2 answers
Susan
Student
Tomball, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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What did you find to be the most stressful part of nursing school, the academics or the financial aspects?
What are some of the thing you felt unprepared for after starting nursing school?
Did you feel like the academic part of school was more stressful? Or the financial part?
How did you work your finances while going to nursing school?
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1186
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Susan,
Many prospective nursing students secretly worry about these same issues, so I'm very glad you inquired. You are already in a strong position because nursing school can be stressful if you don't have support or reasonable expectations.
When it comes to stress, most students discover that financial tension develops more subtly in the background while academic strain strikes first. Nursing school is challenging because you have to master a lot of material quickly while balancing lectures, laboratories, tests, and clinical rotations, not because the material is unachievable.
Until you find a rhythm, the continual mental strain can feel overpowering. There is also financial stress, particularly when you are unable to work as many hours and the expenses of textbooks, equipment, and clinical transportation begin to mount up. In fact, both can be difficult, but initially, the intellectual side tends to feel more immediate and intense.
Additionally, a lot of students feel unprepared for several tasks. When you encounter challenging patient situations or teacher expectations for the first time, it can be emotionally taxing. Academically, nursing exams necessitate a totally new way of thinking, less memorizing and more "What is the safest thing to do right now?"
It's a gradual transition. In my experience, many students are taken aback by how exhausted they become during hectic weeks and how much deliberate self-care they must do to prevent burnout. These events are only a part of the learning curve and are not proof that you are incapable.
Most students use a combination of flexible part-time jobs, grants and scholarships, and advance preparation to make ends meet. Many choose jobs that work well with a busy schedule, such as home health care, teaching, CNA positions, or weekend shifts. Others use school services like food pantries and emergency grants, buy old textbooks, carpool to clinicals, or prepare meals to save money.
If your family can help you during school, it's also beneficial to be honest with them. Although nursing school is short-term, the obligations might make money management seem like a balancing act.
The good news is that, with the correct preparation, you can excel in nursing school. It's not necessary to have everything worked out right away. You'll go a long way if you establish a support network, make sensible financial plans, and develop good study habits. Additionally, you're starting this journey with the kind of mindset that leads to success based on the meaningful questions you're already asking.
Best wishes!
Many prospective nursing students secretly worry about these same issues, so I'm very glad you inquired. You are already in a strong position because nursing school can be stressful if you don't have support or reasonable expectations.
When it comes to stress, most students discover that financial tension develops more subtly in the background while academic strain strikes first. Nursing school is challenging because you have to master a lot of material quickly while balancing lectures, laboratories, tests, and clinical rotations, not because the material is unachievable.
Until you find a rhythm, the continual mental strain can feel overpowering. There is also financial stress, particularly when you are unable to work as many hours and the expenses of textbooks, equipment, and clinical transportation begin to mount up. In fact, both can be difficult, but initially, the intellectual side tends to feel more immediate and intense.
Additionally, a lot of students feel unprepared for several tasks. When you encounter challenging patient situations or teacher expectations for the first time, it can be emotionally taxing. Academically, nursing exams necessitate a totally new way of thinking, less memorizing and more "What is the safest thing to do right now?"
It's a gradual transition. In my experience, many students are taken aback by how exhausted they become during hectic weeks and how much deliberate self-care they must do to prevent burnout. These events are only a part of the learning curve and are not proof that you are incapable.
Most students use a combination of flexible part-time jobs, grants and scholarships, and advance preparation to make ends meet. Many choose jobs that work well with a busy schedule, such as home health care, teaching, CNA positions, or weekend shifts. Others use school services like food pantries and emergency grants, buy old textbooks, carpool to clinicals, or prepare meals to save money.
If your family can help you during school, it's also beneficial to be honest with them. Although nursing school is short-term, the obligations might make money management seem like a balancing act.
The good news is that, with the correct preparation, you can excel in nursing school. It's not necessary to have everything worked out right away. You'll go a long way if you establish a support network, make sensible financial plans, and develop good study habits. Additionally, you're starting this journey with the kind of mindset that leads to success based on the meaningful questions you're already asking.
Best wishes!
Ann Schlensig
Family Nurse Practitioner
45
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Ann’s Answer
At first, dealing with money was stressful for me. Fortunately, my parents helped with some of my school costs, and I covered the rest with student loans and work-study programs.
Once I started school, the academic workload became my main stress. I wasn't ready for how tough nursing school would be or how much studying it involved. I stopped worrying about money as much, knowing I could think about repaying loans in the future.
Once I started school, the academic workload became my main stress. I wasn't ready for how tough nursing school would be or how much studying it involved. I stopped worrying about money as much, knowing I could think about repaying loans in the future.