Is nursing school really "that" bad?

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.

Edited to add: I did quit my job during my final semester, because working on top of having a 9-month-old baby and doing my final practicum (working my preceptor's schedule) was just too much. Something had to give.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

Nah, I have plenty of free time. I'm very involved in my church, work PT, travel on the weekends, and have lots of time to watch my TV shows and movies. But it depends on the individual, as others have said.

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

I had a great nursing school experience. But it was also very demanding and exhausting... but I loved it. I miss school sometimes. :)

hopefulhdr · Oct 4, 2015

How is it for nurses who took an accelerated program? I start at Hopkins in January on a 22 month program, have a husband and a two year old :)

SarahJ08 · Oct 4, 2015

It was hard but I made sure that I had time for myself, so I didn't go crazy. Real life nursing is way worse.

AmyRN303, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

Nursing school is demanding, yes. Like some of the others have said, it's nothing compared to your first year on the job. I was a single mom of four during nursing school, and everything still got done, and my gpa was a 3.8. Easy? No, but totally doable.

AceOfHearts<3 · Oct 4, 2015

I did the shortest accelerated 2nd degree BSN program in the country. It was 87 credits in 4 ten week quarters over the course of 11 months. We took 21-24 credits a quarter. I also commuted an hour+ each way in to school/clinical every day. I managed to make almost straight A's (really stupid mistakes in a course lead to a B+ instead). It was a lot of work, but not the hardest thing I've done. Overall I didn't think it was too bad and I would make the same choice if I had the option to do it over.

Yes, I still had a life even with the course load I was taking. I kept on top of everything, stayed organized, and most weekends I still hung out with friends. If it was right before midterms or finals then I didn't really do too much, maybe just a quick dinner or meet for some frozen yogurt to relax for a bit. I also showered everyday, but some days (not often) I skipped washing my hair in favor of dry shampoo. I had a married friend who did the program with 2 young kids. It was hard, but she made it through.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Oct 4, 2015

I worked full time during the day and had class/clinical at night and in the weekends. Yes, it was a LOT of hard work. Yes, I had to sacrifice a lot of things that I wanted to do (beach trips, football games, trips with the girls). But I was still able to have somewhat of a life and see my family and friends.

Calinurse4 · Oct 4, 2015

It was difficult and stressful and overwhelming at times. BUT, I am married and had 4 young children at the time and managed just fine. I also made time for fun stuff because I needed distractions from school! Not having time to shower is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. Being single without kids or a job sounds to be the "easiest" situation you could be in. You'll be fine.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Oct 5, 2015

It is time consuming and challenging to find the time time to do everything! For me it is totally doable, but for some of my classmates it is completely and totally all consuming. I think it depends on the person!

styler-blood · Oct 5, 2015

I am in my second semester of an ADN program. It was very competitive to get in we have two years of prerequisites and then two years of the program. It took me 3 year to get in. I am in the hardest semester of our program, and my school turns out great nurses. We get a lot of floor time and my school has very high nclex pass rates between 96 and 100% the last 10 years. Anyways what I am getting at is that YES it is hard and very very time consuming. I probably shouldn't speak for everyone but for me this is the hardest thing I have every done. 12 hour clinicals 8 hrs on clinical worksheets. We have one day a week for lectures it is 7 hrs. They are always throwing us surprise papers and assignments, plus we have two large assignments this semester that include a paper and a presentation. We have 4 specialty rotations this semester pacu,Or,pediatrics, and short stay. I don't know how your school is but all of my friends that have attended other schools 2 and 4 years have said that they have had to put in the time. I know this sounds like a lot and might sound scary, but I think if you have the heart and put in the effort that you will be able to just fine. I have two kids and a part time job, you just have be resourceful with your time and keep your head in the game. What I am learning is that this Is a process. I am changing the way I think and learning so much. But honestly it really does take up a lot of your time.(and energyðŸ˜‰) have faith in your abilities

VANurse2010 · Oct 5, 2015

Some students have better academic skills than others. Those with stronger skills will have to spend less time on school-related activities and can better juggle work and/or a social life.