I thought I knew, but I had NO idea

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Yep, it's different. Those classmates you have that have CNA experience-- you'll catch up to them just fine, and quickly. That's a really minor part of nursing. The think-like-a-nurse part, that's where nursing really occurs. It's between your ears, not always at the end of your arms. When you're thinking like a nurse, you won't reach over the sterile field anymore. :)

We can help. When you have questions, do not hesitate to ask. Esme and I, and others here, love to help students learn to think like nurses. You can do this. (You're already ahead of the game on literacy :) )

RunBabyRN · Jun 5, 2014

Yeah, changing your thinking is tough. Even some of us that have prior medical experience struggle with this, because different disciplines have different approaches to patient care. Anyone can learn skills with enough repetition, but it takes a brain to really think as a nurse. Be patient with yourself. You'll get there! :)

DemonWings · Jun 5, 2014

I went into nursing school with no patient care or health care experience. I too felt behind the curve compared to my classmates. Calm down, you will get it. It took me many MANY times to get the sterile field technique down and it was such a simple task that I felt like an idiot. Remember, you will continue to make mistakes and that is Ok! For me, making those mistakes really ingrained in my brain what NOT to do in the future.

Practice in skills lab and it will become second nature. The critical thinking will also come as you progress through your program.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 5, 2014

Thinking like a nurse is something very different and it can be learned. Those skills you're learning in lab, many of those are essentially psycho-motor skills. In other words, you can teach basically anybody to do those skills without teaching them the why those things are done. I'm a Paramedic and an Athletic Trainer. I've got LOTS of skills in my "tool bag" for me to use. I'm also very, very well educated along the medical model. All that is fine, well, and good... and benefits patients. However it's not thinking like a nurse. That's something that I had to learn. It's something I'm starting to get the hang of... but it's going to take a while before I'm very proficient as a nurse.

My own skills advantage lasted just about 2 Semesters, and one particular skill advantage lasted 4 Semesters. I spent that time learning to think like a nurse instead of worrying about the skills. I had to repeat some coursework and I spent the time doing some peer teaching and continuing to learn to think like a nurse instead of worrying about the skills. I ended up easily getting through nursing school without too many problems, considering I had to work full time and go to school full time and find a way to mesh the two schedules. The point is, you're in an ABSN program and it is certainly fast paced... but it's only as fast paced as any other "accelerated" program where you go full-time all year long instead of taking summers off. It's completely doable. You can learn the skills. If you've seen any high-level sports, you know that high-level athletes use mental imagery to reheorifice their sports. Downhill skiers are very visible at that. Sometimes you see them mentally rehearsing the runs before they actually do them. Guess what? They're mentally recruiting the same muscle groups and reinforcing neuromotor pathways when they do this and their runs are that much better for it. When YOU do the same thing with your skills, you reinforce those same pathways and you do better when it's time for you to do it "live."

This is going to be probably the toughest, hardest, most amazing time for you, if you let it and allow the process to work. Allow yourself to "drink the kool-aid" of nursing and see it for what it is. In less time than you realize, you'll be graduating and getting ready (stressing out too) about taking the NCLEX. I'm a few weeks away from that point myself, and I'm looking forward to it.

Good luck, and I wish you well!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Nursing is unlike anything you ahve ever done! ((HUGS)) we have ALL been there....we are here for you!

iPink, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Esme isn't kidding about nursing being so much different than you'll ever experience. I went through a 15-month ABSN program and thought I wasn't going to make it out alive. But I did thanks to a great group of people of whom I still keep in contact with 2 years since we graduated. We studied a lot. Out of my 63 student cohort only 2 had prior hospital experience (one LPN and the other was a Medical Assistant) and they struggled through the program as well.

Time management is your friend. Form study groups with people who are doing well in the program. In the end it will be worth it.

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

I felt the same way at the beginning of first semester. Actually all through first year, because you are constantly being tested on skills, not just during the beginning. They hammer some stuff into your head early on so you will be safe in clinical. But it evens out eventually. It's just a lot of information all at once. Hang in there.

CareQueen, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Thanks everyone, for you words of reassurance!!!! I know I'll get the hang of it soon enough and I'm beyond excited to keep progressing. I had my first clinical day today and it went well! I left with one of the patient's family members telling me (and my clinical instructor ?) that I'm going to be a great nurse! I really needed that extra boost of confidence. I can definitely do this!

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

It really is a matter of changing how you think. And I don't think being a CNA or whatever is really any great help. When I was in school, i'd say that probably half or more of classmates that failed out were LVNs doing a transition. They had the clinical skills, but couldn't get the critical thinking.

cooper79 · Jun 6, 2014

I made an account just to reply to this. My little sister was going through the same thing before she graduated as I did. I am now going through it again getting my MSN. Just remember 1) ABC airway, breathing, circulation, do no harm to patient , and prevent pain as much as possible. 2) You will not know anything when start working as a nurse, you will learn the majority of what you need to know from other nurses not so much from school 3) if it were easy everyone would do it 4) the time will pass rather you are bettering your self or not, might as well try and better your self 5) Do not try and learn all the steps, think the steps through, I have been working in home health on and off for 11 years, I teach patients how to administer their own IV ABX in about 5-10 min , I do this by telling to stops thinking about the steps and think about the whole situation logically, i.e why would you flush with something that is supposed to keep the line open at any other time than completion. You will get there!! Good luck!

Episteme · Jun 6, 2014

Thank you for your observations. I teach seniors and every semester at their last post-clinical conference, I ask them to close their eyes and remember the person who walked into the School of Nursing doors that first day. Then I ask them to mentally examine where they are now. I give them time to think about it. Then I go around the table and ask them to tell us how they see their evolution.

There are always several students who are wordless. Or, they can't think of words that can describe how they've changed their view of nursing and of themselves. Always a few students can give examples... (I used to think this, and now I think that.) It is a really hard thing to articulate.

I wish there were a way to put it into a simple paragraph so that we could give it to prospective students before they sign up. But I've concluded there is just no way to really describe what they are about to undertake.

What you are experiencing is ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY, TOTALLY NORMAL. Every student goes through the same course of discovery.

And some months from now... at your last clinical post-conference, I want you to close your eyes and try to remember the person who came in the doors for the first time. Compare him/her to the person you are now. If you can figure a way to put the contrast into words for other students, please share them with us.