Nursing students!What has been the hardest part of NURSING school?!

Wulfie · Sep 5, 2009

Time Management.

For me it was trying to squeeze 32 hours out of a 24 hour day. With all the reading, writing, skill practice involved in nursing school, there is little time for anything else. I need the additional 8 hrs just to try to get 6 hours of sleep.

In all honesty, the work is difficult and at times stressful, but the time is my biggest obstacle.

goodstudentnowRN · Sep 5, 2009

hmmm...I agree. With careplans and reading all the chapters then review, it takes time. Sleep is very important in college and nursing college six hours sleep is like scarce commodity for someone like me who works full time. Anyway, I am on my last course now so it is not that bad afterall.

anon321d · Sep 5, 2009

Thanks!This definitley helped some!

BanoraWhite · Sep 5, 2009

Finding the time to revise for tests and do homework, spend time with your family, friends, partner, go to class etc....Its a juggling act !

Wulfie · Sep 5, 2009

Here is something interesting though. I spend a lot of time on here reading significant amounts of information that helps with a lot of my classes. But I also seem to do a bit of socializing while on this forum so it has helped me with the time management. I get to learn, study, and socialize all at the same time.

Thank you Allnurses!!! Now, can I get a cot in the corner and a pillow?

LeesG · Sep 5, 2009

I am only entering my 3rd week of NS and I can tell you that I am overwhelmed ! Its not that what i am reading is hard, its the amount of reading. I have reading for lecture, lab and clinical each week and it comes to about 15-20 chapters of info. Then there is the skills that have to be learned and practiced over and over again so you can pass the skills check off. So I would have to say the volume of work that needs done is more of a problam than the work itself.

Funny thing is I have read over and over again here that the volume was the problem. So even though I was warned and I thought I knew what I was getting into and I thought I was prepared for it...I wasnt. Nothing but actually being there can drive home how much work it really is.

Juggling work and family only make it more diffucult. Even after only 2 weeks I have adopted the additude of Dory from the Disney Nemo movie, I JUST KEEP SWIMMING !!!!!!!!!!!!! I have actually sang it out loud a few times and it calms me down.

Good Luck

Lees

anon321d · Sep 5, 2009

Haha,that's a great attitude!Keep it up! :up: :up:

BanoraWhite · Sep 5, 2009

I am only entering my 3rd week of NS and I can tell you that I am overwhelmed ! Its not that what i am reading is hard, its the amount of reading. I have reading for lecture, lab and clinical each week and it comes to about 15-20 chapters of info. Then there is the skills that have to be learned and practiced over and over again so you can pass the skills check off. So I would have to say the volume of work that needs done is more of a problem than the work itself.

I agree. I have been at Nursing School for almost a year and I don't find the actual course work extremely hard, it's more the amount of work. We usually get a 100-ish page book of notes the teacher prepares for us, so we are expected to read it, as well as take notes on about 200 slides shown on the over-head projector, do independent study, complete an essay or exercise for that subject and also sit an exam (which requires more revising at home). I usually try to study for at least an hour a day on week days, more on weekends and days off.

My house mate is at university too, so at least we are able to sit down at a table and study and socialize a bit together.

Natingale, EdD, RN · Sep 5, 2009

process records....ive never spent 8 hours doing a paper every week..ever !

Zoe*aka*studentnurse · Sep 5, 2009

spending less time with my kids.

I'm a full time student, and also work full time (my hubby is a stay at home daddy) so I have had less time during the week to play with my boys. The weekends are "study free time" in my house, unless I have a exam coming up the following week.

Good luck, and sort out your calendar asap - you'll be so much more organised with everything written down.

:-)Zoe

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 6, 2009

Well I am still new, I am going into my third week and don't start clinicals until next week (the 14th) so far the thing I have struggled with is adjusting to waking up at 6. I don't HAVE to wake up at 6, some days we start an hour or 2 later so I could sleep in those days but I rather just stick to one schedule. On clinical days (once a week this semester) I will have to be up at 4:30, but going from staying awake until 2-3 in the morning to making sure I am in bed by 10 so I get enough sleep has been a big struggle. I am hoping it gets easier and easier with each passing week.

Other then that everything has been extremely manageable, but again, it's still early. We had our first exam after one week and I have 2 exams this upcoming week so I am sure thing will pick up more.

Just a little bit of personal advice as well, if you have a spouse, partner, etc. make sure you make time for them as well. The last thing you want to have when you already have enough on your plate is relationship problems and I have yet to meet a spouse that didn't mind feeling neglected if they are in a good relationship.

So make time for them too. It will make things a lot easier. It may be hard when you are tired or feeling overwhelmed but just make it a point to your self to take like 2-3 days a week and go to bed a littler earlier and spend time with them :)