Advise on what to do/whether this is normal

jess.mont, ADN, RN · Jun 26, 2018

I just finished my first semester, too. Although there are many differences between what you have described and what I have experienced (dosage calc. quiz format, lack of direction as to what to study, for example), much of what we have learned has been self-study. I'm in a self-study competency-based program geared toward non-traditional students. We don't have any classes. We have an overview for each class, which means we meet with the instructor for 60 to 90 min. once during the semester. If we need additional guidance, we are expected to contact the instructor and they are expected to guide us or verify that we're on the right track, but they absolutely expect that we show them what we have done and learned already. This doesn't work for everyone. I love it. I'm motivated and self-directed, and the instructors are a-maz-ing about sorting us out - IF we show that we are motivated and dedicated.

One of our instructors gave us some advice after someone asked whether we were expected to remember how the so something after being shown how to do it once. She said, "Do you think I remembered how to do XYZ skill after having done it once in school? No. When I realized I was going to have to do it in the floor, I asked for help from my preceptor, who was kind enough to demonstrate it on a patient. Then *I* went home and I practiced my *ss off until I could do it perfectly. See it, try it, practice it, do it. Every time." Some people looked scared after this. Some people looked determined. Pick which one you want to look like.

Look - I get it. This stuff is scary. We have to know A LOT. We have people's lives in our hands. But take the things you read about in theory and think about how you can apply. Consider every single thing you are given the opportunity to try an awesome learning experience. That being said, talk to your advisor. See what she (maybe he?) thinks and see if that helps guide you. You are never in this alone.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 26, 2018

To this day, we have covered 37 chapters of Fundamentals, 10 chapters of Pharmacology, and 16 chapters of dosage. TOTAL, we have received 7 lectures. ALL others have been "posted". Posted actually means, posting the content of the chapter from the publisher, not Powerpoints from instructors. Really, it is the entire chapter just posted again online.

I graduated from a 15 month ABSN program and the first semester was during the summer. The summer term was very fast paced, but the only students that were there during the summer were the first and last semester ABSN classes. This meant classes were long each day. Two classes per day, each 4 hrs long. We had classes 8-5 M-F with an hour for lunch. There was a lot of content to be covered in a short time. All of the power points were posted online before class so you could download them and have them with you during class (laptops were required). This sped up the lecture because no one needed to write down content from each power point slide. We had a test each week. I study guide was given out or discussed in class what topics would be covered.

When we do our dosage quizzes, we are not allowed to have paper or pencil to write anything down. This means, we can watch the teacher do the equation on the board correctly, but we cannot write down what she is doing to refer back to later. This is not a problem for me, because dosing comes naturally, but I feel incredibly bad for the students who are struggling and just have to watch and hope it sticks.

Dosage problems were taught in the Pharm class. We went over many sample problems in class so that everyone knew how to do them. Many taught through power points during class. Problem was presented, we worked the problem, instructor showed how to solve the problem. No hidden agenda. We had 1 dosage quiz each semester. Each semester required a higher passing score. 80% first semester, 90% second and third, 100% final semester. Two tries each semester to achieve the score.

Is it normal to have to teach yourself almost everything? No discussion, Powerpoints, no general idea of what exactly we should be focusing on. This leads me personally to, I believe, way over study, which leads to a whole other issue like overthinking test questions.
I guess I just honestly am trying to get advise as to whether I take this further up the chain of command of the school and try to get answers to some of this, or if I am just being a whiny Nursing 1 student who didn't realize it was self-taught, confusing, and I just need get over it and move on.

Is it normal? No. Nursing school is too intense not to have a focus on teaching what is important each semester. Each semester builds on the previous semester, so it is important that you understand the content from previous semester to be able to apply it to the current semester. Nursing school should not be entirely self-taught, but there was some material that needed to be learned through studying. Many students complain on this site (I realize this not the case with you) that there were things tested on that were not covered in class. The major topics should be covered in lecture and you are expected to fill in the rest of the chapter through studying.

I doubt going up the chain will yield any results unless the instructor is new and doesn't know how to teach the content. If it is an established instructor that has been teaching the class that way for years, it will be extremely hard for them to change their ways instantly.

IzzyJ, ASN · Jun 28, 2018

Thanks for your thoughts. You are probably right about it not going anywhere. That lack of direction, although difficult, is something I probably just need to get over and hope the second semester is different. Maybe I will just hold out hope all of my over studying now ends up helping me in the long run. :-)

caliotter3 · Jun 28, 2018

Sounds to me like you picked the wrong nursing school, and I thought my program left something to be desired.

lorias · Jun 28, 2018

Not being able to write down the dosage problems is a bit extreme. We have lectures and powerpoints in our program but the summer session which I'm in now is 8 weeks and intense. I am an older student also (47) and my other classmates are 30 and up. All I can say is hang in there! It will be over and then you'll have your dream of Bring a nurse. God speed!!

wsunurse14, BSN · Jun 28, 2018

Senior here in nursing school, at a highly rated nursing school as well. I totally feel for you - especially having to learn most things yourself. I find that the lecture portion of each course is powerpoints that are read word for word from the slides, with very little input from the instructor. Once you begin having clinical experience, you'll start to feel like you're putting your studying to use, and concepts will begin to click with you.

At my university, during fundamentals, we had one clinical day dedicated to learning how to write nursing diagnoses and care plans. It was somewhat helpful, but nowhere near gave us an understanding what each clinical instructor expected from us. It is frustrating to have points knocked off left and right for something we were never even taught properly. Hang in there, I promise it gets better. ((Hugs))