[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It’s perfectly normal to have the first day of nursing school jitters. Hey, it may even last a full year! Nursing school is a full-time commitment. You’ll have to manage your [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/common-courses-you-will-take-for-your-rn-degree/”]nursing courses[/hen-ui-link], attend lectures, participate in small group projects, attend clinicals, and pass exams.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There will come a time when you’ll decline a few social outings, pull all-nighters, or feel stressed out. At the end of the day, you’ve made the right decision to become a nurse. You will join a community voted most trusted profession, year after year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide will prepare you for your first year of nursing school. It discusses what to expect in the first semester, what you will learn, and what you will need. It also discusses how classes are structured, the level of difficulty, and when your clinical rotations will begin.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Your First Semester of Nursing School[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There’s nothing quite like your first semester of nursing school. It’s like learning a new language combined with art and science. You’ll learn new medical terms and phrases. You’ll learn the art of caring for patients while studying the human body, science, and pharmacology (the use and effects of drugs on the body).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the school you attend, most likely a general orientation will be held for first-year and second-degree nursing students. Orientation will include a detailed introduction to what to expect in nursing school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In your first semester, you’ll have a more focused orientation. You will meet your professors and other nursing students. Professors will:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Review the curriculum[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Review the syllabus[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discuss expectations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Discuss required uniform for clinicals and [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/47_kapucu_original_10_2.pdf” target=”_blank”]simulation labs[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Review needed supplies and required textbooks[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Buddying up with one or a group of first-year nursing students is a great idea! Sometimes it happens unexpectedly. Your first buddy may even be sitting next to you on your first day of orientation![/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Having a study buddy can make the semester and first year of nursing school less daunting. A buddy provides:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A safety net where students can bounce off ideas, or even let off steam[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A support system[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accountability[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Lasting friendships[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other major takeaways you may experience during the first semester of nursing school:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Changing the way you study: [/hen-ui-text]It may come easy for some, but nursing school is filled with memorization and learning new medical terms and phrases. Adding index cards or a few extra hours of studying can make for a successful semester.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Thinking outside the box:[/hen-ui-text] Everyone has different styles of learning. Lectures typically provide Powerpoint slides with a lot of information. You may need to add supplemental study tools like videos or spending more time in the simulation lab. This will help absorb and better understand the information.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Mental and physical challenges:[/hen-ui-text] Let’s be honest: Nursing school is no walk in the park. Many students find it very stressful. It can weigh on your mental and physical health. It’s important to recognize this early. Seek out professors, nursing faculty, or your school’s mental health department for help.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Do You Learn in the First Year of Nursing School?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your first-year curriculum will vary based on your institution or whether you’re entering as a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]two-year[/hen-ui-link] or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]four-year[/hen-ui-link] nursing student. Some students enter the program with or without prerequisites. In general, here is an example of first-year nursing core classes:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first year of nursing school is science heavy. It is structured this way so students can gain baseline knowledge of caring for patients. The great news is that a simulation lab accompanies these classes. Simulation labs provide time to practice your newfound nursing skills before caring for a real patient.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Are Classes Structured?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the school, you may attend large lecture classes with 60 plus students. Some classes may be much smaller in size. Virtual lectures are also a possibility.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Lectures are typically taught by a professor. There will come a time toward midsemester when students have group projects. You will either present alone or with a group in front of the class.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Skills or simulation labs are usually smaller. This is intentional. Here, students practice on mannequins the skills they need to care for real patients. Simulation labs are meant to encourage you to:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ask questions[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have hands-on experience[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Apply what you’re learning in lecture[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Along with a stethoscope and a notepad, you should bring a positive attitude and a general curiosity to the simulation lab. It’s the best place to catch mistakes. Mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. Lastly, remember you will not know everything. Even seasoned nurses learn something new every day.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]When Do You Start Clinicals in Nursing School?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Generally, you will start your clinical rotations in the second semester of nursing school. This depends on your institution. Clinicals will be the first time you care for patients as a nursing student.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How and where you are placed for clinicals depends on a few factors. Some schools give students a choice on which hospital they want to attend. This is based on their preferred location. Some schools place students where there is availability.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Clinical rotations can be once a week, half or full days. This also depends on the school. Overall, the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]required clinical hours[/hen-ui-link] are 300-700 hours for a bachelor of science in nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Hard Is the First Year of Nursing School?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first year of nursing school can be easy for some students and harder for others. There are many factors that play a role in the amount of difficulty. It depends on:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The experience of the professor[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The mixture of lecture/in-person learning[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The experience of the student[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The amount of time and studying a student puts in[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing programs might be more difficult than other programs because classes are science heavy. [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/what-are-the-hardest-classes-in-nursing-school/”]Harder courses[/hen-ui-link] like anatomy and physiology and pharmacology require ample study time. Nursing programs also require a basic understanding of math like calculating intravenous drugs and medications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The first year of nursing school is like a roller coaster ride. You have some highs and some lows. It requires [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/what-are-the-hardest-classes-in-nursing-school/”]good time management[/hen-ui-link] and a realistic work-life balance. It’s important to also remember the first year may be difficult, but with support from your study buddy, and putting in some extra study time, you will get through the first year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/guide-for-transferring-nursing-programs/”]Undergrad Application & Transfer Guide[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/articles/the-value-of-critical-thinking-in-nursing/”]The Value of Critical Thinking in Nursing + Examples[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/nursing-resume-guide/”]The Best Resume Guide for Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]Guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships for Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]