Nursing School vs. Reality

Jo Dirt · Mar 17, 2009

I dont think anybody who is sane likes nursing school.

Wasn't that the original question???

tinderbox · Mar 18, 2009

I am a junior in nursing school and I just ran into a nurse last night at a party who told me that theory was one thing but actually doing it is another. I am just wondering if nursing school prepares you for the reality of nursing? How well do you think nursing school prepared you? Or did you learn everything on the floor? Any feedback would be welcomed. She also told me that nursing school only prepares you to take the boards not real life nursing. HOw would you respond? Thanks for the feedback.

I agree. Nursing school does not prepare you for the real world of nursing. My advice: Get a job as an aide at a hospital, and if there are opportunities at your nursing school for extra practicum hours- TAKE THEM. The theory stuff- that's all nice and good. But I really think the most important classroom instruction is the pharmacology and physiology classes. Aside from that- get as MUCH clinical/hands-on experience as you can because that nurse was right on. Nursing school is the Ivory Tower of nursing, and in the real world, there is NO ivory tower of nursing.

tinderbox · Mar 18, 2009

So I hope I can ask this qustion without hijacking this thread....but if I hate nursing school, will I hate being a nurse? Because yes I hate clinicals.

I'm saying this with love but yes, chances are good that you will not like bedside nursing. Hospital nursing. Clinicals are just a small taste of what's to come. In the real world, you deal with not only the sick patients but 5-6 other patients like him/her, their families, their doctors, and all the discharge issues that come with their particular situations.

Spotty44 · Mar 18, 2009

I am a very tactile, kinesthetic person. I loved clinical because I felt it really helped me apply what I learned in class. I would learn about CHF, and then walk into clinical and go "oh so that is what it looks like on a person!".
Personally I felt very well prepared when I left nursing school. I understood that I was given a foundation to build from and I feel I have done well with that. We had heavy clinical rotations from day one, and a lot of hands on experience.
It worked for me.
Best of luck!
Tait

I'm the same way...I absolutely LOVE clinicals, even more than I like lab. I love to get out there and actually work with the people and practice my skills. I actually have to do something to really grasp the concept.