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Hello, I am an 18-year-old college student, and I am learning to be a RN. does the work get harder or easier the closer you get to graduating?
I am in my fourth month in college
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7 answers
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Of course, enjoy the freshman year but about the 2nd year 2nd semester you will start to enter the core of your major. Expect to spend time in library and areas of research. It will become more challenging and if Nursing is your passion, then you will enjoy the studies.
Updated
Rose’s Answer
The workload for nursing school can feel different throughout the program, with its own challenges at each stage. Here's a breakdown of what you might experience:
Early Stages (First Year):
Focus on Foundational Knowledge: This period emphasizes core science courses like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. It can be foundational but demanding as you build a strong knowledge base.
Middle Stages (Second Year):
Shift to Nursing-Specific Courses: You'll delve into nursing theory, assessment skills, and clinical practices. The workload might feel more relevant but also more intense with practical application.
Early Stages (First Year):
Focus on Foundational Knowledge: This period emphasizes core science courses like anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. It can be foundational but demanding as you build a strong knowledge base.
Middle Stages (Second Year):
Shift to Nursing-Specific Courses: You'll delve into nursing theory, assessment skills, and clinical practices. The workload might feel more relevant but also more intense with practical application.
Updated
Ginger’s Answer
Let me tell you straight--nursing school is indeed a tough journey! But don't let that intimidate you because the learning process is continuous and enriching, right up to graduation. Most of us had to put our social lives on hold once we stepped into the nursing program. But remember, perseverance is key! Maintain a determined mindset, work diligently, and stay focused on your ultimate goal. The reward waiting for you at the end of this journey is not just a well-paying job, but also the joy of finding your passion within nursing. I found my calling in labor and delivery : ) Wishing you all the best!
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
The material gets more challenging as you get into your core nursing classes. Time management will be your best friend. I have no regrets about nursing school. Knowledge is empowering when learning to care for your patients through your clinicals. You will relate the chapters you were assigned to read in that very thick med/surge book to your clinical. The test you will take is to prepare you for Nursing Boards/NCLEX. If you do not have an NCLEX review book get one and look at the chapter you are learning and just look over the questions, once you have finished studying. You will see some of these questions again taking your boards. Each rotation med/surg, OBgyn, Peds, Pysch, etc you will learn something new and be in different clinical settings. Some rotations will be more hands-on than others. At the end of your clinical day, you have more reading and more tests to prepare for. I worked as an ER Tech in a teaching hospital, while going to nursing school. I got hands-on experience with nursing supervision and could relate to what I was learning in nursing school. Your life will be a nursing school where you will be around like-minded students. The friendships you make are invaluable, the study sessions help and before you know it you have graduated and are preparing to pass your boards, which you will do!! I wish you the best of success in nursing. It truly is rewarding and so many different avenues to work in. The friendships you will make in the hospitals with other medical professionals will be lifelong!!
Stephanie Hodges DNP MSN FNP-C CNEcl
Nurse Practitioner and Professor of Nursing
5
Answers
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Zi’Tavia,
As you progress through the program the courses will become more difficult as you learn more challenging information in the classroom and practice advanced skills in lab or simulation.
Remember don’t learn the information only for an exam in a course, but learn it to be able to recall later as you build upon the foundational knowledge from semester to semester.
For example, most programs begin with foundations such as basic nursing care and pathophysiology. In the next semester the student may begin to learn about disease processes, what occurs in the body during onset of disease, treatments, nursing care, patient education etc. See each semester as a building block of knowledge and skills that you are learning and placing in your toolkit to one day care for others!
Keep reviewing material and if you haven’t invested in a good comprehensive NCLEX review book please do so. Make sure it’s comprehensive, and use it each semester and review previous content learned as well.
Best wishes to you, you’ve got this!
As you progress through the program the courses will become more difficult as you learn more challenging information in the classroom and practice advanced skills in lab or simulation.
Remember don’t learn the information only for an exam in a course, but learn it to be able to recall later as you build upon the foundational knowledge from semester to semester.
For example, most programs begin with foundations such as basic nursing care and pathophysiology. In the next semester the student may begin to learn about disease processes, what occurs in the body during onset of disease, treatments, nursing care, patient education etc. See each semester as a building block of knowledge and skills that you are learning and placing in your toolkit to one day care for others!
Keep reviewing material and if you haven’t invested in a good comprehensive NCLEX review book please do so. Make sure it’s comprehensive, and use it each semester and review previous content learned as well.
Best wishes to you, you’ve got this!
Updated
Martin’s Answer
Great question, and the answer can vary. Your academic year and the courses you've completed so far can significantly influence this. As you progress, you should find that your work shifts from being heavily textbook-based to focusing more on articles and clinical studies. The clinical aspect will likely become more demanding. If all goes well, you're nearing the end of your basic studies and are gearing up to take your boards and finally start practicing. Keep going, you're doing great!
Updated
Laurie’s Answer
It gets more interesting and relevant. The things you learn in the final year are usually quite applicable to your first nursing job. I think it gets easier as the subjects and skills are quickly utilized in your nursing practice. If you’ve made it to the final year you are doing awesome.