What is the most challenging thing in nursing school for YOU?

PurrRN · Jan 17, 2007

Since I just started my second semester of NS yesterday, I'll take a stab at enlightening you from my perspective.

1. If you did well in AP and micro classess, I feel that the complexity of the information received won't be that much harder to understand.......it's the volume of information that trips you (me) up.

2. Time to study is ALWAYS a challenge......but people who want it badly enough (me) will find the time, even if it's at 0200 in the morning.

3. Rigidness of the program will depend on your program.....mine is what I would call middle of the road. The rules don't seem to be unreasonable, i.e., all tests are mandatory on the date scheduled unless an emergency in which case the student is required to make prior (ASAP) arrangements. Passing rate is 75% on all tests. Students to be on time and present clean professional appearance. All written assignments are to be turned in on time or receive 0. While I find these rules to be acceptable, there are unfortunately those individuals who will not comply and then complain.

4. New way of thinking......actually this is kind of challenging as trying to incorporate all the nursing information you learn into pertinant, acurate, and timely thought processes is daunting. However, I've been reassured by instructors (and others on this board), that practice makes perfect and that a lot of it comes with time.

5. Mostly I think that the most challenging thing for me in particular, is time management. Staying on top of things is the number one priority, because just getting a little behind will snowball into something really nasty in the end. My first semester we lost 10-12 people out of 41.

Also stress can be a killer, so try to build in some stress relief outlets into your routine. Otherwise you'll end up like me at the end of last semester suffering from panic attacks for no reason.

Congrats on starting your new adventure. I hope you do well and have fun in the process.

Seven, RN2b · Jan 17, 2007

Are either of you working while going to school? Full-time?

DaMomma - I'm originally from Michigan - What city are you in?

chame · Jan 17, 2007

Congratulations on starting nursing school!!!

I started the last semester of my ADN program this week.

I have found the most challenging thing in nursing school is getting organized and figuring out what's going on and what's due when. I have found it very helpful and stress reducing to be organized. Once you figure out what is going on and what is due when, you just have to discipline yourself and make time to study.

For me nursing was a new way of thinking. But the longer I am in the program and practicing the easier it comes to me.

Be broad minded and flexible- I personally like things black and white, meaning if I have a problem, I want it spelled out what I have to do to fix it. But in nursing everything is gray. You just have to use critical thinking to figure out what to do... :banghead:

Wish you the best of luck....

Scrubz · Jan 17, 2007

Having to wake up early to go to 8:00a classes? Probably the reason I work night shifts...

Right now nursing school isn't that hard for me as far as content goes. Sure it's a lot of information, but if you break it down, no one section is "hard." There's just a lot of it.

I guess the hardest thing for me is balancing my time. Nursing school is time consuming, plus I have to work some, and sleep, and study, and of coruse do things I like to do.

rags · Jan 17, 2007

I think the volume of information rather than the difficulty of it is the largest challenge. You will most likely find yourself wondering if you actually are expected to remember "all this stuff" and the answer to that is... well, yes. You are. The trick though will not be in the memorizing format but rather in the 'understand' of it. If you can get through each stage with a comfortable understanding of what you are learning you will progress just fine. Everyone will find one area is a bit more difficult for them to grasp than another and it won't be the same topic for everyone, so keep that in mind.

The one piece of advise I have for all of you is: Don't underestimate the value of the information ... including the hated Theories!!! They will come back to you on the NCLEX so don't write them off!

Good luck to all of you and congratulations on the beginning of a new life! It is all worth it in the end.

Oh yeah, and take a nap now because it will be a couple of years before you get to again...

rags

Achoo!, LPN · Jan 17, 2007

I say time management. It takes a few weels to get your schedule down with home, work, kids, family etc.. and find the time you need to get all of your stuff done. That has been my biggest challenge. I'm in 3rd semester.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 17, 2007

The rigidness of the program

The rigidness and figuring out to just shut up and do what they tell us to do even if it means last minute schedule changes etc. which there were plenty was hard for me at first.

Insert your own challenge

I found the politics to be the hardest thing for me to get used to. I had been self employed for many years and wasn't aware of the different work ethics or lack of them that some people are allowed to get away with. Oh well it was a learning experience and as I've said before it made me realize how important it is to have a good team of co-workers.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jan 17, 2007

All the (textbook) reading.

Learning tons of new lingo (pharmacology -- ugh!).

Learning to deal with humans on a much more physical basis than I have been used to in clinicals. I've always been someone who "hates to bother someone" so doing assessments and digging in with bedbaths has been a bit of an issue. I think if I felt competent with assessments (knowing what I am hearing and what it means), I'd feel a lot better about those, but I don't know if I'll ever be like my classmate who gets the bath stuff and just tells her patients "Here I come!!!!!".....lolol.....

It's a whole new world for someone who worked with computers before this!!

Some of the other things are challenging, but not difficult if you've been in school before or understand that this is the way NS is.

DAMomma · Jan 18, 2007

Thanks everybody!!! That is what I am thinking. RNBNAZ, I live in the Canton area. I attend WCCCD. I totally quit my job. I am a total open book at this moment. I am just ready to learn and take in all of this information. My family know the drill (I just hope will they comply :smackingf)

Okay, off to bed...I have an 8AM class

BoonersmomRN · Jan 18, 2007

#1 LACK OF SLEEP

I am a night owl and I have to leave at 530 am for clinical....real hard when I am up until 2-3 am and then when I TRY not to crash during the day so I can get to bed earlier the next night...never happens

#2 Instructors who do the following:

A) Contraindicate one another

B) Tell you something won't be on the test...and it always is

C) Write poorly written test questions

edgwow · Jan 18, 2007

This week it is understanding serum osmalaity and urine osmalality in relationship to the IV fluids someone is getting. Pulling all my hair out at this point. At the rate I'm going, will be bald by the end of the week. This is pathpophysiology and taught as an online course.