Is nursing school really "the hardest thing you've ever done in your life"?

ambersplyler · Apr 10, 2017

Go into it with your head held high and an attitude that you WILL succeed. That makes a giant difference. Yes, it's HARD. I work 45-60 hours/week between two jobs, have a husband and 4 kids between 2yr-8yr and manage a full course load. Sometimes it feels unbearable, but I ditch the worry for just 5 minutes and remember WHY I'm doing this and that always helps me recenter and remember what my long term goals are.

Calalilynurse · Apr 11, 2017

No it wasn't.

kldepp08 · Apr 13, 2017

I really disagree with this. Not everyone has the same abilities. There are always going to be people who struggle academically. Others have trouble balancing academics with family obligations. Someone else has to work and simply doesn't have the same amount of time to study and do homework as someone else might. If something is really difficult for someone, it's not necessarily because they made it so. Factors beyond their control, etc., etc., etc.
Not all programs are equal, either. Some are more rigorous than others.

Great point, and agreed! I certainly did not mean to insult or diminish anyone's struggles! I understand everyone is different, and has different capabilities. My apologies that my statement may have been too broad! Thank you for correcting me!

However, asking a very subjective question, was it the hardest thing YOU'VE even done, replies are going to be different for every one, while it may have been for one person, it may not have for another. But I agree that my statement is not fair for the exact same reason... It is assuming it's only as hard as you make it... for everyone... Again, I apologize! Please know my intent was not to belittle or be judgemental in any way.

nursecaty · Oct 6, 2017

With all due respect to those who struggled in nursing school...there are people who work hard for something and achieve it by working hard, struggling through rough spots, overcoming difficulties and then there are people who are talented at things, some even call it gifted, these are the people who don't struggle at what they are doing. Personally I am not great at some general ed classes, algebra, calculus, chemistry and the like, I struggled and worked hard and made good grades but I had to WORK HARD in those subjects. When I took A&P, pharm, med/surg, geriatrics, actual nursing classes and the associated clinicals I sort of floated through them no stress, no challenge, because I was built for that for some reason those are where I excel without trying, all As without reading a chapter and only listening to the in class lectures. There were folks in my class who struggled to pass the same classes but did amazing in core classes. So the long roundabout answer is that for some nursing school is the hardest thing they've ever done and for some it was easy and not stressful. I had a harder time making friends than getting As or impressing my instructors tbh.

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Oct 7, 2017

Yes, for me it is. I'm hoping it'll get easier as time goes on. I'm just now adjusting to the nursing student life. Now a little personal background on me... I'm 24, I have 3 children ages 4, 2, and 1. I'm a single mother as well. I was married for 5 years before going through a divorce last year. My husband left me right after I got pregnant with our 3rd. I joined the army at 17 and served before I decided to get out and go to school. I've had my fair share of life experiences for a person of my age. I commute an hour to school one way and I'm in a BSN program. It's definitely the most difficult thing I've ever done. Situations make it harder for some, but you won't know how hard it'll be until you jump into it.