I'm interested in nursing but not sure...

trb76 · Apr 23, 2012

I'm not sure about where you want to go to school, but at the school I am going to you are in school most of the day Monday-Thursday with class 2 days and clinicals 2 days. So I know go 5 day. It's pretty much a full time deal. But I would suggest calling your prospective schools and just asking them. They are all usually pretty available to answer any questions we have.

Good luck!

HM-8404, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2012

This may sound harsh, I'm sorry it is not meant to. If you want the "full college experience" get a BA. If you want to become a nurse go to nursing school. Nursing classes are not like other classes, anything under 75 in a nursing class is a failure and you will be dropped from the program. You cannot just retake it the next semester. You are also not allowed to drop a class because you don't like the teacher. This is why many nursing programs have high attrition rates. Going into a nursing program with a high GPA is no guarantee of even passing the classes.

People go to nursing school to be nurses not to party all weekend or find friends to go on Spring Break with.

NP Sam · Apr 23, 2012

You might be able to get the "college experience" your first semester. After that (if you are serious) you will want to focus on getting the highest grades you can. If you do not want to spend all day the nursing school I don't think you are really ready yet for this. There may be others careers that might be more suited for you. I personally think there is NOTHING wrong with you wanting the college experience. If you are paying for college you should have a little fun and be able to be involved in activities that happen in college.

I will not even discuss salary with you because you must be prepared for the long hours and be accepted beforehand. Best of luck to you. I hope I do not sound too harsh... Maybe I am talking from an accelerated BSN point of view.

AlexisNicole · Apr 23, 2012

Thanks! That doesn't seem bad i just don't want to be in class from 7am-7pm everyday

Boxer Mama · Apr 23, 2012

Like the previous posts, and also not wanting to sound harsh, I agree maybe nursing school is not for you right now and maybe a BA where you can bridge to a BSN might be a better way to start. I think if you get the "full" college experience, you will not make it in nursing school. Beside being in class or clinicals most of the week, the amount of dedication to homework and studying in huge. There is so much to learn and no easy way to do it other than study, study and more studying. Other things will have to take a backseat to nursing. You have to be willing to commit all or nothing because these programs are very competitive and there are other older students who have no need to party and their main goal is to get into the program and will do anything to get there. Also, I think you should have the college experience. There is nothing wrong with that. Just make sure nursing is something you are willing to commit to before putting a lot of money and time into it to find out you are just not ready for this type of program. Good luck!

NP Sam · Apr 23, 2012

No you won't be in class THAT long, maybe. Mine was typically 8-5pm. However, my prerequisite courses had very long hours and I would be in class until 9 pm sometimes. It depends...

mplovex · Apr 24, 2012

As long as you learn fast how to balance out studying and maintaining high grades, then you can experience college as much as you want your first 2 years when you take your gen-eds and prerequisites. Just don’t slip on your grades and make sure you’re at least getting some type of experience, whether it be working or volunteering in a medical setting. You don’t want to have a less competitive academic profile applying into the actual traditional BSN nursing program because it lowers your chances of getting in.

In my program, you’re in lectures from 10:30 am – 4 pm 2 days a week. You’re in labs or 12-hour clinicals the other 3 days of the school week. Nursing school is a huge sacrifice and a lot of studying but if you’re really passionate about becoming an L&D nurse or a neonatal nurse then you’ll push yourself through school and all that sacrifice will pay off in the end. Get into and through the program first and then maybe you’ll figure out a specialty you’ll truly love during your clinicals that you’re willing to sacrifice this college experience you want for the last 2 years of your BSN.

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Apr 24, 2012

At my school, I will be in class Monday-Friday from 8:00-3:00 p.m. I don't have the option of taking part-time classes. My school is full-time, days, only. I'll have nursing lab once a week and clinicals once a week for 5 hours, during my first semester. Attendance to classes, lab and clinicals is mandatory.

As far as your schedule is concerned, I think it varies from program to program. Some are more lengthy than others. If you have the option to do part-time classes and that interests you, by all means take it. So really, your days and hours may differ.

I don't think you'd be missing out on anything as far as college experiences are concerned. It is up to you to make it what it is. Just know, that nursing school is demanding. It can require most of your time. If you're good at time management, there is no reason for you to not enjoy university activities.

Good luck to you. :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2012

I wanted to be either a labor & delivery nurse or a neonatal nurse but im not sure about the schooling
If i go to a University for a BSN will i be at clinicals and lectures all day? Will i still get the full college expierience? I dont want to be spending all of my day at the nursing school. Can you tell me your avergae day when you were in college for your BSN
Also any info about Labor & delivery or neontatal nurse, salary, which you perfer, etc.
BTW im going to be in Florida

I think the question you need to ask yourself, first and foremost, is "how much do I want to become a nurse?" Because if the answer is dependent on how much time off you'll have for other fun, I think the answer to that question is really "not much".

You've mentioned two highly competitive, highly specialized areas of nursing. If you don't have the dedication to commit to what can be very long hours of prep time, clinical time, lab skills time....you won't get anywhere near those specialties.

The amount of class time is only a portion of the time you'll need to devote to the program. Study time for nursing is long and tedious; there's care plans and papers to write (as you might do in any course) but add in the skills lab and well....you've got a large chunk of your day dedicated.

I realize you're quite young, and don't want to miss out on "the college experience". But for those who are fighting tooth and nail to get INTO nursing school, STAY in nursing school, and then find a job AFTER nursing school....your question becomes irrelevant.

If you want to become a nurse, be prepared for alot of study time outside of classes, alot of practice time in the skills lab, alot of clinical time and the prep work for all that. If you'd rather have a more relaxed college life it doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, just that you should steer away from nursing and look at Liberal Arts.