The nursing program at The Catholic University of America (CUA) is definitely worth its hands-on experience, great clinical settings (since it’s in the heart of Washington, D.C.), small class sizes, a well-rounded and experienced staff and an excellent support system. However, as with all programs of study, there are certain things that only nursing students at CUA would understand.
1. Constantly checking your GPA ...
Even though you’re positive you’re well within the 2.75 range. “So if I get a C+ in anatomy and an A- in chem then I’m fine, right?”
2. Borrowing notes from upperclassmen.
“Oh yeah, I have all the tests from last semester if you want to see what they’re like.”
3. The Gowan Auditorium is never the right temperature … ever.
“I am literally sweating; can you open the back door even though it’s snowing outside?”
4. All nursing students taking up all three floors of Mullen before an exam.
You have plenty of options for asking last minute questions.
5. “Micro or chem?”
And then trading notes and textbooks for the next semester. The same goes for clinical rotations.
6. Sharing exam outlines via Google Docs.
“I’ll do half if you do the other half.”
7. The Donley Center.
No doubt the best computers on campus, but it’s only open from 9 am-5 pm on Mondays-Fridays.
8. Dropping the lowest exam, especially in anatomy.
“Considering I’ve gotten B’s on everything else and then a 46% on this test…it’s being dropped so I’m where I need to be.”
9. Thinking you know what kind of nurse you want to be ...
But never knowing for sure until you go through clinicals. “Well ... I actually have no idea but I’ll know soon, I guess.”
10. As a freshman, seeing the upperclassmen wearing their scrubs around campus.
*Gasps.* “That’s gonna be us!!!” *Nudges fellow nursing major.*
Being a nursing major at CUA is definitely unique in its own way.
