Is it possible to just get it???

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN]

This is my first semester of nursing school. I am currently in Fundamentals and find that most of it is common sense. I really don't know how to explain it, but when my professors lecture, it just makes sense. So far, I have a 94% class average. My professors will, during lecture, indicate material that is most important. In other words, they do a good job of letting the class know the material we will be tested over. I know and expect that it will become more difficult as I get further into clincials and school, but has anyone ever felt this way in school? Do you feel so comfortable with the material and you just "get it". I do spend time outside of class going over notes and making additional comments, so I am not one of those students who are able to do well on the test without studying. I think I do well because I am so engrossed with the material. Is this normal? I have never had any subject matter that has come so easily for me, not even Business which is what my first undergraduate degree is in.

[DaveCRNA]

First....If you do just "get it" then congratulations school will be easier for you than many.

I too had a similar experience throughout school. I don't mean to say it was easy, it was not easy, but I certainly didn't have to work as hard as many of my classmates.

Someone earlier said nursing is common sense....well I think common sense plays a part, but nursing is a lot more than just common sense.

To the OP, if you are finding this less difficult than you imagined, then perhaps you can help those in your class that are struggling. I can imagine you are worried about the program you are in because it is new. Back to your classmates. (It doesn't sound to me that you meant to gloat, but perhaps your classmates took it that way.) I found that I learned even more and retained the information better by tutoring my classmates. I ran a study group several times a week and did one on one tutoring also. This was done through the "learning center" at my school and I was PAID to study! This stopped any problems I had with people thinking I thought I was smarter than them. They saw I was trying to help others.

I hope this makes sense.

Anyway, if school is not as hard as you thought it would be, then great, but don't get complacent, you never know when some instructor will throw a curve at you!

[nurseMKC]

I will be starting NS this spring and I just wanted to say thank you for those of you who posted your thoughts on this thread. As I read through this forum, I become so nervous, so anxious, and so afraid to fail based on all of the current students posts. Most of it describes the burn out, the extreme difficulty, and barely making it. I am in no way underestimating NS and the challenge that lies ahead but I am pleased to see that not every single person has the same experience as most I have found. Thank you for the positive thoughts! :wink2:

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I floated through my ADN program right up until the last theory class. I was on the deans list the entire program, until now. I rarely ever had to study but I never missed a class. This semester was brutal, and I thought the last theory would be easier because I'm almost done. I couldn't have been more wrong. I passed the theory class, but barely. It reminded me to take this seriously, perhaps I really wasn't before because I just got it too. Looking back, I'm glad I had to struggle through it because I learned that although nursing can be a common sense approach, once you really get into the disease process and have to figure out the differences (even though they may be ever so minute), that is what can make the difference between your pt getting well, or going down the tubes quickly.

I'm glad your sailing through, just remember that not everything may continue to come so easily. Sometimes we need to struggle to remind ourselves that we will be holding a person's life in our hands and that can be scary.

Very well said...and thanks for your input. I have heard that the closer I get to graduation, the more difficult it will become...I'm okay with that though...I just think it's a shock to me. I anticipated and prepared for a difficult program, and it isn't what I thought...BUT we are still early in the game.

Again, thanks for the good words.

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

First....If you do just "get it" then congratulations school will be easier for you than many.

I too had a similar experience throughout school. I don't mean to say it was easy, it was not easy, but I certainly didn't have to work as hard as many of my classmates.

Someone earlier said nursing is common sense....well I think common sense plays a part, but nursing is a lot more than just common sense.

To the OP, if you are finding this less difficult than you imagined, then perhaps you can help those in your class that are struggling. I can imagine you are worried about the program you are in because it is new. Back to your classmates. (It doesn't sound to me that you meant to gloat, but perhaps your classmates took it that way.) I found that I learned even more and retained the information better by tutoring my classmates. I ran a study group several times a week and did one on one tutoring also. This was done through the "learning center" at my school and I was PAID to study! This stopped any problems I had with people thinking I thought I was smarter than them. They saw I was trying to help others.

I hope this makes sense.

Anyway, if school is not as hard as you thought it would be, then great, but don't get complacent, you never know when some instructor will throw a curve at you!

Great ideas!!!! Thanks for your advice and comment. It has certainly added a great value and provided some ideas.

[celclt]

for me- getting over the hump of just studying for a test vs. absorbing for practice and seeing a big interconnected picture (like a concept map)=)

I rolled into Fundamentals a little cocky bc I had been a CMA- WHOA- different ballgame, got a 2 points from a B and freaked out..... sooo-I learned to get organized, "keep the eye on the prize", drown out the negativity ( from my own thoughts as well as others' drama) and just started being an active participant. Showing up is half the battle LOL!.....you will do great! :) That positive Attitude has helped me so much!

[smellyacres, BSN, RN]

I'm glad I saw this thread. As everyone has been saying, its good to hear things other than "it will consume your entire life" and "prepare to be stressed out and have no friends".

I'm gonna take a CNA class soon and get experience working as a CNA before nursing school, so hopefully it will contribute to some of the being able to "just get it".

Good Luck everyone! Thanks