Is becoming a nurse harder now?

[clemmm78]

I entered my RN program in 1978, when I was 17. It was a three-year college program with clinical rotations in each semester. While I can't say it was easy, I don't remember it being particularly difficult either. Stress occurred as we waited for evaluations and there was ranting about individual profs. I was failed after my pediatric rotation because I was told I wasn't empathetic enough, I was too task oriented and I'd never make it as a nurse. Feh.

But, I read the posts from students now and it seems that things have gotten so much tougher. Is this true, or is it my perception as I enter old-fogeyhood? Did I just forget that it was that hard?

I feel so badly for some of the students who post here and the hard times that they are having.

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

And those poor nurses from way back didnt have Starbucks!:rotfl:

:yeahthat:

Thank god because I can't even stand it now!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

My BSN 2 1/2 years were awful. Instead of the large fish in the small high school pond all of a sudden I was with a tank of big fish and sharks. When DH proposed between soph and jr years I said yes and quit. But you know I never really gave up on my goal. I worked a variety of jobs health and otherwise. Finally DH was finishing college on the GI Bill (govt money for being in the VN war) and there was about $1000 left over.

When I restarted nursing school I wondered when it would be getting hard. It never did. Maybe the 8 years of growing up made the difference. I worked for my As but I could have just coasted and gotten Bs. The exit NLN I made 99%.The state board tests were easy for me. I made in the 600s.

So yes it is harder now We didn't know about hemodynamic monitoring, about open heart, about insulin coverage for blood sugar, or pick your system, it just wasn't taught. I honestly (and don't bark at me for this) think my Nursing school was more equivalent to a CNA school now days.

This is not to say I haven't bettered myself. On my own I have taken dozens of courses, gotten my Bachelors, been certified in 2 areas and am a pretty good nurse.

And you new people I so admire you.

[PANurseRN1]

But I think the level of difficulty is relative to the time period. There weren't many docs familiar with hemodynamic monitoring years ago...does that make them "lesser" doctors than newer ones?

I hate all this, "My education was better/harder than yours was, nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah." We should all appreciate what each of us brings to a department: a wealth of experience from all ages.

[rita359]

Would it be fair to say that the level of knowledge expected from today's students is higher than years ago, but that the clinical opportunities, educational tools, and learning methods now available make learning far easier than it used to be?

No, I don't think that is true. Educationally the level was probably about the same. Some things are more complex today than in the past. The amount of knowledge in the past even 20 years is amazing. Avalilability of that knowledge is also amazing. Those being educated today take all of this in stride like it has always been.

[floridagirl0103]

Good question. I just finished my first semester of nursing school and while I wouldn't call it hard, it is very time consuming. I have a prior bachelor's degree and I did not have to study anywhere near what I am now. They throw so much at us at one time. Time is my enemy not so much the information. But, then again, I haven't done any meds. yet. We have mostly just done communication, vitals, the basics which was pretty easy. I ended up w/ a B+.

amy

[ann945n, RN]

Im in nursing school right now and while its hard its not impossible. I have a hard time understanding when people in our class wash out. If you put in the study time you will do fine. The concepts arent hard you just need to learn them, just my opinion