Sooo discouraged after new student orientation

michigansstudent · Jun 3, 2008

I heard the same information about the program via orientation. I too was stressed out to the max over it, but then I remembered all the people who said it was impossible to get into the program and I think, "here we are, accepted into the program, ready to start." So, let's try to leave the nay sayers to themselves. We can and will get through whatever comes with being a nursing student for we have already beaten the odds by simply being accepted. We cannot accept anything but success at this point. I dont know how the decision was made at your school, but 1000 people applied at mine, and only the top 120 got in. So, we can do it. :rolleyes:

sistasoul · Jun 3, 2008

I just heard that school will be so hard, many won't make it..those that do will probably barely pass..
I just heard that it will be near impossible to work...I won't have a choice unless I get enough aid to cover my living expenses. I won't know until very close to the first day of class, if I'll be able to quit my job because financial aid office keeps telling me they won't know anything until, etc. etc, so it's all being pushed back to the wire. I don't work with a supervisor who is very sincere or particularly empathetic.
I'm so happy and feel fortunate that I got in, but I can't see how I'll be able to make it with the above concerns looming over me. I am determined, I will be prepared and will study and stick to an organized schedule. And I guess the first concern will be alleviated if I can just get a handle on the second one.

Hi,

Do you have children? 2 students worked 32 hrs a week and just graduated in May with me. They did not have children so working full time and passing school was doable for them. One woman had two children and worked full time and she failed because of grades. Most do not work full time. You can try it and see how it works out for you. I would not reccommend it though. I would take out as many loans as you can and live frugally. Is moving in with your parents or other family member a possibility? How about a room mate?

Nursing school is the equivalent of at least a 60 hr week. Figure in 16 hrs for clinical a week and then 6 hrs of theory to go along with that one nursing class. The reading and the clinical paperwork is astronomical. I would suggest not trying to read all the chapters assigned but study mostly from the powerpoints and lecture notes and then go back into the book to review the stuff you do not understand. I would try to do some of the reading but it is nearly imposible to do all of it.

Get NCLEX books and do as many questions as you can from these books. It will give you the rationale to the answers and you will get used to answering these types of questions.

One NCLEX book I would definitely reccommed is the NSNA NCLEX book. Each chapter gives a synopsis of a certain subject and is a lot shorter than reading the book.

Some of the teachers at my school were known to take questions right from these books and put them on the tests.

Best of luck

southernbelle08 · Jun 3, 2008

I'm not saying it isn't hard - I just graduated last month and I can say that nursing school was the most challenging thing I have done at this point in my life, but YOU CAN DO IT!! I also heard all the discouraging things and dealt with the instructors not taking us seriously until we had gotten almost to our final semester - but it CAN be done! I was right where you are during the summer of 2006 and now I am out and working. It is overwhelming, but let that motivate you - prove them wrong!!

Good luck! :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2008

you know, when program administrators give speeches at orientation like that it's a wonder that people still want to stay. just once i'd like to hear about the class en mass getting up and walking out. what a bunch of bull. half of that was plain old intimidation. what a great stoke to every student's self-esteem. i'm being sarcastic in case you didn't figure that out. i'm such a smart alec that when i heard someone say "school will be so hard, many of you won't make it..those that do will probably barely pass.." i would put my hand up or just call out, "then, why do we want to even have any of you teaching us? why don't you get some better instructors?" i'd probably be the first to get booted out. don't they realize that they are speaking poorly of themselves, not the students? why would an instructor want to be associated with a nursing school where most of it's students don't make it and the ones who do barely pass? what an embarrassment for them! what a bunch of jerks! all i can say is that your work is cut out for you. what a bunch of crummy instructors you are probably going to be stuck with. i am so sorry for you. please be aware that allnurses has lots of great resources and weblinks in the sticky threads. you're probably going to need them.

futurecnm · Jun 3, 2008

don't worry. they all say that. I think they want everyone to make RN school their #1 top and only priority but that is not realistic. I have two kids and was lucky enough to not have to work through school. However, I went to night/weekend school which mainly attracts people who NEED to work, have kids, other obligations etc that make it difficult to go to school during the day. At least 50% of our class worked full time and many more worked part time. I was a minority (not working). And yes, we did lose some along the way. However, some that we lost did not work or have kids. So, it can be done. My good firned in RN school worked full time through out the 2 years and has 4 kids. She got through it, and she struggled and did not get A's on all the test etc but she graduated. She worked as hard as she could. No, it isn't easy but it is do-able. You just have to want it bad enough to put the time in and dedicate yourself to making it work. The ones that did not pass typically were not putting in the effort needed.

NightOwl0624 · Jun 3, 2008

Don't let them scare you - you got where you need to be and seem realistic about what needs to be done!

I had such a different experience the first week of nursing school!

Our professors team teach, and they were both obviously very happy and excited to be "back to work" after the summer break. They were enthusiastic, but realistic. They told us what needed to be done, but also told us that every single one of us had the potential to do it! They also said that sometimes "life happens" and not to feel bad about it, if circumstances caused you to need to back out.

We have a full time resource person who is there to guide us when we need direction. She will give exam reviews, help with study groups, even go to clinicals and observe us if necessary.

I just get the feeling at my nursing school that everyone there wants us to succeed, and they really seem to love what they do!

rnmomtobe2010 · Jun 3, 2008

To each it's own. What others find may find hard, may come easy to you. Just pray and never give up!! Good luck.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 3, 2008

Don't let them intimidate you.

It won't be easy; that is true. But some of us have lived to prove it can be done. I worked full-time and went to school full-time for my ADN, no kids. I worked part-time, went to school full time, and got my BSN, with kids. Got my MN the same way.

I distinctly remember my ADN program director telling our class how many of us wouldn't make it. I also remember our class having a higher-than-average completion rate- almost everyone who started with me finished- and a 100% state board passing rate. I also remember my Master's program director telling us that we could not work and finish the program. After contemplating things like electricity, shelter, and regular meals, a couple of us proved her wrong, too.

The greatest factor in all this is you. If you are determined that you can do it, you can!

Not every job works well with school, so you might not be able to stay where you are, but you will probably be able to work at least part-time, and some employers work really well with students.

Good luck to you, and remember, you can do it!

SarasotaRN2b · Jun 3, 2008

I think that is the rhetoric that almost every nursing school gives. When they mention that you should not work, they fail to mention how you are expected to support yourself. While I did start at working full-time my first semester, I did cut to 24 each week instead and I finished with a high B. On the other hand, I've had classmates that didn't work and they failed out.

Yes, nursing school will be harder than many of the classes you've had thus far, but it is supposed to be. The only thing I can suggest is to take one day at a time and not worry until you have to worry.

You can do it just like the many, many people who have done it before you.

Kris

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2008

You can't base your life on what others say. Nursing school is very difficult, but not impossible. Most of us that are making it are doing very well. My GPA is very high and I don't consider myself a great student. I struggle like everyone, but manage to do well. Don't get discouraged before you really get into it. Keep your eyes on the prize and remember that you can do this. This is a great site for support and also a great source when you're struggling through assignments. Good luck to you, you can do this.:wink2:

jackson145 · Jun 3, 2008

I think most NS say that at their orientations. With that kind of pep talk, it's no wonder there's a nursing shortage!

I've found that it was harder to get into the program than to stay in it. I spent way more time studying for pre-reqs than nursing program classes.

I've met lots of people who made it through both 2 & 4 yr programs while they worked and raised kids and not all of them had an 'extended support system' (aka Grandma) to help out with things.

Most of the people we've lost weren't really that dedicated. Some wasted sick days and then didn't have any time left when they really needed it. Some wasted too much study time, out having a good time.

The few people who had health issues or family/child probs come up & had to drop, will be back in the next 1 or 2 semesters.

If you really want it, you can make it!