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:

[iliel]

First off, I don't think it has anything to do with being a man.

Second, I think you should take this time to enjoy. It will get more indepth. Don't judge what 2 yrs will be like by the first 2 weeks. Maybe the school likes to take a more laid back approach so as not to scare off too many students. I bet by the end of the semester, you'll be wishing things were like these first 2 weeks!

As far as your school, it does sound a little unorganized but don't worry. A lot of schools have budget problems, most don't even have teachers let alone money to buy supplies or keep labs staffed.

Like I said, relax, 2 weeks is too soon to judge anything.

Good luck!

[Brownms46]

I have to agree with the above posts. Enjoy this time while you can! You will wish for it later! And just a side comment, but Nursiing process is very boring:)!

[essarge]

Most of my first semester was just the why's (why we do this, why we do that) and very little hands on. I thought (and still think) if I heard "so and so did this on such and such a date" I would vomit. But some of the "old school" nurses seem stuck on this past thing instead of what's going on now.

I'm now in my senior year and we still have problems with who is teaching what and where we go for clinicals. But at least I will graduate in May!

Don't worry about when things are going to happen. Just "go with the flow" so to speak. Eventually you will be saying "Hey! Slow down a little please!!!".

[colleen10]

Hi Bangin,

I am in my 2nd week also and I understand where you are coming from.

I don't have any prior medical experience but I have a number of EMT's, Aides, etc. in class. I can tell that at this point most of them are all pretty much bored out of their minds. My school runs the clinical portion pretty slow at first so that everyone, even people with no prior experience, are comfortable with the patients. Even though I don't have much experience and this is all completely new to me, I sometimes feel that it is a bit slow for even myself. I think I am just way too eager to get in there and start doing stuff.

As for the class portion or the "Fundamentals" portion as my school calls it, well, I don't go to class for lecture, I just download the notes and assignments from the internet and then sign up for a time to go in and take my exams.

So far I have found the basics and "Fundamentals" of nursing theory, etc. to be a bore. I started this weeks reading though and it does seem to be getting more interesting and relevant, ie. Maslow's needs, the role of the Family and Community in health, etc.

I was old by a second year student that the first semester usually is boring and not to base the rest of your academic career or the profession of nursing just on that first semester.

As for not starting clinicals yet, that would worry me a bit, but with your experience as an EMT I'm sure your way way ahead of the learning curve allready so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

If it's any consolation I too am going to have problems with our "Open Lab" hours. Most everyone in my class works days, M-Fri. 8-5PM and our lab is only open for an hour to 2 hours two days a week. Those are the times we have to schedule to go in for our exams, let alone to get in and get some extra practice in.

Just give it a little time. It sounds like the first semester is a lot of "Theory" which I have always found boring and kind of hard to memorize/remember.

Good Luck,

Col

[nurse0977]

I thought it started off slow, but it seems like one day they dump it all on you at once. I too was ready to get to the "meat" of nursing, but that really didn't come until my second semester of nursing school.

Hang in there!!

[Jennerizer, ASN, RN]

They are building a foundation.....have to pour the cement before you can build the house. Don't overlook the importance of what you are learning even though it may seem a little boring.

The two emt's we had in our class failed even though they knew the technical skills downpat. They could not comprehend the nursing process, critical thinking & all that goes into it.

[christie_0307]

i totally know what you mean!!!! my first semester went by soOOo slowl. we didn't even have any clinical practice until our next semester! but jen, col and all the other guys are right. It's actually beneficial starting out slow, so you get a grip of everything. But whenever you get frustrated just hit up this site, cuz that's what it's best for :)

Christie

[Carolanne]

I agree w/ Jennerizer - nursing school courses are laid down layer by layer. It does seem pretty general and basic in the beginning, but they have to start with the building blocks. As you look back in another semester or two, things will start to feel more like a package. Enjoy it now while it is a little boring, it will pick up in pace real soon!

[pokey sn]

Hey banginplates! I've been where you are! Like everyone has stated, they definitely want you to understand the why of it all as well as the nursing philosophy. You may not see it now, but learning the nursing process serves as the foundation of your assessment, prioritizing, delegation and plan of care that you will use for the rest of your nursing career. In your last semesters, don't worry---there will be days you'll be beggin' for the instructors to slow down :). In my school, we had no hands-on patient care until late October of our first year. Hang in there and learn what you have to as well as possible.

[Banginplates]

Well I have read the posts,and I am going to take it in stride. I guess my experience as an EMT has me hyper. I hope it picks up, but I don't want to have to eat my words. I guess I will bite my tongue and wait this thing out. I will say that the teachers have told us some great stories, and they reaffirm my original theory that nursing is going to be great. Thanks again for all that posted. I really needed to hear from others about their experiences in nursing school.

[Martibear]

Hey Banginplates - I was there I year ago! I hear ya! I was pretty boring but something everyone has to go through! I agree with the other posts, just enjoy ... wait until you see what is coming!Feel free to e-mail me with any ??? Take care!