Nervous about starting school.

LETRN · May 16, 2010

This probably isn't all that constructive, but it's all I've got :lol2:

Whatever you do, do not listen or read the nursing school horror stories that so many are fond of telling. I have found in my 4.5 years of school that they are told by people who are either lazy, unprepared, unmotivated, or uncaring about becoming motivated or prepared. It's not easy by any means, but it is not that difficult. Keep up the same work/study ethic you had in high school, and you should be fine...if I can pull it off with two kids under the age of 2, then anyone can.

justchill, BSN, RN · May 16, 2010

=) Thanks for that. I figured those stories were a little exaggerated or do to their fault but seeing so many had me starting to think differently. Thanks so much.

peacelovestar · May 16, 2010

I haven't been on these boards really since I started nursing school but I was crazy about them before I did. I graduate in December 2010 and I just finished the worst semester of my life.

Nursing school is hard.

I myself have never had issues with teachers in the past and the same was true for my experience in nursing school. I think people who have issues with nursing school instructors are the kind of people who always have issues with people/teachers/etc.

First semester clinicals the instructor pulled aside and was like "do you even want to be here?" She noticed that I was always on edge. She mistook my nerves for indifference. I wanted to be there.

One thing I learned....and it's invaluable... ALWAYS ASK TO GO FIRST. ALWAYS VOLUNTEER TO DO THINGS IN CLINICAL. You're a student!! Nobody expects you to "get it perfectly." I am kinda scared of being on my own because well, I won't be a student anymore.

Nursing school is hard. I'm in a 2 yr program (ADN.)

First semester- piece of cake.

Second semester- at the time I thought I was going to cry everyday. I thought nothing could be worse.

Third semester- It got worse. Severly depressed all semester. I got sick (worse fear), failed a test and had to climb out of hole all semester.

The questions are whack. Some teachers are on power trips and do not listen to 100% reasonable rationales. I'm sorry but if 32 out of 40 fail a test something was wrong. It happens though and you move on.

Don't gossip. Try to make at least one good friend to rely on. Nobody gets what you're going through like a fellow nursey student :)

It's hard. It really is. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster. I don't care what anyone says, it's hard. But it's not THAT hard. It's doable. Other people can do it, SO can YOU!!!

it is

without a doubt

the BEST thing I've EVER done. I can't imagine doing anything else and I'm so thankful that I found my calling.

Good luck.

If your heart is in it, you will do fine.

Always pay attention to what the teachers say in class (usually hint to what is on the test), always attend class.

You will do fine. Good luck!

I'm editing because I hope my post didn't sound too negative.

I can't stress enough how this experience has changed me.

I even spoke to incoming students about how great my nursing program is.

jennafezz · May 17, 2010

I'm nervous too. I have never had any issues with school being difficult... but I really think I will be challenged in nursing school, and that is a weird feeling. It's like there is this huge major change coming up (in September!) and I just hope I will be ready for it.

spritez · May 17, 2010

I have found in my 4.5 years of school that they are told by people who are either lazy, unprepared, unmotivated, or uncaring about becoming motivated or prepared. It's not easy by any means, but it is not that difficult. Keep up the same work/study ethic you had in high school, and you should be fine...if I can pull it off with two kids under the age of 2, then anyone can.

I think that's a little harsh. We all handle stress differently and we all have different strengths; it's unfair just to write off those who struggle as being uncaring and lazy. And though I'm not certain of your age, I'm inclined to believe you may be older because you have children. For students going to nursing school straight out of highschool, we might not be as well equipped to handle the challenges that nursing school brings. Just sayin', don't judge too quickly.

My first year of nursing school WAS hard. And you'd be crazy to call me lazy with all the work I put into it. Luckily I ended up on top at the end of the year.

Anyway, end of rant!

My advice on the subject is to not let it all overwhelm you. I cried my way through my elective at the beginning of the second week cause I couldn't imagine how I could get all the things done that I needed to do. It is possible! You'll get into the hang of it. Try and make the most of clinicals first year, some programs skimp out on how many hours you get first year, so try and get in there and really get a feel for things. If your school has any student support programs for nursing students (academic writing courses, anatomy review sessions, etc.) take advantage of them!

Good luck!:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe

guiltysins · May 17, 2010

I agree with everyone above, everyone is nervous. I've never had a job in my life, so nursing school is the first real hands-on experience at anything I'm going to be doing and I'm petrified.

I also second the idea of not believing horror stories, some are founded yes but sometimes the situation really does differ with each individual, by either perception or pure luck. A lot of people have had problems with my school paperwork and financial aid wise and I've never had an issue with the school once, could be I was more prepared or I just handle things different from other people, or it could have been sheer luck, not sure.

Just don't go into nursing school with a negative attitude. Don't go in thinking "I'm gonna hate this school, I'm gonna hate this professor, I'm not going to pass, I'm going to fail the tests" because if you go in thinking that, you probably will. Go in with an open mind and realize that every school has it's problems. People do things on a whim, transfer schools, drop out ect, without giving it a chance and realizing that they really could do it. Just have confidence. You can do whatever you put your mind to. :up:

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 17, 2010

This probably isn't all that constructive, but it's all I've got
Whatever you do, do not listen or read the nursing school horror stories that so many are fond of telling. I have found in my 4.5 years of school that they are told by people who are either lazy, unprepared, unmotivated, or uncaring about becoming motivated or prepared. It's not easy by any means, but it is not that difficult. Keep up the same work/study ethic you had in high school, and you should be fine...if I can pull it off with two kids under the age of 2, then anyone can.

Your work ethic and study ethic from high school will NOT work as you have to change and adapt to instructors teaching and testing styles like you have never seen before, every answer being right. I never studied in high school and passed with flying colors. That does not work in NS.

Instead go in with a positive attitude of I can do this, I will work hard for it and I wont let anyone stand in my way. You let that happen and you will become a good student and eventually a nurse. The horror stories are true, everyone has them and I'm sure they are embellished a little bit as well but thats just the nature of it. You really can learn a great deal from others mistakes/stories so I encourage you to read them and the advice that other posters offer on the subject matter. I know that I have been in many of the situations people have been put into and everyone handles it differently so see what works best and how others have handled it.

LETRN · May 17, 2010

I think that's a little harsh. We all handle stress differently and we all have different strengths; it's unfair just to write off those who struggle as being uncaring and lazy. And though I'm not certain of your age, I'm inclined to believe you may be older because you have children. For students going to nursing school straight out of highschool, we might not be as well equipped to handle the challenges that nursing school brings. Just sayin', don't judge too quickly.
My first year of nursing school WAS hard. And you'd be crazy to call me lazy with all the work I put into it. Luckily I ended up on top at the end of the year.
Anyway, end of rant!
My advice on the subject is to not let it all overwhelm you. I cried my way through my elective at the beginning of the second week cause I couldn't imagine how I could get all the things done that I needed to do. It is possible! You'll get into the hang of it. Try and make the most of clinicals first year, some programs skimp out on how many hours you get first year, so try and get in there and really get a feel for things. If your school has any student support programs for nursing students (academic writing courses, anatomy review sessions, etc.) take advantage of them
Good luck!:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe

I wasn't referring to people that struggle, just those that struggle and feel the need to post and share their stories about how nursing school is on the same level of difficulty as quantum physics. In my experience the people that insist on sharing those stories are like I described in my previous post.

Roberta88 · May 17, 2010

I just finished my pre-req's and was accepted into a fall BSN program. In high school I got A's and B's and never cracked the book. I then went to a community college and didn't know what I wanted to do at first so I just took GE classes. Again, I never cracked the book and got the same grades. Then I started pre-req's. It wasn't until I started them that I realized I had no idea how to study. In high school and college GE you are expected to get a general understanding. This is not true for science classes. So midway through biology I figured out the key to studying which is *drumroll* not just reading the information repeatedly but retaining it for longer than a the date of the next test. I got a C in that class and a B in the chemistry class I was taking at the time. Every pre-req after that I got straight A's and was even a physiology tutor for awhile. My point is, I agree with the person who said you can't do the same thing you did in high school. My biggest advice would be to make sure you are adaptable. Even though I have gotten straight A's the past two years I had to study for each class differently.

On another note, I think a previous poster was saying to not get caught up in the "oh nursing school is so hard." I haven't started it yet but going in overwhelmed is no way to do it.

Good luck!

Faith213 · May 18, 2010

You'll hear it a thousand times, but stay organized and DO NOT procrastinate. What you learn in nursing school builds upon itself. In a way, every test you take will be cumulative. You must understand the fundamentals to understand medical/surgical nursing, so on and so forth. You can not wait until the night before the test and memorize the facts and hope to pass. You must understand the "whys" behind each answer. If you don't understand the material, the facts are worthless. :twocents: Good luck!

emmie9905 · May 18, 2010

Let me congratulate you on being accepted to NS. I am going into my second semester. I will be honest with you, it's scary and exciting and overwhelming, all rolled into one. Don't ever get discouraged. There are always people you can talk to, e.g. advisors, professors, other students. Most of all have fun. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Good Luck to you!!