Why is it all so difficult?

Bobmo88 · May 29, 2012

I'm sorry if I come across as harsh but I am being brutally honest.

If nursing were an easy career then it everyone would be able to do it. Nurses are responsible for peoples' lives so it takes time and it is tough. I'm sorry you don't like science but if you want to be a nurse then you are going to have to deal with it; it's not going anywhere. It's not as if Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology are irrelevant classes in which you'll never use at least some of the information again.

As far as the length of the pre-requisites and program is concerned, of course it is going to take more time than usual because it isn't like some other majors where you can take classes in a different order. For example, in pre-reqs, you can't take microbiology without having had some sort of general or intro bio course first. As far as 6 years to complete a BSN, that is not too far off from people who study other things because it is becoming increasingly difficult to earn a Bachelor's degree in 4 years due to things such as less course offerings. I graduated from high school 6 years ago and I barely just got accepted to a nursing program, I'll be 26 years old when I finish school and many of my hospital coworkers say that I'm still very young and have the rest of my life ahead of me. Many people go back to school in their late 20s, 30s, and even 40s or 50s. My point is that although 4 years for an ADN or 6 years for a BSN may seem like a long time to you, in the long run, it doesn't matter how long it takes you as long as you complete and don't give up.

There are so many people on these boards that have faced adversity to get into school or did it while providing for their families but they "didn't drop out of school and go live in the forest" when the going got tough.

My advice to you would be to continue with your CNA class and see if the field is really for you since you don't like science, don't think you will ever be able to get into nursing school, complain about how long it will take to finish, and are ready to give up before you have even started. I think your attitude towards something is everything and you are already setting yourself up to fail with that kind of mentality. You should be confident in yourself and if nursing is really what you want in life, you will find a way to reach your goal. I wish you the best of luck.

CinDRnyc · May 29, 2012

i'm sorry that you are feeling so down about nursing school but i would encourage you to at least give it a shot. sometimes we can make things so much more difficult in our minds then they really have to be. why not try to take some of the prereqs and see how it goes...you'd be surprised to find out that you might actually like the courses. how is your cna course going??

cally527, RN · May 29, 2012

Nursing is a difficult profession. A small mistake can literally kill someone. If the school required to become a nurse was easy then anyone could potentially become a nurse and patient care would be quite scary.

The pre-req's are necessary to make sure you understand the material that is presented in nursing school. As an example, if you do not understand biology, then you will have trouble with some of the concepts in Anatomy & Physiology. Without a solid understanding of A&P you will struggle with nursing classes.

If nursing is truly your dream, then you will work your butt off to get through the prereq classes and get into nursing school. Who cares how long it takes you if it is truly your dream???? You need to step back and take a look at where you are in your life. Maybe, the studying that would be involved to get through the prereq classes and into nursing school is just too much for you and that is why you are feeling discouraged. Again, time is not a big deal! A student that takes 2 years to complete prereq classes and gets good grades is better off than a student that finishes prereq classes in a year and barely passes.

geekynurseRN · May 29, 2012

If you don't like science then I don't have any idea why you would want to do nursing. I think you should either pick a different career or give the CNA job a try and see if you like it. I got my prereqs done in two years and then it took another two years to get my BSN. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Stephalump · May 29, 2012

I think I'd be most concerned about your hatred for science, honestly. Nursing IS science. The medical field IS science. After you get into NS, you don't start studying film and poetry.

But many people who don't enjoy things like chemistry or botany find they enjoy human-related courses, so I wouldn't move forward with a negative attitude.

The issue of 4 years is kind of misleading. Most ADN programs are ~75 credits which is 5 semesters IF you were to take 15 credits at a time. Some people who are in a hurry DO take their prereqs quickly in about a calendar year, but many don't. How long you take is up to you.

Once you've taken ~30/75 credits and are accepted into your ADN program, you only have around ~45 credits left to take, but you have to follow the semester sequence, so you do not take a full schedule of classes, but it's still spread out over 2 years. My first semester consists of around 8 credits.

So, yes, it takes a bit longer, but you leave prepared to start an important caterer. Not many people can say that after a few years au community college. You can get an AA much more quickly, but good luck with your job hunt.

For a BSN, my program has an early acceptance program with a couple 4 year universities, so as soon as I graduate, I start the BSN program and can finish it in 2 semesters. If you want to start your BSN program as soon as possible, I recommend you either skip the ADN and do a BSN to begin with, or take the BSN prereqs while you're taking your ADN prereqs.

I know the feeling of being overwhelmed - my choice of hiding spot is Fiji, not the forest, but to each his own :). Just take one step at a time. Figure out your first semester and go for it with the best attitude you can. If you hate it, Plan B, something with no science.

jgtdolphin · May 29, 2012

Keep your head up! I know how you feel. I'm not sure how old you are, but I am 36. I wanted to be a nurse since I was 4. I had it all planned out in middle school of what college I would be going to and what hospital I was going to work at. Well of course things happened(my father died, and my mother remarried, moved us, and then divorced) I chose a diferent college, and began, but only went 3.5 semesters. Due to my families financial issues I was working full time, trying to go to school, and ran out of money(had high debt). So I dropped out of college. At the time the nursing program was very competitive, like it is now. So that made it very frustrating as well.

My life desires became more focused on settling down and having a family. I came close several times to go back to school, but financially felt it was impossible... and felt I just wasn't going to be smart enough to get through.

After having kids and being a stay at home mom, I felt even less smart from being home w/ kids all day. I felt like the desire to being a nurse would never happen.

Well, when both of my kids started school, and I decided to quit feeling sorry for myself. I thought I would give college a try. I couldn't afford anything but the community college, and was nervous to go back to college in my 30s, but I want to be a nurse so badly. I have had to retake practically all my prereqs, and only went part time. So its been 2 yrs, and now I am waiting for my acceptance letters( I got into the LPN, but hoping I got into the RN too). I can say I am muched more focused now, and am shocked I have earned a 4.0.

I think if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to get it. It is a long road, and a lot of work, but isn't everything you do in life?

Hang in there, I think it is worth it, and if you struggle on some of the science or other classes, ask for help. I have found the professors to be amazing and understanding, if you just talk to them and ask.

It is very overwhelming for as long as it takes and how competitive it is, but for me it is allowing me to fulfill my dream, to be proud of myself, and show my kids that anything is possible at any age. ( I just wish my dad was here to witness it, as well as my uncle and grandma whom just past this year).

Stay strong and hang in there. The semesters do fly by.

Sorry for such a lengthy response, but I hoped it helped alittle.

K3ndraR · May 29, 2012

Thanks, everyone. I know I just need to butt up and do it. It would be nice if there were a universal set of prerequisites (at least statewide) but, hey, you can't have everything. And I have no doubt that nursing is what I'd like to do. I sometimes feel bad that I'm so happy every time I walk into the hospital I volunteer at.I think another factor of my frustration is the fact that I was really excited to go away for college and ended up not being able to. Especially when I see all my friends making plans.But I'm still hopeful. As for science, I think if I go into it wanting to enjoy it, I will. Especially since it's not only about the grade like in high school, but actually about learning the information. Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement!

macprogirly · May 29, 2012

I'm not sure where you live or go to school but where I go the ENTIRE bachelor program is 3 years long. that's with absolutely NO classes taken beforehand.

CDEWannaBe · May 29, 2012

When you're doing your prereqs take the stuff you'll need for any program:

Composition

History

Algebra

Biology for Healthcare Majors

Chemistry

Anatomy & Physiology

Microbiology

Check the Bachelor's programs in your area to make sure the version you take of these classes will transfer. If you're planning to get a BSN, then I'd just take prereqs at the community college and transfer to a university BSN program to finish.

sixela21 · May 30, 2012

I'm sorry if I come across as harsh but I am being brutally honest.
If nursing were an easy career then it everyone would be able to do it. Nurses are responsible for peoples' lives so it takes time and it is tough. I'm sorry you don't like science but if you want to be a nurse then you are going to have to deal with it; it's not going anywhere. It's not as if Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology are irrelevant classes in which you'll never use at least some of the information again.
As far as the length of the pre-requisites and program is concerned, of course it is going to take more time than usual because it isn't like some other majors where you can take classes in a different order. For example, in pre-reqs, you can't take microbiology without having had some sort of general or intro bio course first. As far as 6 years to complete a BSN, that is not too far off from people who study other things because it is becoming increasingly difficult to earn a Bachelor's degree in 4 years due to things such as less course offerings. I graduated from high school 6 years ago and I barely just got accepted to a nursing program, I'll be 26 years old when I finish school and many of my hospital coworkers say that I'm still very young and have the rest of my life ahead of me. Many people go back to school in their late 20s, 30s, and even 40s or 50s. My point is that although 4 years for an ADN or 6 years for a BSN may seem like a long time to you, in the long run, it doesn't matter how long it takes you as long as you complete and don't give up.
There are so many people on these boards that have faced adversity to get into school or did it while providing for their families but they "didn't drop out of school and go live in the forest" when the going got tough.
My advice to you would be to continue with your CNA class and see if the field is really for you since you don't like science, don't think you will ever be able to get into nursing school, complain about how long it will take to finish, and are ready to give up before you have even started. I think your attitude towards something is everything and you are already setting yourself up to fail with that kind of mentality. You should be confident in yourself and if nursing is really what you want in life, you will find a way to reach your goal. I wish you the best of luck.

I somewhat agree with Bobmo, and I feel your pain. I will also be almost 25 when I finally graduate from the ADN program, and it is sometimes discouraging, but to be honest, if it is for you, then you will find a way, and things will work out! It sounds very cliche, but I don't know many people who are working in glamorous careers these days even well into their 30s!

My parents are both going back to school. My dad is getting a second degree, and my mother wants to finish a masters--they are well into their forties. Many of my classmates at the school I attend are also well in their 40s. One of my lab partners is in her mid-twenties, has a bachelor's degree and a job she doesn't too much care for, but is going through the same thing. Imagine having already spent 4 years in college just to decide you want to do something else! I am so glad I figured it out before finishing a degree I wouldn't be able to do much with. Most people in their 20s these days are hardly working in careers that they saw themselves in high school. I am currently working just under full time while attending school full-time, and hope it will pay off soon.

I have two friends my age graduating this week--they are both turning right back around and going to graduate school after realizing there is not much to do with their degrees. My cousin did the same thing--graduated, moved half way across the country..twice. Life happened, and she went back to school to get yet another degree. My rant is basically to say, we should be lucky! At least we have it figured out at this point. Do what you love, and don't give up. So many of my friends are pre-med as well. They will spend the ENTIRETY of their youth in school. Feeling lucky yet? =) Any career in the medical field where people's lives and health are at hand should be rigorous and demanding. It weeds out the bad ones and leaves only the best of us standing!

Good luck, and keep your head up! I recently have been feeling the same way and made a similar post, but answering your question has enlightened me and given me the answers to my own =)

Shorty11, BSN, RN · May 30, 2012

Not to sound too harsh, but if you don't like science, then nursing may not be for you. Part of the reason I decided to go to nursing school is because I have a passion for science! The science part of nursing isn't going anywhere.. And I'm thinking as healthcare and technology advances, the nursing profession will require nurses to learn more and more science in their lifelong education. No offense, but maybe you should explore other options that don't require such an emphasis on science. With that being said, I do wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, hopefully you can figure out what works for you to enable you to reach your goals.