Starting school...

[ShawnF]

Hi all, This is kinda new to me. I am starting school next semester in the nursing program. I was wondering if any of you have any advice for a guy going into the field. I am kinda nervouse about this, as i am 30 yrs old and havn't seen the inside of a school in a decade or so. I wish i knew more of what i am getting myself into... from reading things on here, i am looking at a rewarding, fulfilling, frustrating career. I understand what the job is. well kinda... as much of it as i can without actually having done it. I don't know jack... anything you guys can tell me will be apreciated.

[ka9inv]

Starting CNA training this winter and then a year of prerequisites and then nursing school... I'm watching this thread as well. :)

[wlb06]

Get ready to work, I just started in August and it is busting my ass with the load of info they want us to know in the amount of time. The info isnt all THAT difficult, but it is crammed in an inadequate amount of time.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Nursing school will teach you all you need to know. The "Real World" will teach you the rest. Just be prepared to work hard, sacrifice time, social life, and energy. There is a lot of info and clinical practice crammed into a few short years. You will look back and be amazed at how far you have come....

Best of luck!

Steve

[50caliber]

Before entering nursing school, i thought to myself how hard could nursing school actually be? I thought theory was very reasonable as long as you apply yourself and study hard. You need to understand what you are doing vs. memorizing a bunch of facts. You will actually be applying what you learned in the classroom.

What stressed me out was clinicals. If you have no background in health care, it can be an eye opener. I dreaded clinicals every week. After 1 year of it, it does get easier because you understand what you are doing better.

Don't get too stressed out. Keep a level head and be sure to take care of yourself.

[sean5732]

I liked the clinicals more than the classroom stuff. I got bored sitting there and just listening to someone drone on. Although, that was also the school I was going to. Clinicals were fun, talking to the patients....

[jthewood]

Just be prepared to work hard, sacrifice time, social life, and energy. There is a lot of info and clinical practice crammed into a few short years. You will look back and be amazed at how far you have come....

Amen brother...

I started a second degree program with a wife and two little ones at home....now I have THREE little ones at home! You will learn the definition of working hard and sacrificing time while in nursing school, but it's a temporary social setback that yields limitless career potential.

Best of luck to you!

[labdad1234RN]

just be aware that for every difficult and frustrating moment in your upcoming nursing school and your career afterwards, there is that one patient that will make you say to yourself "this is the most rewarding and one of the most difficult job i have ever done".

another pearl of wisdom i can impart is manage your time well. you will be very busy and from the other postings from my fellow rn/lpn's, kiss your social life "goodbye" for at least a couple of years.

and finally, clinicals, academics, and developing your "critical thinking" skills can be a challenge. but i think we males are "hard wired" to "dive" into challenges and enjoy it. good luck on your nursing school and your future career as a nurse.

[JayB18]

I just started nursing school in September. Im 20 years old and the only guy in my clinical group (there were 2 others who either dropped out or switched groups before classes began) so im always getting called on to help transfer patients. Just be prepared for that but make sure not to overwork yourself if you can't handle it.

My clinical began in a nursing home so that we could learn basic skills such as feeding, assisting with transfers, making beds, taking clients to bathroom, bathing/showering , dressing , putting to bed, taking vital signs, making care plans, etc. Im going to be switching to a hospital at the end of October so im not sure what to expect yet. Im thinking its going to be more hectic and faster paced.

The actual classroom stuff is more difficult though and far less interesting. I have to read and study much more than im used to. Critical thinking skills and good study habits are a necessity.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Good luck. Prepare to study your butt off until you get the basics down. Treat EVERYONE with respect. You never know who will make or break you. Put your life in the order of family first, NS second, everyone else wherever you can fit em in.....you can do it..we need more!