What is harder- nursing school or first year working?

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2017

Working that first year is MUCH more difficult. There is liability. There is the end of the honeymoon and the transition from idealism to reality. In school, you always have your goal to fall back on, the dream that you were chasing. Once you start working, you start to learn allllllllllll the holes your dream glossed over because you just didn't know yet.

Don't worry. Tons of us survived it and you will too. But yeah. First year? Rough stuff.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 20, 2017

A day of work is a whole lot less predictable than a day of school.

BookishBelle · Dec 20, 2017

Thanks everyone, for your insights!! I guess I was hoping the light at the end of the tunnel would come sooner, but I like to have realistic ideas if possible. I've done college before, 6 years of it, and did well and enjoyed it, so I was surprised at how taxing nursing school is mentally. I think because of the breadth of knowledge you are supposed to integrate. I also find it easier to learn material than to guess what answers are, but hopefully I will get better at that with practice. I ended up studying every single day, 7 days a week, for hours. Which I was hoping once done I would work 3 days a week, sleep 1 day, and then have 3 days where I don't have to study or think about work? And that would be easier? But I understand that the weight of being responsible for lives would be much greater and jobs themselves come with cultures and co workers and specific ways of doing things and such. But I am curled up under my comforter now wondering if I will ever want to move again. Ugh. If it is harder than this I don't know if I can do it.

cleback · Dec 20, 2017

It will probably be easier to juggle/balance your life without homework or class schedules or the tuition bill.

But yes, it's easier to be in a class than on the clock at work, particularly your first year.

If you're older and already have working experience, then I imagine the stress that comes with transitioning to the adult working world a bit easier since you've already been a working adult before. Then the stress will likely be limited to your time at work. You won't have to worry about the next exam or paper while you're at home. That will be something to look forward to.

Keep going!

JKL33 · Dec 20, 2017

I ended up studying every single day, 7 days a week, for hours.

Well, if there's any way to partially ease the transition, it would be having a solid knowledge base upon which to build. So - good for you!

malenurse69, MSN, NP · Dec 20, 2017

Order of difficulty from my experience thus far (easiest to hardest): Graduate school

Graduate work is a lot more convenient than undergraduate work because of the online flexibility most schools offer. Im just finished with my first semester but it was a lot less stressful than any semester of nursing school. Undergraduate school comprises mostly of being in class 3-5 times a week often tied in with a clinical component so it was a lot more demanding of time and mental fortitude. Working as an RN (Depending on the field), especially bedside, will make most new graduates head-butt a concrete wall of reality that nursing school never prepared them for. Education and training are vastly different. You'll get an education in school learning all the hypothetical and theoreticals, the training is where the tire meets the road.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 20, 2017

Hi! So I just finished my final final of first semester in nursing school, where I am also taking Anatomy and Physiology and a psych class, 13 credits total, and I'm wiped out. I was trying to give myself a pep talk, like only 3 more semesters and you will be done and life will be easier since you won't have to work part time while going to school and taking care of your family- just working and family! But then I thought, first year is supposed to be terrible as well! Which did you think was harder- nursing school or your first year on the job? I know there's still a ton to learn...

I thought nursing school was harder, but maybe it was the three jobs I held the last year of nursing school. The first year of nursing -- only ONE job, only 40 hours per week -- was easier. And I had a really rough first year of nursing! Now if you're not working during nursing school, your milage may vary.

Collor · Dec 20, 2017

I found that working was way better than being in nursing school. I felt like I was really learning (on the job) and receiving a paycheck felt pretty darn good.Not once did I wish I was back in school!

Castiela · Dec 20, 2017

I'd say they both have their difficulties but I loved being on my own without having someone always watching over my shoulder. It more than made up for some of the stresses of having graduated

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2017

I'm glad to see I'm not the only contrarian--the first year of nursing practice is hard, and hard in some ways that nursing school is not...BUT, life after nursing school is actually life, as opposed to whatever nursing school is. You can eat meals outside your car on a regular basis, take bathes or showers that get your entire body wet, and sleep. There may be times as a new nurse you may want to scream or cry or pull your hair out, but when your shift is over, you will actually have time to do so.

But I will say the same of the transition to practice as I do of nursing school: If you haven't seriously considered quitting, you didn't get your money's worth.

BookishBelle · Dec 21, 2017

I found that working was way better than being in nursing school. I felt like I was really learning (on the job) and receiving a paycheck felt pretty darn good.Not once did I wish I was back in school!

can't wait till I get paid for learning!!

BlueShoes12, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2017

The first year working, definitely! I'm 7 months into it now. In nursing school, there's always somebody there to double-check you-for me, it was a real eye-opener knowing I'm the one ultimately responsible for the patient! The bonus is that you're being paid to learn and there's an actual practical application to what you're learning.