[suture_self]

I'm into my first three weeks of nursing school and I just can't seem to get it together.

Up until the beginning of this semester, I've pulled a 4.0 in EVERY class. However...

I took my first test and scored a 74 (75 is passing). I went to do my first skill check-off today (aseptic technique) and got an unsatisfactory. Apparently, I moved my sterile field with a gloved hand at the border, as opposed to the center of the field (where it's not contaminated).

For a guy who's used to doing well, this stinks. I'm giving all I have to give in the studying arena... and still coming up short.



Help.

[labman]

Hey suture

Sorry your first week is going badly. Nursing school is a lot different then any other program even the pre-reqs. Well evaluate what you are doing then try to do something different. If you study alone try getting a study group together. See if there are any tutors in your school that would be available. Talk to your teachers tell them your situation. Maybe he or she can offer some advice.

Don't say your a screw up. You definently did something right to get into nursing school.
KENT
PS. hope this helps a little!

[EricEnfermero]

Nursing school is definitely a tough process and it can really make you feel inadequate, especially if you've grown up hearing those kinds of messages.

Try not to be too hard on yourself about the skills lab. Maintaining a sterile field isn't always easy. It can be something that really takes a lot of thought about what you're doing. I was definitely not a natural at it, but those skills come with practice.

Hang in there! It sounds like you've been very successful up to now and I know that you can make it with some persistence.

[Tweety]

Hang in there. Those first few weeks are tough and very humbling.

[suture_self]

Thanks for the kind words and support, fellas. A little encouragement goes a long way.

Especially on days like today.

[emllpn2006]

Hang in there!!! If you had a 4.0 in all the prereqs that shows that you are defenatly not a screw up . You have to be a very intelligent individual to get those grades. Nursing school is great at making you feel inadequate. The instructors who ride you the most and make things the hardest during school are the ones who are most proud of you when you graduate.
GOOD LUCK YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boston-RN]

Practice, Practice, Practice.....that goes for clinicals and for classes. As far as clinicals go. We had a lab pack we needed to use that had everything in it. It sounds corney but set up a station at home and practice. As far as the tests what I did was read the material before class and make a list of any questions you may have. Follow along w/ lecture and then read the material and lecture notes again but together and compare the 2 for major points. Then I got an NCLEX book called Fundamentals Success for the first semester and just the Saunders Comprehensive guide for the rest of school and that helped with the different style of questions in nursing school vs. other classes.

You're not a screw-up. As others have stated, nursing school is just a different way of thinking

Good luck

[ArmyMSN]

Yep, definitely find time to practice in skills labs. Find some student that was an LPN that did the clinical stuff before. Years ago, I remember doing that. I was strong in chemistry, A&P, etc, but maybe not so strong in clinical skills, so I found someone that could help. You'll soon see what exactly the clinical instructors are looking for. Definitely develope confidence in what you're doing - your instuctor will pick up on that.

[tencat]

When I was getting checked off on hanging IV's I was failed the first time. It rattled the heck out of me. But, I kept at it and now I'm a real RN! Nursing is challenging. I was pretty used to being a stellar student myself, so nursing school really threw me for a loop because I had to work hard to get good grades. Keep at it! It's worth it.

[ShannaRN]

Awwww, don't think your a screw up. Nursing is hard work. The tests are like nothing else you've ever had. They like to know that you can apply the facts and not just memorize them as with other tests you may have encountered. Keep truckin on and you'll see that the hard work does pay off. Also, try not to do this . Try instead to think of at least two things that you did very well that day and then work on your problem areas. Keep your Chin up!