What was your experience like in nursing school? I have a lot of questions!

Irish_Mist, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2015

Your post consists of roughly 40 questions. I'm not sure you're going to get a lot of feedback with so many detailed questions. I'd condense your post a bit if I were you. Just a suggestion.

Regarding your anxiety, I would consider speaking to a medical professional whether it be your primary care doctor, a counselor or a psychiatrist. Lastly, you say you regret taking A&P online because you didn't learn anything. My advice would be to retake it in class. Understanding the concepts in A&P is crucial for success as a nursing student and ultimately, an RN.

Best of luck.

malenurse69, MSN, NP · Oct 29, 2015

Well starting from the top...

Nursing school is pretty hard, but it's pretty relativ.... oh look a squirrel!

kittilvr · Oct 29, 2015

I do not have the condition but know that you should try something to get through it because you WILL HAVE TO deal with simulators as well as real patients with people watching you. I have gotten red, flustered and cried but you take a breath and learn from it! Also my school (as well as others) have presentations for every class. Nursing school is no joke, classes and clinicals and studying takes up your time, enjoy what time you have! I am more of a loan studier but did have a group of a few girls that helped me study! I liked to read the material and write down notes and then would re read my notes later. I was able to balance by creating a schedule of my studying, work, gym, even sleep (I love my sleep, more than anything sometimes), you need to find your own balance. I never failed a class but I have failed a few tests and it sucks terribly but don't let it hold you back, learn from it and move on. The classes I had was Funds, med surg, mental health, intermediate med surg, OB, PEDS, advanced med surg (critical care) in that order. You start off slow more of doing vitals and patient care and the further you go the more you get to do (hang meds, participate in procedures/codes, go to different areas like ER/ICU). In OB obviously get to see births and cool stuff, PEDS get to help kids usually pretty basic stuff depending on the hospital and season. Mental health is more observing. I have messed up at clinical but nothing life threatening (broke sterile technique during my first foley cath and had to start over) but I didn't hurt the patient and I started over and did it right. They train and teach what we are allowed to do.. Depends on the level you are on! They are not always with you but when you do procedures and stuff they are with you or your clinical instructors are. I had to do projects and speeches in EVERY single class. How can you talk and teach your patients (basically strangers) if you can't talk to people you see on a regular basis? Just a thought. Most of my professors were extremely helpful and want you to succeed, but use the tools they give you to succeed (tutoring, lectures, notes). Classmates can be a great tool depending on each persons learning style. In nursing classes teachers sometimes go over A and P but usually expect you to know at least basics. Honestly I only remember basics and I did well in school, if there is something you forgot, review it! My setbacks were math, you have lots of math and that's where I am weakest so I had to work twice as hard as some. My school had a policy where you have to pass a math test to pass medications at clinical and I failed a few different times for different classes. The worst part was that the tests get harder the next time you take it (we got 3 chances to pass it) but it made me a better nurse and now I triple check all my math!! Any of my mistakes I fixed with staying positive and moving forward, focusing on the past will not help. I wanted to do nursing because I loved being around other people and wanted to help! No previous major. I had broken down after failing my first math test but I studied my tush off and passed the 2nd time. I saw my first code and cried in my friends arms. My teacher told me to suck it up. That patient was talking to me less than 5 minutes earlier and then just coded in front of me. Obviously I can't be that emotional and I learned that but I feel it also helps make you a more compassionate nurse. I had B's and Cs in my prerequisite classes like A and P but got As and Bs in all my nursing classes. I graduated from West Coast University. The classes were as tough as I thought but it came naturally to me, idk why it's just something that I feel I was born to do! My favorite thing was clinical, meeting new patients and getting awesome experience, you really touch people's lives. My least favorite part.. Learning to deal with smells! There are some things you don't forget. I used the text books required by my school as well as ATI to supplement. I graduated August 2015. I studied for 9 weeks waiting to take my NCLEX, studied a little every day until about a week before then I studied all day until I took it. I only passed Nclex 10 days ago so I am still on the job hunt! My advice would be to study your hardest and try to have fun with it! Nursing is serious but you also have to look at the positive side of things and know you are helping people. Make friends and do your best. That's all you can do! Good luck! Sorry can't answer the last few.

xmilkncookiesx, RN · Oct 29, 2015

I do not have the condition but know that you should try something to get through it because you WILL HAVE TO deal with simulators as well as real patients with people watching you. I have gotten red, flustered and cried but you take a breath and learn from it! Also my school (as well as others) have presentations for every class. Nursing school is no joke, classes and clinicals and studying takes up your time, enjoy what time you have! I am more of a loan studier but did have a group of a few girls that helped me study! I liked to read the material and write down notes and then would re read my notes later. I was able to balance by creating a schedule of my studying, work, gym, even sleep (I love my sleep, more than anything sometimes), you need to find your own balance. I never failed a class but I have failed a few tests and it sucks terribly but don't let it hold you back, learn from it and move on. The classes I had was Funds, med surg, mental health, intermediate med surg, OB, PEDS, advanced med surg (critical care) in that order. You start off slow more of doing vitals and patient care and the further you go the more you get to do (hang meds, participate in procedures/codes, go to different areas like ER/ICU). In OB obviously get to see births and cool stuff, PEDS get to help kids usually pretty basic stuff depending on the hospital and season. Mental health is more observing. I have messed up at clinical but nothing life threatening (broke sterile technique during my first foley cath and had to start over) but I didn't hurt the patient and I started over and did it right. They train and teach what we are allowed to do.. Depends on the level you are on! They are not always with you but when you do procedures and stuff they are with you or your clinical instructors are. I had to do projects and speeches in EVERY single class. How can you talk and teach your patients (basically strangers) if you can't talk to people you see on a regular basis? Just a thought. Most of my professors were extremely helpful and want you to succeed, but use the tools they give you to succeed (tutoring, lectures, notes). Classmates can be a great tool depending on each persons learning style. In nursing classes teachers sometimes go over A and P but usually expect you to know at least basics. Honestly I only remember basics and I did well in school, if there is something you forgot, review it! My setbacks were math, you have lots of math and that's where I am weakest so I had to work twice as hard as some. My school had a policy where you have to pass a math test to pass medications at clinical and I failed a few different times for different classes. The worst part was that the tests get harder the next time you take it (we got 3 chances to pass it) but it made me a better nurse and now I triple check all my math!! Any of my mistakes I fixed with staying positive and moving forward, focusing on the past will not help. I wanted to do nursing because I loved being around other people and wanted to help! No previous major. I had broken down after failing my first math test but I studied my tush off and passed the 2nd time. I saw my first code and cried in my friends arms. My teacher told me to suck it up. That patient was talking to me less than 5 minutes earlier and then just coded in front of me. Obviously I can't be that emotional and I learned that but I feel it also helps make you a more compassionate nurse. I had B's and Cs in my prerequisite classes like A and P but got As and Bs in all my nursing classes. I graduated from West Coast University. The classes were as tough as I thought but it came naturally to me, idk why it's just something that I feel I was born to do! My favorite thing was clinical, meeting new patients and getting awesome experience, you really touch people's lives. My least favorite part.. Learning to deal with smells! There are some things you don't forget. I used the text books required by my school as well as ATI to supplement. I graduated August 2015. I studied for 9 weeks waiting to take my NCLEX, studied a little every day until about a week before then I studied all day until I took it. I only passed Nclex 10 days ago so I am still on the job hunt! My advice would be to study your hardest and try to have fun with it! Nursing is serious but you also have to look at the positive side of things and know you are helping people. Make friends and do your best. That's all you can do! Good luck! Sorry can't answer the last few.

Thank you SO much for answering as much as you can! I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'm not that much of an emotional person, I believe I'll be able to deal with death easily, illnesses, heart breaks, etc. Only until I've gotten close to pts then yes, I will break down eventually.

direw0lf, BSN · Oct 30, 2015

So I'm really curious. .you said you've been out casted for tattoos? May I ask what are your tattoos of and do you know if they have to be covered in your clinicals?

I guess I have to answer some questions since I asked my own!

A&p= very important. Good that you're studying now.

Um..yes speeches..technically presentations and group projects. Have to learn how to collaborate and work with your peers I guess since nursing is important to collaborate and work with each other and part of the multidisciplinary team.

Study groups are helpful even though I used to think I study better on my own, people usually say something I needed to hear and learn. And it helps you remember when you explain to someone else and helps you see how much you really do know the material.

My study habits are to draw as much as I can. And for adventitious breath sounds I made pictures like a mouse for low pitched wheezes (rhonchi) because a mouse is a rodent (R for rhonchi) low to the ground (low pitched). I made a pic of a sibling with his hands raised high for high pitched wheezes (sibilant).. etc.

I was a biology major previously..

Mistakes: getting involved in drama. Avoid it.

PeanutButterToast · Oct 30, 2015

I have had a lot of the same questions as you do as pre-nursing student. I have found books on Amazon about nursing school experiences, blogs and also some great YouTube channels where people discuss a lot of what you are asking. Do some research and I think you will find a lot of what you are looking for. Good luck and I hope the letters show up with good news!

UnicornMagic · Oct 30, 2015

*I've NEVER had a study group, never been in one. I've always been outcasted by classmates because of my tattoos, so I always been alone. But I've been successful in my classes.
PLEASE ANSWER ALL! and all the questions within each (*)!! I'd greatly appreciate it!

Good luck finding someone who will answer your questions. I honestly don't have the time or patience to even read them all. The tattoo thing is very strange to me.. do you live in a small town? I have both sleeves, both of my leg 1/2 sleeves, chest, back...pretty much every part of me covered with exception to my hands, neck and face. I have never experienced being an outcast as a result.

wanderlust20 · Oct 30, 2015

Haha! I saw this post and was excited to help since I'm in my first semester in nursing school.... but I don't need to take another numerous question test, sorry.

Basically, nursing school is challenging. But if you really want to be a nurse, you'll manage and balance life and school, and learn to say no when people want to hang out/need something. Also, study a little every day. Best of luck!

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 30, 2015

Holy moly, I don't think you're going to get anyone to write an essay answering all those question.

Nursing school is hard. You get what you put in.

xmilkncookiesx, RN · Oct 30, 2015

Well gee thanks for the help from 2 people only on this post

I think maybe because I'm in a college where majority of Caucasians attend. KU

Tats are on my hand and wrist. I got them so long ago, yrs ago. I use makeup to cover them off, waterproof. Often times I go to school and embrace them because I don't regret getting these tats.

One is on my wrist, it's of kitty paws. I love cats. The other is on top of my hand, its big. It's a beautiful portrait of one of my cats that passed away. Had her for a very long time. Have a friends name on my promise finger because he was my best friend and he passed away 2 yrs ago.

I think people see me as a "typical Hispanic person with tattoos on the hands".

So if that scares ppl away because of the location of my tats, what they are, then something is wrong with them.

I have come across so many different people from looks, interests, personalities, and never judged them.

I use to do MMA, so I have a few visible scars thar make me look mean and rough.

I've never been a bully, I've beaten a few up because they were being viscous little **** heads to others.

I'm a quiet person. I wait til someone else talks to me and I can then keep a conversation going. I'm just shy, not a stuck up mean looking ***** like others perceive me as.

I'm sure all of you were me at one point and had the same questions, or majority of them and wanted to know. But thanks for trying, although most of your responses weren't helpful.

Some people are and will be successful without help. I'm becoming to see that as I progress through the years. That's fine with me.

aeris99 · Oct 30, 2015

Read the forums here or elsewhere.

Download or borrow the nursing school experience books. I got a lot of them free in my kindle.

I personally found them to be very repetitive. And most of the "tips" don't work for me.

Watch YouTube videos. There's hours of video on all the things you asked (the ones I read anyway)

It's hard. It's going to be harder if you don't take the time to research information.