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What was/is your experience been in nursing school? How would you describe it?
Hello! I am a rising junior in high school, and I am certain that going into nursing is something I want to do. More specifically, I want to get my BSN, become a registered nurse, then get my masters and become a nurse practitioner (specialize in sports medicine or orthopedics). I am curious about how life would be as a nursing school student. How stressful is it? How much free time do you get? Is it fun? #nursing #nurse #registerednurse #nursepractitioner #college #collegelife #nursingschool
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Lisa’s Answer
Nursing school was the hardest thing I ever did. It requires commitment and dedication. It's best to make a routine with nursing school as the priority. Limit work if you can and you will often have to pass on other activities to meet the demands of nursing school. It will all be worth it in the end. I promise you that. Good luck !
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Warda’s Answer
Nursing school was the hardest thing i have done and still doing it. Nursing school is difficult and stressful. You will need a good support system.
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J.’s Answer
Living in Northern California, I can share that nursing school isn’t easy but if nursing is what you wanna do, it’s totally worth it!
In these times, it’s critically important to be organized and prepared for the profession, have a really good support system, and have thought through the entirety of the duration of the program so things like seeking appointments with financial aid to make sure you have a plan in place, talking with your support system to make sure you have accommodations that fit your lifestyle and demands etc..., with remote & hybrid courses, you want to make sure to get set up for that technology piece as well. Once you have that figured out, You’re ready to begin focusing The majority of your time on studying and clinicals (working with patients and the interdisciplinary team in the hospital & some in the community). It takes a lot of work to prepare yourself for thIs field but it’s time worth taking. You’ll hear that it’s definitely worth it!
In these times, it’s critically important to be organized and prepared for the profession, have a really good support system, and have thought through the entirety of the duration of the program so things like seeking appointments with financial aid to make sure you have a plan in place, talking with your support system to make sure you have accommodations that fit your lifestyle and demands etc..., with remote & hybrid courses, you want to make sure to get set up for that technology piece as well. Once you have that figured out, You’re ready to begin focusing The majority of your time on studying and clinicals (working with patients and the interdisciplinary team in the hospital & some in the community). It takes a lot of work to prepare yourself for thIs field but it’s time worth taking. You’ll hear that it’s definitely worth it!
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Belinda’s Answer
I've been a nurse for the last 30 years. When I was in school, I was married with a 2 year. I found it to be very stressful at times due to the other responsibilities I had as a wife and mother and I had to make the time for my studies and sacrifice family time when it gave to test time and going to school. If this is your dream job, then you will need to be sure you are able to dedicate the time it takes to success. You will likely be going to school for at least 6 years plus. My free time was when school wasn't in session/semester breaks. It's not impossible but be ready to put in the time to dedicate yourself to your future. It will pay off.
Thank you. I think what you accomplished is amazing :)
Athena
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Nicole’s Answer
For me, nursing was my second career. I had been working at a day program for individuals with developmental disabilities and made the choice to go back to school to become a nurse. At first I took a class or two each semester to complete the required prerequisites and then I was accepted into an evening/weekend nursing program. I was single with no children at the time and I was able to continue working full-time while completing the nursing program. It was quite difficult to juggle both but I made sure to take a lot of time for self care. After I passed the NCLEX and got a job as a nurse I then started pursuing my BSN through an online program. I took 1-2 courses per semester and this felt very manageable to me while I worked full time. I did think that there were some fun parts of nursing school, in particular the connections that you form with your classmates. Good luck to you!
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Tequila’s Answer
Wow. It's so great to hear from someone with such a well thought out life plan. All doable. Most nursing schools don't take student before they have acquired a number of prerequisite courses completed. Each school will tell which ones they require. Then you apply to the nursing school. Once in, the course work and clinical require a significant amount of dedication and commitment. Stress is individualized. I will say the time commitment can be stressful. While your friends are partying in their junior and senior year, you will be studying and completing care plans on patients. You may have to attend clinicals before 0630 am; then at times, have another class at 5pm, on the same day. Schedules are fickle, so you have to be open to "whatever." Being organized, planning well, and foregoing too much partying during the semester will help you get through anything instructors/professors throw at you. The discipline that's developed in nursing school is what you use when you become a nurse. Being able to manage a patient load is the job; a patient load between 5-7 if you're a medical -surgical nurse; and 1-4 depending on the critical level of your patients. Less does not always mean less work or less need for being highly organized. Your goal to become a sports medicine nurse practitioner is such a wonderful endeavor. There is a need for advanced practice nurses everywhere these days. Start getting focus, organized, and adaptable; then, you will be able to accomplished anything. Just having the plan is a great start. I wish you all the success in life you're seeking.
Once in college, keep your GPA high, that way when you apply to nursing school, you get accepted.
Seek a college with a BSN program already in their curriculum
Tequila recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for your response!
Athena