Content sponsored by Capella University.
Nursing school is full of exams, clinicals, and endless studying — but certain lessons can only be learned on the job. Some nurses look back and realize there were things they didn’t fully understand until they gained real-world experience.
We spoke with six nurses to find out what they wished they had known while they were in nursing school and what advice they’d pass on to future nurses. Their insights offer valuable lessons that go beyond standard nursing school resources and help bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world experience.
1. Good grades aren’t the only part of being a great nurse
Strong grades and a solid grasp of textbook lessons are important, but they only scratch the surface of what it takes to be a great nurse. At its core, nursing is about navigating and understanding how each clinical decision impacts a patient’s journey from illness to recovery.
Alisha McCorkle, DNP, RN, a behavioral health nurse based in Raleigh, North Carolina, reflected on this realization in her own career.
“The more I grew into my career, the more I began to understand how complex human science —anatomy, physiology, and biology — really was and how the role of the nurse played an intricate part in the continuum of wellness through a patient's journey,” she said. “I wish I had understood how a patient went from sickness to health better, so I could see that I was going to be an important person in each of my patients' lives.”
Mary Lynch, MSN, RN, Curriculum Designer at Relias, also found that being a nurse is about more than just clinical tasks — the human connection is such an important element.
“I learned that nursing isn’t just about knowing concepts. It’s about knowing how to care without bias — how to show empathy and respect to every patient, no matter their background,” she said.
2. Time management isn’t optional — it’s a necessity
In school, your day is carefully structured — but once you enter the real world of practice, that routine goes out the window. You’ll juggle everything from patient admissions and discharges to answering family members’ questions and keeping up with documentation.
For many nurses, learning how to balance everything didn’t come easily.
"Looking back, I really wish time management had been emphasized more at the beginning of nursing school," Mary shared, adding that she gradually built up her time management skills, and this benefited not just her clinical practice, but also later when she returned to pursue an advanced degree.
Mary wasn’t alone in her experience. Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, a nurse educator from Durham, North Carolina, emphasized how vital time management becomes once you're in practice.
“In nursing school, we touched on time management, but it wasn’t until I stepped into clinical practice that I truly understood its value,” Yolanda explained. “Learning how to juggle multiple responsibilities — from patient care to medications and everything in between — became a lifeline.”
Yolanda added that once she developed that skill, she felt more organized, less stressed, and more confident in providing high-quality patient care.
3. Don’t be afraid to try new things or change directions
Some of the most rewarding experiences come from doing things that feel a little outside your comfort zone. Tina Lipscomb, MSN, RN, CCM, manager of case management at a hospital in Durham, North Carolina, learned this firsthand.
“When I was asked to take on the role of president of my nursing student association, I said, ‘No, I can’t do that,” she said. However, with support and encouragement, she began to say yes to more opportunities. “I would take on things I never thought were possible, and what incredible opportunities I had. As president of my nursing student association, I got to hang out with the governor of Texas,” she said.
Similarly, Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, RN, Editor of MEDSURG Nursing Journal, emphasized that your first nursing role doesn't define your whole career. She wished someone had clearly told her that your niche doesn’t have to be forever.
“There are so many options available to you, and none of them have to be chiseled in stone,” she shared. In fact, she switched roles by the end of her first summer after graduation and has continued to explore different careers in nursing.
Dottie encourages new nurses to peek through open doors because “each new thing you do adds to your personal growth and professional strength.” There are lots of opportunities for advancement in nursing, she added. You just have to take that step.
As a nurse with 30 years of experience, Dottie also talked about how much growth happens outside of clinical tasks. Mentorship, she explained, is an important part of the learning process. Having strong mentors gave her a safe, supportive environment where she felt comfortable asking questions and continued to grow well beyond the classroom.
4. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too
Nursing school focuses so much on professional performance that many new nurses don’t learn how to care for themselves. This is a crucial gap in many nursing school resources, which often emphasize clinical skills over self-care.
Jennifer Oh, RN, who currently works as a med-surg telemetry nurse in Temple, Texas, shared how important it is to show yourself kindness when you first start.
“Nursing school is trying to prepare you for the knowledge component — the disease processes, the physiology, how the body works,” she said. “When you’re a new nurse, you’re going to get four or five patients, and you don’t get to prepare in advance.”
Jennifer, who has been a nurse for over three years, emphasized that the transition from student to nurse can feel overwhelming — and that’s normal.
“You have to be able to give yourself grace,” she said. “Give yourself the time to adjust. And rely on all the resources available to you — your fellow nurses, your preceptor, your computer. And, of course, your charge nurse and manager.”
Jennifer shared that while the transition into nursing was challenging at first, tapping into available nursing school resources and leaning on strong support systems made a meaningful impact.
“It’s especially hard when you feel like you have to carry this burden alone — but you don’t. You have to reach out and ask for help. When you do and give yourself that support, you can succeed.”
Alisha also reflected on the importance of going at your own pace, sharing advice she would have given herself. “This is just the beginning,” she said. “You’re going to go farther than you could ever imagine. Slow down and just breathe.”
5. The more you do, the more you learn
True growth in nursing happens when you stay curious, ask questions, and never stop being a student — even after you become a nurse.
Tina, who has over 40 years of nursing experience, emphasized that every task, every situation, and every encounter is an opportunity to learn.
“If you know your interests already, such as going to go into the ICU, ask your instructors, ‘Can you give me more ICU clinicals?’” she said. “Take the initiative and seek out the hard things that you think you're going to want so you can learn from it.”
Looking back, Yolanda wishes she had known earlier in nursing school that confidence isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you build through action. After graduating and landing her first job, she volunteered for extra responsibilities like assisting the code team and managing night shift schedules. These hands-on experiences helped her strengthen her skills and work collaboratively with different teams.
“For new nurses, I would recommend getting involved in committees both within their unit and across the hospital,” she said. “It’s a great way to learn, network, and build confidence in a supportive environment.”
It’s no secret that some of the most valuable lessons aren’t found in textbooks or classrooms — they’re discovered through real-world experience and personal growth. The wisdom shared by these nurses serves as a reminder that learning doesn’t stop at graduation — it only deepens with time, curiosity, and drive.
