Is nursing school really "that" bad?

ohiobobcat · Oct 5, 2015

I've always been a pretty good student. I worked 2 very part-time jobs as a single mom, had 3 kids under the age of 10, took dance classes, and went out with friends occasionally all while in nursing school. I studied mostly after my kids went to bed and occasionally had to do work when they were awake when I was studying for a test/working on a project.

It worked for me, but there were some students in my class whose relationships with their kids/spouses/SOs really suffered because of the amount of time they spent studying. I think it's different for everybody. I didn't think nursing school was "easy", but it wasn't any harder than any other college courses I have taken (I already have a Bachelor's in Athletic Training).

EricaAngela90 · Oct 5, 2015

Call me crazy but I didn't think it was bad at all. It is time consuming with clinicals and such, but I loved it. Everyone has a different experience.

kimburrrleeee · Oct 5, 2015

I am currently in the same position as you (unemployed, no kids) I am in my final semester of nursing school (2 year) I honestly was very hard on myself the first semester due to the fear or failure and also of the unknown like you mentioned, I did not take too much care of myself and i was always studying (literally.....all day) however, as time went on i realized what worked for me and I got very use to the work load.. after a while i was able to fit in a few dinner dates with friends and even have time to take care of myself once a week (nails, hair..etc) I fit in a movie here and there.. its important to not overwhelm yourself ! take a few hours for yourself to do as you wish, go for a walk.. watch a movie.. of course you must schedule your study time accordingly.

Overall, yes it is hard, but your passion for nursing will only grow stronger as time progresses which will make it a bit easier towards the end :)

Goodluck !

NanaPoo · Oct 5, 2015

If you're an organized person who knows how to prioritize your life and your studies, you can totally do it.

I was in my upper 20's, married without kids and I did it with a lot of hard work. I showered at least once a day. I worked out 1 hour/5 days a week. I did full-time school hours in the fall and spring and did not have a job. I did part-time school hours in the summer and worked part-time in the summer. My house stayed clean all the time. Hubby and I went out with friends or together every Friday and Saturday night. We went to church every Sunday.

The most positive part of it all was that hubby worked evening shift (3-11) so, when he left for work, I did an hour of extreme working-out to get my anxiety/stress/whatever out of my system then showered. So, by 5pm I was sitting down to study and had the house to myself until 11 or 12. It was the late 90's so there was no i-Phone to distract me and very little internet since it was all slow, dial-up anyway. So, 5 nights a week, I was alone and studying for 6-7 hours.

softrbreeze · Oct 5, 2015

It is very difficult but I had a toddler and was pregnant with my 2nd child starting nsg school. Without my husband to get up for feedings at night and watch the kids while I did my study time, I would not have made it. I also worked PT after the 1st semester as a nurse extern. In your situation, being single with no kids or job should help a LOT. If you're naturally a good student, under those circumstances, I think you will ace nursing school. :yes:

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2015

I was a 2nd degree student in an accelerated program, but I had a life. I managed to do community theater on the side; I was in 2 different shows and stage managed another. I planned a wedding and got married 3 weeks before I took my NCLEX. I did quit my full time job during most of nursing school as it was a standard M-F 9-5 job and all my classes were during the day. I worked a small part-time job on the side during my last two semesters. I also studied a lot. I had a wonderful and understanding fiancee .

rnT_16 · Oct 5, 2015

As bad as it may sound you really will have no life. I started the 2 year program last september and will be graduating this June of 2016, and I haven't had a life much. I have no kids also but I do have a boyfriend that requires lots of time however I have still been making it through. It will require a lot of dedication and motivation to keep you focused but in the end it will all be well worth it!

I wish you the best, and remember why you started :)

P.S I am trying to win a tuition giveaway to help with my last payments for nursing school and would really appreciate it if you could vote for me by clicking this link and the 'vote' button. It only takes 3 seconds. I would really appreciate it! Us nursing students have got to stick together :) Tawni P. | Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway

Vcjoyce1 · Oct 5, 2015

For me, I didn't think it was that bad. I also completed an ADN from LVN and worked two 12 night shifts on a med-surg floor. It's all in how YOU handle multiple-tasking. For me it was quite easy, I set aside time to study, never skimped on that time, got my homework and studying done, made enough money to not have to take out loans to cover my expences. That said, I had classmates that struggled through school and didn't have jobs. Like I said, it's all in how you perform, know yourself, know your limitations, make a plan and then stick to it whatever you decide and you should find success in whatever path you choose, good luck.

Beatlefan, BSN · Oct 5, 2015

I decided to return to college after having my kids while they were young. Became an RN at the age of 41. I was one of few who chose to become a nurse having no prior health care experience. I feel that this, and working at other jobs/careers where people had some semblance of decency, put me at a disadvantage. In the ADN programs, I think they start you out directly caring for patients. I became state licensed as a CNA before nursing school, so I had a little bit of an idea how to safely get people around. What I found most difficult about nursing school was the different, competitive mindset.

That being said, if I can do it, anyone can do it. And it is worth it- if not only for the life lessons and slap into reality I received about life, people, and becoming a stronger and assertive person.

I had three little kids, a husband who had to go to bed early and get up early for his job, so it was me, at night, trying to get kids to bed, study and get ready for the next day. I also made all the meals and cleaned. It is true that you will worry a lot and study a lot, but somehow, so many of us do it and did it and look back and wonder just how.

If it makes you feel any better, my biggest obstacle was a couple of really unreasonably crazy instructors who liked to single out and target people to get them to quit. If you are good at reading people you should have no trouble. Like I said, before nursing, I was lucky enough to not have to be around people who wanted to see me fail. Go in with a good attitude, study hard and try to stay one step ahead of the game and you will be great!

sarah_smile, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2015

It is NOT that bad. I got my BSN (2nd career person) working part time, having two children in various activities, and I maintained my personal hygiene. I made a lot of sacrifices both personally and financially, but it is do-able and WORTH it! I made study dates with my nursing friends at coffee-shops that way we still could socialize and feel human, all while studying and being able to de-stress with other people that understood what I was going through.

That being said, it is not cake-walk to go through nursing school, but if you are determined and you prioritize your time you will do fine. Single, no kids... you should have plenty of time for work and play :) good luck!

bathrobemom, LPN · Oct 5, 2015

The first couple months of school I didn't work much. I took out as much as I could in loans so that I wouldn't have to work as much and could spend more time studying. I am married and have three kids in after school sports.

I had a lot of anxiety and I know a lot of other students did as well. None of us made that up, and none of us thought we were better or smarter than anybody else. I don't know why nursing school is hard for some and easy for others. Maybe it has to do with time management. That's something you can learn. I have a degree in a different field and I didn't have to work as hard for that as I did for nursing. For me nursing school was stressful because of the amount of information, the information itself I didn't find particularly difficult.

After the first couple months I settled down into spending the majority of my time studying. I visited family less than usual and didn't spend as much time with my kids. I was able to pick up a lot of hours at work during the last couple months of the first semester though.

My take is that you will work hard, but you should have time to spend with family and friends. You will have time to take a shower lol.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2015

I worked full time during Nursing 1 and missed an A by a tenth of a point. I went to 32 hours a week for the remaining 3 semesters and took call some weekends.

It is doable if you want it enough and are a good student, with decent study habits.