Hello everyone! I have quite a few questions about UPenn’s undergraduate nursing school experience. If anyone has any answers, advice, or information, that will be greatly appreciated! Thank you and sorry in advance for the long list!
- What was your overall experience like? Would you choose Penn Nursing again if you had the opportunity to?
- I am very interested in learning about the clinical process and would appreciate any information on it! How often do nursing students have clinical? When do the simulation labs end and when do clinical rotations begin in the hospital? How are the rotations like? Does it feel like you are the person providing care or do you feel like the student? Are clinicals always supervised and done with other students? Is it more of a learning experiences or are you actually the patient’s nurse?
- I’ve heard that nursing students need to make home visits, but I’m fairly concerned about going into other people’s homes due to safety. What was the process like? Did you ever go alone?
- Although I can handle blood, needles, etc. I am concerned about major wounds. I have a lot of respect for those who work in the ICU, emergency care, etc. units (in general all nurses!) but I’m unsure if I could handle looking at trauma wounds full time. Have you ever been exposed to major trauma wounds (ex: gun shots, stabbing, etc.) during clinical? What about smells, feces, etc?
- What was your average course load? Is there a possibility of graduating early? Do most students have a minor?
- I have heard of many incidents where students failed out of nursing school. I don’t want to jinx anything, but it’s made me feel very concerned. In your opinion, would you say that it is easy to fail out of nursing school at Penn? Has it happened before? What is the grading system like?(I’ve heard rumors that a C is a fail!) Is it more rigorous in terms of the academics or time commitment? Is Penn nursing harder than other nursing programs? Would you say that an average student could handle it?
- Do nursing students have any required seminar classes? Is grading based more on tests, participation, effort, etc.?
- Are the professors nice? Do you have any recommendations?
- What are your favorite classes? Do you have any recommendations for electives? What classes are notoriously hard or notoriously easy?
- I’ve heard that there’s a lot of time commitment when it comes to nursing. Does being a nursing student take away from social life? How much free time would you say you have on average? How about sleep?
- Do you feel safe walking to and from any necessary places on Penn campus as a nursing student?
- When are classes and clinical usually held? (Night or day)
- Is there anything you wish you knew before starting nursing school? Any tips or advice?
Thank you for answering!!