Study & wait ? Study & wait? Study & Wait ...

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This is already making me more than a little crazy, I guess I really want to study nursing! How can it be we are supposed to sign up for classes like: anatomy & psyiology I & II, biology, microbiology... Ok, maybe this isn't so bad. Is this true, though, we have to take these classes, not only pass them but pass them with excellent grades, and at the same time prepare for the entrance test, and do all this without knowing if we will even be accepted into the program at all??? I have to say, so far this whole nursing idea is turning out to be extremely fascinating, and frustrating, at the same time. Is this just the beginning??? Or is it all for nothing??? Unbelievable...I don't remember ever being so intrigued, and stressed out, just thinking about a new career. Thank you so much for all of these interesting messages, this place is incredible, even if I don't get accepted I'll always remember the way it felt before I knew what was going to happen. I guess I really do want to study nursing, how do you like that. And it only took me until my early 50's to realize it. But I want to get in, I want to get in, I want to get in....this is really hard.

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Specializes in Home Care.

I'm 48...I've been plugging away at pre-reqs for years while working. Last year I graduated LPN and in August this year will be starting the LPN-RN transitional program.

Take it all one step at a time and don't get hung up on the future. Don't get yourself overwhelmed from the get-go.

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Specializes in Emergency, Pre-Op, PACU, OR.

Yup, preparing for and applying to nursing school is a lesson in patience and a test of determination. With application numbers skyrocketing at nursing schools, many nursing schools not only change from waitlist-entry to competitive-entry systems, but they also tighten up their admission requirements. At 2 of the 3 schools I applied to, applicants were previously able to fulfill a limited number of outstanding prerequisites after they turned in their applications (usually 1 science class plus a couple of other classes), and both schools changed it so that applicants now have to have all prerequisites fulfilled before they are able to apply.

On the upside, you'll have plenty of time while doing your prerequisites to ponder if you REALLY want to be a nurse.. ;)

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

If you don't have a firm grasp of those subjects, the critical thinking required of a nurse just won't make any sense to you. That's why they make you sign up for those classes.

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I'm really enjoying the classes, and I'm fascinated with the science and critical thinking. This is what makes it all seem so challenging, and there's not a patient in sight, yet! Wow! Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement. Hey, a "lesson in patience" in more ways than one!

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You're right, itsmejuli, I appreciate your advice...thank you.

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I've always thought that a pre-req class for nursing should have some hands on/research components. How many people have we seen on this site, or in class, who get to clinical and say hell no? People who take one look at a pt and run screaming for administration? Or out of the field altogether. On a positve note, it would also help motivate those who are impatiently waiting for their chance to see a real, live patient. To actually HELP someone. Many people are unable to go to the obvious direction of volunteering, being a tech or cna as an individual education in the field of nursing. I have spent years doing pre-reqs frustrated by the wait time, because I had to continue in my former career (not even close to healthcare) to pay the bills. Time to volunteer was not available.

It's scary to want something, be goal oriented, continue to move towards your goal, only to get there, and worry that now, maybe you were wrong about this. I have continually done gut-checks along my journey: clean up an unresponsive neglected LTC pt? Held my breath to clean the BM, tried not to get splashed while he peed, focused on the amount of residual to make notes of it in his jpeg, tried not to cry cleaning the yeast out of his mouth. I handled that. Next, would I faint in surgery? Nope, found it pretty cool. The smell of burnt flesh, and bone saws aren't super awesome, but the task at hand and the comraderie amongst the OR staff is. Ok, FDIU, cocaine babies, babies having babies, sad, mad and frustrated but manageable. Not for me in the long run. There has never been a point on my journey that I have thought this is not for me. So far.

Now, some of the BS i have to deal with in lecture.......

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I spent more months finishing my pre-reqs than I will have spent in a nursing program! :D

Those pre-reqs do indeed help! Microbiology=infection; anatomy/physiology=what is normal in the human body; chemistry=understanding pathophysiology on an atomic level (plus the terminology used in chemistry comes back again and again and again in physiology and patho).

Just keep chugging, and one day, you'll enter NS for the first time, be all excited...then be worn out by the fourth week! LOL

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As with anything, waiting is horrible! Yes it's true, you have to take A&P before doing nursing...although some people do it together....depends on the school I suppose. Mine doesn't require micro to be taken before nursing. I'm in my 2nd semester of nursing school and will take micro this summer. But trust me, it's better to get all the hard classes out of the way before starting nursing. Good luck!!

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
I've always thought that a pre-req class for nursing should have some hands on/research components. How many people have we seen on this site, or in class, who get to clinical and say hell no? People who take one look at a pt and run screaming for administration? Or out of the field altogether. On a positve note, it would also help motivate those who are impatiently waiting for their chance to see a real, live patient. To actually HELP someone. Many people are unable to go to the obvious direction of volunteering, being a tech or cna as an individual education in the field of nursing. I have spent years doing pre-reqs frustrated by the wait time, because I had to continue in my former career (not even close to healthcare) to pay the bills. Time to volunteer was not available...

That's all well and good, except for two things. First, no school of nursing anywhere has the kind of resources to teach that many students skills in prereqs - we have a hard enough time getting instructors as it is. Secondly, exposure to the field is precisely what volunteering in a hospital or employment as a CNA or EMT is for. If people don't care enough to find the time to make sure that its their chosen field is something they want to do, then it's no one's fault but their own.

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Excuse me, I misspoke. By "hands on" I mean, a shadow, follow, observation, not to touch or intervene with patients. I agree that would be risky. I disagree that no one has time to teach the fundamentals.

As nursing programs have the infrastructure already in place to have clinicals at local hospitals or clinics, having another group of students who come to observe an area should not be an overwhelming issue. Many schools have a pre-program or introductory class that covers theory, past, present and future of nursing. This is an appropriate time to learn whether nursing is an achievable career. I agree that this would require additional time and effort on the part of the program, instructors, and clinical sites. In the long run, I believe it would save time, money and heartache for faculty, administrators, and students. Not to mention patients who end up with someone who is not happy in their career, but must continue working as a nurse to at least pay back tuition, recoup their financial losses while in school, and find another job. In the meantime, do you want to work with this person, or have them care for a loved one?

I think many people are lured by the reported good pay, job security, and career longevity. There are many people working in careers they hate, or are apathetic about. Yet they persist for a mulititude of reasons. Apathy in healthcare can be lethal.

For anyone who has languished on a waiting list, to read posts here, or overhear conversations elsewhere, about nursing school or the profession, complaining, whining, and wishing they'd never followed this path, it can be maddening.

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ashley i LOVED your post.....i felt exaclty the same way during my pre-reqs! and guess what, now im IN the program, and still experience many of those feelings and more! nursing education is difficult and exciting! there is a huge variety of emotions! so what classes are you taking right now? where in this crazy process are you?

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