What's one thing you wish you knew when starting nursing school?

Published

My ABSN program for students with a previous degree starts in a couple of months- as my orientation date approaches, the excitement builds but so does the anxiety!

so to all the seasoned nurses and nursing students out there:

What's one thing you wish you knew when you started nursing school?

Thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish I would have known that I could actually worry myself into severe anxiety over my classes, and it was unnecessary. They still do some "curving" of the grades. With a reasonable amount of study and giving yourself permission to get B's, you can enjoy your life and nursing school journey. Second semester in I am still trying to tell myself this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also wish I hadn't bought ANY of the books they told me were a requirement. I only used the ATI books that were an actual requirement. The rest weren't needed or used, except a care plan book which I got an older edition on eBay and it worked just fine. I would have saved hundreds of dollars had I known that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh man.

Everyone told me how hard nursing school was going to be, so I was super anxious about that, and yeah - it's hard. But it's not hard in the way that I expected (academically). It's hard in the volume of information and the amount of time you're physically there. Like, there are "only" four classes my first semester - no big deal, right? Well two of them have labs and one has clinical. So it's like a full time job - not including study time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

1. Have a fast lap top.

2. Read before class, read all skills before class.

3. They want your commitment, they don't care if you have outside responsibilities, bills to pay

4. You're not taught real world nursing, what physician might order based on lab results

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I wish I had known that I would have NO social life. Giving yourself free-time is important, but going out with your friends, going to that part, etc WILL make you feel guilty and put thoughts in your head such as " I've been at this (insert social gathering) for a whole hour. I could've been finished reading chapter 1 of 5 for my test on (insert day here). Also, if you are employed, I hope that they're flexible, because working while in nursing school will become difficult as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

I'm in a 12 month ABSN program and like others have said (including my nursing friends who already graduate from other nursing schools)...they said it will be the hardest thing I do but I beg to differ...but that's comparing a 4 year traditional nursing program to a 1 year program. It's not as hard believe me.

That said, it takes some serious devotion. First semester was a breeze (and the hardest at the same time) because it was all introductory stuff (overkill with time requirement though because of simulation labs and other busy work). I remember during finals week I had 5 exams, 2 simulations, and a paper....

2nd semester and 3rd semester were a lot harder in the sense it was A LOT more busy work and clinical time. I have classes Monday and Tuesday 8a-5p and clinical Wed, Thurs, and Friday 6:45a - (approximately) 3p. So the only time I truly study is on the weekends. I do have to say I go out out almost every weekend when I do not have an exam the following Monday.

As I have told many before, before nursing school (especially an ABSN), just relax and enjoy some unstructured free time. Go to the movies as much as you want, work to save up some serious $$$, spend time with family, friends, and significant others. If you survived 4 years of undergrad you can definitely survive nursing school.

My one and only important advice is...if you want to have a social life DO NOT WORK. If you don't care for social life in order to maintain some sanity, work and go to school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion