What to Expect During Nursing School

Nursing school can shock many students in the first days because their experience will be different from high school. It is even more complicated due to meeting new people and maybe living further from home for those attending on-campus classes. It takes time for many students to adjust because the activities are different from what students expect.

Things to Expect During Nursing School

These are realities that entrants to nursing school should expect.

Orientation is the first activity

Most nursing schools require students to begin with orientation before starting classes. It is during orientation that they will receive a student handbook that has information on classes, supplies, dress code and other school rules. The wise thing is to use the time before classes studying the manual because it is impossible to comprehend everything on the first day. Nursing school orientation also provides an opportunity for meeting other students. An introduction and making friends with classmates is essential as buddies are essential in the future.

Clinical rotations do not start immediately

Some nursing school might begin offering clinical rotations earlier, but most will not begin until the second semester. They decide to allow students time for settling into classes and rhythms or nursing school before the hectic although thrilling encounters with patients. Hands-on work is essential for students nurse, but the knowledge base and building confidence is vital before the students can fit into rotations. The first semester is still busy as students learn the basics and take the concept courses to learn the basics of the nursing profession in lecture format. This approach enables students to gain a firm foundation, learn medical terminology and learn how theory will apply to nurse practice. There will be much reading and memorization.

Much coursework workload

There is much to learn and read for an accelerated or regular BSN degree program as nursing requires expertise because nurses must know many things such as basic math, English, pharmacology, and anatomy. The intensity of subjects and workload can make nursing school to be very challenging but is worth the effort. Learning much as possible will make nursing to be a rewarding career.

It is important to create a personal timetable that space out the tasks to avoid overwhelming. Reading in nursing is impotent but it is essential to revise and study topics that lecturers teach because these are the areas where they get exam questions. A study group helps to increase motivation for studying and filling the knowledge gaps.

Clinical assignments

Clinical rotation and relating assignments for any nursing are almost always about hands-on aspects and skill development in the field. The clinical portion of coursework is the time for practicing direct patient-centered care and conducting specific laboratory work. Nursing schools at this time assign students to medical facilities for them to gain experience in caring for patients who need nursing and medical help. The students gain hands-on experience by going for clinical assign at various healthcare facilities including:

It is during a clinical assignment that students should expect to go for rotations, practice lab procedures, shadow medical care professionals in the department and engage in the essential role of patient care. The magnitude of class and practical work at this time can overwhelm the nurses. A prudent step is to write a list of must do and like to do tasks. Students will balance their responsibilities by tackling things in the order of priority and ticking complete work till the last. It is the time to forgo some optional activities like seeing friends or partying.

Graduation requirements the requirement for knowledge base and skills might vary between nursing school and degree, but the difference is minimal. The faculty approves graduation for those who past their exams and also demonstrate their ability to:

One of the many things to expect during nursing school life is a busy schedule with much workload. A student should avoid trying to be perfectionists in everything or getting the highest grades all the time. They should instead focus growing knowledge, skill base and gaining clinical experience.