Is nursing school really as stressful as everyone says

jjrodriguez, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2012

No, I found that to be absolutely untrue. I'll be graduating this December with my BSN and I definitely felt that my life was well balanced throughout. Contrary to popular belief, I was still able to sleep about 6 hrs a night, make time for leisure (video games, cartoons), socialize with the family and squeeze in some exercise routines. Albeit, I don't have a family that depends on me nor did I work full time. What's important is time management. I prioritized all that needs to be done, set my calendars with all the important dates and made sure to take breaks. That way I am not procrastinating and cramming the night before. Nursing school is really not as bad as people make out to be. It's really up to the individual!

DizzyLizzyNurse · Jul 24, 2012

In my experience, it was true. But then again I had to work full time nights and went to school full time as well. I partied and had fun in between semesters and when the semester started I said good bye to everyone.

Totally worth it in the end!

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jul 24, 2012

I was JUST going to post something similar! I was given a subscription to a magazine & my first thought was "I won't be able to read a magazine for the next two years."

That's what's in my mind anyway, based on friends various stories.

alex1987 · Jul 24, 2012

It is strefull and I spend a lot of time studying but I still have a life. Im in my 2nd semester right now (medsurg I + clinicals) and I still have time to babysit 8 hours per week, I have time watch Tv shows and spend some time on internet. Im not married and dont have kids though so its easier for me. I think it all depends on your particular situation and the way you organize your life.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 24, 2012

I've seen obsessives who had no spouse, no children, no job and STILL were freaking out over their schoolwork. And I have seen people with children, a spouse, a full-time job and great grades who (while obviously under stress) managed a bit better.

It all depends on your own life experiences and how YOU handle stressful situations, as well as WHAT your particular situation is. No one can tell you how stressful, how hard, how easy, etc because you are unique.

One thing that is the same for all, however, is that your dedication to the "job" of schoolwork will determine your success. Take it passively and try to skate through? Probably won't fare as well as the one who sets up a study plan and follows through.

Anne36, LPN · Jul 24, 2012

It all depends on what you percieve as stress and how you handle it. For me Nursing school was very stressful. I had 4 kids, financial issues and I do not deal well with stressors. Some other people in my class were able to handle part time jobs and kids and had less than stress than I did. Nobody can tell you what its going to be like for YOU. You also do have some control over your situation. I think that managing your time well helps to relieve stress. There is nothing like having a paper due the next day you have barely started working on.

lilarox · Jul 26, 2012

I didn't work, but I was a full time mother of 2 and my husband worked out of town. I have graduated, in May with an ASN. That said, I believe I was a bit shocked especially in my 3rd and 4th semester at how involved nursing school was. All schools are different, and it is said that mine was especially hard, however the graduates had a 99% passing rate on the first try of the nclex. The fourth semester was very demanding and many students took work leave (mostly the ones that parents as well) during that semester in order to have the necessary time for all the required studying and clinical/precepting hours. I talked to many students that didn't have any kids and/or a full time job, and it appeared that by default nursing school became their life anyway. By that I mean, you make friends in nursing school and stick together to survive, and other people/friends just didn't have the same mission in common so the other people sort of fell to the wayside. I have also seen very intelligent good nursing students (girls) lose focus over boyfriends. Prioritization, time management, dedication, and drive play a key role in how you spend your free time. My school was about an hour away and during clinicals and precepting (12 hour shifts), I banked roughly 4 hours of sleep a night. Every situation is different but my philosophy is to "Expect the worst, hope for the best". Good Luck

sapadgett · Jul 27, 2012

I have been wondering this same thing lately also and I'm really interested to see how it will be for me. I'm a married, mother of 2 but I don't work so I'm hoping that will help with the stress load.

A friend of mine just graduated from an ADN program and passed her boards first try. She seemed to still have a life throughout NS...going places on the weekends etc. I think like the others have said it will really depend on how YOU handle stress and prioritize all the things that need to be done.