Anyone else overwhelmed?

[Tashia]

Ok,

I have just finished the second week of school (RPN diploma program) and I am totally overwhelmed!!

It seems there is just soo much material to cover and I'm starting to panic :uhoh21:

I know some colleges just pack on the work in the first few weeks to weedle out the slackers, but will it slow down just a little?

Anyone else starting out feeling this way?

Am I just the only one?

Any advice you can give?

Anything will help right now.

[Fiona59]

Yes, it is overwhelming, and it will continue to be. Time management is a make or break skill for nurses and nursing students. I remember working until midnight for the first three weeks every night.

But over the first two months, you learn to prioritize. Once clinicals starts the care plans can be evil (depends on your instructor), but expect to spend at least an hour on each care plan, multiply that by the number of patients you have, plus studying drugs and diseases....

I think the kindest thing you can do for yourself, is not set high standards. I know that sounds wrong, but good nurses graduate with C's and the minimum pass mark for each course. We had to maintain marks over 80% to pass, so you can see where the reality of the marking systems goes.

You have to look after yourself and your family and if that means not being the "perfect" nursing student accept it now and do yourself a big favour.

Good Luck (I graduated 6th in my class of 48 with this attitude)