It's alot of bookwork and some clinicals.  I had a nurse tell me at clinicals one time that "nursing school teaches you just enough to hurt somebody-the rest you have to learn in the field".  It is alot of studying, putting everyone and everything one hold, getting up early for clinicals(i drive 45 minutes to 1 1\2 hours depending on where I am assigned), and alot of staying up late to finish clinical homework.  I don't have to write many papers, but I am in a program that is self-paced so I have to be motivated.  You can do it if you really have the heart for it-and the patience!!  Good luck;)

When I went to my nursing orientation, nursing school sounded so wonderful.  I couldn't wait to get in.  Yeah, well when I got in it was a rude awakening.  They told us how much we would be studying but I didn't believe them.  The funny thing is that I did study as much as they told us too but the time flew by.  Can you picture yourself studying for 8 hours straight?  I got up to go to the bathroom and grab a snack ( I studied at Borders with classmates ), thats pretty much it.  It sounds like alot and it is alot but once your in it, the time just flies by.  Don't worry.  You will make friends that will be in the same situation as you and its great support to have.  Your family will understand too when the see the material you will be studying and how big your books are. 

In my clinical experience, paperwork required of us to complete was:

1. Pathophysiology for the pt(s) we would be caring for during the next couple of days.

2. Care plan w/nursing diagnoses (according to Gordon's Functional Headings). Gather and cluster data, prepare nsg diagnosis, 3 outcomes, 3 interventions for each outcome, and an evaluation for each diagnosis.

3. Assessment of the pt(s). Typically, a Head-to-Toe assessment, unless we were learning focused assessment techniques.

4. Clinical planning worksheet that would help us plan our day and provide care for our pt.

5. Med cards for each med that would be given for each of my assigned pt(s).

I actually look forward to clinical, it's hands-on and each encounter helped me feel more confident in the skills; both technical & critical thinking. However, somedays I felt less confident...those were usually days that stuck with me and I learned the most from.

I agree with Angie, they told us how much studying we would be doing and I actually thought "Yeah, right."...It was no joke! I would get done from school at 12:30, eat lunch, and most days study until bedtime (which means: falling asleep in bed with book on chest, waking up with highlighter all over shirt or sheets). My life has been "on-hold" since I got into the nursing program. I try to remind myself that it is a temporary sacrifice my loved ones & I are making now to realize my dream of becoming a good nurse.

i am in the same boat as u. i have heard so many horror stories about how hard it was and this was coming from a friend of mine that is now a rn but carried a 3.8 gpa throughout the program. i think if u want something bad enough u will make a way to get it. i just think of how my childrens life will change once i am able to provide for them financially on my own. and the longer i gain experience in the field the higher the pay scale. i mean i am not just into it for money but it helps to do something you've always dreamed of and be able to independently take care of your family.

Basically, you kiss your personal life goodbye for the duration of your studies.  There will be family events you won't be able to attend, because you simply won't have time to do so.  You have to make the commitment and set your goals before you enter.  The end result is a rewarding career, where your personal and professional growth continues to grow every single day.

The bottom line is, if this is truly what you want, then you will make the commitment and sacrifices needed to succeed.

I've been an RN longer than some of you have been alive...............OMG just shoot me now!  I've said this several times in other similar posts.  You all have several years before you have to decide what area of nursing you go into.  Go into your program with a completely open mind.  Allow yourself to experience every aspect of the nursing areas you will be exposed to in college.  You maybe surprized, what you thought you wanted, turns out not to be what you have a true affinity for.

Another reason is, and I saw this happen to some of my peers, who had decided they wanted a particular area, their minds would discard information, because it had little to do, or so they thought, with the area of nursing they wanted.  Several of these nurses, didn't pass their boards the first time because of it.  Several others, in order to be employed,had to work in a different area, then their focus, until a position opened up or the hospital wanted them to have a broader experience before they went into the area they chose.

Thanks dmazament - I needed to read that.  Im going into my 2nd semester and even back in Anat I've been blowing off peds/obstetric/infant info.  I know Im going to pay for it in my 3rd semester when we go into peds/obstetrics.  Im not a mother (and past my child bearing years) and just assumed there's no way I'll be going into that field.  But - like you said - who knows?  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Poliwog

damazment that was really good advise I will remember it! Thank you! greenergrass, thats was alot of good info Thank You. The only thing I really feel bad about is the fact that if I quit working me and my boyfriend will have to move in with my parents and I know my boyfriend doesn't want to so I wil try working at first to see if I can, but when you said you had to move yourself and your son in with your grandmother it made me feel better. Thank you for sharing! It always helps when you know your not the only one in that boat, you know?

magpiecdm9901 says ...

Is it at all possible to work and do nursing school at the same time. I am soon to be a single mom, and am terrified of having to juggle school+work+family+x-husband+++,

If anyone has any advise, I will be greatly appreciative.

Cheryl

You know, I talked to a friend of mine and she has been out of school now for a long time, but she was a single mother of 2 and went to nursing school.  She did it, she said that it was extremely hard, but she only went for her LPN because she just couldn't take anymore school.   She did tell me that in nursing school they "own" you and to be prepared for a lot of work.  And that is what I am preparing for. Don't sugar coat it, tell it like it is.  I know I don't want to be shocked when I get there.

Well, thats for all that info.. i am so enthuisatic about geting in to a program i am applying every were, i plan on moving to the area of which ever school i get accepted at!

I refer to myself as a late starter, but I recently completed my medical assistant program. For me this was a way of starting into my RN goal. Small steps, I thought. Now I am looking into where I will persue my RN studies in oncology. I am sure it is intense work especially if you have a family. I key is to continue motivated and having the suport of those around you. I think of it one term at a time. I will accept any pointers and advice on this topic.

Olga M. Garcia-Zurita (please call me Maggie)

magpiecdm9901 says ...

Is it at all possible to work and do nursing school at the same time. I am soon to be a single mom, and am terrified of having to juggle school+work+family+x-husband+++,

If anyone has any advise, I will be greatly appreciative.

Cheryl

This is totally do-able. I am a single mother of a 2 1/2 year old boy and going to school. it is all about time management and a lot of caffiene lol. But yes I go to school with a lot single mothers (and fathers) that are really doing it . It is a little hard to juggle inthe beginning but once you get into the swing of things it is good

Cheryl-

Dont cry, it makes me sad cause I have been there too.......I am also a single mother of 2 daughters who is about to start my program in Sept as well, and at the same college as you! (diff campus) You will be just fine. My program is made of almost 50% single mothers or fathers and the other 50% is students out of high school. I was given alot of advise from teachers and other students already in the program, who all have said the same thing- It is do-able! You can take care of your children and complete your education, if thats what you really want to do. You will find ways to make everything work out. Set up a good family and friends support system who you can lean on throughout. I had problems, although it seems not as much as you, with my ex as well. I will say though that our friend of the court mediator told him that unless I was harming my children by going back to school and getting my education, there was nothing he could do about it! We worked out an arrangement with the mediator where he takes the kids 2 days during the week, the days I attend school, plus he gets them on his norm everyother weekend rutine. This may be somethig you can consider doing as well, it really helps me out-gives me time to study and I dont feel bad because the kids are with thier parent getting attention still.

Stay strong-

Crystal

I've read quite a few posts stating that when in nursing school, you kiss yous social life goodbye. I dont have much of a social life as is - single mom, lack of babysitters, working and going to school. I am wondering if nursing school will severly interfere with my ability to be a single mom?

For me personally, the past year since I started clinicals I have no social life. My friends are mad and they just don't understand that I'm not going to school for "business" like they are. Only one of my BFF understands because she's in pre-law.

Don't let any of this stop you from going and grabbing your dreams! I am just being honest. For me, I have never studied and been so stressed in my life. My passing grade for nursing school is a 78. Sometimes I just pray for that 78.  I will tell you that an "A" student can't expect that "A" in nursing school.  My 4.0 GPA went downhill once I entered the nursing school.