What's nursing school like? clinical? how many years? after you get a job, how many years for internship and

residency? whats the difference? and how long for both? any advice to get through it? how many hours do you or did you study?

What are you going for? LPN is 12months of school and clinicals, 2 yr RN is school and clinicals, 4 yr BSN RN is thru an accredited University, and they also have a 5yr MSN RN in certain areas. You really need to investigate thru a school of your choosing to find out what is what. I hav been an LPN for 36 years and my school schedule probably differs from what they do today. I went 6 months class, and 6 months clinical rotation and class. No time for a really active social life or any kind of life. My class started out with 46 and graduated 12. The cut for final graduates is deep and you fight for survival. May I suggest LPN first then look into 2-4 yr RN down the road. Experience will be the best indicator for you if you decide to upgrade. As an LPN you will have what others won't, health care experience and knowledge. Classes and clinical will be a little easier.

IT depends on what kind of nursing degree you want you can be a Associated Degree RN(ADN), Bachelors of Science (BSN)in Nursing or a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPNor LVN). In considering a degree , think about where you ultimately want to go. Do you want to eventually become an Advanced Practice Nurse or Nurse Practioner? Then I would start with a BSN in nursing, at minimum. Do you just want to have a job in a nursing home or doctor's office? Then LPN or ADN would work fine. ADN nurses can also work in the hospitals and generally get paid more than LPNs,
but BSN's have the most flexibility with career options and advancing their degree.
Clinicals are usually 2 yrs for ADN, 4 yrs for BSN, not sure about the other degrees such as a Masters.
Be prepared to spend a lot of time studying, I can remember studying around 8 hrs each week for my clinical care plans, on top of the other studies required.
I am an ADN RN, and I took my 2yr degree over 4 yrs, in order to be able to work part time and take care of my daughter while studying. That allowed me to take all of the regular type classes (ie, sciences and English) the first 2 yrs and focus on the clinical and other nursing classes the last 2 yrs.
That being said if you want to work in a hospital, the hours are not the greatest in many peole.s minds -working off shifts, weekends, holidays, etc.- and the work is very demanding and hard. It is often very rewarding, but sometimes their is a lot of dissatisfaction due to the inability to care for patients the way you know they need and you want to give, just because the hospital is such a busy place and the staffing is not always adequate.
I will say though that I love my job as a nurse in a high risk maternity unit. I make good money, and the job is for the most part very rewarding. I like that I can work 3 12hr days and have 4 days a week off. However, if I had gotten a BSN, I would have more opportunities to advance to such positions as Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, etc. Many RN's start with just an ADN and then go on to school and many hospitals will help with tuition to do that, and sometimes even give you credit on the clinicals since you are already a working RN. I have considered doing that, but feel like I am a bit old to worry about school now, besides all that schoolwork again, UGH!
Oh BTW, there is no internship, just pass your board exams and your working! There is however, something called an externship available in some hospitals where you can work your las year of school with another RN and learn what it is like to be a working RN, they are not supposed to let you do RN duties however. (At least this is how it is in Illinois)