What is nursing school like?

Published

I am interested to know what life is like in nursing school. Any advice on how to get through it easier? What helped you that others might not know about? Thanks for the input.:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

Nursing School?

Nursing school is like nothing I have ever attempted before. It is so unique within itself. Nursing School is the hardest thing I have ever attempted in my life, and I graduated in the top of my high school class and entered the ADN class that fall.

I have found that getting through nursing school is a lot more manageable if you have a close friend or someone that you can lean on on those days when you just feel like the world is coming to an end.

Secondly, no matter how much you dislike a teacher never let them know, make it out to where you love all your teachers, and when they make you feel mad just smile :-)

Thirdly, Nursing school will require about all of your time. Studying is something that can not be neglected. One test may cover about four units, and about 1000 pages of reading! A good rule is to study about two hours for every hour of class time.

Not to mention working at the hospital or at your clinical site for long periods of time and not getting paid, but however it is quite fun. A care plan book is a great resource to help in constructing careplans.

NCLEX Books and reviews and rational books were quite helpful in my fundamentals course! Mosby had some great ones.

I hope there isn't anythin I'm missing? Ooh manage your money well it can tend to slip through your fingers quickly!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I agree with the above poster. She said make close friends, but also find people who you can study with who help you learn. Study groups were the best way for me to learn, but it had to be the right people that learned the same way I did, otherwise we all went home thinking it was a waste of time.

When you go to the hospital for clinicals, know as much about your patient as you can. It helps ease your stress when your instructor grills you about it. It also helped me to get to know the instructor and what she wanted. I could anticipate the questions and have the answer ready. I would also follow my instructor around when I had some free time cuz chances were I would get to do more procedures, and I would also learn about disease processes of the other patients.

Jessica

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am interested to know what life is like in nursing school. Any advice on how to get through it easier? What helped you that others might not know about? Thanks for the input.:)

Imagine running on a hamster wheel as quickly as you possibly can...running, running, running, you're sweaty, out of breath, exhausted and getting nowhere. Then without warning, someone stops the wheel, you slam your head into the side, and the wheel starts up going the opposite direction. That, is what nursing school is like.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Imagine running on a hamster wheel as quickly as you possibly can...running, running, running, you're sweaty, out of breath, exhausted and getting nowhere. Then without warning, someone stops the wheel, you slam your head into the side, and the wheel starts up going the opposite direction. That, is what nursing school is like.

Sounds like a party! I CAN'T WAIT!

:D - Cindy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is not as bad as some people make it out. Nursing is my second degree and I find the course load about as hard as my first degree. The fact is that college is suppossed to be challenging. I find the most important thing is to study consistantly everyday. It is not always possible but if you miss 1 day it is still not as bad as cramming for 12 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies! What about the schedule of classes? What are the nursing classes like?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Great responses above, and I just wanted to add some advice...

Don't give up too soon.....it takes a little time to adjust to the different learning environment and high expectations, but in time you find your groove

Find some compatable classmates to befriend......you will definitely need each other because you will find that sometimes 'non-medical' friends and family may not truly understand where you are coming from when you want to vent

Make you time.......even if you feel like you are being pulled in so many directions that you have to schedule time to PEE....set aside some time each week to put school in the back of your mind and take care of yourself; mentally, spiritually, socially, and emotionally.

If you don't have it now, you need to find a quiet place free from distractions where you can go to study and keep all your reference material there, etc. I had to move out of my parents home (hubby was away and I was staying with them) because it was simply too noisy and I had no privacy....it was truly affecting my grades.

And when you get down in the dumps and feel overwhelmed,remember that school is only temporary and 'this too shall pass'.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
Thanks for the replies! What about the schedule of classes? What are the nursing classes like?

this will vary greatly depending on your program.

Usually the programs are split into lecture time....regular class attendence, and clinical time....time spent in a clinical/hospital setting putting to use your various skills. There will be time you take outside of school to do papers, careplans, and gather pt information...so be sure to factor this into your schedule if you plan on taking other classes or working.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are two gaurantees: your GPA will go down and your jean size will go up!!! :chuckle It is the best and worst time I have ever had: I am more confident and outoing than I have ever been. Family and friends come to me for medical advice, and I am emotionally secure in ways I never thought possible. But I have also never been so stressed, so tired... and so fat!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
There are two gaurantees: your GPA will go down and your jean size will go up!!! :chuckle It is the best and worst time I have ever had: I am more confident and outoing than I have ever been. Family and friends come to me for medical advice, and I am emotionally secure in ways I never thought possible. But I have also never been so stressed, so tired... and so fat!

:chuckle

I never owned a pair of skinny jeans and a pair of fat jeans until nursing school.:p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There are two gaurantees: your GPA will go down and your jean size will go up!!! :chuckle It is the best and worst time I have ever had: I am more confident and outoing than I have ever been. Family and friends come to me for medical advice, and I am emotionally secure in ways I never thought possible. But I have also never been so stressed, so tired... and so fat!

HAHAHAHAH--Unfortunately so true in my case (about the weight).

Ditto:

the study group

compassionate friends

resources

understand at times even your best friends will get on your nerves as you will all be tired, stressed, etc.

DO THE TRIAD: read the assigned material, study the notes, tape and re-listen to the class, repeat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion