Hi I am new to the site but been reading throuh some of your posts for months and have finally decided to make an account.
A little background information is I am currently enrolled at a University and am planning on getting my RN though there. It is a 4 year program But the first 2 are general classes such as math, anatomy, lower levels of psychology, English, Spanish, Art, Sociology, Political Life, MicroBiology, Chemistry, History. than the second 2 years will be my actual nursing courses and upper levels of psychology. I have just begun so still have a little less than 4 years to go, but I think I will make it!
I begun aid work at the age 16, thats when I realized I want to be a Nurse I am now 18. But what I really want to know is how hard is it gonna be? And is there any advice on how to get through it or how to stay organized.. Thank you all so much and any advice is greatly appreciated. also I am working 30 hours a week now, just finished my first quarter of gen-eds 6 more to go . Than to nursing school and the minimum I will be able to go down to and barly get by with paying my bills would be 22 hours a week and i do not have any children. So any way based on what I have told you please give me any advice. Thnak you thank you thank you.
I'm not in ns yet, but from what my friends tell me its not hard in the sense that its difficult to understand - like I found Calculus to be hard since it was like chinese to me. I was told that the hardest part was just doing the work which takes a lot of time.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I did not find it hard, just time-consuming. A LOT of busy work and reading. But it was good experience. Clinicals were challenging. I actually liked those, but also dreaded them.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I think the hardest thing to learn was how to THINK like a NURSE. Careplanning is centered around this. Medical diagnoses are often what we think and try to address when care planning,-----when nursing diagnoses are a separate entity to learn of. You have to learn to think like a nurse to be one. It's like a process of socialization, comparable to military training to me. And I was in the military.
I think the hardest thing to learn was how to THINK like a NURSE. Careplanning is centered around this. Medical diagnoses are often what we think and try to address when care planning,-----when nursing diagnoses are a separate entity to learn of. You have to learn to think like a nurse to be one. It's like a process of socialization, comparable to military training to me. And I was in the military.
Yea, I was told something along those lines as well - that critical thinking and adaptability are important. I'm shooting to start NS next fall hopefully and im so bored right now. Im getting yancy....
If you love it and you love to read anything nursing outside of class and are willing to search for info beyond your textbook and are constantly asking yourself question about why this is so then it's a lot easier I think.
You read 2-3 novels a week on top of nursing school? SUUUUURE.
Heck, I handled a lot while in school with a full time job, a spouse, and 3 kids, but I can assure you, no one has time for 2-3 novels a week on top of it all.
Well actually, I was able to read 2-3 Dr. Suess' to my babies every week.
Reading is my passion! It lets me escape from my dull life and dream a little. I can't be studying all the time and I have to do something to keep my spirits up. Getting cheated on and going through a divorce during NS can really beat ya down, ya know? I suppose it's not entirely healthy that I let myself get lost in a book, but for me, it's the only thing that keeps me sane!
I think the hardest thing to learn was how to THINK like a NURSE. Careplanning is centered around this. Medical diagnoses are often what we think and try to address when care planning,-----when nursing diagnoses are a separate entity to learn of. You have to learn to think like a nurse to be one. It's like a process of socialization, comparable to military training to me. And I was in the military.
I've always maintained that nursing school is BOOT CAMP for nurses!
I'm just finishing up my 2nd semester. The hardest part for me is the NCLEX style test questions. I have never taken exams like NS exams before..and I have a lot of schooling under my belt, got my BS in 1999. I will admit that it has gotten easier, with the more exams I take. I would suggest buying a good NCLEX review book right when you start NS. I have the Saunders 4th edition, and it's worth it's weight in gold! It has really helped me out on my exams, especially in Med-Surg II.
Plus, like others have said, it is INCREDIBLY time consuming. I work 24 hours per week. It's possible, you just have to manage your time effectively. I'm married and my poor husband feels really neglected because I always have my head in a book, or I'm doing clinical paperwork.
With all that said, I absolutely LOVE nursing school. I have learned so much, and I actually feel EDUCATED and am starting to feel like a real nurse.
Anything is possible with hard work and dedication. GOOD LUCK!!
You'll do fine. NS isn't nearly as hard as some people make it out to be. It's usually very basic, very entry level type of stuff. To me, the thing that people find hard is that it's usually all new, unfamiliar material. There's still plenty of time left over to have a social life, so don't let some people tell you that you will be swamped with work 7 days a week.
I have not found nursing school to be all that hard. The hardest thing about nursing school is time management. That's whats so hard. Juggling family, friends, jobs, commitments, etc with all of the work required. And there's a lot fo work. But is it hard? No, the material is not that *hard*. You need to study. You need to do the readings. You need to be prepared and know the material, but it's not difficult. Its all about organization, and giving up part of your life for however long it takes you to complete school, because once you start, school must be your #1 priority until the end.
You'll definitely receive more responses tomorrow. Keep in mind that you're posting at a time of day where many people are sleeping, working, or simply not browsing the internet.
Yeah, sleeping because we have CLINICALS to get up at 4AM for.
It's more work than you will ever imagine but so much more rewarding than I could have ever dreamed. Be prepared to study a LOT, work very hard, and keep an open mind at all times. LISTEN and participate in discussions. Ask any questions you have, even if you think they seem stupid. Make friends - they will be your support system and you will need them!!!
You read 2-3 novels a week on top of nursing school? SUUUUURE.
Heck, I handled a lot while in school with a full time job, a spouse, and 3 kids, but I can assure you, no one has time for 2-3 novels a week on top of it all.
I have a traveling spouse, a homeschooling high schooler, 30 acres, a fixer-upper house, a preschooler, and a Saint Bernard, and I am reading lots of stuff other than my nursing textbooks (and unlike many classmates, I do read my text assignments- before the lecture!). I am re-reading a biography of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Autobiography of Malcolm X, and I start a spy novel or a British murder mystery as soon as I finish the last one. And of course, the news online throughout the day.
Some of us just read a lot. I also read very fast.
Agrippa
490 Posts
I'm not in ns yet, but from what my friends tell me its not hard in the sense that its difficult to understand - like I found Calculus to be hard since it was like chinese to me. I was told that the hardest part was just doing the work which takes a lot of time.