Critical Care Stinks!

[Pianoforte]

I just started my first 300-level course, critical care or, as my ADN program calls it, complex nursing strategies. I HATE IT! It's only eight weeks long, but the volume of material is becoming overwhelming. We have six(!) exams in eight weeks. We had our first exam this morning and the class average was a FAILING 75%. I studied A LOT and only earned an 81% after three questions were thrown out. I don't need an "A," but I don't want to go into the final with a borderline grade. Anywho, I'm hoping the three instructors will address the poor grades tomorrow. If not, I've decided I will politely tell them that they need to address the fact that the class average was a failing grade (and, according to the primary instructor, this was going to be the easiest exam for the term). I understand that critical care topics are covered on NCLEX, but I can't understand why anyone would want to make so little money for such a high degree of responsibility. I'd rather work in pharm sales! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME VENT! ALLNURSES ROCKS!

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

I'm currently working on my first care plan for critical care. I'm planning on working on a med-surg floor when I'm done. Be well!

I remember critical care. Grades went into the toilet, (for the whole class) and we were all stunned at the amount and quality of the information we needed to learn. (None of it was junk, it was ALL need to know)

I do remember walking out of class and going to sit on a bench and bawl a little one day when I felt just overwhelmed.

A year later, looking back...it wasn't so bad. It's making sense to me now, the way it didn't necessarily then. Weird what a difference a year can make.

And bless you for wanting to work med/surg! We need med/surg nurses, and no one ever says they want to.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Critical care nursing is tough---ask any CCU/ICU nurse. So it would follow the material taught in that portion of school would be, as well. Pathophysiology was the one area that tanked many a nursing student in school.

Hang in there, stick with it, and don't give up. Nursing school will pass---like all good (or bad) things.....YOU CAN DO THIS!

And I echo Tweety; allnurses.com IS a place where you are safe to come and ask for help, vent, or get advice on how to get by in school and beyond. Please, don't let one negative or unfriendly post chase you off; we are glad you are here. STICK AROUND!

[kenny b]

As one progresses in school, volume of material does become overwhelming at times. Learning to manage that is important for helath care professionals need to be able to recall that info at an instant to be able to help patients during patient's healthcare crisis.

Take a look at how your organizing study/readings. Study groups often help during this class. Mine helped in dividing up suggested readings beyond text and summarizing material. Bouncing questions and concepts off each other helped. Taking time out when just so overwhelmed can't think anymore: destress with comedy DVD, walk in park, long scenic drive, work out, playing with kids....whatever works for you.

Nursing is combination of touch, toughness, truthfulness and terrifying moments. It's what makes us NURSES.

These sound like great suggestions. I, myself am concerned that I won't be able to absorb all of the material that I should when I get into nursing school proper. I'm sure I can pass, but I want to know it cold!

Is there a "best" way to begin absorbing the material before I get into nursing school?

Thanks in advance! - Kenny B.

[Kelly_the_Great]

Wow, I can't imagine having only 8 weeks allotted to critical care!

I mean, how are you supposed to retain any of the information you're being given?

I liked EmerNurse's suggestion to build on what you know. Also, think about the patho, I'm finding a lot of the right answers/interventions in critical care are very much influenced by the "why" of the condition, if that makes sense.

Do you have any study guides? Prentice Hall is great. There've been times I've used my Saunders NCLEX-RN review (just to find a short, concise explanation to a process/intervention) and that's been real helpful too. Mainly, I use Critical Care Made Insanely Easy.

Well, good luck. I'm sure you'll do fine. I can imagine your frustration...:icon_hug:

BTW, just as an aside, you do know that often the med-surg pts are just as critically ill as some of the patient's you'll see in critical care too, don't you? Something to consider when you think of the worthiness of the info you're having to cram in now. Again, good luck.

[Pianoforte]

My biggest problem with this course is that there is TOO MUCH INFORMATION. Per one of the course's instructors, we should be able to prepare 50% of our care plan AND study for Monday's exam tonight (after finishing clinical prep at 4p) and NOT go to bed at 3a. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? I am finding myself filling my head with a ton of information and then purging it either directly after the exam or by the end of the term. It seems futile.

In all honesty, I don't think nurses get paid enough for this degree of responsibility. Maybe I'm expressing such feelings because I'm stressed out. I have a burning desire to help people (otherwise, I wouldn't have left my nice life in NYC to join the Peace Corps). However, I'm not sure that I want to be responsible for a REALLY sick person's life. PLEASE don't consider this a bad attitude. I'm really thinking about doing my two years and then switching to public health or pharm sales (where I don't have to worry about directly being responsible for someone's life). AGAIN, THANK YOU ALLNURSES FOLKS FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE.

Wow, I can't imagine having only 8 weeks allotted to critical care!

I mean, how are you supposed to retain any of the information you're being given?

I liked EmerNurse's suggestion to build on what you know. Also, think about the patho, I'm finding a lot of the right answers/interventions in critical care are very much influenced by the "why" of the condition, if that makes sense.

Do you have any study guides? Prentice Hall is great. There've been times I've used my Saunders NCLEX-RN review (just to find a short, concise explanation to a process/intervention) and that's been real helpful too. Mainly, I use Critical Care Made Insanely Easy.

Well, good luck. I'm sure you'll do fine. I can imagine your frustration...:icon_hug:

BTW, just as an aside, you do know that often the med-surg pts are just as critically ill as some of the patient's you'll see in critical care too, don't you? Something to consider when you think of the worthiness of the info you're having to cram in now. Again, good luck.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Sometimes it will feel like your brain can't hold all the info you try to stuff into it. Then one day......you think...wow !!

[Kelly_the_Great]

I'm really thinking about doing my two years and then switching to public health or pharm sales (where I don't have to worry about directly being responsible for someone's life).

You know what, BPPITT, someone said something very insightful to me regarding nursing school once, they said, "nursing school provides you with the opportunity to receive a license to learn."

It's unfortunate that the time constraints are such as they are.... Part of it though, I don't know if it [not having enough time]could even be avoided. With the expanding body of knowledge out there, I'd be hard-pressed to say what the adequate amount of time would be to learn all you needed to learn, you know?

Maybe there needs to be a shift in testing, i.e. is it more important to memorize multitudes of data (which may be accurate today but not tomorrow)for a specific test than to know how to utilize resources to efficiently obtain and discern accurate data?

Oh well, just a thought...

PLEASE don't consider this a bad attitude.

I totally don't think it is. It seems as though you're just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, which I think is very understandable.

BTW, public health was THE BEST job I have ever had in nursing! It was SO rewarding and I don't think anybody working in it is short-changing themselves, the profession of nursing or their clients.

Good luck...

[shannonleighann]

My husband is experiencing the same thing, A LOT of studying and his grades that do not show the effort. Most of his class is failing including himself. I am a critical care nurse myself (6 months) and I would never expect a nursing student to answer questions that most nursing students and many nurses would never be able to understand. Maybe "my lack of experience is showing" but I myself will continue to learn, keep looking for opportunities and keep supporting those with less experience. Good luck and best wishes! My motto is poor grades (with most of the class failing) reflect on poor teaching.

[Pompom]

I did not mean to offend you, if you want to work in critical care you will need a tough hide. That will come with experience and self confidence. If you are truely interested in critical care, hang in there.