Can I truly hack this??

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I'm fairly new to this forum and I am so grateful for what I have learned here. Many of your stories are inspiring and I appreciate the respect and encouragement that you all have for each other.

I've dreamed of being a nurse for many years and finally had the opportunity to return to school 1 1/2 years ago. I worked my butt off and finished my prerequisites with a 3.9 GPA and was admitted to nursing school on my first try.

My husband is very supportive and we have two very active toddlers and two older children. I no longer work, but it is impossible to study during the daytime. I took my prereq classes at night, on weekends and online. Usually, I studied somewhere between 10pm-2am and then I would be up by 7am. My RN program will be in the daytime, so I'll have to readjust my schedule.

I'm hardworking and determined, have good study skills and time-manage up the wahzoo, but I notice that as I get older my body has a harder time adjusting to lack of sleep. I've waited too long and worked to hard for this, so I will do whatever it takes.

I hear people say how hard it is to learn to critically think. I've always been a very analytical person and will pick apart any topic. Drives my husband nuts! :lol2: Will it be easier for me to get the hang of critically thinking in a clinical environment because of that? I've also always had to time-manage and problem solve, will that be an advantage? Or is it a whole other thing in the clinical environment. Will I be able to retain everything I learn? What if I make a mistake on a patient? What if I become a target of a nasty clinical instructor? What if there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done?

I don't want to let myself down or the family that is so proud of me for having made it this far. I've been reviewing A&P and Med. Terminology all summer... and catching up on sleep. I guess I'm just looking for encouragement from those who have "been there, done that" or "are there and doing that." How did you juggle it all? What are your secrets for dealing with sleep deprivation and stress? :uhoh3:

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give this very Type A person!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi

I am 37 years old also and I am starting my last year in the nursing program in August. I also work 33 hours/wk when in school. I think all the qualities you listed will help you in your learning. Only piece of advice I can give is take it one semester at a time and it will go faster than you think and that you can do more than you ever thought you could. I am sure you will do fine because you sound like you really want it and that also helps you perservare and succeed.

Good luck and keep going

Frez

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geri.

I am there, doing that, and my grades and clinical skills are up to par.

But it ain't easy! You will have bad instructors. You will make mistakes. There will be times when there aren't enough hours in the day. But you do the very best you can and keep on truckin'!

If you have time management skills under your belt, you will do fine. The number one reason people fail, in my opinion, is because they lack time management skills, and don't know how to sacrifice or are unwilling to do so.

Also, I haven't found nursing school as difficult as some people make it out to be, and the same may be true for you. Don't get me wrong - I'm still just as stressed out and burnt out and tired and everything else, but I just don't spend 8 hours a day studying. And I do occasionally blow off reading an assignment so I can spend that time doing something for ME. But then, I'm not "Type A" lol.

I'm sure you'll do fine. Sounds like you got a handle on things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro.
i'm hardworking and determined, have good study skills and time-manage up the wahzoo, but i notice that as i get older my body has a harder time adjusting to lack of sleep.

oh my goodness, i am rolling at this one!!! :lol2::roll i so agree with you on the fact that my "older" body has a hard time adjusting!!

since school ended for the semester and the kids are at home for the summer, i don't know what a schedule is! i have always been one to get up and get going, and now, i have turned into a night owl!!! i usually stay up till about 2 am then sleep until about 10. the kids all do too. bad things is- my classes will start at 8, so i have to get back in the habit of getting up earlier. clinicals will be 2x a week from 5:30a-5:30p, so i really will be having to get up early. and right now, this body just doesn't want to do that!! i took most of my pre reqs online also, so it was always easy to work on it when kids were at school or late at night when they were asleep. but...i don't see myself keeping any late nights with the textbooks anymore!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm 43 and one of the top students in my class. The reason is not because I'm a genius or anything, but because I am focused on the lecture, take good notes, ask questions during lecture, and study when I'm at home.

An older student can be an excellent student, no matter how many kids you have at home. However, in nursing school, you have to lay it down for your spouse and children that you cannot really run the household as you used to. It takes time for them to get it, and toddlers won't.

You won't be able to do everything anymore. Priortizing is your most important task.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
Also, I haven't found nursing school as difficult as some people make it out to be, and the same may be true for you. Don't get me wrong - I'm still just as stressed out and burnt out and tired and everything else, but I just don't spend 8 hours a day studying. And I do occasionally blow off reading an assignment so I can spend that time doing something for ME. But then, I'm not "Type A" lol.

I could've written this paragraph, lol....I went in to my ADN program with a 3.8 GPA including bachelor's work....and am holding my own with a strong "B". I am content, and I haven't killed myself doing it. I just won't/can't at my age (which is older than yours -- my youngest is 19).

I worry about how much info I am retaining and can carry forth to the NCLEX. I worry that I am critically thinking well enough. I worry that I will kill someone. I worry that some doctor or fellow nurse will think I'm a complete idiot. I worry because I don't know the drugs. I worry a lot, lol.

That being said, I am doing what others have told me to -- get through school. Take it one day at a time. It will all come together eventually. I am not the brightest crayon in the box, but I am not an idiot. Others have done it before me (including moms with lots of little kiddles and some with NO supportive spouses), so most likely I can do it too.

I do a lot of sweating in clinicals -- literally. It will just drip down my neck and brow. I did a lot of that in an internship I completed this summer, but you know what? I started IVs like I actually knew what I was doing! I did other procedures that I didn't think I'd ever get through. And I had a lot of pts thank me. So I feel a little bit better going in to my 3rd semester.

Well, except for that night owl part. Ohmigosh, I have gotten used to 1 or 2 a.m. bedtimes and 9 a.m. mornings!! I am going to DIE the first week of 0600 clinicals!! ARGH!!!

Best wishes and don't look too far ahead. One day/week at a time is usually pretty sufficient and overwhelming enough!! :balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much, everyone, for your responses. I have sometimes wondered if nursing school won't be as bad as what I've heard. I realize that it depends on each individual person. I guess I was getting a little panicky. I'm sure it's a fear of the unknown. That, and listening a little too much to the horror stories. 3.gif I do know that I have a lot of life experiences and coping skills that I've learned over the years. I know nursing school is going to be hardwork, but I guess I won't know how difficult it will be until I actually start. I'm hoping I'll be one of the ones to say, "It's hard, but not as bad as I thought!" I so much want to do well. I've waited TOO long for this opportunity to NOT succeed... and I want to succeed with flying colors!! 3.gif

I guess one of my biggest fears is: Will I really be able to learn and retain all that information in such a short amount of time? Will I honestly be able to do all the reading, papers, careplans, etc., if I can't even start studying until the kids are in bed? Yeah... you can be the most organized person on the planet, but there are only so many hours in the day, ya know?

Wdwpixie, your words are very encouraging... and you brought a smile to my face! I will do my best to take your advice and take things one day at a time... Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment