How is it going so far?

AlexandrAnne · Sep 14, 2011

I just started on the 6th - it is absolutely nothing like I expected. My professors are so so supportive, and are very good at making complex theories easy to grasp. I am behind on the reading, studying 5-6hrs a day (from 3-10ish sometimes!), and about to go into my second test tomorrow, but I am loving every second of it!

I was a nervous reck the prior to my first day, but after the day's end everything came together. Good luck!!

cccormier · Sep 15, 2011

I know a lot of us are starting our Nursing Programs this month. My first day isn't until Monday. I can't believe in 4 days I will be sitting in that seat! Its very surreal for me.
Anyways, for those of you who have already started this month, (or last), how is it going so far? How's the studying? How are your professors? Is it what you expected?
Anyways, good luck to everyone who has started or are getting ready to!

I am very lucky because I am in a program that just started 2 weeks ago (BSN), and all my professors are EXCELLENT! Maybe one I would say is a little "snobbish" or a little "pretentious" here and there, but a great teacher none the less. The rest of my profs are so enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable, it's great!!!! :yeah:

The content is getting more and more clear as we go and I'm starting to understand the "style" of teaching and testing that will be going on, and what is expected of us. I'm learning quicker than I thought too. No feelings of "pulling out hair" as of yet.

Though the content and concepts are relatively easy to start, there is still a LOT of content to absorb, and so I would suggest that from day one, you try and focus your energy on planning out the week ahead (social life, work), do all the readings and make sure to take notes in class (even though the first week may seem like nothing important is being taught). Things will spin out of control pretty fast and you want to make sure that you will be prepared to handle the insane amount of work you will encounter when the time comes. Best piece of advice I could offer: Time management. If you master this skill early on, you'll be set for life! lol

Good luck to you on your first day! Let us know how it went, and make sure to enjoy it!

Cheers! :nurse:

Band · Sep 15, 2011

Yes time management would Really help, I couldnt finish all the chapters given in the 1st week for the 2nd week. I can't absorb the information of 13 chapters. Soo much given I need to keep things very organized. Like you, I still can't believe I got in, but I feel nevous and anxious about getting through this, the class presentations...Eek! - I shouldn't start off feeling like this!! lol

IUstudent · Sep 15, 2011

Overwhelming!!! So much to do!! But I just need to remember how much it will be worth it after!

Erikaaaa · Sep 15, 2011

It's such a scary, but exciting thing to go thru! Just keep yourself motivated because someday, all this hard work, sleepless nights and stressful days will be worth it! GOOD LUCK!

Twinmom06, ASN, APN · Sep 15, 2011

I'm almost a month in (started 8/22) and have taken my first test (2nd one is next Friday) and its hard but its so worth it!! today was my 2nd week of clinicals and I got to watch a dressing change, flush and dress a PEG tube and had a great co-assigned nurse!! She let us watch her do med pass, we did vital signs, and in general had a better week - last week I felt like I was just wandering from room to room - today I don't think I left my pt's room for more than just lunch!

NurseKellyH · Sep 15, 2011

Just passed my first test. Going well enough so far. My eyes hurt from reading and my pets and fiancee are getting tired of me 'practicing' on them already, but still it's all good

I only wish we had more class / lab time :bugeyes:

QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 16, 2011

I feel very overwhelmed.

I finally see what people meant by saying it's nothing like the pre-reqs. The info, technically, is not hard, but boy howdy do they throw it ALL at you at once. THAT's hard!

I have a focused assessment to perform tomorrow for lab, then my first lecture exam on Mon (which I have no idea if if I'm even studying for it correctly (STRESS!), and next Thurs., my first graded vital signs skills test. :uhoh3: Oh yeah, and loads of reading for the next section, which I'm about to say to hell with reading before class because I have NEVER done that before in my academic career and always did just fine reading for the first time after lecture. So, yeah. Screw the blanket statement study skills. I have also never used flashcards or study groups. Hmph.

A lot of times during the day I ask myself, "*** have you gotten yourself into?":eek:

pookapooka · Sep 16, 2011

I just finished up my fourth week. If you had asked me last week if I was overwhelmed, I would have shouted YES. But, we had a project due literally the same day as our first test. The instructor said that she had specifically done that on purpose, but then was irritated beause we were all stressed out and high strung. Really?

I did well on the test, and it gave me the confirmation that my study approach is on the right track (for me). I prepare over the weekend for that weeks lessons by watching the skill videos that came with our book, reading the assigned chapters (well, mostly skimming them) but I carefully read the summary at the end of the chapter and then do the NCLEX style questions at the end. I don't really do flashcards (except for med cards, but those aren't really flashcards), or take notes in class. I print the outline from the instructors'

PowerPoints, and then just add examples or notes in the margins.

When studying for a test, I do make study guides from the outlines, my notes, and things I keep seeing in the NCLEX questioning, and things that were stressed in class.

This has served me well so far.

We have done simulations and have been tested on clinical skills, but won't get to do clinical rounds until October. Can't wait!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2011

Chaos. Complete disorganization in scheduling and curricular requirements. Everyother day they produce a new semester calendar.