What the heck do these people think?

premedturnednursing · Jan 29, 2009

I agree. People who have never been through it will never get it/understand. It's almost like a sorority...we can all identify with each other because we are going through the exact same thing.

The hardest thing for me is, most of the people in my life (besides the husband) think that nursing is just passing pills and bedpans. WAY more to it than that.....sigh

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2009

Well, your classmate's husband may have just been trying to let her know that it's not a big deal to him, she doesn't need to worry, etc. not realizing how much exam grades mean to nursing students. Often there are no "extra credit" assignments in nursing. My grades were based solely on those exams. And yes, there was many an exam I was sweating bullets after.

jackson145 · Jan 29, 2009

I don't look at NS as being any different than going to college for any other degree. I've compared experiences with my siblings, cousins, & friends. They had the same issues with study time, test anxiety, tons of paperwork, etc.

Whatever degree a person is going for, I'm sure they feel like they are making huge sacrifices as well. And, believe me, no matter what program you're in school for, if you bomb a test, it's a big deal to you.

If someone asks me about NS, I tell them how I feel about it. I've had way more free time than I was told I'd have. My paperwork hasn't been near as overwelming as I was lead to believe. Overall, it's been a pretty pleasant experience. Going back to work is when the stress will begin!

When people say, "I'm interested in nursing, but I've heard NS is so hard", I always tell them not to put too much stock into the horror stories they've heard.

No one should try to scare someone away from their dream based on their own difficult experience.

If I'd listened to the doom & gloom predictions about NS, I'd have never got this far.

Remember, you don't have to convince someone else how hard you worked or what you went through. The only opinion that matters is yours. If you're proud of your accomplishments, you're on the right track!

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2009

hahahahha at my school i laugh so much!

don't take ofense, but we have a MA program, and you know.. it is not that hard, so you see them walking around, skipping classes, taking huge breaks, getting outta the room,, all that rude stuff! and then they see your uniform and say:

- oh yeah, ya know... i'ma do dat! i'ma do that nursing next!

(it makes me laugh inside)

so then the Dean was talking to them, how, there are no complains about NS, and how we are not late, bla bla bla, how we are always waiting for the teacher at the door before the break is over,

how if we are 5 min late we can't attend class! etc...

and now, they hate us!

they say:

whatever NS want they ask and tehy get it! and we others dont!

now we are hated, called nerds, and all that good stuff

but when we are on breaks they come with a poor puppy face asking for help with their take home quiz! ahhh pitty!

shelbias · Jan 29, 2009

during my orientation, the faculty and staff did not even sugarcoat it for us. they said it straight: nursing is hard. and i believe every word they said.

but it doesn't matter what course you're taking. we all have our own struggles regardless of which college we belong to. what may be hard for others may be easy for us and vice versa.

SheriLynnRN · Jan 29, 2009

I don't look at NS as being any different than going to college for any other degree. I've compared experiences with my siblings, cousins, & friends. They had the same issues with study time, test anxiety, tons of paperwork, etc.
Whatever degree a person is going for, I'm sure they feel like they are making huge sacrifices as well. And, believe me, no matter what program you're in school for, if you bomb a test, it's a big deal to you.
If someone asks me about NS, I tell them how I feel about it. I've had way more free time than I was told I'd have. My paperwork hasn't been near as overwelming as I was lead to believe. Overall, it's been a pretty pleasant experience. Going back to work is when the stress will begin!
When people say, "I'm interested in nursing, but I've heard NS is so hard", I always tell them not to put too much stock into the horror stories they've heard.
No one should try to scare someone away from their dream based on their own difficult experience.
If I'd listened to the doom & gloom predictions about NS, I'd have never got this far.
Remember, you don't have to convince someone else how hard you worked or what you went through. The only opinion that matters is yours. If you're proud of your accomplishments, you're on the right track!

This is exactly how I feel. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think nursing school is going to be sooo hard because others said it will, then you will have test anxiety and freak out. Honestly, I think those that struggle in nursing school would struggle with any degree, especially those that are science based. If nursing school is reasonably tolerable for you, than you are probably a good student and would do fine in any other field. Nursing takes intelligence...but it is not rocket science. JMHO.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2009

This is exactly how I feel. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think nursing school is going to be sooo hard because others said it will, then you will have test anxiety and freak out. Honestly, I think those that struggle in nursing school would struggle with any degree, especially those that are science based. If nursing school is reasonably tolerable for you, than you are probably a good student and would do fine in any other field. Nursing takes intelligence...but it is not rocket science. JMHO.

I would say that NS is different, and what is expected from you JMHO is a little differnt a little more demanding although i dont have experiences on another science class, i did have my Business degree! and was 1 semester away from getting my BA

there are some courses/classes that has a less strict regimen!!!

SheriLynnRN · Jan 29, 2009

I would say that NS is different, and what is expected from you JMHO is a little differnt a little more demanding although i dont have experiences on another science class, i did have my Business degree! and was 1 semester away from getting my BA
there are some courses/classes that has a less strict regimen!!!

I agree that some of the hoops we have to jump through make it a bit more time consuming and frustrating at times. I'm just saying that I don't think you have to be any "smarter" or have a higher IQ than other degree seeking college students. I think that most people who are "college material" are capable of mastering the knowledge behind a nursing degree. Now whether or not they actually have the drive, compassion and "guts" to be a nurse is a completely different story.

Nepenthe Sea · Jan 29, 2009

I don't know why, but around here, everybody seems to know it's really tough. Every time I tell someone I'm in nursing school, they're like, "Wow, that's a hard program", and they're always very encouraging and congratulate me alot. It's a small city, and we have two nursing programs here, with alot of people trying to get in or get through, so I guess everyone just knows about it.

I know that I myself had no idea until I went back to school for my pre-reqs last year. I thought it was just like any other degree, and I had a roommate who was a nursing student once! I just had no clue. I couldn't believe it when I started looking into it and found out that I have to apply to even get into the program, and take a major test, even! :lol2: :bugeyes: :icon_roll

NS4000 · Jan 29, 2009

To those who say it isn't hard, I am assuming you still live at home, not married, and have a lot of time to study. There are many students who are married with children, who have to wash clothes, cook dinner, make lunches, iron clothes, help kids with homework, bathe babies drive kids to their activities, clean the house, go grocery shopping etc. All this and nursing school makes it very difficult. Please have some compassion for those whose lives are more than just studying.

Sk8ermomRN · Jan 29, 2009

I graduated summa cum laude with my BA. I NEVER studied. I read the assigned material, took notes in class, did my projects and papers, but never "studied."

At NS, I study my behind off! :bugeyes: Flash cards and study groups and practice questions....

So, is NS hard?...um, yes. However, nobody was going to die if I missed something crucial with my BA. It is supposed to be difficult and intense and I am loving every minute of it!