Please Help me understand

[Banginplates]

Hello my fellow nursing students of the struggle. I have now completed my 2nd week of nursing school. Things are going real slow,and feel I might be getting cheated.. We have gone over the Nursing process, who Jean Watson and Marjory Gordon is, etc, etc. I understand their theories and so forth.. When will nursing school begin... Maybe I sound crazy,but we just have alot of reading and teachers lecturing. They aren't really tying it all in yet. Some of my classmates tell me that I am crazy,and I need to take a chill pill. I am a EMT-B and I am used to getting to the point. I understand the holistic approach, and the reason for care plans,but when do they tie it all in. Besides reading what will we be tested on. The syllabus is ok,but it just tells me to read more and more.. Is this nursing??? Maybe I am more hands-on,and will find enjoyment at that level. I feel I have an understanding of cultural diversity,and how to be empathetic to others. I am not trying to be a A$$ hole. I just need to know what to expect. They say it is supposed to be hard.. Maybe it is the first 2 weeks..

My school also is very unprofessional( I am not mentioning any names) I am very fortunate to be here. But they don't have any I idea what is going to happen tomorrow let alone where we are going for clinicals. I would think that would be handled already. For professionals they are very unorganized. We don't elect class anything till our 2nd year. Our nursing lab is ony open from 7am to 3pm sharp. I work 3rd shift,and don't wake up till 1pm or 2pm. It is open when a CNA class or when we have to do lab work,but there is no attendant on duty after 3pm. So that means no computers to use,no videos to watch, no using any assessment equipment, which means to be UNPROFESSIONAL!!!!!.. Please help me understand. Maybe because I am a man,and this is how it should be ran????? Distressed and confused I am:rolleyes:

[pixiel]

Well, I went to a hospital based nursing school and we were in the hospital, I think within 3 weeks. This is the reason I went there. Although at first we were only giving bed baths and making beds (which I assume would be boring for you too), it let us start to have some patient interaction. From then on we were in the hospital at least one day a week and up to 5. I guess they are all different and I am glad that you took the advice of from the others post. I think they are probably also easing in a bit too so that they don't scare too many away in the beginning. GOOD LUCK!!

[nekhismom]

Sounds just like my first semester! It was very disorganized, clincals were not planned, etc. It was also VERY BORING until the very end!!!! Just hang in there. The Med/Surg and OB and Peds sections will be faster and should be more hands on. Before you know it, you will be in over your head with stuff to do! Good luck!

[ainz]

It seems basic, slow and boring the first year because--IT IS!!!! As stated in an earlier post, they are laying the foundation. Look at it like building a house--lots of work goes into it before they even start framing the thing and it half-way looks like a house. There is the planning, permits, clearing the lot, setting the forms for the foundation, putting in the plumbing, then finally the cement, and then the frame and only then does it start to look like a house.

Funny thing about nursing history, theory, nursing process, and all of that humanistic stuff, human needs, etc., etc. It made no sense to me, didn't see the relevance, didn't care, just wanted to get through school and start working in the ER.

20 years later, the nursing theories are very important to what I do and it explains why nurses are socialized the way they are in many ways, the theories have shaped nursing into what it is and to me that is half the problem with nursing. You never know where your career path will end up, one day you may find all of this stuff useful.

[Banginplates]

I agree with all of you. I just expected to be over my head in work from the beginning. I will survive it because I want this so bad. I am willing to take the time to learn the fundamentals. I am just happy to be in a nursing program. I thank God for my blessing. I just needed to express my current disgust,and was wondering if others were ever in my shoes.

[andi2634]

I know everyone else has told you the same thing- but I'll say it again- school will not always be like this- and the fundamentals are really important. Our first semester covered things like the nursing process, death and dying, Maslow's heirarchy, pt. education, communication, and we started learning about prioritizing and delegation. I just graduated and am working in an ICU and I'm still learning these skills- aand realizing how important they are. Critical thinking will be preached to you over and over- they are laying the fromework for this. My favorinte instructor told us that anyone can be taught a skill but really being able to think is what makes us nurses.

Also- I know the NCLEX is far away but the majority of the test is prioritization, delegation, and Maslow- because these things are important- I think you'll be glad later that you have learned this info.

[RNinRubySlippers, BSN, RN]

Oh ya man, enjoy this "slow time" while you have it. When it comes fast it will hit you like a a tonne of bricks! Just chill nad absorb what you are taught! Oh ya! GOOD LUCK DOOD!