Is nursing school really "that" bad?

sarah_smile, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2015

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

This! I think thats what was the most of my struggle, is I was constantly competing with myself to get a better grade than the last test, do better on my care plans, and I didnt feel it was ever good enough! Now, with that being said I had a great GPA, but looking back it probably didnt matter. My employer didnt care what my GPA was when she hired me. Having a good GPA to eventually advance my education with a graduate degree will be helpful, but even then they just like a 3.0 or better for most universities, so I'm told.

Une Infirmiere, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2015

Yes, It is!

nasethray · Oct 6, 2015

Whatever hardship you go through WILL be worth it!! I am an LPN and plan on starting on getting my associate's RN starting in May 2016. I am pretty nervous about it too. LPN school was horrible for me. I actually ended up attending two different schools, the first one was like modern day slavery but the second one was great. I think it all depends where you go, what instructors you end up with, and what you get out of the program. Remember it is school! You will be learning things that you will use throughout your entire career. Try to have fun with it!

Jcgirl · Oct 6, 2015

Sometimes it is "that bad". For me it depends on the quarters. Right now I'm in mental health nursing, ethics, and sociology and I am struggling. Not sure if it's because I am not interested in the material or I have seniorities or what. Last term I had gero and loved it! The worst quarter was my fundamentals 2 and pharm quarter and I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack everyday.

direw0lf, BSN · Oct 15, 2015

I had concerns like you. There were some things I decided before nursing school began even that I will *not* give up:

1. Walking my dogs. This might not seem like a big deal. But I have high energy dogs and it is! They need at minimum an hour of vigorous exercise a day. Because I live in a bad area, I need to drive a distance sometimes to take them on a good, safe walk. I compensated by getting a recorder and reading my notes then playing them back to me in the car rides.

2. Seeing some of my family once a week even for just a short time. They live 1 hour 15 min away. Again, utilizing that recorder! And I bring my dogs haha.

3. Watching TV or a movie once a week at night because it's relaxing!

4. Volunteering and/or work. Still working on fitting this in. But I volunteer 1 hour a week, in a garden with my friend. So it's more relaxing time, which helps me retain more nursing info when I study or go to class.

So even though I heard the same things as you, I was determined to keep those 4 things, especially #1.

I think the key is preparing ahead.

EDIT : replied to an old thread sorry!!!!!!!

CSTtoRN · Oct 18, 2015

If you're not working, single, and no kids then I think you've got this. I agree with others that said taking out loans isn't the best idea.

I'm in 3rd semester, have worked 36hrs a week plus call the entire time, and am married with 2 very small kids. I have no social life (not that I did before), barely have time to see my kids because I work weekend nights, and it's exhausting. I do make time to take the kids to the park or a date day with my husband occasionally. I definitely have time to wash my hair but we hired someone to clean once a month.