Why do you say that Nursing School is hard?

For me, the academic part is not hard, but I have a degree in Microbiology and academics have generally always come easily for me (also, I enjoy learning and studying...).

However, one of our nursing instructors is more like a boot camp DI. And my 2nd term clinical at first was pretty scary (but, I believe that is more due to lack of support, for a variety of reasons.)

So, what have you all found that was hard about Nursing School?

Thanks,

NurseFirst

[EmilyCCRN]

I don't think anything is 'hard', it's just time-consuming. But I'm really loving every minute of it! :)

[lil' girl, LPN]

Not really "hard", just a different sort of questions and answers than your usual course.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

I don't think it's "hard" at all. In fact, I think it's easier than some of the prereqs like Microbiology and Biochemistry.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Yep I agree, it's not "hard" as in the material is hard to understand. There's just SO MUCH to know! We have exams that cover up to 15 chapters, it's just so much information!

At first the exams were hard for me because they were different types of questions, you have to go beyond just "knowing" the material. You have to apply it and critically think about it. But now I'm getting the hang of the exam questions, but it's still just so much material to cover in such a short amount of time. Information overload!

[Truly_Blessed]

OK, well I am in the minority....It IS hard. The amount of work is insane. The work itself is not hard if you put some effort into it...it's the amount. We have so many papers and what not due all the time....a major exam everyday. The easiest part i have found is clinicals. I absolutely love taking care of my clients...it's hard work, but not so bad when you like what you're doing.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

OK, well I am in the minority....It IS hard. The amount of work is insane. The work itself is not hard if you put some effort into it...it's the amount. We have so many papers and what not due all the time....a major exam everyday. The easiest part i have found is clinicals. I absolutely love taking care of my clients...it's hard work, but not so bad when you like what you're doing.

You actually may not be the "minority" here. It just happens that the first couple people that responded don't find it that difficult. Let's see, I don't have "a major exam everyday", I don't have "so many papers due all the time". If I had these things, I'd be going insane and stressed to the max too! Good luck!

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

No I totally agree with that, Veronica. It is hard because there's just SO MUCH work. But I don't think it's hard information to understand, it's just so much to know. I hear what you mean ... the amount of work is insane. We have 3 group presentations this month, all including papers that have to be turned in with them. All that along with our clinicals and the careplans. And then lecture and of course the exams!

I think we get burnt out because we study and study, for hours and hours for an exam. We take the exam. Then *whew*. Ahhh what a relief that exam is done, right? Uh no, we gotta get back to studying for the exam for next week! There's just no breaks. Thank God Christmas break is coming up!

[not now, RN]

"Hard" is the wrong word.

Nursing school is demanding. I'm in class (or clinic) at least 32 hours a week, I have a test every lecture day of what I learned the day before, I have big, teadious(sp?) careplans to write. I don't consider any of that to be mentally challenging. Nursing school justs asks for more as a whole.

[tinkerwomp]

Nursing school has been one of most rewarding things I have done for myself or my family... I hope (27 days til graduation)! It doesn't matter how many nites I stayed up, hunched over the 'puter, telling my family it is "fend for yourself" nite again for dinner. Yes, and that special breed of nursing instructors... man, aren't they a hoot! It is very time and energy consuming, especially if you have a family. I hope that my daughter (Ginger, age 9) can see from my example that education should never end.

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

Intense, intimidating, frustrating.

Intense because it's nursing, and nothing but nursing anywhere from five to eight hours a day, five days a week. And that's on campus and at the hospital. There's more when we get home. We are all really quite insane as we dream of giant syringes or the medical-surgical fairy chasing us as we sleep. Freud has nothing on us. Oh, and did I mention that you have no privacy anymore? Nurses are generally codependent by nature, ergo as are nurses to be. If you sneeze just a little out of character, be prepared to be lovingly grilled by your fellow students who you will, in turn, do the same to. God forbid you should change your seating next semester.

Intimidating because we are expected to be competent with needles, tubes, medications and people when just over a year ago, the only needles we were familiar with were sewing needles. You mean you want me to what??? Where??? OK.

Frustrating because it just never seems to end. Frustrating when you can't find your clinical instructor and you have to pass up an opportunity to really learn something because of it. Frustrating when you feel irrelevant; like a child playing nurse in your dress up play nurse clothes.

Nursing school is also rewarding. Already, I played a big part in saving a life. I was an integral part of a team that saved a newborn baby, and on my birthday too. Nothing like it.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

yeah, its hard. when we have 80 zillion things to know for one test. ok, not 80 zillion. ulcerative colitis, crohn's, colorectal cancer, stomas, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, renal trauma, renal tumors, glomerulonephritis...etc etc all on one test. and the test questions are as you know- really make you appy the info. a test every 2 weeks. long care plans, etc. you know the deal. yes, its time consuming and a bit hard.

arrgh. can't wait for it to be over!

love, rose