So, it's official, Nursing school is the hardest thing I've ever done...ever...
Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving this learning process & soaking up insane amounts of new information everyday, but when they said nursing school was all-consuming they weren't kidding. I know I can get through this, I know I have the brainpower to process & apply these totally confusing concepts, I know I am going to make a competent & compassionate nurse someday...
One thing's for sure: I will feel FANTASTICALLY, OVER-THE-MOON accomplished once I'm through with school. Then I can start the process all over as a NEW GRAD!!
So . . . I'm buying my books early and doing some reading, trying to keep my head in the game and start thinking like a nurse. I've read through the threads about how to prep for NS, but what do you guys recommend?
As a senior in nursing school, I can offer you a bit of advice:
1. RELAX, and enjoy your summer. Sleep and leisure time will soon be a thing of the past,
2. Practice some dosage math. You'll need to know this, and know it well! (I recommend Math for Meds by Curren)
3. Do not read NCLEX books, etc. You'll have no idea what they're talking about until you've been in NS for a while and have started learning the material. If you are really set on reading, pick up "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students" by Nugent & Vitale. This will help you learn about answering nursing-style test questions.
4. Get all of your paperwork in order -- immunizations, CPR card, etc. This way you'll be prepared and not scrambling around at the last minute.
5. Enjoy the ride. Yes, you'll be tired, stressed, and there's no doubt you'll shed tears and wonder why you ever chose this path. But trust me, it's worth it. Good luck!!
I agree - hard to fathom. I start soon and I'm so nevous. A friend of mine had a 3.8 from her BS in Kinesiology and a 4.0 in her prerequisites/science (anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology) and she's struggling hard core in nursing school. EEK!!
I too have a 4.0 in my prerequisites (same as above but also took med term, pharmacology, and some advanced neuroscience courses from my undergrad) and I'm worried! I don't want to ever tarnish the 4.0!
I agree - but a goal nonetheless, no matter how lofty :)
I've seen it done and managed it myself one semester (the first), but it doesn't help clinical performance. At least, it didn't help my clinical performance.
So, it's official, Nursing school is the hardest thing I've ever done...ever...
Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving this learning process & soaking up insane amounts of new information everyday, but when they said nursing school was all-consuming they weren't kidding. I know I can get through this, I know I have the brainpower to process & apply these totally confusing concepts, I know I am going to make a competent & compassionate nurse someday...
One thing's for sure: I will feel FANTASTICALLY, OVER-THE-MOON accomplished once I'm through with school. Then I can start the process all over as a NEW GRAD!!
Yes, nursing school is hard, but the end result is amazing! I just finished this month, so trust me, it is still VERY fresh in my mind what a challenge this is. You can all do it though! There is a light at the end of your tunnel that you will come across before you know it. Keep your head up and good luck!
I thought nursing school was the hardest thing I had ever done too............until I started actually working as an RN. Now, I wish I was still in school. Take lots of deep breaths and remember this: Life is a journey, nothing is what it seems, and nothing worth having comes easy.
As a senior in nursing school, I can offer you a bit of advice:
1. RELAX, and enjoy your summer. Sleep and leisure time will soon be a thing of the past,
3. Do not read NCLEX books, etc. You'll have no idea what they're talking about until you've been in NS for a while and have started learning the material. If you are really set on reading, pick up "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students" by Nugent & Vitale. This will help you learn about answering nursing-style test questions.
I start my program in the fall and I WISH I could relax this summer but its impossible to do that. Im working full time M-F from 7a-3p. I have 12 credits; Pathophys, Med Term, Sexuality, and Pharm. And on top of it all I have a 4 and 1 yr old. Ive never been so stressed in my life. Patho is seriously taking up all of my time to the point where I havent done ANYTHING for my Sexuality class and the exam is next tuesday. I havent even gotten thru the first chapter for Pharm and its only 15 pages. Im behind in Med Term too, but I guess thats okay since I remember a nice amount of it from high school. Thankfully, I wont be working while in the program and my kids will be in school/daycare so that'll give me some study time.
And I bought the Test Success book in hopes of reviewing it this summer, but obviously I wont have any extra time to do that.
So someone please tell me, is the way Im feeling now going to be the way I feel when the program starts?
So someone please tell me, is the way Im feeling now going to be the way I feel when the program starts?
Nursing is a busy and stressful program. There will be times once you start that you will still probably feel as overwhelmed as you are now, but there will also be times where you can relax more easily and you'll be able to readily remember why you picked nursing, how much you love it. I think right now a lot of it is the anxiety of the unknown. You don't know exactly what to expect or how you will personally deal with it. Once you start and get into the groove of things, I'm sure things will be a lot better.
We all start out with our heads spinning into a whirlwind and don't think it will ever stop. We don't know how to manage living and being a nursing student. We don't even know how to manage being a nursing student alone with what's expected of us in school lol. You learn how to do it though. Like everything, organizing your time takes practice. Time management is probably one of the biggest keys to success, and it helps to take a load off mentally, as well.
The journey feels long and rough, but it's so worth it if this is what you want to do! You will be able to get through it. You just have to have a lot of positive thinking and faith in yourself.(and dedication, but it sounds like you already have that down pat.)
I agree - hard to fathom. I start soon and I'm so nevous. A friend of mine had a 3.8 from her BS in Kinesiology and a 4.0 in her prerequisites/science (anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology) and she's struggling hard core in nursing school. EEK!!
I too have a 4.0 in my prerequisites (same as above but also took med term, pharmacology, and some advanced neuroscience courses from my undergrad) and I'm worried! I don't want to ever tarnish the 4.0!
I start this fall too and am worried about the same thing, but I am so excited that it doesn't bother me too much. Scared a little, but just yesterday finally got my orientation date and I'm already pumped all over again, like when I got my acceptance letter. Been trying to get my house completely in order, getting completely organized with other things, like my son's football, baby's daycare, and I hope I can handle it when it starts. I've heard lots of other people had a 4.0 until nursing school! But, hey, we made it this far with a 4.0 and that shows we are determined to do our best. I've done it with 2 kids, a job, and going through a divorce, so if I can just getting up at 5 a.m. and keep working/studying til 9:00 or 10 p.m. for the next 4 years, I should have no problem LOL. I am taking summer classes and I wish I hadn't, but next summer will be my last prereq for my BSN and that's all done too, so when I'm done with the ADN, I'm halfway to where I want to start! So many hospitals I want to work at want a BSN, and I want ICU, so I figure I am killing myself now, but it will all be so rewarding when I start getting to take care of patients. I am trudging through and trying to keep my GPA this summer and I hope I don't regret not taking the summer off!
I can tell you this - you're right! I had both Med Surge, Pharmacology (I've got all the others reqs done) and I was working a full-time job and I died in Med Surg. It took all my attention to pass Pharm with a B+; so, I learned an important lesson that my academic adviser had told me - nursing school is intense; and and "normal" study habits you had for "normal classes" - you'd better double the effort. I remember her saying, "Nursing school needs to consume you and almost own your life for you to get through it." I learned that lesson the hard way. Switched to a much lighter department at work, and I might quit - nursing is that important to me - I can't afford another semester like last one. Be prepared.
RhodyGirl, RN
823 Posts
As a senior in nursing school, I can offer you a bit of advice:
1. RELAX, and enjoy your summer. Sleep and leisure time will soon be a thing of the past,
2. Practice some dosage math. You'll need to know this, and know it well! (I recommend Math for Meds by Curren)
3. Do not read NCLEX books, etc. You'll have no idea what they're talking about until you've been in NS for a while and have started learning the material. If you are really set on reading, pick up "Test Success for Beginning Nursing Students" by Nugent & Vitale. This will help you learn about answering nursing-style test questions.
4. Get all of your paperwork in order -- immunizations, CPR card, etc. This way you'll be prepared and not scrambling around at the last minute.
5. Enjoy the ride. Yes, you'll be tired, stressed, and there's no doubt you'll shed tears and wonder why you ever chose this path. But trust me, it's worth it. Good luck!!