Is there anyone who thinks school is not that bad?

sneakymom2011 · Jan 27, 2010

My first semester was hard.

Clinical was hard- we got placed in an oncology unit- and our clinical instructor was a L&D nurse. It was an interesting clinical- but I was VERY ready to be done with it.

And I wound up JUST passing. But it was better than the 1st time around where I didn't pass by 21 pts. So I was happy.

I'm in my second semester now, and I like this one a lot better. I had my first test, and did better on this one than I had on any of the tests in my Fundamentals class. We're doing Women's health this semester, and even though I'm at the same hospital as last semester, I like this a lot better. My patient last week was challenging, but it wasn't an overwhelming challenge- like some of the oncology patients were.

And I'm starting to feel in the "groove" when I'm at clinical.

Nursing school isn't easy. But I'm actually thinking it's kind of fun this semester I just hope that I can keep this attitude up.

Cheryl

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jan 27, 2010

I didn't think it was so bad. Got out with a 4.0 and still have my husband of 10 years. First 4 weeks were hard you didn't know what to expect and you were suddenly spending 40hours a week with a new group of ppl and inheriting some of their chaos.

Once clinicals started everything mellowed a little

My advice. Mingle a little build rapport with your classmates don't try and tough it out alone but also don't feel like you need to be everyone's friend.

As to the instructors that'll fail you at the very end. I had some classmates who probably thought this happened to them in clinical and theory. To be honest it was no surprise to me or others. I guess when its yourself you don't see it coming.

mrsshifflette09 · Jan 28, 2010

Personally, I thought nursing school was fine. I had no trouble with the classes, my then boyfriend is now my husband and I am working at one of the top hospitals in the country. On the other hand, I did not really like my classmates. I did not get into friendships with them. I stayed with my non-nursing friends and I had fun. I didn't sit around moping about grades. I studied my behind off and I just went to class and took the tests.... I did not have any experience with bad teachers, broken relationships or not having a life. It is what you make it out to be...

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2010

it is not rocket science.... if it helps you...

think of the nastiest nurse you came across ever, in your hole life, and think.... if she could do it so can you!

MissCharlieRN · Jan 28, 2010

I think if you are dedicated and you put the effort in, it's really not that bad. I work full time and I'm currently in my last semester. I'm definitely ready to be done with this, but it's not the hell people say it is. I hear tons of students in my program moaning and whining about instructors that are "out to get them" and how they are "trying to fail" students. But those are the same students that talk about going out and partying on weekends and who think I'm weird for putting more than 30 minutes of work into a care plan. Nursing school is hard, but it's what you make it. I've had a very positive experience because I did the work and earned the respect of my instructors.

2bnurseTV · Jan 28, 2010

So great to hear something nice. I sometimes wonder why I read these threads. I end up so nervous and discouraged.

And what "helpingothersinlife" said is so true. I have had the unfortunate experince of being cared for by some horrible nurses.

elkpark · Jan 28, 2010

My nursing program (long ago :)) was hard and there were some occasional frustrations, but, overall, I had no particular complaints. The program was well-organized and run, I had great instructors (even the not-so-great ones I had weren't bad), and I got an excellent nursing education that prepared me well for a career in nursing. I am definitely a "satisfied customer," and have a lot of happy memories.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2010

I have enjoyed the challenge of Nursing school. I guess it depends on how you look at it. I have always been interested in the sciences, so studying A&P and Med Surg was not hard for me. Right now I am in Acute Care and I actually enjoy studying, because I am interested in working in an ICU. I love that I can learn about ABG's and then go to work and start interpreting them (or trying anyways). However I really hated OB and Peds, so that semester was pretty miserable for me. I guess my advice is try and enjoy the subject material because it makes it so much easier to get through school.

kcochrane · Jan 29, 2010

Well, my instructors were fair and didn't flunk people out unfairly - they actually were very encouraging....and I'm still married.

I did not see my children as much as wanted and it was a strain on family life. School wasn't easy, but I was also working full time. The whole family knew it wasn't going to be easy, but in the end it was worth it.

I made some really great friends. I learned a lot (even with already being a LPN).

So bottom line:

No it isn't easy - nothing worthwhile is. :) But it isn't hell.

I just finished and will start precepting in a new job tomorrow. Now I get to worry about something else.

SAHMStudent · Jan 29, 2010

I agree. I see some posts and think "really?" When I see those posts I think maybe my school is not as tough as others, but we have one of the best NCLEX pass rates in the state, and many recent grads work at great hospitals in the area. I have a 16 month old daughter and that is the hardest part. Not being the student I usually am because I'm also a mom. But that's just life. It's all a balance. I am starting my third semester, and right now, feel pretty good about my ability to do well again this semester, even as I'm procrastinating right now :)

That being said, the first semester was an adjustment, between drug cards, reading, case studies, papers for clinical etc. It's weird, because many people, myself included, have taken 6 classes a semester and done very well. Then you take one or two nursing classes a semester and you feel like you are taking 20! It's a new way of thinking, studying, and test taking.

I love going to school, I love the subject matter, and I think that's what makes it easier. I could talk about this stuff all day every day. Which I've been told I do, and to stop, by my DH.

anurseatlast · Jan 29, 2010

I did an accelerated program (14m but only nursing stuff-did all the rest before starting it) and I absolutely loved it. It was intense but I found most of the information very interesting and I found a great study partner. I think having someone to study with (a first for me - I do not usually like to study with someone else) helped a lot.

The most stressful part was the first semester (which lasted 8 weeks). The biggest stress was keeping track of all the assignments. For our main class, the assignments were listed in several places which made it confusing. We would all ask every day, "What is due this week? What about next week?" because we were afraid of missing something. The next semester, we were in the routine and the assignments were laid out better so it was not as hard.

For me, the key was finding a way to keep track of all the assignments. What worked best for me was a large laminated yearly calendar that I hung on the wall in my bedroom. At the beginning of every semester, I took the time to write in everything (color-coded by class) so I could see the big picture. Some weeks were crazy - 2 papers, 2 tests, several homework assingments and a care plan - and others weren't so bad. Having it in front of me helped me plan better and gave me something to look forward to when I would have an "easy" week."

As far as having a life, there were some things that I just did not have the time for but I made time for the things that were important to me = sometimes that was sleep and always my kids and grandson. I think a lot of it is attitude - I chose this because it was what I wanted. I knew it would involve sacrifices but I decided it was worth it and it was. I have a job I love. I would do the accelerated program again in a heartbeat.