What is the first semester like?

[Javon]

I just wanted to know what the first semester of nursing school was like.

[User123456]

well you will be bombarded with a huge amount of info. so be prepared to feel over whelmed. you can do it. just keep pushing thru. get help for trouble spots as soon as you notice a problem so they dont get worse. try to read ahead if u can. read the posts here. Good Luck!

[spunkyheather]

Try to read everynight, there is so much info, that it is really hard to play catch up. It is overwhelming. But just try not to fall behind.

[ange26s]

The first semester was a whirlwind! We learned how to take vitals, how to do a physical assessment, give oral meds, wound care, we started learning the nursing process and how to complete care plans, bed baths, body mechanics.We started clinicals after a month of being in school.We had crazy reading assignments! I remember for just 1 test we had to read 22 chapters.It is very stressful, but yet very fun at the same time.There is a lot to learn and adjust to. I was soo nervous the first day of clinicals.My heart was beating so fast, but I got through it and you will too! It is an amazing expierence and I am really happy with my decision to go to NS.

[love-d-OR]

Curriculums differ by school, but you will be taking nursing fundamentals for sure. As others have said it is a lot information and it will be overwhelming, but as you can see from the posts it is doable. You have to learn to study smart and keep up with the classwork.

You may or may not have a quiz every week, but be ready to expect that. It is a differen way of taking tests and thinking in nursing, so reach out to teachers for assistance.

Social life will be extinct or almost unexistent, but remember to take care of your self and make sometime for the people that matter in your life.

If your school is like mine you may have to elect calss officers. What else... I cant think of anything else for now. Good luck and keep your goals near. You may feel like quitting sometimes as a result of stress. You may feel like no one understands, also as a result of stress. In those kind of moments remember allnurses.com and let it all out!

Good luck and congratulations on getting in

[kakalika]

I underestimated the first semester and kind of fell behind. You really need to keep studying. I had a lot of catching up to do. It was a lot tougher than I expected.

[JCHRN2B]

Let's see, where do I begin. First semester was crazy. We had a lot of reading for our classes. I just took it a day at a time. Read and study everyday, so you will not get behind. I am sure you will enjoy it. I did, even though it was very overwhelming.

Good luck.

[lemonlimeEMT]

The first semester in one word: intense. A lot of information is going to be thrown at you. You are going to have to learn to juggle going to class, keeping up with the readings and studying, care plans, clinicals, and your own personal life. But it isn't all bad. A lot of my first semester (which I just finished) was so much fun. I made some great friends and really learned a lot. Nursing school is unlike anything you've done before, and adjusting to it can be a bit difficult. But in the end, I found it worth it.

Just don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Keep up with your school work. Don't panic. And enjoy yourself!

[studently42]

First semester was, as other have stated, somewhat overwhelming at times. The amount of information that we had to absorb was enormous. That being said, it was totally awesome. I'm a welder and I've never worked in healthcare, so everthing is new to me. I went from being tickled to death when I changed my first sheet (with client in the bed and it worked just like in practice) to being amazed that I had just given a client a SubQ injection. Several clients have told me that I will make a great nurse- that I'm very compassionate (including the one I gave the shot to). It was a great ride and I am looking forward to next semester. Good Luck!

[LadyEJ BSN, RN]

A complete NIGHTMARE...but you will do just fine :wink2:

[Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN]

It is like a roller coaster ride, exciting, scary, overwhelming, crazy, fun, and a ton of other emotions all rolled into weeks of twists, dips and turns. Just take it one day at a time, read as much as you can and do as many pracitce questions as possible. I would also recommend finding a few good friends....I couldn't have made it through first semester without the awesome peer support we gave to each other. Good luck!

[butrfli]

Wow, great question and I enjoyed reading all the responses! It helps to hear from other great future nurses and prepares me for what's in store! Are all the semesters the same way....tons of reading material or was this more in the first semester only?