I didn't think I would say this but.... I miss nursing school!

[Nola009]

Less than a year ago, I graduated from a very competitive rigorous ADN program. I grew to care for a lot of former study buddies, eventhough I didn't realize how much at the time. Too worried about passing my own classes and clinicals. It was rough on all of us and we didn't always get along all that well. I mean, there are a few former study buddies I remain in contact with, but it's not the same. We all have crazy schedules now and seemed to have moved on to "the real world".

I remember that I kind of 'white knuckled' it through the program, hanging on for dear life bc the pass/fail margin was so small. I said that if I can just get through this, and get my degree--- I'm so outta here! The sky's the limit as soon as I graduate and pass that NCLEX!!!

The truth is that I had some of the most profound learning experiences of my life thus far during nursing school, and they weren't all about healthcare. I learned so much about myself, the way I really feel, and realate. I learned to read people a little better... and so much more I can't put into words right now.

I just wanna know if anyone's with me. Now that you've graduated and moved on, do you miss nursing school??

[visionary123]

I was just thinking about how I missed nursing school too. i also graduated less than a year ago from an excellent ADN program. I've kept in loose contact with some of the nursing students, but while we were in school we talked all the time . Now I don't even want to call them because I am too embarrassed to tell them that i am still looking for work. For various reasons (mainly because I had a long-time home care client), I did not start seriously looking for an RN job until about a month ago, and still have not found one. I am envious of the nursing students that I run into at the hospital and/or clinic because I miss caring for patients. I also really enjoyed working with my instructors and preceptors and the freedom that I felt being able to ask any question I wanted about anything we were doing. I asked our public health nurse to please let me know about any volunteer opportunities, but so far I've only been able to volunteer at a immunization clinic.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I think about it all the time. Nursing school was so comfortable and so predictable compared to the floor!

[ceebeejay]

I only miss my a few of my professors. They were wonderful to learn from and to work along side of in clinical. The rest, not so much.

[Bouncyball]

I guess I'm the odd one out. I hated nursing school and am so happy to be out in the real world. I have not missed school for one second. It was high school all over again and the instructors were awful. I'm dreading having to go to a Rn-bsn program too.

[Lola Lou, BSN]

I miss the fact that other people's lives were not dependent on my care in nursing school. I miss the day when prioritizing referred to which test I should study for and which paper I should finish first. I'm just not sure my brain could have handled many more semesters of nursing school.

ON THE OTHER HAND...I don't mind the paycheck that I get every two weeks and the fact that when I leave the hospital for my four days off I can focus on other things besides nursing. There are pros and cons to both worlds I guess:cool: