Is it really that hard?

[lizzieB05]

I just started an accelerated nursing program and all I have heard from most of the other students ahead of me is how hsrd it is. They complain about the long hours and how little time they have to study. I went to a meeting today with other AOP students and I listened to them give the reat of us an idea of what they are going through. Call me crazy, but I just dont see it being as difficult as they are making it out to be. I am use to studying hard and organizing myself to make the grades, so what is so different? Maybe it will come and bite me in the butt later but I am looking forward to things getting a little more challenging. What do you guys think?

[NTPinky]

Hi Lizzie,

Now that I'm in my 2nd year in an accelerated MSN program, I have to agree with people who have warned you about how tough it is. But not for the reasons you're probably thinking. In my experience, the academic part is not hard. Your school may be different, but what makes it hard in my case is the complete lack of respect for students, the disorganization, and the unapologetic attitude of the nursing department at my university. Studying and being organized is not enough to do well at my nursing school.

Most of our professors put on a pleasant face when lecturing in front of the class, but they talk down to you or are downright rude in a one-to-one situation.

I have no support from anyone in the department at my school. It's their job to find me a preceptor, but they did not, and I got very little empathy when I complained about it. I ended up having to find my own preceptor, but that's not working out as I'd hoped because I have to follow my preceptor's schedule. Today was my first day and I was only able to put in 4.5 hours because that's all the time she put in today. And no one at my school's nursing department seems to care.

Anyway, I hope your school's different from mine! Good luck.