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 have not yet started working towards my RN but when I started LVN school I was told the EXACT same thing by EVERYONE around me... Instructors, nurses, fellow students. Although yes studying, clinicals, class, projects & homework take a lot of your time it is what you make it. I have known many people who were not only single moms but worked full time as well that made it thru nursing school easily. To me if you have the passion for nursing you will be just fine. It takes a lot of hars work & dedication and I believe you cant just want the pay or title of a nurse to make it. There has to be something inside of you that drives you or you will be miserable & may not make it thru school. Trust me you will know if its for you or not espc after starting clinicals.
People who advise future nursing students about how challenging it is, are attempting to prepare them. Most likely they've already been there, or know someone who has. Most nursing students do not 'sail through' nursing school. If you have a strong support system, study habits, and time to study, you'll survive. Make time to study. 7 and 8 credit courses are nothing to take lightly. They are not just twice as hard as 4 credit courses. Record lectures and conferences (with instructor's permission) and listen to them again and again, while driving to class, home from class, to clinical, while falling asleep. Make flash cards. If you have all of your objectives before the semester even begins, you can fill in the question half of your flash cards before the first day of school. Flash cards can fit in purses or coat pockets. As you memorize them, make three different piles; ones you know, ones you sort of know, and don't know yet. Bring them with you everywhere. When you need a pick me up, review the ones you know! Good luck and prepare yourself and loved ones. Buy paper products for your home in bulk before you begin the semester. Learn to say 'No' to loved ones and friends and bake sales. You will not have time to volunteer. Prepare mentally and physically. You will be a RN one day!
At my program, we are in class 4-5 days a week for up to 8 hrs a day the first few weeks each semester to prep for clinical. then we have clas two days a week for lecture (around 8-10 h/week) and usually 2 clinical days per week that are around 10-12 hrs each day. The reading/study load is considerable, bc it's learning so many new concepts. It is exhausting at times, frustrating at times, hard at times. But so is life. As for the relationships, my engagement ended after my first few months in Rn school; but the relationship wouldn't have made it anyways. Yes you will give up some free time, but look at what you are getting in return- you have the amazing opportunity to save lives, help others, and make a damn good living while doing it. It's only two years, you can do almost anyhing for two years. Nursing school will be the hardest thing you ever do, but it will also be the most rewarding thing you ever do. Former grads of the program I am in constantly say they actually miss school. Good luck, keep your chin up, and when you get frustrated and want to quit- have a good cry, dust yourself off, and remember the reason you are doing this! :):redbeathe:heartbeat:lol2:
I wouldn't be worrying so much about the time committment as I would about whether or not there will be jobs when you graduate. Graduated May '09 and still don't have a job. Many of us are in the same boat. Good luck.
I do agree that nursing school is very time consuming. When I first started taking my prerequisites I was working full time. By the time I graduated from nursing school 3 yrs later, I was only able to work one day a week. It was very demanding, but worth it.
I am not the best person to give advice about nursing school as a whole but 6 weeks ago before I started the program I felt the same way you did. I was so SICK of hearing people who had gone through the program telling me how hard it was, how it sucked, how I'd never have a life until I graduate, forget doing anything for the next 2 years besides studying etc. It's honestly all how you manage your time. Yeah, it's a little tough... we have a test every week so once I complete one test, I have like 5 minutes to feel relieved and then back to studying for the next test for the next class for the next week. Honestly, you have to take it one day/week at a time because if you look ahead, it'll overwhelm you.
Again, I'm only a first semester student 6 weeks into it so who knows how I'll feel next week or if I'm still in the program. ;-) But I wish you luck!! Try not to listen to everyone when they're negative about it... that really petrified me. It's all how YOU make it. :)
I have to say nursing school is hard all together... It's a combination of everything together. It's alot to take on all at once. I'm not married I don't have kids and it's still a lot for me. I have the best boyfriend ever and I don't know what I would have done without him. We have been together for 5 years this march and he has been patiently waiting for me to finsih. I will be done this Dec.
It is just hard to balance a job, school, studying, clinicals, a boyfriend and my family. it's like a juggling act. the little time you do have to spend with people everyone is fighting over who gets you. (Do i spend it with my boyfriend who i haven't seen in a week and I miss or my sister who i never get to see)
And then you dont have time to slack. You don't have time to just take a day off... you get the slightest bit behind and it almost impossible to chatch up...
get orginized and stay on top of your reading and assignments...
I worked full time while going to nursing school full time its easy!
Just kidding, only about the easy part. I did do both full time! Was it hard? Honestly no, not for me. I'd say there were some subjects a little more difficult than others. I graduated with a B.
Few things though, I had all my "generals"out of the way prior to Nursing school. And I've been a Paramedic for around 20 years. So I had more of an understanding of what was said and what needed to be done.
Oh one more thing.... I'll be honest with you i'm not one of these 4.0 students. I'm not the smartest person. But i try and i care, and i learn through experience, and yes i had to retake a class or too.
Yes this may look bad to other students but i've spoke with other teachers and nurses and to them it show's dedication.
It may have taken me longer to get through this program than others. But it's what i want to do. I know i can do it. I know i'm not dumb i just have test anexity.
Any way the point of my blabbing ....dont get discouraged. If i can do this any one can.
If it is want you want to do go for it.
No... It is not the funnest thing in the world to retake a class. It is the most disappointing. But you know what? I learned more from the classes i retook ,the 2nd time than i ever did the first. And i don't regret it. I don't recommend it to anyone but sometime it is needed and it is worth it. It made me smarter and it's going to make me a better nurse.
If you don't work and don't freak out about everything, then nursing school should be pretty easy. Just keep going. Keep your hands "dirty" in nursing/medical information. Know that although new information is coming out everyday, that there is still a basic core curriculum that you need to learn, as in see light at the end of the tunnel.
Annginac2007
4 Posts
I have not yet started working towards my RN but when I started LVN school I was told the EXACT same thing by EVERYONE around me... Instructors, nurses, fellow students. Although yes studying, clinicals, class, projects & homework take a lot of your time it is what you make it. I have known many people who were not only single moms but worked full time as well that made it thru nursing school easily. To me if you have the passion for nursing you will be just fine. It takes a lot of hars work & dedication and I believe you cant just want the pay or title of a nurse to make it. There has to be something inside of you that drives you or you will be miserable & may not make it thru school. Trust me you will know if its for you or not espc after starting clinicals.