? Is it like having a full time job?
Yes, between clinicals (2.5 days a week at the beginning to 3 12 hour shifts/week at the end) and classes, it was like having a full time job.
How did you study?
Hard. Seriously, I don't remember beyond rewriting my notes, reading, making note cards and taking practice test.
How did it compare to what you expected - difficulty wise?
It was about what I expected. But then again, I was a Rad Tech before nursing school. And I took the registry when it was pencil and paper and took 6 hours.
What sorts of things did you do during clinicals?
Passed meds, basic nursing care, treatments, dressing changes, observation, etc.
Did you get to pick your clinical site?
What was the last semester like? Did you get to choose a specialty to focus on?
We requested our 3 choices for a final practicum. I chose Onc, Tele, and I think Neuro. I precepted on the ONC floor.
And because it won't let me post without adding more (My post is too short?) I am typing this!
TIA :)

And because it won't let me post without adding more (My post is too short?) I am typing this!

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Jun 24, 2016

Not the OP, but I have a few questions:
What was a typical week like when you started clinicals, schedule wise? Is it like having a full time job?
I had class twice a week for three hours and clinical 1-2 times a week for 8ish hours. It was definitely a full time commitment. I did manage to work 1-2 shifts a week and have some semblance of a life, though.
How did you study?
I made myself charts for each disease process that included assessment findings, labs, images; nursing diagnoses; treatments and meds; and how to evaluate. For meds and labs values, lots of cards and memorization. For skills, I spent at least a good afternoon a week, sometimes two, in the skills lab practicing with people.
How did it compare to what you expected - difficulty wise?
Less difficult than I'd expected. It was time consuming and not for the lackadaisical, but I had a pretty okay life-school balance. And as long as I managed my time well and got in to my professors early if something didn't make sense, I was able to get a grasp on things before exams.
What sorts of things did you do during clinicals?
Assessments, ADLs, and meds, mostly. Stuff like tube feeds, wound care, etc. were unfortunately pretty rare, so most of that I did for the first time on orientation for my first job.
Did you get to pick your clinical site?
No. They did offer us a choice of days to have clinical, which they tried very hard to stick to when making clinical assignments.
What was the last semester like? Did you get to choose a specialty to focus on?
Mine was the same as the rest of the semesters. We were on a telemetry unit, and several of us got a day to observe in the OR for kicks and giggles. And, each of us ran "charge" for our group one day, which basically meant that we made the assignment and helped everyone get their work done. No other big differences that I remember.
TIA :)

Hope that helps!

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Jun 24, 2016

Thanks so much, guys!! I really appreciate it!

BSN16 · Jun 25, 2016

Wasn't all that bad, met my boyfriend there :saint:

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 25, 2016

It was hell. Our motto was "Just keep swimming" like Dory. She was our mascot. Started with close to 100. 29 graduated. All passed the NCLEX. Very stressful. I completed and ADN program. RN-BSN was great and so far MSN is even better.

cocoa_puff · Jun 25, 2016

Mr. Bingley: "Nursing school was very agreeable"

Mr. Darcy: "Barely tolerable, I dare say. But not handsome enough to tempt me."

cocoa_puff · Jun 25, 2016

I'm sorry, as a result of nursing school I can only answer questions in an NCLEX format. Would you mind offering me four choices that either all seem right or all seem wrong?

Which of the following would be an appropriate response for the graduate nurse to make when questioned about her/his experience in nursing school?

a) Nursing school was challenging but I learned a lot

b) I thought nursing school was challenging but I also learned a lot

c) Although nursing school was challenging, I learned a lot

d) I learned a lot even though nursing school was challenging

JVLims · Jun 25, 2016

Typical week for me: clinical twice weekly at different sites, one a good 45 minutes away from the college. Would compare it to a part time gig. ADN, so by 4th semester we were team leader with an assignment of 3-4 patients on 3-11, community hospital site. 1st semester clinical was at the hospital's LTC/swing unit learning basic bedside care and organization. OB and peds more limited. Psych at a large state hospital on a locked unit.

Studying never ever stopped. Worked in a mall 2 jobs off hours and studied all the time. Prep course for boards, passed 1st time, thanks to my program, the review course to build my confidence, and lots of studying.

We did NOT have choices. All commuted, those commuting furthest had first pick of sites nearer their homes. Other than that, no. Have to say for new nurses I believe structure trumps choic. I read a lot of posts here from new grads who had lots of choices within their programs and they sound rudderless once they are in the workplace. Structure, even that which limits choice, helps give new nurses room to grow, IMHO.

What was my nursing school experience like? A boot camp with a degree conferred at the end...and I probably would not change it.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2016

Ack...I typed this originally last night, but it wouldn't let me post for some reason.

Not the OP, but I have a few questions:
What was a typical week like when you started clinicals, schedule wise? Is it like having a full time job? I want to say it was twice a week, and for sure it wasn't every week. Factor in lectures and studying, and I'd say it compares to at least a hefty part time job, possibly more depending on how much you need to study
How did you study? took very good, detailed notes in class -- then copied them when I got home to make them neat and easy to look at. I took them in outline form to make them visually neater, and I read them aloud to myself and my then-newborn baby. My learning style is very auditory, so the reading aloud helps
How did it compare to what you expected - difficulty wise? More difficult than I'd expected, but not all-consuming either. I made plenty of time to see my sister/parents/friends, etc.
What sorts of things did you do during clinicals? Tons and tons of assessments and care plans, plus practice hands-on skills like giving meds, starting IVs etc.
Did you get to pick your clinical site? Nope
What was the last semester like? Did you get to choose a specialty to focus on? Last semester we dug deeper into med-surg nursing stuff, and learned about critical care (vs the typical med-surg focus) More assessments and care plans. The final month or so of the semester, we were finished with classes and doing our internships (working 1:1 with an RN, not in a group with other students and a clinical instructor. We submitted our top 3 choices for specialties/units; the faculty then decided who would go where.
TIA :)

NineWays · Jun 25, 2016

I graduated from nursing school on May 13th. So my experience is extremely fresh. My school had a day and evening program. I enrolled in the evening session as I worked full-time during the day. The first two semesters of my ADN program were tiring, but uneventful. The instructors who oversaw those semesters were organized, and stuck to the syllabus. In other words, you knew what the expectations were. Clinical were from 5p to 10p during the week. However, my program fell apart during third and fourth semesters. The instructors charged with those semesters were stupid, lazy, idiots. It was an extremely stressful time. We were forced to do 12-hour clinical, as opposed to 9-hour clinical posted in syllabus. I was eventually forced to take my many concerns regarding the incompetent instructors to a dean, and the president of the university. I am still waiting to hear whether or not the incompetent instructors have been fired. My advice, is to talk to students at the schools you are considering. Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself. Right now, unless major changes occur, I wouldn't recommend my nursing program to anyone. Nursing school isn't easy. But you don't need incompetent, bumbling, indifferent instructors to make the journey more stressful.

NCH, RN · Jun 25, 2016

"What was a typical week like when you started clinicals, schedule wise? Is it like having a full time job?"

Nursing school itself was like having a full time job, being married and having two kids made it that much harder, more on this at the end. Clinicals during the first three semesters weren't that bad time wise, twice a week for 6 or 8 weeks at 8 hours each day.

"How did you study?"

I mainly took notes and read the chapters at least once, more if I wasn't comfortable. I did use the For Success books in every class, especially for the practice questions.

"How did it compare to what you expected - difficulty wise?"

It was about as difficult as I expected, very time consuming. I went from a straight A student to an average of a B student.

"What sorts of things did you do during clinicals?"

During all but the last semester I felt like a CNA that was always in the way, we were able to administer meds maybe twice during each semester.

"Did you get to pick your clinical site?"

For the last semester we were able to give a preferred floor, which most of us were actually able to get.

"What was the last semester like? Did you get to choose a specialty to focus on?"

No specialty but it was the semester that made me happy again that I chose nursing. Clinicals were amazing, my preceptor was wonderful, she taught me a lot, had me do almost every procedure while supervising me and all of the other nurses on the floor would grab us to show me anything new that came up, I loved the last semester.

As far as class though, our class instructor was very tough and looking back now, our tests were harder and more stressful than the NCLEX. I came the closest to failing a class during the last semester, for the following reasons.

Sorry if TMI here.

The biggest impact for me was my family, my wife was very supportive during the first three semesters, and would constantly stress that I should focus on school and graduate. However this fell apart during the last semester and she never spoke up to me about it, well rather she lied about it as I always tried to keep tabs on how we were doing and was told that she was happy, but anyways. Two weeks left in the last semester, I had two tests one week, and three finals the next week, on a Monday morning she left me and moved in with another man, her "friend" she says, I had the kids living with me and would have to leave the house every other night for her to visit them. I managed to barely pass but it was very tough.

So overall I am very happy with my nursing school experience, even with my divorce happening, it showed me what I was capable of dealing with and still succeeding.

Libby1987 · Jun 25, 2016

Not the OP, but I have a few questions:
What was a typical week like when you started clinicals, schedule wise? Is it like having a full time job?
Not like a full time job. I worked part time and played part time. Carried a full load at a 4 year.
How did you study?
Groups, flash cards, lecture notes, rote memory.
How did it compare to what you expected - difficulty wise?
Academically not too hard, I was/am inherently wired to know what *they're* looking for.
Careplans were easy for me, made sense and I just understood the concept. (Made it easy when I had to do them for work)
Clinicals were easy on the task end, difficult on the pathopysioology end. I wasn't putting it together at that point.
I was very young as well as emotionally immature at 19 but my brain was fresh. Had I been more mature and had any life experience it would have been a better learning experience but I ended growing on the job.
What sorts of things did you do during clinicals?
Assessments, personal care, near perfect beds but past the bounce a coin era, tasks like catheters, meds I think.
Senior practicum was in a busy ER but most was on the clinic side. I did participate in a trauma and had to place a Foley while MDs were doing things like establishing an airway and nurses starting IV, pushing meds etc, I was very nervous but it was pretty exciting.
Did you get to pick your clinical site?
I don't recall.
What was the last semester like? Did you get to choose a specialty to focus on?
See above.
We were so ready to graduate. We were going to have a polyester melt party to dispose of our dreaded smocks.
TIA :)

For nostalgia sake, and a glimpse of the old days.