Ask me anything!

PurpleLover · Dec 10, 2013

It is so sweet you are willing to answer questions.

I want to know how you felt after your first clinical?

Do you still have time to really just enjoy your family?

I am going to venture outside of nursing and ask what kind of career can you get with a degree in literature?

Marsha238612 · Dec 10, 2013

Okay I'll ask some things.

So I'm starting nursing school this January yay!!! So stoked!! And wanted to know if it's as difficult as everyone says?

Would you skim through the chapters and pick up the most important topics? Or read all the chapters (if that's even possible)?

How did you do on your first clinical?! And how far into the class you had your first clinical?!

That's it for now

Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

bluesky94 · Dec 10, 2013

I have a few questions:

Is nursing school everything you thought it would be?

Do they teach you how to "think critically", or do you have to learn it on your own?

Do you get graded in clinical?

Thanks!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2013

Hi Purplelover:

After my first clinical, I couldn't believe I was allowed in a patient's room to assess a patient with an 8 page sheet. I learned a lot, but most of all was taking that first step in the room. Go through everything, it will become second nature by about your 5th clinical day. You won't even refer to your sheet at that point, or get embarrassed.

Family: We had pizza three nights in a row. While my son may have been super stoked about that, I was less than happy. There are times where you put your studies ahead of your family, but only because you are doing this for your family. It's 2 years, we can take it.

Literature: You can become a manager at a Taco Bell. Don't judge, they paid more than what the newspaper was offering for reporters, plus...I can sling tacos like it's nobody's business. My husband actually likes "Mexican night" because I can make a grilled stuffed burrito like a pro.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2013

Okay I'll ask some things.
So I'm starting nursing school this January yay!!! So stoked!! And wanted to know if it's as difficult as everyone says?
Would you skim through the chapters and pick up the most important topics? Or read all the chapters (if that's even possible)?
How did you do on your first clinical?! And how far into the class you had your first clinical?!
That's it for now
Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

Hi Martina,

Nursing school is difficult, but it's not THAT difficult. Find a way that works for you to study, and stick to it, while adding some question banks. Remember, you're not learning this for you, you are learning this for your future patients, so there is some accountability to be had (and pride).

I read all of my chapters. Others believe differently. Match the course objectives/power points with what's in your chapter, but do read the chapters if time is allowed. I assure you, the HESI does not care what your instructors tested on. They want to know that you had a solid foundation.

Our first clinical was the fourth week of class. I LOVED clinical. It was hard, at first, but the more weeks you do it the easier it gets. Remember, the clinical setting is where you will find yourself when you graduate. Utilize it. Learn, accomplish new skills, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

cee cee g · Dec 10, 2013

Hi Miss Mollie, thank you for being there for us future nursing students. My question to you is: I am super nervous and terrified of penatrating folks skin with a needle. I'll take shots and blood work by looking the opposite way. Have you guys started any procedures with needles (or catherers)? Please be as detailed as you can. Thank you again.

ant2cory · Dec 10, 2013

What do you really learn in the first semester??? Everyone says they can't even tell you all the things they learned. Skills, I am assuming sterile technique, blood draw, peri bath, changing but is that true. Do you do caths and dressing changes in first semester. What about in lecture? Acid base levels, Acidosis/Alkilosis, Fluid and electrolytes, or actual disease processes such as diabetes?? Tell me everything you know!!!

Thank you :)

ant2cory · Dec 10, 2013

Oh and thank you for doing this! I was so excited for you to answer questions I just jumped right in!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

I have a few questions:
Is nursing school everything you thought it would be?
Do they teach you how to "think critically", or do you have to learn it on your own?
Do you get graded in clinical?
Thanks!

Hi Bluesky,

Nursing school is harder than I thought it would be, based on the amount of material there is to learn.

Thinking critically, I don't know. I feel that every test question is subjective, and you either get what the professor is trying to say (or their answer) or you don't. Other people will disagree with me on this, but if a professor says that Answer A is correct, and you believe answer B after careful analysis of the question and answer (which involves critical thinking), I can assure you that answer A is correct. It's hard, because it's very subjective.

Clinicals: We didn't get graded exactly, but we were taught applicable knowledge. Your instructors may grade, mine did not. It depends on your facility/learning environment.

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

Hi Miss Mollie, thank you for being there for us future nursing students. My question to you is: I am super nervous and terrified of penatrating folks skin with a needle. I'll take shots and blood work by looking the opposite way. Have you guys started any procedures with needles (or catherers)? Please be as detailed as you can. Thank you again.

Every time an IV has been started, I have had to step out of the room. I am a lot like you, I hate needles, and I don't want to see when it is being done. However, we were taught to give shots this semester, and I can do that like it's nothing. I am hoping that when it comes to IV's, I will feel the same way. I just know that I internalize the pain a patient is in, and I have to get past that. If a patient was dehydrated, I don't think I would have a problem starting an IV, especially if their life depended on it. I will have to get back to you next semester.

I will say that I can pack a wound like it is nothing. Wounds so deep you can see bone. No problem. I think eventually we all become desensitized, but in the beginning certain things are hard, and that's okay!

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

What do you really learn in the first semester??? Everyone says they can't even tell you all the things they learned. Skills, I am assuming sterile technique, blood draw, peri bath, changing but is that true. Do you do caths and dressing changes in first semester. What about in lecture? Acid base levels, Acidosis/Alkilosis, Fluid and electrolytes, or actual disease processes such as diabetes?? Tell me everything you know!!!
Thank you :)

You remember that very first chapter in A&P when they covered what each system did, and you thought it was a lot of information? Then you got into the actual body systems and discovered how complex it could be. Fundamentals is just that: It's a base. They are going to quickly cover important things you need to know. This is your foundation of nursing. I assume that as we continue on, we're going to find out how K+ directly affects the heart, or why it is so important, but for now that's all the info I need to know.

It's comparing the general function of the cardiovascular system to the actual P wave, the QRS wave, and the T wave, and subsequent repolarization of the heart. How Ca+, K+, how striated muscles differ from skeletal muscles. You need to understand that the heart works as a single muscle that pumps blood through different chambers before you can get down to the very specifics of how it works.

You are building a base on which you will add on more information. The base is HUGE, but learn it, because everything afterwords will depend on that knowledge.