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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!!!!!!!!!
I graduated in May of 2009 with an ASN and passed my nclex in July on the first try. Nursing school is as hard as you make it. Go to every class, do what your professors tell you to do and you will be fine. Get yourself some nclex study guides to prepare for tests. It's no longer memorization, it's applying what you know.
Remember that once you're accepted into an RN program, the competition's over. There is not a limited amount of diplomas. Your fellow students are a great resource to you, not your competition. Form a study group, practice in the lab together. Work on your care plans as early as possible. Don't leave anything til the last minute as there is no cramming.
I loved nursing school. When I started I had a 2 jobs and 4 kids. I ended up being able to stop working and just concentrate on school and that was a huge help. Probably could've worked if I didn't have a home and family to take care of. I wish you all the best and please know that like life, nursing school is as good or as bad as you make it!
Yes, it sucks sometimes.. because NS is a workload especially when you have a side job just so you have money to pay bills, tuition, etc. (and yes, less time for family!) The only thing that I can say right now THAT REALLY SUCKS are clinicals. Well, it doesn't suck because I love taking care of my patients, but you get what I mean -> going in to pick a patient and getting all their data can take up to an hour or two, prepping your careplan and doing post care can suck out your entire day especially when you're indecisive about choosing the nursing diagnosis.. it can be frustrating.
BUT it'll really be worth it when you see your patient acknowledging you, thanking you, and crying joyful tears in front of you for doing what you did as a GREAT nurse.
Just my two cents.
Hi- I have often said that nursing school was THE hardest thing I've ever done, it truly, truly was. BUT, it is also what I'm most proud of (aside from my children). It isn't impossible to have a life outside of school- I worked part-time and I planned my wedding while in nursing school. It just is very time consuming and time management is key to getting through. It is tons of reading and even more thinking, but it's all necessary in my opinion. We need good nurses! Don't get discouraged. Just stay focused on what you know and open to what you don't. The day you graduate will be the happiest day of your life. Well, until you write RN behind your name, then that will be the happiest day. Good Luck! :)
Nursing school is difficult. But if you really want to do it. You will! I was able to go through nursing school while working full time and raising 3 children. It took me a while because I was going part time at nights. My husband was very supportive and I couldn't have done it without his help. There is a lot of reading and a lot of studying. Plus at least 12 hrs a week of clinicals depending on your school requirements. Bottom line is that in the end is all forth it. Keep focused and you'll be fine!:)
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.
Stay strong everyone! :)
I know honey, I sounded just like you when I started nursing. Nobody could put a damper on nursing for me!
And by all means, don't let me change your mind. What I am trying to clear up is all of my bad experiences happened after years of experience.
My motto, "Never say never."
There is no way nursing school teaches you how to handle another nurse taking the phone out of your hand and hanging it up! while you are trying to repage the doctor! All of my experiences of because of other nurses leaving me with too much responsibility, which equals work. You can't do it all, but they sure as heck will expect you to!
When I got accepted in my nursing program 10 yrs ago, I found out that my identity had been stolen and I only qualified for partial loans that covered less than 40% of my tuition. I had to move out of my apartment and stayed in my mother's living room, I sold most of my furniture and had to work full time to be able to cover the rest of my tuition and expenses. Most of the time I had less than $20 in my pocket, and my friends stop inviting me to go out with them because I was always tired and broke. I attended the program at night and did my clinicals on the weekends (12 hrs shifts each day); I'm glad I was able to study a little when I was at work, but did the majority of my work after school (usually after 2200). It was hard, but my classmates provided a lot of support and got me through it. I do not regret one bit that experience, it built my character and formed some great friendships. Don't feel overwhelmed, take it one semester at a time, and I assure you that you will make it all the way. One day in the future, you will be so proud when you get your degree and look back at your accomplishment.
Haha. First semester I laughed it off, I was like hey this isn't so bad, yes It's a ton of homework and studying, but it's no big deal! Second semester was about twice as much work. Third was about even with second, now I'm in fourth semester and I have no life, I'm not studying nearly as much as I need to, I'm working less than I was before, I spend less time with people (other than study groups) than I used to, and I'm falling behind. Today I've been checking my e-mail because I'm too fried with school to do any schoolwork today even though I have a paper that's only barely started that I have to have done by Saturday at 5:30 am.
Haha. First semester I laughed it off, I was like hey this isn't so bad, yes It's a ton of homework and studying, but it's no big deal! Second semester was about twice as much work. Third was about even with second, now I'm in fourth semester and I have no life, I'm not studying nearly as much as I need to, I'm working less than I was before, I spend less time with people (other than study groups) than I used to, and I'm falling behind. Today I've been checking my e-mail because I'm too fried with school to do any schoolwork today even though I have a paper that's only barely started that I have to have done by Saturday at 5:30 am.
This too shall pass. So hang in there.
Yes :) It will pass! The only thing keeping most of my class sane right now is the week-by-week countdown we've got going on!
Thanks for the encouragement! By no means was I intending to discourage anyone from starting nursing school. It has been, and continues to be, a very rewarding experience.
Like my teachers have told me, you can worry about that 15 pounds later, repair your friendships later, for two years dedicate yourself to your schoolwork and focus on the end goal!
I just graduated from an excelerated year and half program for RN. Why you ask..no life? Let me tell you...we had quizzes everyday and 1-2 test per week. Plus we had clinicals 2 days out of the week. So you spend 8-1 in school and then you go home and you are just studying because it is sooooo much information in soooo little time. A week to learn endocrine...crazy! But that's the way they do it and if you want to have good grades and learn you have to study all the time. Then you have the days that you wake up at 530 in the morning to go to the clinical, and you don't get done until 2 or 3 depending on your school. When you get home you are so exhausted. Plus I worked full time while I went to school. So that made it even worse. If you do not work it is a little better. Good Luck! It is so worth it in the end...but it's got to be something that you love to do, not just for the money.
AllThingsPink
65 Posts
About working... do what you need to do. People do not recommend working full time as it mostly cuts into practice time in the lab as well as studying off hours etc. But in this economy, some people simply don't have a choice. I work part time, 20 hours per week, and it works for me. Do what is best for you and don't listen to people in that aspect. You have to find what is best for YOU. Good luck!!