Is nursing school really "that" bad?

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I start nursing school in January. I will be attending the 2 year ADN program. I am going to quit my job and take out loans because I don't want the stress of work and school. If I am strictly doing nursing and nothing else (I am single with no kids), will I still really have no life? I honestly have had a few nightmares about nursing school because of everyone's horror stories. I have a 4.0 and know I can do it, but I am so scared of the unknown. To the ones who did the ADN (and BSN students can chime in too) How was your nursing school experience? Did you really have no life? It's honestly depressing to think about me "never going out to eat" "never having time to wash my hair" (yes I've heard that)

One nurse told me everyone wants to act like their experience was traumatic because it makes them look better and smarter. Please encourage me, nurses!

Specializes in Orthopedics.

Don't let others scare you. No time to wash your hair? Really? I worked full time and did the ADN full time. I still managed to have a social life. My grades may have suffered a little bit, but I was perfectly fine with just passing and getting a license. I decided I wanted a more balanced life instead of thriving to be a perfectionist and being miserable. That's just me though. The floor is where I REALLY learned how to be a nurse. I also did an Accelerated BSN program while working full time as a nurse and serving on several committees and projects within the hospital. Did a 4.0 in that... Tied a lot of my program into my current work experience. I am glad that I went that route for my education.

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Specializes in Cardiac and OR.

I did an ADN program that was a night and weekend curriculum. I worked full-time M-F, raised a kid, went on some trips, went to movies, plays, concerts, and still graduated Magna Cum Laude. As others have said, it is an individualized experience, and there were times I was ragged and tired to my bones, but I can't say that it was a hellish, all consuming time suck. So my house didn't get scrubbed to glistening, gleaming perfection every day, meh. Again, how I felt about my program and activities is MY experience only. Good luck to you!

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It's true that nursing school will predominate your waking hours, but if you enjoy it, is that such a bad life? In my case my wife is 100% supportive and comes with me to school when she can. While I am in class she will be in the library or down the hall working on her books or maybe proofreading my research papers. That way we get to spend time in the car before and after class and we share the excitement of learning together. It's not "my" thing, it's "our" thing. Few people are lucky enough to have such a special partner.

I also work full time while studying full time, by the way, and it is not easy but not impossible. I never socialize outside of class with my classmates because frankly I do not have the time. Some people tell me that is missing the "college experience" but these people are the ones coming to me desperately asking for help with their PICOt question at the last minute.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from my ADN, am one trimester from finishing my BSN, and now I am setting my sights even higher with full confidence that "we" can do this together.

So your life will change a lot, but it will not end if you embrace the difference and live it.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

Everyone's going to be different- I was satisfied to pass the harder classes, get As/Bs where I could, and I still had time to:

1) work a part time job

2) see my now-husband (granted, he was on board for the whole project, he kept me fed)

3) see my friends

4) work out

5) craft

6) train for a few races in there (some triathlons, a marathon, some bike rides or two)

Granted, I was excellent at time management and lived relatively close to the university. YMMV.

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Totally depends on your school. 1 in 5 qualified applicants got accepted into my nursing program, and of those only 1 in 3 graduated the program (very bad teachers). To be one of those who made it I had to study an incredible amount and felt I did the whole program by myself without much teacher guidance. It does take a lot of commitment.

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Thanks everyone! You are all so so encouraging and my heart feels like a load has been lifted!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I went through an accelerated part-time BSN program and worked 30 plus hours per week as a LPN while going to school at night and on the weekends and still had a life-I even went on vacation during school (near a mid-semester break) and still passed, no repeats and was able to balance work and life.

I think the whole "nursing is your life" mantra that nursing schools preach can be overrated, especially when one is a grown up with grown up bills-that mantra "nursing is your life" doesn't keep lights on, water running, food on the table and the mortgage paid. :no:

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I can assure you that it is possible to have a life while in nursing school. How much of a "life" depends solely upon you. As with everything in life, nursing school requires balance. You need to bring people who are understanding and supportive closer to you and leave the others to their own devices. Time management and determination will be your best friends.

While I was in my ADN program, I was able to work full time at the beginning and decreased to part time when clinical rotations began. I was definitely able to wash my hair! Nursing school was challenging, but rewarding. One day a week, I put aside time to spend with those I cared about and scheduled something fun to do other than study. It was a reward for all of the long hours spent studying and practicing the rest of the week. Only you know what you can accomplish in a day or week. BE REALISTIC! Be honest with yourself regarding your shortcomings and your strengths, find help when you need it, and keep a positive attitude.

I must say that when I went back for my BSN completion, it was MUCH EASIER! Now, I am enrolled in my FNP program and so far have had no problems working full time, having a life, and maintaining a 4.0 in my master's courses. It all gets better with time and experience.

You will do great if you stay true to yourself and what you hope to be. I wish you the best!

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Not that bad ..

U can try nursng study program in Indonesia. so many nurse in Indonesia..

i am nursing student in Hasanuddin University, Makassar. And if u wanna be a nurse, u have to try hard ^^

Believe with your dreams...

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Current BSN 3rd semester here. Nursing school is VERY difficult, but going through hard times doesn't come without its rewards, like many of the wise ones here on AN. For me, knowing that I wasn't the only one suffering (emotionally, mentally, academically, or even physically) was surprisingly comforting. The instructors also seem to care a lot more about you if you let them. Use your instructors to give you the most in one semester that they can.

Go ahead and be okay with losing your 4.0. I was a 3.89, but honestly, that perfection complex was overrated and made me stress to the point of vomiting before lectures and doing other VERY unhealthy coping mechanisms. Realize that a B on the hardest exam of the semester is a huge achievement that should be celebrated with margeritas. Or red wine. Or both.

You will have time to go out to eat after clinicals to enjoy your friends that you WILL make. You'll be able to wash your hair. You can even go get your nails done on the weekend. It's possible to have a life in nursing school! You just have to grow up and prioritize what's important and what's not and when it's important. Please don't take that as a negative thing! Nursing school is doing more than straightening my life out academically.

Good luck and have fun! :)

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I am in my first semester of a 2 yr BSN program. I am mid-thirties, 2 teenage (low needs) boys, and I don't work. I have always been a 4.0 student, and in the past haven't had to work hard for it.

For me at least, nursing school has been completely different than anything I have done before. I am getting good grades, but I am working for it. I am in class 20 hrs a week, clinicals 20 hrs a week, and study AT LEAST 40 hours a week. I volunteer around 10 hours a week. I have maybe 10 hours of free time a week. That being said, I could give up the volunteering for some free time, or study less and accept a lower grade.

I think a lot of it depends on what type of program you are going into. Mine is a BSN and has the highest pass rate in the state. You must have at least a 3.5 to apply and they get 200-300 applicants a semester. They accept 50. I have friends who are going to LPN and ASN programs that definitely have more free time.

It also depends on what kind of a learner you are, and what grade you are willing to accept :)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Nursing school was not that bad for me. I worked 32 hours per week as an LPN/LVN at a nursing home while attending an LPN-to-ASN program. It was doable.

Quitting your job and accruing living-expense loans is not the wisest path upon which you can travel, IMHO. Good luck to you.

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