First semester BSN program finished.... On to the next!!!

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi, how has everyone been?? Well, it's been a while since I've been on here or posted anything so I just wanted to let people know how everything went with. I just finished my first semester of a BSN program and I must say it has been an experience and one that I actually came to enjoy. At orientation I was so stoked and looking forward to start nursing school, but then as the first day of school approached I became extremely nervous. I started having all these crazy thoughts like would I be able to keep up with the material, would I pass, and I was thinking just so negatively and I don't know why. Then for some reason when I seen all those books and the syllabus and I was like WHOA how in the he!! do they expect us to read and get through all of that?! In the beginning I DID try to read everything and I literally studied every single day. I was afraid that if I skimmed I would miss something important or that if I took a break I'd lose my momentum. I was also eager to learn. I did do very well in my skills, quizzes, tests and everything but I found myself getting burned out real quick :banghead: I was thinking that this can't be happening this early in the semester. My biggest problems were that I tried to read everything, do so much, and be so "perfect" because I was so worried about my grades and wanting to get straight As because that's what I was so use to. My professor pointed out to me that it's good to want to do everything right and "try" to be "perfect" but that I was basically going to hurt myself in the end and that getting straight As didn't translate into being a good nurse. True!! She told me that she could tell that I had nothing to worry about and to just relax! I was thinking how do you know, how can you tell, you barely even know me?! Lol. But I took her advice and just let up. Not that I didn't care about my grades because I do but I wasn't so concerned about As or trying to be "perfect". I learned how to pick apart the textbooks, I designated days that I'd study for certain classes and I even had days where I did absolutely nothing. From then on out I took all of the negative thoughts out of my head and just kept positive. I told myself that I can and will get through this program and become a nurse. I just want to learn and apply the material. I feel that it has worked out well for me because I made it through. I ended up finishing my first semester of nursing school with 3 As and a B+. Lol I was quite proud of that B+. I realized that the first semester wasn't all that bad and I guess easier than I expected. I know as I progress in the program that it may get more challenging or it may not either way I'm looking forward to it. To me the material isnt't all that hard it's mainly the amount of material but it'll be conquered. The professors' don't expect you to read every single thing but they do expect you to have went over your assigned readings and to at least have an understanding. Make sure that before you ask a prof a question that you have already tried to look up the answer yourself beforehand. ASK questions and in clinicals make yourself available whether it be putting in a foley, taking one out, giving a bed bath, feedings or whatever; get as much exposure as you can. I also work as a CNA but I still try to gain exposure. Just my $0.02. Just stay positive and throw all the negative thoughts out. I better stop now because I think I'm starting to ramble so feel free to comment :up:

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Congrats on completing the first semester! Thank you for your post. I will be starting a BSN program in August and I'm so nervous. I hear there's a lot of material to cover. I am going to be balancing school and family so I'm hoping not having to work will allow me the time to manage everything. Good luck!

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Hi Nurse2b209,

I am pretty sure I remember your user name from a few CSU Stanisluas threads so I am assuming you go there especially due to your user name. I also am a nursing student at CSUS, jsut finished my 3rd semester on Tuesday and I just wanted to tell you congrats for finishing your first semester! I remember how hard it was and how it was very hard to learn to "give up" so to speak and learn to accept the fact that not every reading will be done, not every quiz will be studied for, etc. Good luck next semester, it is difficult but manageable. I would very highly recommend making a master list on Excel, or Word of all the drugs on the sheet the Fundamental instructor hopefully handed out to you guys. Put the name, their classes, routes, usual adult dosages, side effects, nursing implications and rationale - trust me this will help you a TON those first few care plans. Congrats again!

Danielle

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Thank you both for commenting.

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Hi Nurse2b209,

I am pretty sure I remember your user name from a few CSU Stanisluas threads so I am assuming you go there especially due to your user name. I also am a nursing student at CSUS, jsut finished my 3rd semester on Tuesday and I just wanted to tell you congrats for finishing your first semester! I remember how hard it was and how it was very hard to learn to "give up" so to speak and learn to accept the fact that not every reading will be done, not every quiz will be studied for, etc. Good luck next semester, it is difficult but manageable. I would very highly recommend making a master list on Excel, or Word of all the drugs on the sheet the Fundamental instructor hopefully handed out to you guys. Put the name, their classes, routes, usual adult dosages, side effects, nursing implications and rationale - trust me this will help you a TON those first few care plans. Congrats again!

Danielle

Hey yes that's me lol. Congratulations on finishing 3rd semester that's so exciting!!! I hear that 2nd semester is a BIG change. Oh yes we did get a list of all the drugs and I'm definitley making that master list. I keep hearing about care plans and how sometimes people are up so late doing them and I just hope to do good and get through 2nd semester. Would you say that it gets easier as we move on?? Thank you for the advice too!!!

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Congrats on completing the first semester! Thank you for your post. I will be starting a BSN program in August and I'm so nervous. I hear there's a lot of material to cover. I am going to be balancing school and family so I'm hoping not having to work will allow me the time to manage everything. Good luck!

Congratulations to you also!!! I don't have kids or anything but I do work but only on the weekends now. There were students in my class who had to take care of their family and they did well in the program. I'm sure you will do well too.

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Thank you for writing this as I needed to hear this. I start my ADN program in January and am overwhelmed with all the info we are responsible for.

I am sure that I will need to come back and read your post during the semester.

Good luck and thanks again!!

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Yes I would say that 3rd semester was easier for me than 2nd although some of my classmates had the opposite view. I was never up past 10 doing a care plan and I worked until 4 on Wednesday's. They take a long time (especially the first few) but if you manage your time it shouldn't take you into the night. It also depends on how fast you can work as well but the instructors will understand if you don't have everything completely finished as they don't want you half asleep in clinical because you were up late the night before working. What hospital are you at next semester? If you have any more questions let me know and enjoy your break!

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Yes I would say that 3rd semester was easier for me than 2nd although some of my classmates had the opposite view. I was never up past 10 doing a care plan and I worked until 4 on Wednesday's. They take a long time (especially the first few) but if you manage your time it shouldn't take you into the night. It also depends on how fast you can work as well but the instructors will understand if you don't have everything completely finished as they don't want you half asleep in clinical because you were up late the night before working. What hospital are you at next semester? If you have any more questions let me know and enjoy your break!

Hi, sorry I've been out of town. I'll be at Emanuel for my clinicals. I'm excited and anxious to start clinicals and I'm trying to enjoy my break but I keep finding myself wanting to read 2nd semester textbooks and stuff lol.

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