Will I be shunned?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

So I've always been a solo flyer when it comes to studying and I'm wondering if I do not act as "part of the group" if I will be asking for trouble. I was just accepted to an ADN-RN program. Clearly this is a generic question but I get the feeling that in nursing school your cohort is generally pretty tight (except for the people that hate their classmates)

I was one of those people who had to commute many miles to attend school. My class mates didn't want to have anything to do with coming to my place for study groups, etc. I always had to be the one who was inconvenienced, so as much as possible, I did it on my own. I did just fine. If they shun you and you work alone, you will more than likely do better. I would not worry about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ortho, med/surg.

I just finished my nursing school experience :D I wouldn't worry so much about being "shunned" for not being in a study group. Most of the people I met studied by themselves. I always had an excuse since I commuted 1 hour each way. I never get anything from study groups since people tend to socialize and not review.

Do what works best for YOU. Nursing school is for YOU and no one else! I made some friends and was very nice to everyone I met but it was not my main concern to worry about getting involved with other students.

Congrats on beginning nursing school!!! It is a great journey and when you survive and finish it's the best feeling in the world :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.

I am a complete social butterfly, and I am good with that. It has gotten in the way of being real serious in school at times, but humor is valuable to me, and I think a valuable tool in NS. Personally, I have some in my class who never socialize at all. May be a weakness of mine, but i don't trust folks who are antisocial. In my opinion, [people and relationships are the BEST thing about being in this world. I try to contribute to the greater good whenever I can, because there is always a time when I need someone else. I don't care for those who are "distant" as a rule, but then want to pick my brain for some help when they have offered none. Just my $.02

Do what works for you and good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU.

I am an outgoing person and enjoy being social however that is not what I am in nursing school for I am there to learn and become an RN. I am an extremely focused person because I want the best for myself. I do not see anything wrong with that. Study groups are good if I can surround myself with people with the same determination. After meeting many different types of people while i was taking my pre-reqs I can tell who to surround myself with and who to be casual with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.

That is good knowledge to have. I am envious of your focus!! Mine is deteriorating, one more semester to go. I am sure you will be fine. Groups have not worked the best for me either. However, the comradery has been invaluable for my sanity. Your point is well taken. No offense intended!

-exit96

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.
However, the comradery has been invaluable for my sanity.

You know what's strange? I started a grad program several years ago but had a 100-mile commute and knew no one. Most of my classmates were from the area and many worked together at the major medical center in the community. I don't mind studying by myself and I wasn't there to make friends, but the students were so darned cliquish. It made doing group work an agonizing experience because no one wanted to work with someone who lived so far away. I also felt I had no support group. My friends back home didn't understand and I didn't have anyone in my class whom I could call or meet for coffee or anything.

I'm finishing up an online MSN at a small brick-and-mortar university and when I started, I fully expected to feel like a lone wolf. My school is heavy on group work and at first we all panicked because no one lived in the area and could get together. So we got creative. We sent emails, used online discussion groups, instant messaging, Wimba classroom. Two of my dearest friends are people I met through this program because we were assigned to the same group. I have another friend whom I talked into going to this program and he has formed a friendship with one of his group members. It's been much easier to get peer group support in an online, distance ed program than it was to connect in a cliquish, on-campus program.

I would have lost my sanity for sure without the support of the friends I have made in this program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

On the one hand, as other posters said, you're in nursing school to learn how to be a nurse, not to develop a social life if you don't already have one. I went to an accelerated program for second degree students, so most of us were older and already had a life, family, responsibilities etc. outside of school. It was totally understood and accepted that not everyone was going to be available for study groups, parties etc. People generally didn't include me in the social goings-on but that's because they knew I had quite a few kids at home and wasn't available.

At the same time, though, you never know which of your classmates is going to end up being your co-worker or will share with you a tip that leads to a job. When you're all out there in the working world or the trying-to-get-employment world it's a sink or swim environment. If you're lucky, you'll have your classmates to rely on for support. So do your best to have cordial relationships with everyone and earn their respect. Don't get embroiled in drama, don't take anyone else's junk personally. If someone says something nasty to you, ignores you, doesn't invite you to their birthday party -- this isn't high school. We're adults here, and while nursing school is going to be a big part of your life for however long it lasts, it should not be your ENTIRE life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I have always been a person who studies best alone, but it is different in nursing school.

What you will find, without even looking, is two or three classmates that you have a similar background to and is equally committed to doing well as you are....that is where the bond occurrs.

Trust me, it is horrible to start doing group projects and end up in a group with a girl who is fresh out of high school and talks non-stop about her boyfriend and partying every weekend...you will end up carrying her load. With a good group, with every group project, you already have a committed group and projects, as you progress through the program, become easier to do as you each find out your own talent.

It is also helpful if you absolutely HAVE to miss class due to illness...I swore I never would, but if you cannot move, you cannot go. It was nice to have someone that was more than willing to share their wonderful notes and that would pick up handouts for me...b/c I always returned the favor.

You'll find out that each of you will "hear" differently. Sometimes we accidently daydream at a critical moment...this is when your group will fill you in.

It is not a group of people sitting around together in the library with their nose in notes quizzing each other for hours on end...I CANNOT learn like that or study like that...but with the hands-on assessments, we would meet at each others house and practice on each other until we mastered the task...b/c of this, none of us stressed out when it came to skills tests b/c we knew we were prepared.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

In my program the younger and more carefree students lived together in the dorm, so that worked out nicely for everyone -- it kind of kept them segregated from us old fudds who were worried about our jobs, kids and paying the bills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think the academic climate is largely shaped by your school. I have heard some horror stories of highly competitive schools, and we have had transfers from those schools; however, I'm just finishing an LVN-RN program at a community college and have found the opposite: the students are (maybe 90%) very collaborative, helpful to one another, willing to move between "groups or cliques" to assist when needed. The faculty encourage a collegial atmosphere among students. They encourage us to behave as adults, as future RNs. Those who are not serious have dropped out. In my class, about 30% were over 40, many with children at home. We had corpsmen, who struggled. Many of us helped them study. It was a wonderful experience, an example of how we can go forward as RNs and be collaborative and collegial. Just concentrate on learning, keep your integrity, be good to those around you. Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on getting in!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Love that response because that's EXACTLY what I plan on doing!!! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics & luvin it.

I was accepted for the fall 2011 BSN program at ETSU and I find that the students who care the most about others in and out of the program are the adults who study alone. I have found that with my pre-reqs that sometimes group study helps when you do not understand something, however, I find it also to be very disruptive to others and I usually do not get as much out of it as I would if I were studying alone. Don't feel that you will be shunned because whether you are or not, like others have said, you probably will not remember any of them years down the road. Also the only people you have to satisfy are yourself and your family, not necessarily your parents but your wife and kids.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment