Getting accepted into a nursing school is welcoming news for everyone aspiring to work in healthcare. The beauty of nursing education is that you have a variety of careers to choose from. You can perform your duties in any setting where healthcare services are offered. But at the same time, enrolling in a nursing degree is a big responsibility too. Understandably, the anticipation of studying long hours, cramming difficult medical concepts, memorizing details of the human system is overwhelming. But it is important to prepare yourself for what you will face.
There are a lot of misconceptions about nursing education. Some even go to such lengths, saying that your life ceases to exist when you enroll in a nursing program. Nursing programs are an exciting idea, but there are things that you must know before you start your journey in nursing school. Knowing about the details of the course and what you are getting into is important as you will commit to this program for a few years.
You can also take the help of frequently asked questions available online for all nursing degrees. For instance, when searching about an online MSN program, search “FAQs about an online MSN in Nursing Education,” and you will have many options in front of you. Go through a few links to see what they say about the MSN program to know full well about it. We have also curated a guide for aspiring nurses who are about to enroll in a nursing program.
You Will Not Have Clinical Rotations In The First Semester
This question might be hovering over your mind. So, settle down your nerves because clinical rotations don’t start right away. They begin in your second semester; until then, you can easily get used to your nursing study and its demanding nature. The idea behind it is to make you settle down in your routine and achieve some rhythm in your nursing program before you get into the challenging yet rewarding part of meeting real patients. During this time, nurses also develop essential knowledge about nursing concepts. Therefore, in the first semester, most nursing schools focus on the history of nursing, nursing theories and their application, and other basic nursing concepts. You will also get acquainted with medical terminologies. So, you can expect lots of reading, memorization, and assessments during the first semester.
Beware Of The Misconceptions About Nursing School
Misconceptions about the nursing school can overwhelm the students enrolling in a nursing program. The first one is about working alongside studying. You might hear people claiming that you cannot work while enrolled in a nursing program. This might be partly true because lengthy coursework and assignments will take most of your time. But it is not impossible to work either. Many nurses are doing and managing really well. If you are working, you only need time management; it will help you stay on track.
Another fallacy is that nursing education is impossible for moms. This is not true at all because many moms are killing at being good nurses. Being a mom, you already know how to handle people who won’t budge, have the stamina to manage tantrums, and have the compassion to impart care. As far as time is concerned, there are online programs that allow you to take lectures at the time of your choosing.
The Job Outlook Of Some Programs Is Better Than Others
Before joining a nursing program, make sure to look at your chosen program’s job outlook. The job outlook tells you about the demand of this profession in the future and employment status. Some nursing programs have a very positive job outlook, while it might not be very impressive for others. For instance, the overall employment of nurse practitioners such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and family nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 45%.
Things Become Clearer When You Enter Clinical Rotations
Cramming medical terms and intricate concepts is extremely overwhelming. Besides, you are not just reading but also writing papers and reports. But be sure that things become better once you have clinical rotations when you have hands-on experience with patients in a healthcare facility. You will use all your book concepts and see them through the lens of practice. But be prepared that not all facilities welcome novice nurses; some might even be rude. So, avoid toxic people who do nothing but discourage others and focus on those who are excited to teach you.
Many nurses in the past have passed nursing programs with flying colors, managing their families and working at the same time. So, those who say that nursing school is impossible are probably those who could not handle it themselves. However, enrolling in a nursing program and being successful requires you to manage your time and ignore discouraging behaviors. Moreover, you must also get all the information such as salary, job outlook, and career opportunities about your chosen program to be sure of your decision.
