So tired of being SO competitive...does this change?

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2008

I think that it feels VERY alone until you get in...once you get in, you bond in clinical groups and classes...if you're friendly, you should get to know a few fellow classmates. I really only knew 1-2 people until 2nd semester...then we all knew each other by 3rd. To the point that I actually ran for class president.

spots are tough to come by...but don't feel like you can't be happy for people ahead of you or that you know. Lots of the students ahead of me were used for guidance as I was going through the program....then lots of students used me for advice.

ADPIE10 · Sep 16, 2008

Be yourself. Yes, it's competitive. Eventually, you'll find people with whom you have a good fit.

JStyles1 · Sep 16, 2008

it doesnt end, but it decreases when you get into a program. it will not end b/c you are still looking to be competitive for grad school....that is if you plan on going

Hoping4RNin2010 · Sep 16, 2008

I don't know, I have always felt that my biggest "competition" was myself. I just did the best I could do and thankfully that was good enough. While we were all waiting on our decision letters I felt anxious for the friends I had made as well as for myself.

If there is one thing I think you need through this process it is someone who knows what you are going through. All of that competition could be some of your biggest support someday.

fiveofpeep · Sep 16, 2008

were in semester 3 and there is still competition

i think its because we have alot of strong personalities and no students over 30 to show us whats really important

MB37 · Sep 16, 2008

Once you're in you're in, as long as you maintain the minimum for passage. That means there's no reason to compete with fellow students anymore. My group of friends (that I didn't meet until NS started) remained competitive, and it helped most of us to graduate with greek honors. It was healthy competition though, not mean, and we helped each other as well.

missjennmb · Sep 16, 2008

I dont see a lot of competition in my program, but getting in was not difficult (well it was, but it was me vs a test not me vs another student)

Drama though...thats a whooooole nother story. I'd trade drama for competition any day!

JustPlainJenn · Sep 16, 2008

It was difficult getting in to my program, but I have to agree with KimB - I felt like I was my own biggest competition.

It does get better, I promise! I walked in to the lecture hall on day one not knowing a single student, and today, just three weeks in, I had lunch with 8 members of my new family. I even had one classmate call me this morning to make sure I was up because she knew I had to work late last night! We study together and help each other with our weak points. Some competition is healthy, but with the workload we are assigned, I'm glad our class has bonded together!

Hang in there!

chickapea · Sep 16, 2008

I'm with you Polka Dot. I'm also in CA (wonder if we are in the same area?) I just try to focus on what I'm doing and do my best. I've been applying for quite some time now and have yet to be accepted into a program. This is very hard. One time I saw a student from a local college in student RN scrubs and I congratulated her on getting in. She responed with a smug look on her face, "What, it's not hard to get in. Everyone I know has been accepted on their first try." :confused: Wow, she was so rude, and not at all deserving of the spot as far as I'm concerned. It would be impossible to go through this experience and be totally ignorant to the fact that the acceptance rate is about 5% of the applicants in our area. A smile and simple thank you would have done just fine. This was my most extream, however not my only experince with competitive nursing student hopefulls. I actually think that sometimes a 4.0 GPA and first time acceptance can give SOME people a false sense of superiority. A great nurse is not made by grades alone and unfortunately the way the system is set up right now we all feel like that without perfect grades we are at a disadvantage. Just continue to do your best and try to ignore the competitive aspect of it all. Good luck to you, future nurse!! :nurse:

hpynurs2b · Sep 16, 2008

I think it depends on the individual.

If ones attitude is that I want to be the best nurse I can possibley be, then how does being competive with one's classmate help you achieve that goal?

I have seen classmate's who got C's but were awesome in the clinical setting. I have also been with those that got A's but would not want them to be my nurse.

Focus on yourself. Focus on being the best nurse you can be. Find classmates who have the same goals as you do and you should be fine.

RhodyGirl, RN · Sep 16, 2008

Before I started NS, while doing the prerequisites, it was hell. Everyone was so competitive. All you would hear was squawking about test grades, applications, "spots", "seats", GPA, or the "I know a girl who tried 4996536 times and still hasn't gotten in"......UGH! I always kept to myself. Keep your eye on the prize and keep your brain ready for the reality of nursing school ---a whole lot of WORK!

The competitiveness has died down, and I am hoping it will stay that way.