just some reassurance for nursing school

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I just wanted to let all of those who are prenursing know not to believe all the horrible stories. I just finished week 9 of my first semester and am doing well. I will say I have learned more than in any other 9 weeks of my life. I do not work but have 2 kids (4 and 7) and a husband who take up much of my time. I was so scared before starting because so many made it sound nearly impossible. Study, get sleep and don't get behind. If you are able to understand how things work in the body and why, a good critical thinker, you should do well. Common sense is needed as much as fact memorizing. So many other college classes are just memorization so some who got all As because they memorized for hours on end will lose their perfect scores here, a nurse can not rely on all memorization, too many scenarios. Good Luck! and i got in quicker than expected so will be nursing in 08 lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just wanted to let all of those who are prenursing know not to believe all the horrible stories. I just finished week 9 of my first semester and am doing well. I will say I have learned more than in any other 9 weeks of my life. I do not work but have 2 kids (4 and 7) and a husband who take up much of my time. I was so scared before starting because so many made it sound nearly impossible. Study, get sleep and don't get behind. If you are able to understand how things work in the body and why, a good critical thinker, you should do well. Common sense is needed as much as fact memorizing. So many other college classes are just memorization so some who got all As because they memorized for hours on end will lose their perfect scores here, a nurse can not rely on all memorization, too many scenarios. Good Luck! and i got in quicker than expected so will be nursing in 08 lol

THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this!!

Most of us know that nursing school is no cake walk, but it is refreshing to hear something positive once in awhile. Don't get me wrong- I'm sure I'll get on the boards and gripe here and there during my challenging times. I start in January '07 and looking forward to it!! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just wanted to let all of those who are prenursing know not to believe all the horrible stories. I just finished week 9 of my first semester and am doing well. I will say I have learned more than in any other 9 weeks of my life. I do not work but have 2 kids (4 and 7) and a husband who take up much of my time. I was so scared before starting because so many made it sound nearly impossible. Study, get sleep and don't get behind. If you are able to understand how things work in the body and why, a good critical thinker, you should do well. Common sense is needed as much as fact memorizing. So many other college classes are just memorization so some who got all As because they memorized for hours on end will lose their perfect scores here, a nurse can not rely on all memorization, too many scenarios. Good Luck! and i got in quicker than expected so will be nursing in 08 lol

ahhhh now there is a happy thought you will finish when I hopefully start school lol.

I am glad to hear you are enjoying it so much, I am one of those memorizers there is so much info at times seems its the only way to get thru to get the grades, I better start working on the application of all I am learning.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just wanted to let all of those who are prenursing know not to believe all the horrible stories. I just finished week 9 of my first semester and am doing well. I will say I have learned more than in any other 9 weeks of my life. I do not work but have 2 kids (4 and 7) and a husband who take up much of my time. I was so scared before starting because so many made it sound nearly impossible. Study, get sleep and don't get behind. If you are able to understand how things work in the body and why, a good critical thinker, you should do well. Common sense is needed as much as fact memorizing. So many other college classes are just memorization so some who got all As because they memorized for hours on end will lose their perfect scores here, a nurse can not rely on all memorization, too many scenarios. Good Luck! and i got in quicker than expected so will be nursing in 08 lol

Our Micro and A&P teachers set up the classes and tests so that we are well prepared for nursing school, I am not worried. A nursing student who works in our Bio study lab said the same thing as you.....so I am not worried. ;)

Good luck to you sounds like you are doing great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

the worst part is it is constant, no breaks in the load until the semester is over. I set goals to get my work done so i can have a day or afternoon off and that helps me alot. I know in the end the payoff will be worth it and i can do this, 16 weeks at a time! 7 weeks to go!! lol i am really going to enjoy summer break, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I have to agree.

I just finished up my 9th week of nursing school (first semester---Med/Surg, Psych, Physical Assessment, and Concepts) and it has not been nearly as hard as I expected. I am doing very well, both in the class (B's and A's) and in the clinical area (so yes, you can do good in both). I still have time for my family and myself.

You have to stay organized and have good time management for sure, don't get behind type of thing which is hard at times, especially for those like me who procrastinate. I have really enjoyed it and am having fun and have made some really great friends!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for the encouragement. I have likewise heard horror stories and discouraging and upsetting stories about the first semester, first year,etc. I start school in January. I am currently taking an O-chem class and have sat around near the nursing students while in the cafeteria and hear them complain about differing procedures between what was taught and what is actually done in the hospital. Which I could expect that, but they complained about the nurses who berated the students calling them 'stupid' for following the procedures they were taught. Hmm. I know that will be experienced in all jobs, irregardless, but I would like to think that there would be a way the clinic directors and the nursing instructors could or would arrange a happy medium or teach to the procedures of that particular hospital. What do some of you think?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you for the encouragement. I have likewise heard horror stories and discouraging and upsetting stories about the first semester, first year,etc. I start school in January. I am currently taking an O-chem class and have sat around near the nursing students while in the cafeteria and hear them complain about differing procedures between what was taught and what is actually done in the hospital. Which I could expect that, but they complained about the nurses who berated the students calling them 'stupid' for following the procedures they were taught. Hmm. I know that will be experienced in all jobs, irregardless, but I would like to think that there would be a way the clinic directors and the nursing instructors could or would arrange a happy medium or teach to the procedures of that particular hospital. What do some of you think?

I am fortunate to be doing my clinicals in an excellent hospital that has earned magnet status. The nurses there are taught to be extremely friendly as is everyone there. I have never seen more friendly staff. I hope to work there. Next semester I go to a hospital with a lesseer reputation. I have already seen nurses practicing differently than we are taught, we are told to make a mental not but not say anything to them unless it is really a threat to the patient. We do discuss it with our clinical instructor. I saw a nurse leave tylenol with a patient's relatives because the patient was asleep. Not sure if she ever got it but it was in the computer as administered at the time it was prepared. I just hope i never feel like taking those short cuts. Those pills could end up anywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.

I will proudly echo the above. I'm in my 9th week of my first quarter (I have finals in 2 weeks! Yikes!) and am doing very well and, most importantly, I am loving it! We get to learn so much awesome stuff! It's very time-consuming, but I always allow time for myself (usually a half-day a week and I always stop studying by 9 so I can watch TV and chat with my SO). My classmates are great, my instructors are great, the nurses on my clinical unit are great... I could not be more thrilled with the choice I made to go to nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your positive words. People told me I shouldn't take any other classes while taking anatomy and physiology because it would be too hard...I took a full time semester and got A's, besides being time consuming it really wasn't that bad. I know nursing school will take work...but I don't think it is going to be as horrible as some people would have you believe. I am going in with a positive attitude and belief in myself and my ability to learn. It also helps to think of all those that have gone before me...if they did it why can't I? I know there will be some days that are better than others, but that is with anything in life. It is nice to hear someone say something good for a change..Thanks!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

To echo other postings, it IS a lot more work than the amount of the credits I signed up for -- I was truly amazed by the time committment this requires above and beyond the "X units" in the course catalog.

That being said, if you're a good student, can pull good grades (without depending on a curve -- you can see those postings elsewhere on this site), can follow instructions, and have a bit of a thick skin for clinical staff or instructors who can be a bit harsh at times (it IS a very important job we're training to do, after all), then you'll probably be fine....

The hardest part is how much is thrown at you at once....I told a friend that sometimes I feel like I'm the main target in the middle of a paintball field, lolol....it just never stops....but I do have to counter that by saying that I can NOT believe that finals are coming up in just a few short weeks....the time does fly!! And I have had time to catch a couple of movies, take a weekend off with friends, and do other social activities....the dust around here, however, is another subject!!

Best wishes!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment