Is Nursing School Like Joining A Sorority?

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 20, 2009

To me nursing school is like joining the military ! However, in all honesty no other place I'd rather be right now besides working as a nurse. :redbeathe

RNMeg · May 20, 2009

I've never been in a sorority, but I don't think that's what nursing school is like. In my program, at least, we all watch out for each other, and nobody really holds "power" over us (except the instructors, of course, but they don't abuse it for the most part). Like nursing_student_19 said, it is very much like boot camp, except fun

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 20, 2009

I thought nursing school itself was like a sorority. All of us went through the same difficult and wonderful times, and became like supportive family. It was nice to have sisters and brothers. Nursing itself...I don't see it that way. I see that there are cliques that you have to work your way into, but they aren't as close as a sorority is.

Music in My Heart · May 20, 2009

Well, I'm a dude so I've never been in a sorority. I have, however, been in a frat and been through boot camp and I've found NS to be nothing like either of those.

It's pretty much just an educational program though it does come at a fast pace. Some instructors are good, some not so good. Some of the staff nurses are great, some not so great. Some of my classmates are cool, some not so cool.

Dunno, it's pretty much like life in general and college in particular.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · May 20, 2009

There are cliques if that is what you mean. Both in class and on the unit. But that can be observed anywhere, in any field. Its not exclusive to nursing.

There will always be those who thrive on putting others down to build themselves up. There will always be those who you can never do any good in their eyes. And then there are those who are supportive and encouraging and will be your friend along the way. The key is knowing how to work beside both.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 20, 2009

If it is, I dont plan on joining.

I think letting your nursing career take on any more meaning than the fact that it is your career promotes burnout. Thats just me though.

I tend to enjoy my life outside of work that has notta to do with nursing. A healthy life away from nursing makes one a better nurse while on the clock. Thats my survival routine. I do associate with co-workers outside work, but no where near as often as most do.

To me, co-workers are co-workers. Some I like more than others, but I treat them all the same. No clubs or "sister/brotherhood" for me. No thanks.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 20, 2009

I looked at nursing school as an extended Hell Week, but since I have never joined a sorority, I can't really compare. I find that the mentality is "pay your dues like we did'...and that can compare to a sorority in a sense because in this sort of situation, initiation is not cancelled because it is abusive or not fair, and since the previous people had to experience this insanity, they will not excuse you, either.

I guess in retrospect, even if the nursing school experience brings about closeness and togetherness with the students, there is the initiation..."nurses eat their young" scenerios that are blaring.

My suggestion is that it will be what you make it. If you find a few friends to suffer together with, great, if you are that sort of a person. The bottom line, however, is that taking the exams, sitting for the boards and all other experiences are really faced alone, and it is not always good to count on anyone to see you through. You have to build your own fortitude first. Good luck.

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 20, 2009

nope srry. i hated it, i have never been in a sorority, but i would NEVER think that this would be even close to that. i couldnt wait to be away from the ppl i grad w/, and couldnt wait to never see them again. man, i couldnt imagine having to actually see them again much less spend time with them..

srry! lol

-H-RN

netglow, ASN, RN · May 20, 2009

I was in a sorority during my first college experience/degree.

Nursing is not about a lot of people who love and support each other and patients. Not at all. I really don't sense much of a "going thru it together." Maybe because a lot of the people I am with in school are older and have lives that the young ones don't have established yet. Of course I have to add that I am not wanting that kind of atmosphere. I think that at least in my program people are a bit more distant. I have great friends from my first college experience that I still keep contact socially with even if it's once a year or two. I don't think there will be any from this time around... except for the necessary work related stuff. Nursing is just different in that way... you tend to draw inward more than outward. It is a thing that you must do mostly on your own. :smokin:

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 20, 2009

nope srry. i hated it, i have never been in a sorority, but i would NEVER think that this would be even close to that. i couldnt wait to be away from the ppl i grad w/, and couldnt wait to never see them again. man, i couldnt imagine having to actually see them again much less spend time with them..
srry! lol
-H-RN

Unfortunately, I walked away with those exact same sentiments...on steriods. The minute I left the school, I blocked the email addresses from the entire class, most professors except two. Did not go to graduation and was top of the class (no regrets, either). In fact, we had a review course for NCLEX for three days, and the final day, I was so sick of them that I left at noon because my spirit said "Enough!!". I had left by the psych portion of the review, anyhow and suspected (correctly so, I discovered later), that psych was not going to be the predominate focus on the exam.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 20, 2009

I was in a sorority during my first college experience/degree.
Nursing is not about a lot of people who love and support each other and patients. Not at all. I really don't sense much of a "going thru it together." Maybe because a lot of the people I am with in school are older and have lives that the young ones don't have established yet. Of course I have to add that I am not wanting that kind of atmosphere. I think that at least in my program people are a bit more distant. I have great friends from my first college experience that I still keep contact socially with even if it's once a year or two. I don't think there will be any from this time around... except for the necessary work related stuff. Nursing is just different in that way... you tend to draw inward more than outward. It is a thing that you must do mostly on your own.

Sadly, I discovered that as well. A small advantage I had was that I had been in various entry levels of nursing such as CNA, medical assistant, phlebotomist, home health aide and others where I already knew that this was cut-throat, so, mentally, I was more than prepared for that. And, it was true, I was already a married adult and parent who had to focus on passing. Had too many life distractions that could not be ignored, but were done haphazardly because of the commitment. It was a dog-eat dog situation. I strongly suspect it got this way because entering into the nursing program was intense competition to begin with, and that spirit sort of remained within the participants throughout the experience. I found it was safer to draw inwards than outward, but that is me.

Each person has to experience for themselves. I do know of some people who still have strong ties with their nursing classmates years afterwards. And, I don't necessarily want to rain on someone else's parade, either...but my experience/observations left no room to interact safely.