Just Opened Acceptance Letter! I'm In!

Absolutely13 · Nov 2, 2008

Ok, I do have a bit of advice now that I'm almost a year into nursing school. Nursing school is entirely different than your pre-reqs. You are 100% under the nursing program's control. The exams will be like nothing you are accustomed to. The rules of the program are different. You are being examined objectively (lecture) and subjectively (clinicals) to see if you are trustworthy to carry that RN license and its incredible responsibility.
Submit yourself to the process early, and don't fight it. I had a really hard first semester. Thing is, I gave in to the process before some of my classmates did, and I fared better. Trust the process even when you don't understand it. Don't mentally fight your nursing program, regardless of what you see. By 'process' I mean the environment of how the instructors talk to and treat the students, the rules, the bizarro exam questions, etc. Some of my classmates continued fighting the process first semester, and they had a rougher time than I did. I decided that while I didn't understand a lot of what I saw going on, the program had been around a lot longer than I had been around (one semester). So I trusted the process and set my emotions aside.
Nursing school has a culture of its own, and it can be a weird experience adjusting. Of course this will vary depending on specific programs, but so many of these factors seem to be pretty constant from what I read here. Speaking from personal experience, if you are an A student in nursing school, you might want to keep that to yourself. The stakes are so high in nursing school, A students can be resented. Really resented. Again, this isn't about how things should be, but how they actually are.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great.

That is invaluable advice and I truly appreciate you taking the time to relay your experience.

I can, and will, do that. Just "go with the flow" as they say. Again, great advice and thanks.

SnarfGirl · Nov 2, 2008

I couldn't agree more! Great advice....especially about keeping the "A" to yourself.....

lemonaidangel · Nov 2, 2008

Congratulations! I remember getting my letter. Greatest feeling in the world! :-)

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Yay, I remember getting that letter. I ran screaming from my mailbox to my front door, with my mailman trailing me.

tonyal · Nov 2, 2008

CONGRATS. I got my letter a few weeks ago and literally squealed on my front porch. The feeling is the best in the world. :yeah:

allnurses Guide · Nov 2, 2008

Yay, I remember getting that letter. I ran screaming from my mailbox to my front door, with my mailman trailing me.

I drove right out to my friend and mentor, who encouraged me to do this. And we laughed and cried. (Can't find a laughing and crying smilie).

By the way, GREAT advice for new students. Don't fight it . .. :up:

And I liked your "bizarro" exam questions . . . . .because they truly are "bizarro".

steph

lotstolearn · Nov 3, 2008

congrats absolutely13! I remember getting my letter... best feeling ever!! good luck to you!

sabrn2006 · Nov 4, 2008

Congratulations! My advice is to get as organized as possible ahead of time. Save up some reserve money if possible. Find some healthy ways to relieve stress. Prepare to study hard for the next 2 years. Best of luck to you...

Cynders · Nov 4, 2008

:yeah: :yeah:

Congrats and best of luck!!

Do-over, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2008

Submit yourself to the process early, and don't fight it.

:yeahthat:Exactly. Very good advice.

allnurseid · Nov 4, 2008

congrats! I remember what a great feeling that was. Enjoy the time you have before school starts! and even once you start, remember to take time out sometimes to have fun - it'll preserve your sanity

AmericanRN · Nov 5, 2008

Over 200 applications for 60 student nurse openings. Somehow, I'm starting in January 2009. I'm thrilled!
What should I expect in the first semester of an ASN program?

Congrats it's the best feeling in the world. :)))

Expect to read a lot, learn it don't just memorize, invest in a planner, stay extremely organized, steer clear of class drama but still be friendly but not a doormat.

NS is all about balance in everything from studying to having some fun, to being polite and friendly w/out being a suckup or allowing yourself to get used.