"If I only knew then what I know now..."

Before I sign up for nursing school, are there any nursing students or nurses who would like to share their "I wish someone would have told me_______...'s?"
That is a GREAT question, and I am following this thread! I hope you find someone to come and answer.
I hope so too, thank you!
Oh, I hope some of the seasoned folks will respond! Great question!
If I only knew then, what I know now... Let's see, where to start... First off, nursing is not a recession proof career!! Don't believe the hype!!Second, grades are not nearly as important as they scare you into believing. My Nsg school suggested that we not work while in school in order to help ensure our ability to maintain a high gpa because according to them, a high gpa will make you more marketable and it almost always guarantees that you'll pass the nclex the first time... Well let me tell you this: I didn't work while in nursing school and I graduated at the top of my class and I did pass the nclex the first time...BUT, am I working as an RN, now 6 months after I graduated?! Nope. The students from my class that are working as RN's are the same ones who worked in healthcare all through school. And yeah, they all had lower grades than me and some of them did take the nclex twice, but in this economy, it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know, that will get you a job as a new grad!! So, I wish someone would have told me to do what ever I had to do, to get a job in healthcare, before nursing school, so that I could have worked while in school, allowing me to gain healthcare experience and make networking connections... Also, one more thing, and I will preface my statement by saying that I'm not sure if this is r/t the economy, my location or even both but: if while deciding to go to nursing school, you have the opportunity to choose between ADN and BSN, choose the BSN program!!! Around here, all the RN jobs clearly state, "BSN Preferred". Good luck!!
thanks so much for the advice. I hear what you say a lot at other places, so although people are saying it's hard to keep a job while in nursing at UF, i want to work as a LPN. Do you think that would be helpful? Or what kind of specific part time should I work in? But as far as continuing to masters or DNP, would working or getting a higher GPA be better? Both, I'm assuming LOLthank so much for you great and practical advise.
Quote from maanggohsthanks so much for the advice. I hear what you say a lot at other places, so although people are saying it's hard to keep a job while in nursing at UF, i want to work as a LPN. Do you think that would be helpful? Or what kind of specific part time should I work in? But as far as continuing to masters or DNP, would working or getting a higher GPA be better? Both, I'm assuming LOLthank so much for you great and practical advise.
I actually have one...I wish someone would have told me how hard nursing school is to get into if you're not right out of high school!
I really wish someone would have told me to get a job in healthcare BEFORE going to nursing school. I had a very different idea of what I thought nursing would be like, compared to what nursing and healthcare really IS like. Had I been a CNA first and dealt with all there is to deal with beyond just patient care, I might have chosen a different career. I also wish people would have been realistic about how hard it is to find a job as a new grad RN! I was led to believe that as a nurse, "you can get a job anywhere!". Wrong. Like someone else had posted, it is often WHO you know, sadly, that gets you in. Experience is very important to people hiring you, but how do you gain experience if no one will hire you!If you have a passion for nursing, then stick with it! I wish you luck!