What should I expect in nursing school

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 18, 2009

I think that one of the biggest shocks in your first semester will be how to answer nursing test questions. If you're used to answering straight forward type test questions, it will be very different when you're faced with 2+ "correct" answers on the exam question. You have to choose the "best" answer. Expect to be frustrated when the "best" answer doesn't always make sense.

As to the number of textbooks required, you can save some $$$ if you get used books through Amazon or eBay.

Good luck!

dragonic83 · Oct 19, 2009

I think the previous poster said it right. Find some people in class you have common interests with. Finding a study group helps. Nursing school is hard if you are this far I am sure you know it can be difficult finding a group of friends going through the same thing to support you as well is a great idea. Also I know people can and do do this but dont set aside your entire life for studying and nursing you will go insane. For ever 2-3 hours of studying and nursing related work you do I would set aside 30-60 min for you to do your own stuff. Its easy to burn yourself out if you dont find a way to kick back and relax a bit.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

I was surprised in my first semester at how easy nursing school was. Then I was more rudely surprised in my second semester, when reality set in. I was talking, recently, to a recent grad from the same program who had a similar experience. So I'd strongly recommend developing good study habits before you even start the program. I also strongly recommend spending some time on Allnurses, but I guess you've got that covered.

The "weird" questions are a little unsettling, it's true. They are also good prep for NCLEX (but I see you're Canadian--I have no idea how it works for you folks, but I imagine it's similar.) I truly hated the ones where you have to pick all of the right answers--maybe 3-4 out of six. Still, in retrospect, they are also a fair simulation of real life. And picking which of several right answers is most right is roughly similar to the real-life choice of picking which is least wrong. The multiple layers of red tape, jumping through hoops, and arbitrary, pointless rules will also apply directly to hospital life.

I've talked to a few people who don't care for study groups. I did a lot of my homework alone, where I was free to cuss and cry and throw my expensive books across the room, but I also found time in a study group very useful. I met a couple of wonderful friends when we started a carpool and we did some valuable work during our long commutes. Conveniently, we never had more than one of us meltdown at once, so the other two could be a stabalizing influence. Some form of emotional support is crucial, because the stress is pretty severe.

I also recommend being ready to use your instructors as resources. I don't mean get them to do your work for you. That isn't likely to happen. But if you can avoid an "us vs. them" mentality, there is often at least one you can talk to about things that are bothering you. Most can remember, at least vaguely, what it was like to be you, and most are willing to help. (Act like a grown up, though. Save your whining for your friends. Seek your instructors for advice about specific problems, after you have taken ownership of them and looked for your own answers.)

belgarion · Oct 20, 2009

I already had an engineering degree which is very heavy in math and physics before I turned to nursing so I didn't find the subject matter as hard as I did the way it is presented. The way questions are worded is definitely different from other types of courses. I too hated all or nothing "select all that apply" and "find the best answer" questions.

I also advise you to get your study MO down before you start. Study groups work for some folks but I was always kinda the Lone Ranger when it came to studying. I mainly did the group thing for quick reviews before tests. Whatever you do, don't put off assignments until the last moment and don't get behind!

As others have said, use the instructors. You don't have to become friends with them or even like all of them but make sure you keep the lines of communication open.

Good luck.

danh3190 · Jan 17, 2010

I didn't care for the 1st semester too much because there was a lot of generalities like Theories of Nursing etc. Once we got into the actual medicine I liked it a lot.

You'll have to find your own method of studying, whether group or alone. I personally was a loner who stayed late at school a lot because I knew I'd find too many distractions if I went home. I always found studying in groups too distracting too. One unintended benefit to my way is that I got to know my instructors because they'd stop and chat sometimes. I suppose it didn't hurt me to have them perceive me as hard-working either.

One thing I found very funny is that the teachers usually knew all the males by name by the end of the first class. I guess we just stuck out somehow.

Oso Polar · Jan 25, 2010

I graduated with my BSN just over a month ago. I'm 39 and had worked in banking for 15 years after my first degree (history). I actually enjoyed taking tests that weren't all essays - and not having to write papers, etc. Sure, there were care plans, concept maps, etc. as part of clinical paperwork, but other than two research classes, I found I liked having a 25% chance at getting the right answer. HOWEVER, the "select all that apply" questions are the complete exception.

There were 8 of us guys in my class of 46 - and like danh3190 said, all the instructors knew our names a lot sooner than the girls. I never felt I was treated differently, though, either in classes or at clinicals.

In the few weeks that I've been working as a GN and throughout my clinicals, I've loved every minute of it. There's always some new challenge, I'm constantly learning, and I feel so much more satisfied than bank crap.

I did my best throughout school to keep up on reading, but some of my classes it didn't seem to be necessary (I got by fine just listening to lectures/studying lecture notes) and I'm really regretting that now. I would suggest taking the reading very seriously as you'll need it later.

In retrospect, nursing school seems like a complete breeze and trivial compared to the NCLEX I'm taking TOMORROW. :eek:

I wish you the best and hope you find it as rewarding as many of us have.