Starting nursing school is a big step. You may be excited to begin, but you probably also want to know what your first year will actually be like. What will you study? When will you start practicing nursing skills? What will your weekly schedule look like? And how much studying and schoolwork will you need to do after class?
Knowing what to expect can help you start nursing school feeling more prepared. Your first year introduces you to nursing and science courses, healthcare terminology, hands-on skills practice, and new ways to apply what you are learning.
Below, we break down seven things to know about your first year of nursing school, along with practical ways to prepare before classes begin.
7 Things to Know About Your First Year of Nursing School
1. Your First Year Will Be Heavy on Science
Science is a major part of nursing education. Depending on your program, early courses may include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and other health sciences.
These courses help you understand how the body works and what happens when illness or injury affects it. That knowledge becomes the foundation for later nursing coursework.
2. You’ll Be Learning the Language of Healthcare
Healthcare comes with a lot of new terminology. You’ll see unfamiliar words for body systems, diseases, medications, procedures, symptoms, and patient conditions.
You are not expected to know all of this before nursing school. The terms become more familiar as you use them in class, assignments, labs, and other parts of your training.
3. The Schedule Runs Monday Through Friday, Day or Evening
FVI offers day and evening nursing schedules.
Published class hours include weekday day sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and evening sessions from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Some evening nursing schedules may also include Saturday hours.
Your exact schedule depends on your program and courses. Review it carefully before classes begin so you can plan around work, family, transportation, and other responsibilities.
4. You’ll Practice Nursing Skills Before Using Them in Patient Care
Nursing students do more than read about procedures.
FVI’s skills labs give students opportunities to practice nursing techniques and work with equipment in a controlled environment. Students can repeat skills, ask questions, and receive instructor feedback as they build confidence.
5. Simulation Exercises Put You in Patient-Care Scenarios
Simulation helps students connect classroom learning with realistic nursing situations.
FVI uses high-fidelity patient simulators to create scenarios where students can observe changes, think through what is happening, and decide how to respond.
This gives students a way to practice clinical judgment before working in real patient-care situations.
6. Clinical Training Begins at Different Points as the Program Progresses
Clinical training does not begin at the same time for every nursing student.
Timing depends on the program, course sequence, requirements, and the student’s progress. Clinical experiences are introduced as students reach the appropriate point in their nursing education.
If you are considering FVI, ask Admissions how clinical training fits into the current program sequence.
7. Your Nursing Program Will Take More Time Than the Hours You Spend in Class
Class time is only part of nursing school.
You will also need time for reading, assignments, reviewing material, and preparing for exams. How much time you need will depend on the course and how comfortable you are with the material.
If you work or care for family members, plan for schoolwork outside your scheduled class hours.
5 Ways to Prepare Before Your First Day of Nursing School
1. Learn your schedule.
Know when classes begin and end, how long your commute takes, and where school fits into your week.
2. Set aside study time.
Choose specific times for reading, assignments, and exam preparation instead of hoping you can fit them in later.
3. Make a plan for work and family responsibilities.
If you work, have children, or help care for family members, decide in advance how those responsibilities will be handled around your class and study schedule.
4. Buy only what your program requires.
Check your school’s supply list before buying uniforms, equipment, books, or study tools.
5. Know where to get help if you need it.
FVI nursing students have access to faculty, individual and group tutoring, and Success Coaches. Learn how to use those resources before you need them.
First-Year Nursing School FAQs
What Classes Do You Take During Your First Year of Nursing School?
The exact courses depend on the program and any credits you have already completed.
Early nursing education may include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and general education courses.
Review the curriculum for the specific program you are considering so you know what your course sequence will look like.
How Much Studying Should You Expect in Nursing School?
There is no set number of study hours that works for everyone.
Some subjects may require more review than others. Plan for regular time outside class to read, complete assignments, review concepts, and prepare for exams.
Can You Work While Attending Nursing School?
Some students work while attending nursing school. Whether that works for you depends on your job, class schedule, commute, family responsibilities, and study needs.
FVI offers day and evening nursing schedules. Before enrolling, look at your full weekly schedule and make sure you have time for both class and schoolwork outside class.
How Hard Is the First Year of Nursing School?
The experience is different for every student.
You will be learning science, healthcare terminology, nursing concepts, and hands-on skills. Some subjects may come more easily to you than others.
FVI students have access to tutoring, faculty guidance, and Success Coaches if they need help along the way.
What Should You Buy Before Nursing School?
Start by checking FVI’s current program requirements before buying nursing supplies on your own. FVI requires students to have access to a laptop or computer that meets the school’s technical requirements.
Other required materials and expenses can vary by program and may include nursing scrubs, books and course materials, and certain health or screening requirements. Check FVI’s current program requirements before making any purchases.
What to Expect From FVI’s Nursing Programs
FVI is a nursing school in South Florida offering two nursing pathways. One prepares students to pursue registered nurse (RN) licensure. The other prepares students to pursue licensed practical nurse (LPN) licensure.
In both programs, your training goes beyond the classroom. You’ll build skills in on-campus labs, work through realistic patient scenarios in simulation, and complete clinical rotations at hospitals and healthcare facilities across South Florida.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
FVI’s ASN program can be completed in about 22 months. General education courses are delivered online, and nursing core courses are taught on campus at either the Miami or Miramar location. Both campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
After graduating, passing the NCLEX-RN, and obtaining licensure from the Florida Board of Nursing, graduates may pursue registered nursing roles in hospitals, clinics, schools, home health, and other healthcare settings.
Practical Nursing (PN)
FVI’s Practical Nursing school program in South Florida can be completed in about 18 months, and nursing coursework starts from day one. All courses are taught on campus at the Miami location.
After graduating, passing the NCLEX-PN, and obtaining licensure from the Florida Board of Nursing, graduates may pursue licensed practical nursing roles in physician offices, rehab centers, assisted living facilities, home healthcare, and other clinical settings.
What Students Can Expect at FVI
FVI’s nursing programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on training, simulation, NCLEX preparation, and guidance throughout the student journey.
Students can also access Success Coaches, tutoring, faculty guidance, and career services as they work toward graduation and prepare for the next step.
For students balancing school with work, family, or a career change, FVI offers day and evening scheduling options and a student-centered approach designed to help them stay engaged and keep moving forward.
Financial aid available to those who qualify. Graduation does not guarantee employment or licensure.
