Is nursing school really "that" bad?

Everline · Oct 4, 2015

Ummm...

Yeah. For me it was THAT bad. (How that makes me look better or smarter, I'm not sure.) Someone else will tell you it was EASY and that you get what you expect and etc. *shrugs*

I put a lot of pressure on myself, therefore I suffered accordingly.

You will have to wait and see how it is for YOU. Best wishes!

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 4, 2015

Everyone's experience during nursing school will be unique. I was able to work the equivalent of full time (did double shifts on weekends) while attending a full time BSN program and still had time for a social life. I did leave my job during my last semester, but that was more because of the hours my preceptor worked during my senior practicum didn't allow me to work and still attend classes. I maintained dean's list grades for all semesters (except my first, but I wasn't a nursing major for that one).

anewsns · Oct 4, 2015

It's really hard but doable. Mine was a bit tumultuous personally, plenty of upheaval in my personal life due to having no time. But that's all it is, no time. The material in my school was too difficult to get an A but easy enough to get your B-. For most of us, no matter what our norm was. I had time to wash my hair, but not housework which is already not my forte. You need to choose what to prioritize. I chose school>work>friends>boyfriend/family>personal health >housework and the last three suffered but I really wanted to pull out of the bad situation and told myself to keep showing up every day and it will be fine. At the end of the day , it's only two years. You do have some good memories in school that you need to hold on to. I remember many horrible instances of conflict. I went in at a disadvantaged point to begin with. But nothing is all bad.

TheNGTKingRN · Oct 4, 2015

It can definitely be over exaggerated.

It is difficult, but anything worth something comes at cost.

It is a system of balances. You still need to see your friends and family.

However you also need to be firm and restrict study times for studying.

It is your choice what to do and what not to do. Sometimes choosing a long hot bath over vacuuming the carpet is appropriate, in having that long hot bath you are destressing and are preparing yourself for the upcoming exam, clinical, project etc.

Sometimes you'll have to forgo watching the football game because the next day you have a test or clinical, and what you have to remember is that it is a momentary sacrifice.

You WILL hav time to go out to eat. You will eat with everyone you went out to eat with before but with less frequency because now you'll be out eating with your nursing buddies studying and having some group therapy lol.

Yeah, you will have time to wash your hair and please do... at my school hygiene was important. Haha.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

I've never understood people who say that. I feel that they are either exaggerating or lying. I had a life in college. I was involved in extra-curriculars and spent 3/4 years in a leadership committee in one of the clubs that I was in. I went on service trips, I ran blood drives on campus, I partied with my friends. I had a test in one of my nursing classes the morning after my 21st birthday. I took it hungover. My classes were earlier than my roommates (some of whom never had classes before noon) but by no means did nursing take over my life.

lunchboxRN · Oct 4, 2015

Decent time management is key. Also, how you learn and your study habits play into the time factor as well. Learn good study habits!

I would go to class, clinicals and study on the weekends. The rest was my time to work (part time), go to the gym, and do A LOT of hiking. Some weeks were better or worse than others of course. Once I spent 8 hours in clinicals, got out, changed clothes in the car, did my care plan on the 2 hour drive to a concert, got home around 2:30 am, slept?, and then got up at 4:30 to get ready and go to clinical. You figure out what you want that's important in your personal life and do what you need to do to stay sane and relatively happy.

For me, I found the pre-reqs worse than nursing school and more stressful because I had to have straight A's to get into the program. I shot for A's in nursing school, but I didn't have the same pressure on me. I came out with one A, the rest B's and a license. I'm satisfied with that!

j0yegan · Oct 4, 2015

Yes, everyone is correct. You have no life if you want to be serious about nursing school.

kaw5cv · Oct 4, 2015

It will depend on you. Everyone in my program (Accelerated BSN) is different. Some are focusing only on school and don't hang out much, work, or do many extra curriculars. Personally I have been able to manage working ~20hrs/week, various ECs, and training for things like a marathon and IronMan. It totally depends on the individual. Don't get freaked by what you hear, wait until you are well into your first semester and figure out where you fall in the spectrum. I still find time to hang with friends and eat out. Keeping a balance in your like during nursing school is important, be sure and have fun while you're there!

Libby1987 · Oct 4, 2015

Like everything else including working as an RN, it varies by person and circumstance.

That I managed a part time job and full social life and went on to enjoy my career despite the changes in healthcare is no reflection on how it is or will be for someone else.

I see the variance in the nurses we hire and train, regardless of their personal lives some progress with enthusiasm while others demonstrate stress and fatigue everyday. Hopefully they will all come out in the end happy in their work.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

I got married, had a baby, worked a part-time CNA job, met my mom/sister/friends for lunch, went to family gatherings, sang with my church's worship band, and managed to maintain my personal hygiene. (No time to shower....really???)

I graduated with honors and started working in a prestigious university hosptial after graduation too, so clearly I was able to devote proper effort to school.

CarryThatWeight, BSN · Oct 4, 2015

No, it's not that bad. Especially if you are single, no kids, and not working. That's what I did too. I got a 4.0 in nursing school and I still had time to do some things on the weekends. Granted, I spent a lot of time studying, doing care plans, etc., but you've got to take breaks. No one can study all the time. If you work hard during study time, you can relax on the weekend nights or whatever. You will be fine.