Hello nursing students!! I have a question for you...
I am currently working on my pre-reqs, and the sooner I get to applying, I am hearing more and more how "hard" nursing school is...how it "sucks"...and how it is "really hard on relationships"......
My advisor has even said you have no life while going to NS.
Please, please tell me what is it EXACTLY that makes them say this. Is it the work/study load? Is it clinical time? Is it that "hard"? what exactly? how is it different from what I am doing now with my classes?
I really appreciate what you have to say. At least I will know the whys of what I am hearing!
(I've also heard of how bad chemistry is, and I'm loving that...so it's all relative, isn't it??)
I am a nursing student in Louisiana who will be graduating in December. I have to agree with everyone here when they say it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am a mother of three with a husband in the military. His 18 month deployment to Iraq wasn't this hard! The biggest adjustment is the pace and the grading scale. I don't know about everyone else, but we work on a 7 point scale, so you must be willing to work to a higher standard than most other degree fields. Almost all of our classes are done in 8 week terms, so you really don't have a lot of time to cram in all the information and get it down. Most of our tests are weekly and many of those tests cover 10 chapters or more. In addition to this you have clinical rotations and all the paperwork that comes with it (i.e. care plans, patho, med sheets, lab sheets, assessment, charting). Here we pick our pt out (or one is picked for us) the day before clinical around 14:00 and we have to manage all the paperwork to be turned in by the end of the clinical day...clinicals start at 06:30 and end at 14:00. We have classes on campus usually two days a week for 2-3 hours and clinical rotations 2 days a week. This depends on what you are taking...personally I recommend that you take any and every class you need for your degree other than your nursing courses before applying to the program. The rest is about dedication and want. This is not an easy degree and it doesn't allow much time for life outside of the requirements. It will take all your time to complete projects, study, do paperwork and prep for clinicals. Both my husband's family and my own live in Texas, so we have had to skip Thanksgiving, birthday parties, family reunions, yearly vacations and other activities and opt for smaller celebrations at home with ourselves and our kids because I have requirements outside of class time or clinical time. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband and our families have been understanding. For me and my family it is totally worth making sacrifices for 2 years for me to achieve my dream. Ultimately, it comes down to you deciding if this is a passion or a job. You have to really want this! Nobody is going to let you have it...you have to earn it...at least in my program. Good luck!
Nursing school is nothing like regular school. You're right when they say it consumes and takes over your life. It changes the way you think about things and is truly an experience you have never had before.
You are learning at an accelerated pace (which is awesome if you're a good learner), you're doing things and seeing more that you never could imagine. And on top of that you most likely will go through with a cohort who you bond with and make life-long friends.
It really is life changing and it can, at times, be physically, emotionally, or mentally exhausting. Usually a combination :) But, if you are into school and up for a challenge then you should succeed and do great! There is a ton of hype around it but remember and think of all who have come before you and done it. Also, enjoy every minute of it because it will fly by and soon you will be a real nurse all on your own...
Hello, I am attended University of the Fraser Valley just outside of Vancouver, Canada for my RN. They are offering a 4 year RN program, and now a 3 yr RN program that goes through summer.
I am almost finished my 1st year, and i will not lie, my life has slowly decreased and decreased and decreased... Its not that its hard, although some aspects are, its the amount of time it takes to learn the information... there is always an exam, and clinical, and this and that. YOU will always have a PILE to do. You always feel like you are behind, it takes some time to get used to. You kinda have to pick your battles, am i gonna do my pre readings tonight, or will i study A&P, which by the way is killer... You can go from being an A student going into the program, to trying your best and only getting a C+. Im not kidding, it is hard. And im only in my first year. I find the clinical rotation assignments to be horrible to do. Especially the maternity ones. I dont know how to describe it to you.. i cant tell you the number ive times ive cried because of stress... and it takes a toll on your health too! MAKE SURE YOUR GETTING SLEEP! This semester i have, N104- Transitions, N105-Partnerships, N106- Nurs Practice lab, A&P 112- Anat/Phys II, Pharmacology, and English. FUNNNNN.. haha, but its worth it. It will be worth it. Just keep your goal in mind, You can do it!
I hate to say nursing school is hard rather it's VERY demanding especially if you have a family that takes up some of your time. In my own case, I had a previous degree and now a BSN in 18 months and passed my nclex. For me, it was all about determination. I heard alot of those its hard, I have no life blah blah blah. I try very hard to stay away from negative people because thay drain your energy and will to succeed. I surround myself with positive people that want to excel despite the challenges.
It wasn't easy but I did it with lots of awards, dean's list, president's list and honor society with three young children (7,6,4 years) and a husband. If I can do it, so can you. All you have to do is believe in yourself and God, to give you the strength you need and put in some hard work and you can realize your dreams. Goodluck as you work on your nursing career and life.
I am only in school part-time and love it! Sure, it's going to take me an extra year plus before I graduate, but I only have two classes a semester. I am a mom with two young children and a job so the flexiblity of part-time NS school works for me! I
Don't let some of these comments scare you- it totally depends on what kind of student you are, what kind of personality you have, how you time-manage, how you learn, etc.
I'm in my early 20s, graduate in July, married, and so far I've had a 4.0 in all of my nursing classes. YES it is super time-consuming at times, YES sometimes I am swamped with projects or studying.
BUT I also still go on dates with my husband, very active in my church, still see friends/family, still just relax and watch tv/movies sometimes. You learn to balance everything.
When I went for my orientation for nursing school they said 'make friends in this program, because your other friends won't understand.' Now I do think this is absolutely true. My friends with other majors just don't seem to "get it" as far as our workload in Nursing school. Because not only do you have the projects, papers, and tests like everyone else- but you also have clinical on top of it. So the friends I have made in nursing school are my best friends right now- we understand what each other is going through, and when I have my 'freak-out' 'moments when I think there's no way I can do all of this and I'm really stressed, I just call one of them & realize you just have to go ONE DAY AT A TIME.
Use your time in class effectively- pay attention, take really good notes, and I would encourage you recording the lectures. I have the Pulse smartpen and would recommend it to anyone 100% - it has been so invaluable during nursing school! With 3-4 hour classes, it is hard to pay close attention to everything- so I can rest assured that it's being recorded and I can listen back later. It's really helped when I study as well! I've had so many of my classmates ask me to send them my recordings- even one of my professors asked me to send a recording for a project we're working on!
If you are a good student in class, ask questions when you need to, pay attention at clinical & seek out opportunities you need to learn, have a study group , and balance your time you'll make it through- and have a life while doing it!
Specializes in Oncology; ER after 1st yr completed.
Hello nursing students!! I have a question for you...
I am currently working on my pre-reqs, and the sooner I get to applying, I am hearing more and more how "hard" nursing school is...how it "sucks"...and how it is "really hard on relationships"......
My advisor has even said you have no life while going to NS.
Please, please tell me what is it EXACTLY that makes them say this. Is it the work/study load? Is it clinical time? Is it that "hard"? what exactly? how is it different from what I am doing now with my classes?
I really appreciate what you have to say. At least I will know the whys of what I am hearing!
(I've also heard of how bad chemistry is, and I'm loving that...so it's all relative, isn't it??)
regardless, I still cannot wait!!!!!!!!!
Its all the above. Time management is key. You will have to give more to classes and take from other area of you daily routine, thats a FACT. Thats the most disturbing for most. Your whole circle would have to learn to understand. Everybody will be Thankful at the End. Everyone! !:hrnsmlys:
I am currently in the third and final semester of an accelerated second degree BSN program. My program is only 12 months (I'm halfway through month 9 yay! ) and I still have an active social life and have maintained above a 3.75 throughout the program. I have to agree with others- it is all about what kind of student you are. If you are a type "A"- motivated, ambitious, passionate, and fast paced, you should not have much of a problem with nursing school. Don't let yourself get behind, and make the effort to understand each professor and the way they teach and you will have no problem. I recommend getting to know everyone in your program for help with study guides and just to have people to complain to- but I don't recommend becoming cliquey- you have to be independent enough to be productive during class and clinicals so that you don't fall behind.
Don't listen to people that just try to bring you down saying nursing school is impossible or SOOO hard- it's really not. It's just time management and mind over matter!
If you're questioning whether you have what it takes to undergo the hard aspects of nursing school, I would suggest you do some self-assessing first before coming to a final decision. For me, I asked this question a few times in the past while trying to finish my pre-req's and my answer was always the same everytime--I feel this is the career for me for reasons beyond the pay and the hard work, I am good at what I will be trained and licensed in once I get my BSN. Don't let anyone else try to sway your decision. Even if a fellow NS tells you how much it sucks, you have to see it from their eyes--what's really making them say that?
I agree with someone's reply on here that there are all kinds of teachers out there. Sometimes, all it takes is that one instructor on a bad day to give you a meltdown. But then, sometimes all it takes is that great instructor who cares about their students with future health care degrees and offer you support and encouragements that make you feel that you are supported. To be honest, it took my parents six months to accept my choice to become a nurse because they thought it was going to be a profession that's too difficult for me. However, I have many close friends and my brother who support me and are willing to help me in any way that they can. I also got accepted into a school that has a very supportive system for their students which was very important for me to keep my spirit up and not get burnt out before I even become an RN.
At this point in my life, I do not care how much of a life I have. I would like relationships but I am willing to put it on hold (I am 28 years old and will be over 30 when I graduate) even though I would really love to start a family now. I will owe about $40k to $60k by the time I graduate at the end of 2012 because I'm choosing one of the most expensive schools in GA for NS but I love the school (I finished my prereq's at a state school). I know things will be tough and there will be days I don't know what day of the week it is or how I even made it that far but I know that I'll get through it because in my heart, I want to be a nurse. Forget the pay. Yes, it can be a financially stable job but for me, it's about my craft.
Specializes in med surg, geriatric, clinical, pool.
Hello nursing students!! I have a question for you...
I am currently working on my pre-reqs, and the sooner I get to applying, I am hearing more and more how "hard" nursing school is...how it "sucks"...and how it is "really hard on relationships"......
My advisor has even said you have no life while going to NS.
Please, please tell me what is it EXACTLY that makes them say this. Is it the work/study load? Is it clinical time? Is it that "hard"? what exactly? how is it different from what I am doing now with my classes?
I really appreciate what you have to say. At least I will know the whys of what I am hearing!
(I've also heard of how bad chemistry is, and I'm loving that...so it's all relative, isn't it??)
regardless, I still cannot wait!!!!!!!!!
The only reason I am glad I went into nursing is because it toughened me up enough to help take care of my dying father 8 yrs later. I knew how to medicate him with morephine without freaking out, I knew to turn him q2h, etc. This in turn helped my mom as she finally got some good rest the first night I stayed with them. He was already in a comatose state, but I could hear him moune as I slept on their couch.
I don't nurse today, in fact in haven't nursed in the past 12 yrs.
You don't get any respect as a nurse, new or old. I spent 8 yrs. doing nursing from medsurg in the local hospital where my 2 supers ate me up to pool nursing which I loved. No one messed with me and the nurse who wanted to go home whose place I was taking was glad to see me walk in the door!
I got more offers to stay and work on staff, but after working in the hospital you couldn't pay me to be on staff.
Finally, I did find a place, a place I thought was worth staying and being on staff. It was a FE2 unit (subacute) floor, I loved it. Most of the time it was very busy with patients anywhere from brittle diabetics to knee replacements to MRSA pts, skin graft pts, arorta repair/stroke lady, we saw it all. And I was the only LPN on the floor, along side of a retired Army nurse. we ran the floor.
So if you don't like one place, move on, its not the end of the world.
I did not have a great experience in RN school. I didn't pass by .3 of a point and the head of the nursing program was all too glad to see me go!
So when I went over into the LPN program, it was great, they actually treated us like people, instead of peeons!
I personally would not suggest to anyone go into nursing. The hours are long, you don't see your family or husband, you have to put up with a lot of crap and be on the tip-of-your-toes constantly. Crap from families, although there are some nice ones, from Dr.'s, and your coworks too. You have to constantly prove yourself, shoot I had one nurse take the phone out of my hand as I was repaging a Dr. to tell him I didn't have the insulin he ordered with the DON standing right there! No one took up for me and the diabetic pt was not even admitted as a diabetic!
I could keep going. I won't bore you, just watch out and be on those toes!
After rereading my post, I realize I could sound pretty naive that nursing is going to be the perfect career. I am just very good at high-stress situations because I worked in a much stressful environment from age 17 through 27. I learned at an early age to be content at what you do and not be brought down by other's agendas and personal problems. And also, if you dont like what you see, be smart about it but find a place that you can go that will help you learn more. Don't feed into the hostility that goes on around you but at the same time, be respectful but don't let them push you around or take advantage of you either.
Well I recently finish school in december. School is do able and it is all about the person. I was told that I should work only 24 hrs a week or I wouldn't pass nursing school. Lets just say I work more than 40hrs a week and took care of my kids and finish the program. Some things will try your patience but stick to it and you will be ok. good luck
) and I still have an active social life and have maintained above a 3.75 throughout the program. I have to agree with others- it is all about what kind of student you are. If you are a type "A"- motivated, ambitious, passionate, and fast paced, you should not have much of a problem with nursing school. Don't let yourself get behind, and make the effort to understand each professor and the way they teach and you will have no problem. I recommend getting to know everyone in your program for help with study guides and just to have people to complain to- but I don't recommend becoming cliquey- you have to be independent enough to be productive during class and clinicals so that you don't fall behind. 
TenaciousRN
3 Posts
I am a nursing student in Louisiana who will be graduating in December. I have to agree with everyone here when they say it is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am a mother of three with a husband in the military. His 18 month deployment to Iraq wasn't this hard! The biggest adjustment is the pace and the grading scale. I don't know about everyone else, but we work on a 7 point scale, so you must be willing to work to a higher standard than most other degree fields. Almost all of our classes are done in 8 week terms, so you really don't have a lot of time to cram in all the information and get it down. Most of our tests are weekly and many of those tests cover 10 chapters or more. In addition to this you have clinical rotations and all the paperwork that comes with it (i.e. care plans, patho, med sheets, lab sheets, assessment, charting). Here we pick our pt out (or one is picked for us) the day before clinical around 14:00 and we have to manage all the paperwork to be turned in by the end of the clinical day...clinicals start at 06:30 and end at 14:00. We have classes on campus usually two days a week for 2-3 hours and clinical rotations 2 days a week. This depends on what you are taking...personally I recommend that you take any and every class you need for your degree other than your nursing courses before applying to the program. The rest is about dedication and want. This is not an easy degree and it doesn't allow much time for life outside of the requirements. It will take all your time to complete projects, study, do paperwork and prep for clinicals. Both my husband's family and my own live in Texas, so we have had to skip Thanksgiving, birthday parties, family reunions, yearly vacations and other activities and opt for smaller celebrations at home with ourselves and our kids because I have requirements outside of class time or clinical time. Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband and our families have been understanding. For me and my family it is totally worth making sacrifices for 2 years for me to achieve my dream. Ultimately, it comes down to you deciding if this is a passion or a job. You have to really want this! Nobody is going to let you have it...you have to earn it...at least in my program. Good luck!