Post-Orientation Doubts

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

In terms of the intensity --- with no offense intended --- NO, NO ONE GETS IT!!!! until they are literally in it. I say that with the experience of having been there during prerequisites and during the orientation where I thought I got it, only realizing I was clueless of how intense it really is until AFTER I was in it. My thought of "intensity" changed after being in it (i.e. it is far more intense than I thought it was). It is a huge commitment. Yet, it is for only a fixed duration of time.

Approximately 1/3rd to possibly close to 1/2 of my classmates are single mothers; often of several children. Most of my classmates work part time; one of my classmates is a full time paramedic (a fellow guy). They make it happen. So while programs are intense, it doesn't mean you are fenced in so that you cannot take care of yourself and your family.

Sometimes study groups work, and sometimes they fail. Study groups are not for everyone. If I were you, I would call the nursing department and schedule an appointment to sit down with someone to go over if they absolutely require staying on campus until such and such a time to study as a group or if it's ok to study on your own at a location of your choosing.

Shagce1 · Jul 21, 2016

I don't see how study groups can be an expectation. If groups form and you can/want to participate--more power to you. I personally didn't participate in the study groups that my cohort put together. I do better studying independently. It was my experience that study groups usually just ended up being a social hour. More talking than studying. That being said, yes nursing school is hard. Yes no one gets it until they are in it. But you can be there for your family and succeed in school. Find a friend or two in your class who can be your support person. You will be fine.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Oh gracious, the "break you" comment ...

Here's the thing ... from what I have observed, the current student(s) of the program who volunteer to speak to the incoming class usually have a lot on their mind to say -- mostly negative. They're burned out, frustrated ...

This scenario played out in our orientation as well. But it didn't play out in reality. Like you, I have children and a husband. I'm not a 'typical' student. I do not spend hours on campus; I fulfill my mother role, sometimes with a lot of creativity. I don't rely on groups; I don't do study groups at all as I prefer to study alone.

This year, the people who volunteered to speak to next years incoming class? They are the disgruntled ones: those students who feel the need to argue on every test question, complain about every due date, and hmph about every assignment in clinical.

Nursing school can be intense. It's a large commitment. I consider it a full time job. But I don't let it take over my life.

andrea3434 · Jul 21, 2016

I also have 3 kids and a husband who runs his own business...

Orientation scared me too, as did talking to previous students. However I had no issues first semester. Make sure you make the most of your time and have backup childcare. I do not study much at night, but I had one weekday off and got done around noon another day so those and Sunday afternoons were my study days.

AspiringNurseMW · Jul 21, 2016

About to enter the last year of my community college nursing program. Intense. Yes. Will it break you. No? That's a bit much.

The fact that you are here and already acknowledge how difficult it could be, probably puts you ahead of alot of your classmates.

I stalked AN for years before I finally started nursing school. I made sure my behind was super organized: Planner, calendars, studying, meals (crockpot, crockpot, CROCKPOT!).

I've gotten B+ in all of my nursing classes and A in the others. And guess what? I only do study groups maybe 2x a semester and I rarely stay on campus, cause I have to work, or care for my 2 kids because my husband works nights, or sometimes occasionally clean my house. But I did create a Facebook group so that my cohort can help each other online.

You learn balance and priorities. You CAN'T do it all, and you can't do it alone. But you can do it your own way. And you likely won't break or fall apart.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

This year, the people who volunteered to speak to next years incoming class? They are the disgruntled ones

Here's the thing about anecdotal evidence; it's situational ;-). The students who spoke during our orientation were not disgruntled one bit. If I'm ever asked to speak to an incoming class (this fall will be my 4th semester), I would do so without hesitation; and, I'm not disgruntled or burnt out.

So while I disagree that every time (or even most of the time) student speakers during orientation are disgruntled and burnt out (I don't believe that to be the case), I do agree with your other comments. And I'm glad you are doing well, taking care of your children, and also having a life. As I shared in my original reply, a good number of my fellow classmates are in similar situations.

anathema, ADN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I have 3 kids, the youngest one with health problems. I will be starting my second year of nursing school next month (only two semesters left, yay!). I will admit - it is difficult to juggle school and kids. My husband and his family are very supportive of me which helps tremendously. I am only doing nursing classes which also helps. I think that it really does depend on how you study, and in what environment you can study in, to be successful with a family. None of my kids are in school, so I go and get them immediately after class/clinicals. My husband is working overtime (family business) so I really do have them every single minute that I'm not in class. All of my studying is done piecemeal - in between house chores, playing with the kids, refereeing the kids, meals, after kids are in bed, etc.

Going into the program everyone here said "You need to use groups!" They made the concession that you don't have to, but I think the general view is that you need to use a group to study. I do not use study groups - I don't have the time, and I don't have anyone to watch the kids. I was home-schooled, and I learned how to figure stuff out on my own - that is what works best for me and my family. I have gotten A's and one B+ (Pharmacology) in all of my nursing classes to date.

Every nursing program is different, instructors are different, each student is different. Can it be done? Yes! Absolutely! But you do have to be committed and your family needs to be committed. All of my nursing friends who have gone through the program (ADN) with kids say the same thing, "It's two years. You just have to stick it out for two years." It sounds easier than it is, but it will be super rewarding once you finish!

pixierose, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

Here's the thing about anecdotal evidence; it's situational ;-). The students who spoke during our orientation were not disgruntled one bit. If I'm ever asked to speak to an incoming class (this fall will be my 4th semester), I would do so without hesitation; and, I'm not disgruntled or burnt out.
So while I disagree that every time (or even most of the time) student speakers during orientation are disgruntled and burnt out (I don't believe that to be the case), I do agree with your other comments. And I'm glad you are doing well, taking care of your children, and also having a life. As I shared in my original reply, a good number of my fellow classmates are in similar situations.

'Tis true. I'll amend my original statement to this: if a current student is asked to speak, and they state, "dear god, you'll have no life but school. Expect to be here til 8pm every night. This program will break you!" more likely than not they're feeling a little disgruntled and/or negative about the program. If they're feeling that way about the program, more likely than not they're pretty negative in general (complaining about grades, etc).

If I was asked to speak, I would describe a completely different experience than my fellow classmate. A very positive experience. I look at nursing school in a realistic way: it's a full time job to me. I think some of my fellow classmates did not enter the program that way, so they're thrown for a loop when it's 'harder than they thought.'

Never once have I thought the program would break me.

Susie2310 · Jul 21, 2016

I attended a community college ADN program. While it was intense, I can recall a single group project. It was certainly not necessary to study in groups unless one wanted to. Some people did, and some didn't. I didn't, and I graduated with honors.

Nursing school is very demanding in terms of time and energy, and you will be required to keep a schedule regarding lectures, clinical placements, etc. Studying, completing assignments, and clinical prep work, will take a lot of time. There will be frequent tests.

It's nice that you appreciate having the opportunity to attend nursing school. Community college ADN nursing school places are in high demand. I personally did not feel privileged to attend orientation; I just felt that my turn on the waiting list had come.

Best wishes to you.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Jul 21, 2016

The former student speaker seems to me to be a tad intense from you description.

[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]I too have three kids and while my husband works in town, there is no way in hell I am staying on campus past the time I need to be there for class unless it is for an actual group project. I also study best alone and I still remain friends with all of my classmates. Actually, most of the people I am in my bridge program with, do NOT like to study in groups. I did however create a closed facebook group for our class (its small, only 35 students) and that has done wonderfully for our group cohesiveness. I checked with the school first before I did, just to cover my bases, and once I got the green light it caught on very fast and now whenever one of us has a question, there are people answering it usually 24/7 since all of us work different shifts. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Of course nursing school is intense, I nearly puked after a test today because the stress got to me but there is no reason it has to break youâ€. Study, take the initiative with your own learning, do not wait for a professor to hold your hand with assignments and test material. Those are the only people I see that breakâ€ during nursing school and it's because they are lazy or want a decent grade handed to them without earning it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]I do most of my studying after my youngest goes to bed at 7 pm and my older two are chilling out, PJs on, reading books because my husband works second shift and that's my prime time to learn. You guys are all adult learners, its up to you how you spend your time. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR]

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2016

I just had my orientation the other day and am in the same boat as you. I felt ready but then I did orientation and now I feel intimated, inadequate, and unprepared. I just keep telling myself I got accepted, I did the work, and I'll adapt and get this done, too.