Is it really that bad?!

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as a wee little freshman sitting in a sna (student nurse association- but i'm sure you all knew that :wink2:) meeting i got sooo scared.

all the upperclassmen were telling us how difficult school would be starting next year and how we could kiss our social lives goodbye. that part didn't really scare me- but some of the stories they were sharing did.

examples: they were all telling us how strict the rules were about clinicals; how all of them got "limited" marks (what in the world are those?!) for the silliest little things like white shoes that were a little dirty or parking in a wrong parking spot at the hospital. they also told us that nobody ever got an a on careplans and that we might as well kiss our good grades goodbye.

is nursing school really that bad?! can anybody share any good stories that will make me feel better? :o

one very scared freshman!

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Specializes in L&D.

I remember orientation when they tried to scare the stuffing out of us. I made it my mission (if you will!) to attend every orientation & set the record straight.

Is NS hard? At times, yes. Other times it's easy.

Is it doable? ABSOLUTELY!!

Your nursing school experience is what you make it--I vowed to not let NS rule my life. I still made time to do the things that I like to do and spend time with my family & friends. It's all about balance.

If you do what you are supposed to do, stay prepared, and treat your teachers (and patients) with respect, then you will go far in NS. IMHO

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

Don't get me wrong, school is tough but it can be done. You just need to keep things in perspective. Grades are important, but don't beat yourself up for not making straight A's. We are in school to learn and often that involves making mistakes. Besides, those upperclassmen and women are probably rehashing the same things they were told when they sat in those seats.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

is nursing school really that bad?! can anybody share any good stories that will make me feel better? :o

one very scared freshman!

first of all, congrats to you for getting into a nursing program. i am still in the process. :biggringi

now to answer your question.... when i started graduate school i was asked to "look around the classroom and count all of the heads in the room." then i was told to note that only 30% of those i saw in orientation would graduate.

there were people in my orientation class who were afraid of the horror stories and warnings. others brushed off the tales and the statistics as scare-tactics. however, looking back i can see that everything i was told was correct! in fact, my orientation left stuff out!

so how in the world do i have an mba today? the day i looked around the class i promised myself i was going to be one of the 30%. it is that simple.

therefore, my advice to you is to think positive about what you have heard and will hear. there is a reason for everything you will endure before you start your clinical courses and during your clinical courses. none of it will be a waste of your time.

even the things you were told that sound petty are done for a reason. in many cases the reason will be to evaluate your attention to details. little details can either save a life or take one. good luck.:monkeydance:

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