What to Expect in Your First Year of Nursing School

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So you’ve decided to be a nurse. Congratulations! You have chosen a growing field with excellent job prospects.

But first you have to get through nursing school. Knowing what to expect that first year can prepare you for success both in class and on the job.

The academic curriculum may vary somewhat, depending on which degree you’re pursuing—whether it’s a baccalaureate program, associate’s degree or one of the (increasingly rare) hospital-based diploma programs.

Regardless of which program you choose, most have some things in common. You will first have to plow through prerequisites such as English, basic life sciences, and math. Some of these may seem unrelated to nursing. But taking an English class, for instance, will help you write clear and concise notes in a medical record. Solid math skills will enable you to calculate drug doses and at the very least, ensure your patient’s safety by double-checking a dosage already worked out by a pharmacist or doctor.

View more online featured programs:

• Bachelor's Programs
• Master's Programs
• Doctorate Programs

Common Coursework to Expect

Once you’ve completed prerequisites, you will take specialized courses—common examples are microbiology, pathophysiology, nutrition, and pharmacology—that are directly related to the practice of nursing.

 
2 Year Nursing Program (first-year courses)

You’ll move on to practical classes and learn fundamental skills such as starting IVs, inserting catheters, and making beds.

Making beds? That’s right—this isn’t home economics class but don’t discount skills that seem easy. Learning how to properly make a bed will help your patients feel more comfortable, and may spare them from pressure sores and other wounds that may be caused by even small wrinkles in the sheets.

You’ll also focus on how to do a physical assessment, and take classes that combine nursing theory with clinical rotations.

All first-year classes will prepare you for your second year, which will have an intensive clinical focus in multiple settings as well as advanced classes such as nursing leadership and ethics.

Seem tough? Many (if not most) first-year nursing students feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work and the associated time commitment. A review of nursing program descriptions including an ADN program at Shasta College in Redding, Ca., and a BSN program at University of Missouri in Kansas City shows that you can expect to spend three hours outside of class for every hour spent in the classroom. So a typical 12-credit semester load would mean you’re dedicating a minimum of 36 hours a week to your nursing studies—the equivalent of a full-time job.

4 Year Nursing Program (junior year courses)

Minimize the chaos by keeping your ultimate goal (to be a nurse!) at the front of your mind. Be organized. Work hard but pace yourself. Ask for tips from others who have gone through the program. Remind your family, friends, and coworkers that you’ll need extra support and understanding while you’re in school. And remember to eat right, get enough sleep, and take some “me time” to do something you enjoy.

You’ll get through that first year just fine.