Feel dumb?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Hi guys! I've been on this site a while now, I rarely post but I am reading threads all the time! Anyways, I am an RN of 4.5 years and recently started the DNP program after finishing my BSN this summer. My concern here is wondering if anybody feels the same as me- even as an RN, and now student again, I always feel like it takes me so long to comprehend and remember something. Even at work, although I do feel as though I'm a competent nurse, I feel like a lot of things I just can't keep in my memory. I am scared about school because this program is so intense I feel like my level of competency may hinder me being successful, because it takes so much for me to remember something. Even after I remember something I am so quick to forget the details of it. Does anybody here relate? Tips and advice would be so appreciated!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to Student NP forum.

And yes, this is normal feeling - you've gone from expert RN to novice APN.

I'm still learning and I've been an APN almost 10 years now. You should always be learning - lol.

Hi guys! I've been on this site a while now, I rarely post but I am reading threads all the time! Anyways, I am an RN of 4.5 years and recently started the DNP program after finishing my BSN this summer. My concern here is wondering if anybody feels the same as me- even as an RN, and now student again, I always feel like it takes me so long to comprehend and remember something. Even at work, although I do feel as though I'm a competent nurse, I feel like a lot of things I just can't keep in my memory. I am scared about school because this program is so intense I feel like my level of competency may hinder me being successful, because it takes so much for me to remember something. Even after I remember something I am so quick to forget the details of it. Does anybody here relate? Tips and advice would be so appreciated!

Right there with you😢 Had my first advanced patho class and all I could think of was 'yaiks'.

Specializes in ICU.

You're not alone!! I feel dumb all the time! And my brain can't seem to retain the info I'd like it to. I've had a professor tell me that it's not expected we remember every little detail - just that we can recognize the major things and know when/where to look up the rest of the details. Though it never stops being frustrating if I don't know the answer right away!!

I'm right there with you. I went to UoM-Flint for my BSN, and was accepted into the DNP program and am scared out of my mind. This Fall is going to make or break me!

I'm right there with you. I went to UoM-Flint for my BSN, and was accepted into the DNP program and am scared out of my mind. This Fall is going to make or break me!

I am in U of M- flints DNP program! I started in September. The fall wasn't as bad as this winter semester has been, overwhelming to say the least .

You're not alone!! I feel dumb all the time! And my brain can't seem to retain the info I'd like it to. I've had a professor tell me that it's not expected we remember every little detail - just that we can recognize the major things and know when/where to look up the rest of the details. Though it never stops being frustrating if I don't know the answer right away!!

I totally know how you feel, they say they don't expect you to know every detail, but the exam questions say different :(

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