What's nursing school like?

nursemike, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

I'm working on my prereqs and hope to attend a nursing school next fall. What can I expect? Do you feel overwhelmed and outnumbered at times?

Overwhelmed, definitely. Outnumbered, not so much. We are 16 guys out of 80 students--a record for our program--but I don't find gender to be a major issue. Nursing school is hard, no matter who you are. I was a Physics major in my first attempt at college, and everything but math was easier than nursing. It's a bit similar, though. Nursing theory is a bit like physics, and clinical practice is a bit like math. Some find one easy and the other hard, but vary as to which is which. A few do really well at both, and many have to work their butts off at everything. Expect to do a lot of reading and writing. Clinical experiences can be a bit disappointing--unless you're lucky, most of what you do is pretty elementary. Of course, if you're confident and assertive, but not cocky, opportunities to do stuff are more likely to come your way. Don't act like a know-it-all, but try not to look scared to death, either. Be as prepared as you can to answer questions.

I'm in my maternity rotation, now. It's a little unnerving, at times. Still, a lot of it is a lot like med-surg. The trick with female patients is to be polite, preserve as much of their modesty as you can, and act professional. If you get embarrassed, so do they. If you take things in stride, most will, too.

Basically, it's the same with classmates and instructors. Treat them as you want to be treated, and most will respond in kind.

piper_for_hire · Feb 27, 2005

What is nursing school like? It horrible!! It's constant assault on your self esteem with nothing but negative reinforcement. On the bright side, only 20 days to go ....

-S

WildShot · Feb 28, 2005

Hi doug welcome to our world :coollook: nursing school is basically like what mike said it would be like. There is only 5 guys in my class of 60 so we are out numbered. school is tough but it can be done. I like to find people and form a study group. that usually helps with me. that way we can all toss idea's around. its amazing what one person will get out of a lecture and then hear what another person that was sitting right next to you got a totally different picture.

I often when i go to clinical ask the nurses if they would like to show me anything i would appreciate it. Most of the nurses i have done this with have often later came and taken me aside and shown me things. While the rest of the class was just sitting down at a nurses station. also I remember I can always elp an aid do something because they get backed up to and I am not to proud to pass a bedpan to someone.

I am just trying to pass my class to get my RN. I used to be a high honors student. now I remeber the only letters that are important arent an "A" but a "R" and "N". rememberr "C = Degree" good luck

Dave

framps · Mar 2, 2005

I never imagined there would be so much writing. I pump out 20 pages a week and it just keeps coming. Also, the testing format is just plain odd. All of our tests are given NCLEX style. I find that it doesn't seem to matter if I study or not. The q's are old NCLEX questions so they don't necessarily correlate with the lecture notes or the texts.

I only feel outnumbered when we work in small groups. The divide the men equally among the groups so usually I'm the only male in the group. Female group dynamics are quite different from the all male group dynamics I have experienced most of my life.

My advice is to embrace your fellow students, male or female. Make every effort to understand and overcome differences.

MaleRN2B · Mar 18, 2005

This forum is great. I haven't visited this website for a while and it's good to see this here. I have a BS in biology and have made a decent career in fish and wildlife management but have always been attracted to nursing. I'll start taking a couple of prerequisite classes at the local community college on Sunday afternoon and hope to begin a 2-year second degree program in a year or 2.

I enjoy reading about everyone's views and experiences. Nothing I've read in any of these forums has caused me to doubt that nursing is the right direction for my second career. My primary motivation is travel, possibly international. I was bitten by the travel bug while a Peace Corps Volunteer 10 years ago.

In addition to being male, I'm also Black. I wonder sometimes if this might be scary for a patient that is confused or someone that just doesn't like Black people. I read the comment that everyone that comes into the ER is happy to have help whether you are male or female. Do you think it will make any difference in general?

MJ

MaleRN2B · Mar 19, 2005

I guess it would be more accurate to say that I want a career that will be rewarding and allow me to work anywhere in the world. I don't want to create the impression that travel would be more important than patient care! I hope that goes without saying, though...

MJ

GARYLPN · Mar 19, 2005

I'm working on my prereqs and hope to attend a nursing school next fall. What can I expect? Do you feel overwhelmed and outnumbered at times?

Hey Doug, nursing school is both horrible and great. The exams are like no other you'll have in college, you study until you almost wanna vomit, but on the good side if you like helping people less fortunate than yourself then it's all worth it. You'll make some good friends in nursing school and perhaps students you took classes like Micro with will be with you until you graduate.

The thing about nursing school is study study study study study and when you get sick of studying study some more.

I am 52 years old, started back to college in my middle 40's, got my LPN license then worked for a few years collecting work memories of things that would make most people throw up and now I have 3 weeks left to get my RN license. I love the stress, the action, and the excitement that is constant in nursing. It's never the same and it's never boring.

So I hope this helps in your education.

GARYLPN · Mar 19, 2005

I guess it would be more accurate to say that I want a career that will be rewarding and allow me to work anywhere in the world. I don't want to create the impression that travel would be more important than patient care! I hope that goes without saying, though...
MJ

MJ,

Enjoying travel combined with patient care is ok! I would like to also comment about your previous post about that fact that you're black and how that would affect patient care. I doubt it. I know of a number of people who are black, hispanic, korean, etc who work in the world of nursing and only once in a while do I witness or hear of cases where nursing care was refused because of race. And if it happens don't take it personally. Be assured that for the most part you will be very much appreciated. I always go in the room with a smile and a cheery hello. Sometimes I've been cussed out and told to leave the room. Nothing personal. In fact if the patient is that active to do that it's a good sign (most times) of returning health!

Are you in nursing school now or pre-reqs?

MaleRN2B · Mar 19, 2005

Thanks for the reassurance! I have a BS in biology and am about to begin a couple of prerequisite classes for a second degree BSN program that takes 2 years. Since it's been more than 10 years since I had some of the prerequisite classes, my advisor said I would be much more likely to get accepted if I got good grades in Human Anatomy and Statistics at the community college before applying. There's an anatomy class that meets on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. which fits perfectly into my work and church schedule. I haven't had either of these classes before but I have had Comparative Anatomy and Finite Math so I don't think they will be a problem. Plus, I'm a little more mature and focused than when I took classes before.

Thanks again.

MJ

Sheri257 · Mar 19, 2005

Pure hell ... plain and simple.

:banghead:

nikonos · Mar 19, 2005

It will be one of the more challenging experiences that you will ever have, and yet the most rewarding at the end of the day when you realize that you have conquered something that many of your peers are having a great deal of trouble with. I studied three years for a BS in biology (zoology) and my first semester of nursing school is by far the most demanding of any other college course.

I spend 8-10 hours a day/5 days a week on campus and then a good number of hours after that reviewing matierial for the next days lecture, but I am also taking AP2 over along with NSG101 which I do not recommend. Professionalism is of utmost importance as a male in the nursing community but if you use it, and common sense, clinicals will be no big deal. We have about 30 pages of paperwork due the day after every clinical experience and a test every week. The biggest advice I could give...study as much is as humanly possible, and no procrastination-that stuff doesn't fly. Good Luck.