Nursing school isn't as terrifying as I expected?

[NotAllThoseWhoWander]

Guys, I'm a worrier. It's just my thing. I worry about leaving my flat iron plugged in, I worry about that paper due in a week, I worry about other people, and I worry about how much I worry.

So you can only imagine my surprise when I began this LPN program, nearly stress free. The last year of prerequisites really took a toll on me, and I hit a low point in my life, losing some friends in the process... I can't tell if my new personality just means that I've changed for the better, or if I just don't care about school anymore. Or, perhaps nursing school is surrounded by negative hype? I've done well on pretty much every exam. I haven't failed a pass/fail yet, and labs are fun for me. A friend of mine said it was "the hardest thing" in her life she had ever done; other people tell me horror stories - I just don't feel that way.

I felt a little pressure yesterday, so I literally just dropped everything and worked on a painting. Weird. I'm just worried () about how calm I feel. I think a storm of difficult course work is coming - and I just need to hear some experiences. How was nursing school for you? Was it easier than you thought it would be? Am I being unrealistic? Do I lack motivation?

[ASPIRING2BGREAT]

I somewhat feel the same way. I completed my 16mth program in December, passed NCLEX in July and recently hired. Only speaking from the stand point of my program and I worked full time while attending in evenings. It is very time consuming, focused, and you won't have a life but it is very do able. If you don't have to work I believe that cuts alot of the stress and makes it that much easier. You have to be really organized to keep it all together and determined.

Even the NCLEX, in my opinion has to much hype. We definitely should study until we can't study anymore but after that go in and give it your best. Most have it as a huge MONSTER and makes the fear rise up in many become overwhelming.

So stay focused and be thankful for the ease you are having because there are times when you may struggle but if you organize and keep the course it definitely is very much do able.

Good luck!

[dealwithit]

It's not very hard because you are in LPN school. Head over to the university and complete a BSN then we'll talk about difficulty.

[NotAllThoseWhoWander]

It's not very hard because you are in LPN school. Head over to the university and complete a BSN then we'll talk about difficulty.

Is it because there are more classes piled onto each other, or...? Because if I end liking nursing, I'll most likely go further with a degree. Do you mean it's easier because I'm taking it in chunks instead of all at once?

[NotAllThoseWhoWander]

So stay focused and be thankful for the ease you are having because there are times when you may struggle but if you organize and keep the course it definitely is very much do able.

Good luck!

Thank you! I think that maybe I'm just retreating into laziness to deal with the stress.

[dealwithit]

It has nothing to do with chunks of classes as opposed to the material; moreover, the depth of assessment, critical thinking, and problem solving that is taught in a BSN program far exceeds that of an LPN program. Getting some basics with say, OB / Peds, may not be difficult in LPN school, but in BSN/RN programs the material is far more advanced.

Point being: if you think LPN school is not very hard and you enjoy it - enter into a LPN-BSN program immediately and continue that momentum. Sounds like you need to be challenged more.

[NotAllThoseWhoWander]

It has nothing to do with chunks of classes as opposed to the material; moreover, the depth of assessment, critical thinking, and problem solving that is taught in a BSN program far exceeds that of an LPN program. Getting some basics with say, OB / Peds, may not be difficult in LPN school, but in BSN/RN programs the material is far more advanced.

Point being: if you think LPN school is not very hard and you enjoy it - enter into a LPN-BSN program immediately and continue that momentum. Sounds like you need to be challenged more.

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind!

[NurseYoungGuns]

I felt the same way in the first semester of my LPN program. I was bored. But then these last two semesters have picked up and been more challenging, which I really like. My advice is to not let yourself get lazy even if the work is easy, and always strive to do the best on every exam. Good luck, and I hope you continue on to RN/BSN.

[NotAllThoseWhoWander]

I felt the same way in the first semester of my LPN program. I was bored. But then these last two semesters have picked up and been more challenging, which I really like. My advice is to not let yourself get lazy even if the work is easy, and always strive to do the best on every exam. Good luck, and I hope you continue on to RN/BSN.

Thanks!