Starting Nursing School This Month

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

You're right ! Nursing school does require critical thinking and understanding the material rather than memorizing which is often done in gen. ed. classes. I personally think it was more pressure on me taking my sciences, because at my college we had to get a B to pass the science classes in order to even apply to the program. In nursing school there is still pressure but for my program all we need is a 75 or above. Once again, each school is different. I received A's and B's and all of my Prereqs but I rarely studied for my gen. ed classes. In nursing school I've put alot more time and effort in when studying. I force my self to break down the concepts so that I can understand how the body works and what can happen if something goes wrong with a particular system. Some people on the other hand find nursing school to be very easy, and they never study. It differs from each person. I find nursing school to be challenging but I also love to learn. Some topics I grasp more easily than others and there are some topics that I don't grasp at all ( like fluid and electrolytes). Of course the clinical aspect of nursing is new to all new nursing students. Overall, I do like nursing school. I've had my days of crying and have had my days of joy. With that said you will get through it ! Good luck to you, and wish me luck as I finish my last semester. Whew ! it went by soooo fast.

TRCCnurse2be · Jan 8, 2009

Wow, I am a little envious....your last semester, that's great, congrats to you! :yeah: I will be so proud when I can say I only have one more semester left. I am nervous, but excited at the same time. I did really well in science classes ( A's in chem and A&P) so I hope that will be in my favor. I totally surprised myself with those grades. I graduated high school in 1988 so you could say I was pretty rusty in academics. I have dedicated my life to my husband and kids and now that they don't need me quite as much as they used to, I am going to focus on getting my career started. I will just turn 41 when I graduate but there are people as old as 60 in my class. We appear to all try very hard, I think because we want to now more than we did when we were younger....not to say that younger students don't try, they do. In fact, one of the girls just turned 19 and she has totally given up her social life to study and make good grades......I am speaking on a personal level for myself, I did not apply myself in high school and I admit that. I do try hard now, so I think it is my 2nd chance to be succesful. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and now finally I have been blessed with the opportunity to make it happen. Best wishes to you and thanks for your advice!

Tracy

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

You're welcome Tracy. And don't be envious... I'm a LPN student so the program is only 2 semesters and a few weeks in the summer. I do have a little ways to go before I become a RN, but I'll get there. I think you will do fine. My mom became a LPN at the age of 41 and became a RN at the age of 45. Age doesn't matter. Life happens, sometimes things don't go as planned. I started nursing school at 19 also, so I too had to give up a social life ! However, I still made time for loved ones. Nursing school is all about balance. I work full-time ( because I have to), go to church, and still manage nursing school. I'm just praying to God, that I'll be able to keep my grades next semester. I know you will do fine. Thanks for wishing me luck.

TRCCnurse2be · Jan 8, 2009

I am blessed with a husband who supports me both finacially and emotionally so that helps more than I can say. Thanks for sending good thoughts my way....I send them your way too!