MorganB

Ok I'm probably the only person who has actually been to medical school and nursing school. I was a student at the Ohio College of Podiatric medicine some 15 years ago. Feet....not my thing, I didn't get into Medical school and opted for podiatry school instead. Following med school I went back to teaching. I have several degrees a BA in English, a BS in Biology, a M. Ed, in Reading and TESOL, and at one point was in a doctoral program. Long story short now I am in Nursing school. No, Nursing school I snot as difficult as med school. However it seems like Nursing students complain more about the level of difficulty. I'm convinced this is because of the critical thinking aspect. And certainly I've noticed that those who complain the most truly don't have much to compare nursing school with. Like one poster said Nursing school is what you make it. I didn't study like crazy, I have 3 kids, a husband who works 60 hours a week etc. I studied 3-4 days prior to a test maybe 4 hours a setting. I studied alone without study groups, and to say the least I did well even with a plate that was overflowing. I'm a 4.0. Again is nursing school hard...maybe; I just think it depends on your realm of experiences. Was med school harder...hell yeah. But you'll never hear a med school student say ohhh whoa is me med school is so hard. Nursing students just stop it!! You don't get brownie points or sympathy just because you didn't get to have a social life. And the reality is you can work and have a family in nursing school people do it in med school as well. My husband is a doc and he worked part time while in school when the loan money ran out. Mantra: I can do this!

1st semester is as you called it glorified cna work. I guess I didn't think of it that way. I figuredit was foundational, Though I did bathing, toileting etc I also passed meds, gave injections, fed patients, vitals, in addition to suctioning, primingivs, trach care, cath etc. Heck I was just happy for the opportunity, You should be elated that you are doing glorified cna work as you call it. You should have used it as an opportinity to help your fellow nursing students perfect what you already know. There's no shame in hardwork. The other skills will come. But honestly there will be times as a nurse where you revert back to your cna skills. Suck it up and enjoy the ride.

Wow I so envy you. Nursing in and of itself is a ministry of compassion selflessness and love. Good luck in your endeavors! What an awesome path to take.

I just completed the semester with a 4.0, 3 very young children, a crazy household, and an absentee husband ( works 14-16 hour days). First of all nursing school in terms of being hard is really based on your prior experiences. The reality is some people struggle and then there are some who just get it and can apply the concepts. There are also the natural born test takers. The key is if you struggle initially run and get help from an intervention specialist. Pretty much here are the keys to success: 1) avoid the drama queens/ kings at all costs 2) study a little to a lot every day--- there are those who study 6 -8 hours every day and still barely pass and those who cram and do well ( find what you need to do to do well). I studied at night at least an hour or 2 every night during the week after the kids were asleep. before a test I always gave myself at least 10-15 hours of study time spread out over 4 days. I didn't study on the weekends or the night of a 12 hour clinical. 3) breathe( kep positive affirmations at your fingertips) pull out when you need encouragement 4) pray, pray, pray 5) if you don't know..... be honest and say so 6) ask questions 7) be respectful 8) buy fundamentals success and use it often 9) learn to be a duck let crap roll off your back 10) stay away from the loudest people in your class ( you'll find out why very soon) 11) learn when to be quiet, never argue with instructors if they say the sky is purple just say really Mrs. so and so I didn't know that thanks for helping me to see it..smile...then curse them in your head 12) get a calendar 13) prior to the test block out the converstions of those who are waiting with you....other peoples lack of confidence prior to a test is contagious, I stayed in my car until 8 minutes before the test , spent 5 min in the restroom, and the last 3 I'd say hello and wait in a corner to be called, and i kept earplugs in my pocket just in case so i wouldn't overhear other people's conversations 14) exercise when you can ( stress reduction) 15) encourage yourself as well as your peers... be a subtle cheerleader

I am a second semester nursing student in an adn program. It truly just depends. The reality is that people have to work. There were people in our program that worked 40-60 hours per week believe it or not. Many were mothers who worked full time in addition to completing the program. Bills don't stop because you're in nursing school. The key is organization. I will work full time and attend school full time in addition to my 3 children. People do it in our program all the time though we are warned to work less than 20 hours a week. The vast majority of us have prior degrees, and are older so perhaps that helps. Bottom line it can be done just know your limits.

It was 2 months before I heard back for my position. Hang in there.

Good job!

Smylee I have 3 aged 2,5 and a step daughter who is 15 and cognitively delayed.

Oh wow those we're some of the exact. Questions I was asked at my pct interview a few weeks ago. Good luck to you!

Hi guys. Let me just say I'm 39 married with 3 children. I have an overly stressful family dynamic and schedule. I'm married but in terms of the kids I'm basically a single mom as my husband works 16 hour days. I have no family support to help with the kids and the household. I say all of that to say if you want it bad enough it will happen. I just finished my first semester of nursing courses with clinical and I finished with a 4.0. Be encouraged tell yourself you can and will do this. My plan is to graduate at the top of my class as a testimony to the power we all have within us. Nurse on people!

I made an investment in oneof the six mini meal lunchboxes. I packed frozen water plus an extra bottle. for breakfast it was usually scrabled egg, steak fajita meat pre cooked from the freezer section, and or spinach and feta cheese omlets super easy. For snack granola and yogurt. For lunch it was usually left overs. I hate crockpots... so on weekends I would grill a ton of meat and veggies, and or I would cook a bulk of meats using a pressure cooker with the browning feature, super fast and easy. Typically lunch consited of a lean meat and or two veggies. My wednesday staple was spaghetti squash with meat sauce and green beans. The great thing is I'm a mom of 3 so what I prepared worked well for everyone. On clinical days I prepared taco meat, rice ( white) with a bullion cube added, and green beans for the baby sitter to warm up for the kids. Super easy. On the days where I wanted to splurge I would back two lean cuisines. I didn't gain any weight I actually lost because I ate what I prepared. Many clinical days I was eating my dinner while in traffic lol. I slipped it right into a microwave after post conference.

Good luck to you all!

Hey I too am / was a teacher starting an adn program next week. i just wanted to say you are not alone and I think having been teachers works in our advantage . We make excellent students. I too just began to hate the classroom and the beaurocracy. Looking foward to a 2 or 3 day work week and time with my kiddos and hubby.

The tvcc deadline is dec. 1.

Oh no Aggie, I'm so sorry. I hope you plan on applying for fall.