what makes nursing school so hard?

Nurses General Nursing

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I will be attending a technical college this summer and will be a pre-nursing student(taking generals only) until im accepted into the clinicals because of the wait list. So I won't be taking any nursing classes until a year or so. Will taking all the generals this year and the nursing classes next year make college easier for me? A lot of people say what makes nursing school so hard is the amount of course work and little time to study..is this true? Or what else really makes nursing school so horrible? I really want to be a nurse so I would appreciate all the information and tips about nursing school! thank you so much for whoever replies. :)

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I just graduated. All the busy work is what made it hard for me.

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Some things I found that makes Nursing school so had is the grading scale is different, all the answers on the test are correct, it's just which one is the best. Not only do you have to know the information you also have to know how to apply it. Don't worry about how hard it is going to be it will all be worth it in the long run. Good luck

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

For me, it was the fact that we had a lot of lecture and not much clinical time.

I did a 2-year community college program, and our clinicals had a lot of observation. My first med-surg rotation was at a rehab hospital, where I did a lot of fingersticks and vital signs, and nothing else. We would learn things in lab, then not do them again for a semester. I never worked as a CNA (though it wasn't for lack of trying), and all of the summer practicums I applied for wanted BSN students, so my clinical skills weren't reinforced outside the classrom. When I got to my second med-surg rotation, and final semester, I was very behind. I almost failed clinical.

I also worked 30 hours a week in a call center. There are a lot of students on my shift, and my boss was very impressed that anyone could work while going to school, but it made studying very hard.

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

It's just the volume of work and the volume of reading, viewing videos and hours of clinicals and lab work that is very time consuming. Most places I investigated before I settled on the school I picked for my nursing education strongly suggested that all prerequisites and most if not all corequisites were completed before beginning the nursing program.

I'd strongly suggest it too. Ask students in the nursing program where you want to go, and see what they say.

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im in nursing school now and i feel like im always catching up! their is so much homework its insane but its definetely worth it. when we go to new facilities for clinicals the staff seems to be impressed so i feel like im accomplyshing something! goodluck :)

p.s. i only work once a week 12hr shifts anymore than that would definetely cut into my study time.

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It's all consuming. You will spend most of your free time studying and getting prepared for your next class and clinical. It's doable so don't stress too much. Incorporate good study habits now and try and sock away some money so you have a little leeway in NS. Also remember to eat healthy foods and exercise once in NS. That helps as well.

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The large amount of material you have to read in relatively short time....lack of experience in clinicals.Like for instance I had a patient with gallbladder removal and he was NPO,should have had remembered that,common sense right? The belly has to rest and the patient might not tolerate the oral diet just yet,however since I dont do it everyday like a dummy I was asking the nurse why is his tray not coming yet?:banghead: I guess what I'm trying to convey is that lack of experience,lack of medical knowlege is a major factor can be a pain...With that said the material is not really that hard but you must be really into it and understand it,memorization isnt the key here.

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Some are married and have family so it's hard for them. To me, the hardest things about nursing school are too much information but you have too little time to study, the stress of family/friend/school and the critical thinking on the tests. But the fun stuffs outweighted the hardest parts of nursing school too (well...somtimes :)

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For me, it was the fact that we had a lot of lecture and not much clinical time.

I did a 2-year community college program, and our clinicals had a lot of observation. My first med-surg rotation was at a rehab hospital, where I did a lot of fingersticks and vital signs, and nothing else. We would learn things in lab, then not do them again for a semester. I never worked as a CNA (though it wasn't for lack of trying), and all of the summer practicums I applied for wanted BSN students, so my clinical skills weren't reinforced outside the classrom. When I got to my second med-surg rotation, and final semester, I was very behind. I almost failed clinical.

I also worked 30 hours a week in a call center. There are a lot of students on my shift, and my boss was very impressed that anyone could work while going to school, but it made studying very hard.

I could have written that post myself....I had a rough time in my third semester and really strugled because I was sooo behind with everything and I received very hard patients.I cant beggin to tell you how much I learned this semester including piggy bags,hanging fluids,diluting meds all nine yards however everything has a price as I almost failed the clinicals .

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What made nursing school hard for me was working and having a social life. It was just really hard for me to balance all three. Last year I really had to make some sacrifices, so that I could remain focused on my goal. It sucked having to cut my hours @ work (i'm broke as hell now), break up w/ my boyfriend, and pass on a few of club nights. But I know if I didn't I wouldn't be preparing to graduate in May. But I also know a lot of people who didn't have the same problems as me- so everyone is different.

My advice to u is... surround urself w/ people who will support u in every way, have a plan- A & B, don't be afraid to ask for help (even if u feel like its something u should be able to do on ur own), avoid unnecessary distractions (whatever that may be) & be on the look out for signs that ur getting overwhelmed- try to avoid it at all cost b/c it will only hold u back.

Hope this helps & good luck with everything!;)

*new "G"*

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Dear,

Everbody felt the same way, at some point. Really nothing good comes easy, to make a fantastic nurse u got to work hard and pull thru some how.

-- good study habits,

---- having enough rest will get u moving on the right track, :up:

"A thousand steps begin with 1 step (forward)," every mansion certainly has a foundation.

look on the bright side, be a positive thinker, enjoy what you do, put your best into whatever you do. i assure u;ll make a FANTASTIC CARING NURSE!!

wish you the best

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