I am in my second semester in an Accelerated Nursing Program and I am getting worried about how much I do NOT know. I am doing well in classes and on exams, but when I get to the clinical sites (I am currently in my second clinical experience--Med Sug I), I feel very overwhelmed and like a fish out of water. For instance, although I took a day-long BLS course and know the basics of CPR/chest compressions, I have not been taught what to do if I'm with a patient and they 'code' (ie, What 'code' do I call? How do I call that code? As a student nurse, when asked by a nurse to simply check vitals, should I always know a pt's DNR status?) Also, I don't yet feel like I know what a typical shift is for a nurse (I know that no day is typical, but for instance, what happens after report? An assessment on each patient? Then what?)
Because of the accelerated nature of the program, we did NOT have a nursing fundamentals class. I am trying to pick up items that I've missed and also trying to study "extras" on my own (such as scouring a clinical skills book for things that I'm not yet comfortable with).
I am concerned that when I get to my first job that my employers or coworkers will be really disappointed that I don't know enough.
Is there anyone out there who has been in my shoes who can give me some constructive advice? I want to be a competent and SAFE nurse when I'm done with this 15 mo. program. Thank you for any advice!
Old fossil accelerated grad here...22 years ago! And my BSN program was 12 months. Believe it or not, I felt well prepared for the work place. And now, all those years later, I feel I got an extremely good nursing education. I do think it helped that I worked my way through my first degree as a CNA.
I think the entire accelerated program is quite disorienting...you are flying so quickly, not a lot of time to reflect. Still, you are absorbing more than you think. Best wishes.
you sound like when i took my drivers exam and road test. i was studying 24/7. when i took the exam and road test, i passed it the first time. i hope that i will do the same with the nclex.
i am applying to the following nursing schools. which one is the best in your opinion.
thomas jefferson university
drexel university
johns hopkins university
binghamation university
university of buffalo
pamela
old fossil accelerated grad here...22 years ago! and my bsn program was 12 months. believe it or not, i felt well prepared for the work place. and now, all those years later, i feel i got an extremely good nursing education. i do think it helped that i worked my way through my first degree as a cna.
i think the entire accelerated program is quite disorienting...you are flying so quickly, not a lot of time to reflect. still, you are absorbing more than you think. best wishes.
For instance, although I took a day-long BLS course and know the basics of CPR/chest compressions, I have not been taught what to do if I'm with a patient and they 'code' (ie, What 'code' do I call? How do I call that code? As a student nurse, when asked by a nurse to simply check vitals, should I always know a pt's DNR status?) Also, I don't yet feel like I know what a typical shift is for a nurse (I know that no day is typical, but for instance, what happens after report? An assessment on each patient? Then what?)
Because of the accelerated nature of the program, we did NOT have a nursing fundamentals class. I am trying to pick up items that I've missed...
Just so you know, a fundamentals class usually doesn't cover the above noted situations/skills you don't feel confident in. As others have noted, you probably covered the same content as a fundamentals class in general med-surg, basics like bathing, assistance with ambulation and feeding, patient positioning, etc.
If you read enough examples of other people's experiences here, you'll see that many traditional programs also don't offer much guidance or experience in some of the nitty-gritty and day-to-day functions of nursing. Many student nurses are turned loose during their first clinical rotations with little direction. There's a lot of self-guidance and sink-or-swim in nursing. I think it's a shame but it's what we have to deal with right now.
I'm sure there are some programs out there that offer a much stronger clinical/practical education, but it seems to be the exception. Much is learned the first year on the job.
Quickbeam, BSN, RN
1,011 Posts
Old fossil accelerated grad here...22 years ago! And my BSN program was 12 months. Believe it or not, I felt well prepared for the work place. And now, all those years later, I feel I got an extremely good nursing education. I do think it helped that I worked my way through my first degree as a CNA.
I think the entire accelerated program is quite disorienting...you are flying so quickly, not a lot of time to reflect. Still, you are absorbing more than you think. Best wishes.