What is the hardest part about being a nursing student?
I'm a senior in high school and will be attending college in the fall as a nursing student. I'm just not sure what to expect or what it will be like. #nursing #college #healthcare #hospital-and-health-care
9 answers
Victoria’s Answer
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Being a nursing student can be a tough journey, with the challenges varying for each individual. Here are some common hurdles that you might encounter:
1. Academic Requirements: Nursing courses demand a solid understanding of science and math, along with in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory. The academic load can be intense and time-consuming.
2. Clinical Rotations: These provide invaluable hands-on experience in diverse healthcare environments. However, they can also be stressful as you'll be caring for actual patients under the supervision of licensed professionals.
3. Juggling School and Work: Many nursing students work to support their education and living expenses. Balancing work with the academic and clinical demands of your nursing course can be a tough act.
4. Emotional Hurdles: You may face emotionally challenging situations during clinical rotations or in your personal life. Dealing with terminally ill patients, witnessing suffering, or managing personal loss or stress can be part of the journey.
5. Financial Strain: The expenses for tuition, books, and living can weigh heavily on nursing students. Many graduate with significant debt, which can affect their post-graduation life.
6. Long Hours: As nursing is a round-the-clock profession, you may need to work long hours during clinical rotations or even after graduation. Adapting to irregular schedules and long shifts can be a challenge.
7. Physical Demands: Nursing requires physical resilience and strength. You may have to lift patients or stand for extended periods. The physical demands of the program can be more challenging than expected.
8. Technological Complexity: Modern nursing programs heavily depend on technology for patient records, medication administration, and team communication. If you're not tech-savvy, this could pose a challenge.
9. Time Management: Balancing academic work, clinical rotations, job commitments, family responsibilities, and personal health needs can be taxing. Effective time management is crucial for success.
10. Stress Management: Nursing school can be overwhelming, leading to high stress levels. Learning to manage stress effectively is vital for maintaining your mental and physical health throughout the program and beyond.
References:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) - “Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice” (2008)
- National League for Nursing (NLN) - “Accelerating Progress in Nursing: Creating a Culture of Educational Excellence” (2010)
- National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) - “Student Nurse’s Survival Guide” (2017)
May God bless you on your journey,
JC.
Irene’s Answer
For me during my exposure in hospital. I saw many patient in different scenarios, how the medical staff work. The worst thing is I dont know what to do, if something unexpected happen because books is different from actual setting.
-im from ph-
Irene recommends the following next steps:
Lizette’s Answer
Barry Eugene Graham, DNP, MSN-Ed., RN
Barry Eugene’s Answer
Rayna’s Answer
The hardest part is having the confidence to speak to patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Nursing school is hard, but, it should challenge students. There is a lot to learn, but, good study habits will get you far. Staying ahead and remembering that you will be such a gift to your patients.
Now, taking the facts that you learn and memorize and then putting it into practice with a real patient is very challenging. We learn so much , but we have to be able to take that knowledge and put it into the care we give and the decisions we make that will give out patients safe and quality care.
There are sad moments, moments that make you angry, and some days I just sit in my car for a few minutes to clear my head at the end of the day. But, the good you will do and the good we all do is so needed. We need nurses! So, do well in school and start to research what kind of nurse you want to be.
There are so many different avenues and specialities.
This is really a rewarding career choice.
Shanna’s Answer
There are several things that are difficult about being a nursing student. In the order you might encounter them:
- How to Organize Yourself and study in a way that is effective for you. Methods that you have used to plow through high school and even Pre-Rec’s frequently fall apart in Nursing school. With most schooling your reward is equal to your effort like running on a track. Nursing school is more like scuba diving. Total immersion across every possible learning method- visual, audio, tactile, immersive, group projects, team dynamics and so on.
- Asking a patient to see their bottom or to take off their clothes for an examination for the first time. It’s hard for everyone. If you sound like you are uncertain or embarrassed the patient will start to feel the same way. So Own It because you are the Nurse. Most patients want a competent nurse and part of making them feel that is to appear confident.
- There is truth to the statement that Nurses eat their Young. Nurses in clinical sites can be horrible to students. I had several really awful experiences- but it made me a better nurse and a nurse who is always happy to have a nursing student with me.
- All of the answers are at least half correct, and if you ask an instructor a question the answer is almost always “it depends.” Test questions usually give a patient, a disease, and a scenario. Then you have multiple choice answers. All of the answers are at least partially correct- only one answer is COMPLETELY correct for the patient you have been given. If the patient is different but the scenario and disease are the same- a different answer might be the right answer. This is how the licensing exam is written which takes us to #5
- Nursing School has less to do with how to be a Nurse and more to do with how to pass the NCLEX licensing exam. The statistic that is available on any nursing program is their pass rate. Not the number of students who start the program AND graduate AND pass the exam. Only the number of graduates that pass the exam. For example my cohort started with 100 students. Of that 100 only 32 graduated. But those 32 students all passed the NCLEX- so the school posts a “100% Pass Rate!!” When 68% of our class didn’t finish the program.
Shanna recommends the following next steps:
Usha’s Answer
Have to be prepare with mentally and physically
Kaleah’s Answer
-Pick good study partners- determine how you study the best- listening, note taking, flash cards.. if group not as determined, may need to find new group.
- May need to reduce or eliminate work to be able to focus on school.
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