Nurses out there! What was your hardest Nursing semester???

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I'm about to start nursing school next semester and would like to know from any current students or working nurses which was the hardest semester for you? And why?!

The hardest semester for me was the 3rd . . .( The first semester of the 2nd year). Our Patho class weeded more students out than anything. I think on my death bed I'll be ranting about the Krebs cycle! Clinicals were pretty enjoyable -- OB held no interest for me, though! Wishing you the best--- keep believing in yourself. You'll make it![/quote']

Thanks for the uplifting words. So far I'm worried about patho based on ppls comments. But you're right I'll believe in myself :)

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Just dig in when Patho comes. If you read something, read it again, and then read it a third time. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you ask, no doubt others in class are wondering it, too. Enjoy your classes, clinicals and fellow students-- yeah, it can be tough at times. It all comes together though, when you get your diploma, and when you pass the boards. You'll do just fine. Please keep us posted on this website, okay? We've all been there, and we're all cheering you on! :yes:

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Just dig in when Patho comes. If you read something read it again, and then read it a third time. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you ask, no doubt others in class are wondering it, too. Enjoy your classes, clinicals and fellow students-- yeah, it can be tough at times. It all comes together though, when you get your diploma, and when you pass the boards. You'll do just fine. Please keep us posted on this website, okay? We've all been there, and we're all cheering you on! :yes:[/quote']

Thank you so much. I'm Starting my LPN this January ( given I get accepted to program) and I will keep asking on this forum about the program for sure.

Thanks again:)

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Specializes in Mental health, psychiatry.

My most difficult was the maternity rotation and pathophysiology. I had 2 kids and thought that Maternity would be easy but I had a hard time but made it through.

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My most difficult was the maternity rotation and pathophysiology. I had 2 kids and thought that Maternity would be easy but I had a hard time but made it through.

Yeah apparently many AN members find OB difficult or challenging or not interesting. I've seen several threads about it :)

Makes me wonder why

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, NICU.

I graduated with my BSN in Dec 2012, got my RN license Jan '13, and started working March '13.

First of all, each nursing program puts different material in different semesters. Also, there will be slightly different material in general. For example, my A&P was a prerequisite and Patho and Pharm were in my first semester. Also, i had ONE class that squeezed conception, mother/baby, NICU, and Peds all into one semester. I know other programs are different.

Second, nursing school is generally 'so difficult' because you must be and A+ student to get in but once you are in, you are held to comepletely new and much higher standards. Many students struggle because they have to study twice and hard to make half the grade. A saying I've heard in regards to nursing school is "C's get degrees." Its is 100% completely possible to maintain a 4.0 throughout nursing school, but is most likely impossible if you have children, a job, or pretty much any other responsibilities.

Third, the hardest part of nursing school for me was studying. I rarely had to study more than a couple hours the night before an exam in any of my pre-nursing classes. Well, I had to learn very quickly that I needed to step up my game if I was going to pass ANYTHING lol. Also there is a heavy course load with even heavier work load for each. There are many, many times when you have 3 or 4 important exams, paper, etc all due the same day. Its hard to accomplish everything in a timely manner when its all so new.

Fourth, something that no one really talks about: Nursing school is chaotic. There will be MANY changes to the course schedules, assignment schedules, clinicals, etc. You have to learn to 'go with the flow' a bit. Most people that get into nursing school are kinda OCD, organized, like schedules, etc. Its hard to adjust to the fluidity that is nursing school.

Some tips: STAY ORGANIZED!! You should know your assignment schedule about 3 weeks in advance to stay on task. Also, embrace that chaos and fluidity that is nursing school...it will get you ready for the chaos and fluidity of the nursing profession.

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I graduated with my BSN in Dec 2012 got my RN license Jan '13, and started working March '13. First of all, each nursing program puts different material in different semesters. Also, there will be slightly different material in general. For example, my A&P was a prerequisite and Patho and Pharm were in my first semester. Also, i had ONE class that squeezed conception, mother/baby, NICU, and Peds all into one semester. I know other programs are different. Second, nursing school is generally 'so difficult' because you must be and A+ student to get in but once you are in, you are held to comepletely new and much higher standards. Many students struggle because they have to study twice and hard to make half the grade. A saying I've heard in regards to nursing school is "C's get degrees." Its is 100% completely possible to maintain a 4.0 throughout nursing school, but is most likely impossible if you have children, a job, or pretty much any other responsibilities. Third, the hardest part of nursing school for me was studying. I rarely had to study more than a couple hours the night before an exam in any of my pre-nursing classes. Well, I had to learn very quickly that I needed to step up my game if I was going to pass ANYTHING lol. Also there is a heavy course load with even heavier work load for each. There are many, many times when you have 3 or 4 important exams, paper, etc all due the same day. Its hard to accomplish everything in a timely manner when its all so new. Fourth, something that no one really talks about: Nursing school is chaotic. There will be MANY changes to the course schedules, assignment schedules, clinicals, etc. You have to learn to 'go with the flow' a bit. Most people that get into nursing school are kinda OCD, organized, like schedules, etc. Its hard to adjust to the fluidity that is nursing school. Some tips: STAY ORGANIZED!! You should know your assignment schedule about 3 weeks in advance to stay on task. Also, embrace that chaos and fluidity that is nursing school...it will get you ready for the chaos and fluidity of the nursing profession.[/quote']

I hope I can get accustomed to the chaos lol. You are right I'm OCD and super organized. I don't welcome changes in my academic routine but I will have to I guess.

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Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

Hardest semester was probably, by academic standards, the 2nd and 3rd (Had med surg II, peds, maternity, over those with some other classes thrown in for 'fun'). The last one was the hardest emotionally because I got sick of nursing school itself, even though I loved my preceptorship and research project.

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