Depressed and Stressed Student

allnurses Guide · Jun 2, 2010

Well, first you say you don't understand why you are failing, then you say you don't understand the material. That's contradictory. You are failing because you don't understand the material.

If you aren't studying much, study more. If you are studying a lot and STILL not getting it, get tutoring, even if you have to pay for it. Most schools have math labs for math tutoring or student tutoring available. What are you doing to personally remedy this situation other than get dismayed? If you want to quit, then quit, but recognize this will haunt you as a personal failure probably for a very long time to come.

Pull up your boot straps, take this as a sign of what is to come and determine you will be strong enough to do it. Nursing school is hard and that is no secret; never has been. It will consume your life while you are in it. Accept that, study harder, do more, go further than you have ever gone before to achieve and make the grades you want to make. This is 100% within your power.

gumby1411 · Jun 2, 2010

I agree with the previous post: if you quit, it'll haunt you for a long time. Don't give up just yet. You're only 3 weeks into the program. I've heard that the first few weeks are really hard so the school can weed out those that don't really have the determination to stick with it.

The schools that I've attended offered free tutoring. Take them up on that!! It's FREE! And very helpful.

Also, talk to your instructor. Most instructors don't want their students to fail. Ask questions in class and if there are things you still don't understand, go to your professor's office hours. Take advantage of whatever help they can give you outside of lecture. They may be able to recommend a personal tutor that you can hire.

In my A&P class, our lab was 2.5 hours long. The lab itself only took about 1.5 hours, but we had the option to stay in the lab and review bones, models, etc. My professor was there the whole time and more than willing to answer questions. About 3/4 of my class left as soon as they were done with lab, but my partner and I stayed that extra hour and spent that time reviewing, studying, and asking questions. I ended up with a 98% in the class...I know that a few of those that left early didn't do so well. My point is that you need to take the extra steps, put in the extra hours, and do whatever you can to make sure you understand the material. It's not impossible, but it may take more work than you're currently putting in. Good luck to you and please, before you make the decision to quit or not, think about it long and hard...and give it another couple weeks.

Sheenawillsucceed · Jun 2, 2010

Stay strong. Please do not give up, you will regret it in the end. You determine your future and your present. Math is also my weakness, but I am not going to let it keep me from reaching my goals. You have to fight and stick in there. It will all pay off in the end. Get help from your teachers and other students, they will not bite your head off for asking for help:). There are a few websites you can utilize to study on your own; (Mathway, quickmath, and webmath). When I was struggling with my previous math classes these websites really helped me. The best thing you can do is study a lot. The same thing goes for your A&P class. Study the material and do not limit yourself. Stop thinking that you can not pass these classes. You are belittling yourself. The only person standing in your way is you, it is ok to pray and ask for help from a higher power, but you must first be willing to help yourself. Please do not be intimidated by what you do not know, study, learn, and succeed.

Shanlee79 · Jun 2, 2010

Hello,

I too am a student. 4th year and I was in your shoes. I remember that first year being so tough as they tried to weed half of us students out of the program. But like the previous posts, I did most of those suggestions. A & P I definately needed that extra time in the labs..and I asked lots of questions. At first you feel dumb for asking so much but now I feel dumb if I am not asking any at all. As for math...I pulled up my socks and I did the homework, reviewed it over and over and I did contact the school and found out they had a tutoring program. I found out the hard way that the school has many things in place to help you succeed..they just aren't too great at advertising them. Keep at it..it gets easier. I have ran into some former first year classmates who dropped out when the going was tough and they are kicking themselves as they see me in hospital finishing up my last year and they are still working as a health care aide. Don't be one of them too! Good luck to you.

Rean87 · Jun 2, 2010

Hi,

I agree with the previous posts, I think you just need to stay strong and do what you have to do to get through this. In life we are all faced with difficulties but that doesn’t mean that you give up, instead it just means that you need to try harder. I just completed my first year of nursing and throughout that year I found myself sometimes getting frustrated and feeling as if I was a failure. However, rather than giving up, I kept telling myself that no matter what that I was going to get through it and I did. I constantly found myself praying and seeking help from just about any- and everywhere. I asked my teachers, classmates, other students, I looked online, went to the tutor & even bought extra books when I needed to. You just have to figure out what works best for you when it comes to learning and understanding the material. More importantly, rather than focusing on how difficult things are at the moment I think you need to focus more on staying positive and telling yourself that you can do this. Whatever it takes to succeed you need to do it, and to do it with much confidence and determination. Someday, you’ll look back at this and realize how far you’ve come and will be very proud. I wish you the best of luck! :)

Siennah · Jun 3, 2010

amgresham:

before you decide to throw in the towel, think about what was the motivating force behind your decision to pursue a career in nursing and make that your motivation to move forward and dig in.

i’ve always found it helpful to ask my instructor what were my areas of weakness on an exam, make a note of them, and seek out resources (other students, tutors, websites) that could explain those concepts in terms that i could understand and practice, practice, and practice some more.

when i get frustrated, i find a room in my house and i scream, yell, or do whatever makes me feel better and when i’m done, i open those books and get right back to it, because for me, failure is not an option.

never give up on you! you can do it!!!

mammac5 · Jun 4, 2010

It can be difficult when reading people's posts to get a picture of whether or not they are upset and being, perhaps, a little dramatic OR if they really are unable to cut it. For this post, I'm assuming that you have learnt some very important information about yourself, which is valuable for your future.

If you really have trouble with basic mathematical concepts (adding, substracting, working fractions, unit conversions, etc.) then you absolutely MUST get these skills down to function in school and (most importantly) as a nurse. You don't need trigonomety, calculus, or anything too strenuous, but you DO need the basics and you need to feel confident to perform dosage calculations, IV rates, etc. Do whatever you need to do to get these skills and confidence...whether that means taking a basic math course at a community college, getting a private tutor, or asking for help at your nursing school. Depending on your program you may or may not be able to get help in math basics, but it won't hurt to ask.

Secondly, it sounds like you're struggling in A&P. Why? Usually at this stage of A&P the greatest amount of work is memorization. Is memorization a problem for you? Are you able to devote sufficient time to reading/studying/memory drills? If you can dig down to define the barriers, you can tackle A&P. If the material is all new to you, you may try getting a very, very basic (like, high school basic) health occupations text and get an overview of how the body is put together.

You have to know, though, that these problems don't have to keep you from becoming a great nurse! It may take a little more prep work on the front end for you to get up to speed and feel strong in these areas, but they are foundational and necessary for your future success.

Best wishes!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 4, 2010

Lots of great advice for the OP. I would like to present a different perspective.

Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse... just like not everyone has what it takes to be an architect, ballerina or a truck driver. There are certain requisite capabilities for any type of job. Nursing is science based. Math is part of the job. It isn't just for school. Despite the popular myth - nursing is not something everyone can do even though it is currently being touted as the answer to everyone's career woes.

Some people just cannot do math or they suck at science but that does not mean that they are lesser beings -- just not cut out to do things that require math or science. It doesn't seem like the OP's issue is related to lack of trying. Maybe there is a learning impairment here. My youngest was (finally) diagnosed in high school with a learning disability after many years of struggling with math. It took a long time for her self esteem to recover after being labled as 'stupid' for such a long time. Teachers just told her to try harder - we spent a fortune on tutors until one very wise counselor advised us to have her tested.

I'm just saying that sometimes our idealistic aspirations are just not reality based and we should all play to our strengths rather than beat ourselves up for our shortcomings. Hey, I can't carry a tune in a bucket... so I would be doomed to disappointment if my 'dream' was to be a singer.

adamsmom97 · Jun 5, 2010

amgresham, I see you stated that you started nursing school 3 weeks ago. I was wondering why you didn't take math and A&P seperately from the nursing program. Maybe your school isn't set up that way?? The majority of the time (maybe it depends on the school) you can get your math and A&P out of the way first BEFORE entering the nursing program. I am currently a pre-nursing student and this is what I am doing. It is actually recommended to get your math and, A&Ps and Microbiology out of the way BEFORE starting the actual nursing. Perhaps if your school offers this choice, you can do it that way.

sunbug · Jun 5, 2010

Hi,

Im in an accelerated program. Just started our second semester.

I know how you feel

We have to pass EACH subject with an 80 no 79.9 accepted...

I have had to become something that I wasnt used to being....HARD and To the point. This is not my personality..im a gentle caretaker with a little spunk...but I had to kick it into survival mode for my school. I have to do this for 6 more months.

I have learned that each day is a challange not just the "whole program"

Its a survive paychech to paycheck kind of thing. AND I just had to accept it.

I couldnt go around thinking how it should be as oppsed to what it is.

I have to keep tunnel vision...and wait for the day when I can put this down and say I DID IT!!!

The whole romantic idea of nursing is like fantasy and reality put togethr.

Its like the idea of having a baby is wonderful and so many ideals that can be imagined...but you dont really get the whole picture until you have one of your own and you have to do the day to day things that really matter to make those Ideals come true.

Now, back to day to day. Just because you failed on test or even two, doesnt mean you arent good enough for the whole thing.

What it means is you have to buckle down and really take it to survival mode.

Count how many more tests you have and calculate what grade you need on the next one to pass the class.

That helps me.

I make little goals for each test...and do what ever I can to acomplish it ...if I fail then I own up to it and go talk to the professor ....get their feedback..and suggestions on how to progress....

Your only going to survive if you look forward...not backward

The others in my class always come out with a negative..oh my i cant..

Thats the goal they are setting for themselves

I come back with YOU cAN....and IM GOING TO

Be the type of person that the devil will Fear when you put your feet to the ground...

You can do this with determination,, even if your lacking your determination will help you find resources to make your goal!

Another advice you cant do it alone...you have to have a group....even if your the one that has to get it started...even if its only one other person...

This is the time to be Selfish...

sorry to say it that was but its true.

Ive had a couple of friends that did nt make it to the second sememster...they missed it by ONE point...that sucks!!

But I couldnt stop to look at what happend with them I had to keep it going.

You have to be there for you...and know everyone else is there for themselves as well...

Relationships for me at this point are not important the only thing thats important to me right now is the next hour and what I can fill it with. Make a decision and go for it.

Personalities may get on your nerves in school but you cant focus on them...what you do is look past the personalities keep your goal in mind and get from that person what you want or need..

sound harsh but this is survival and thats how I deal with it.

I heard a few things that helped me...one was

"Its progress not perfection that is needed at this moment"

(because I am a perfectionist that keeps me down sometimes and not moving forward so that helped me keep perspective)

the other was:

"start with the possible, then you will find your doing the probable from the probable you will soon be doing the impossible"

start with what you can do and it will snowball into you actually acomplishing what you didnt think you could.

Most important: ASK ASK ASK...Discuss discuss discuss....even if you think is stupid...as soon as you feel a UM I have to figure this out ..or thats interesting thing going through your mind....STOP and ask..or discuss

EVERY DAY --Dot leave the room untill you have asked or discusses with Somebody...

This is where the group comes into play also..you soon find out everyone of you have strenghts and weaknesses that help eachother and that levels it out and your all passing and all having a celebration party for ONE test..lol

Keep posting here also...there are so many wonderful students and old pro nurses :) lots of perspective helps...

get it going ,,YOU CAN do it:rckn:!!

allnurses Guide · Jun 6, 2010

Lots of great advice for the OP. I would like to present a different perspective.
Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse... just like not everyone has what it takes to be an architect, ballerina or a truck driver. There are certain requisite capabilities for any type of job. Nursing is science based. Math is part of the job. It isn't just for school. Despite the popular myth - nursing is not something everyone can do even though it is currently being touted as the answer to everyone's career woes.
Some people just cannot do math or they suck at science but that does not mean that they are lesser beings -- just not cut out to do things that require math or science. It doesn't seem like the OP's issue is related to lack of trying. Maybe there is a learning impairment here. My youngest was (finally) diagnosed in high school with a learning disability after many years of struggling with math. It took a long time for her self esteem to recover after being labled as 'stupid' for such a long time. Teachers just told her to try harder - we spent a fortune on tutors until one very wise counselor advised us to have her tested.
I'm just saying that sometimes our idealistic aspirations are just not reality based and we should all play to our strengths rather than beat ourselves up for our shortcomings. Hey, I can't carry a tune in a bucket... so I would be doomed to disappointment if my 'dream' was to be a singer.

I agree to an extent. I don't think we can tell by the original post that there is a learning disability. To me, honestly, it just sounds like shell shock. Too many students go into this with no idea that it really IS as hard as they say it will be or assume because they were a 4.0 student prior that they automatically will still be after admission....or worse, didn't do any research and had no idea prior to getting into it how hard it will be. They have not internalized it, don't study enough, don't understand they have to accept and allow school to rule their life, at least at first, and then are shocked when the failing grades come, then resentful that they must now work so hard and give up their social life/family life for a while.

You are absolutely correct, many who want this aren't cut out for it. Usually those folks are weeded out by having to take the pre-req's prior to admission to nursing school. Apparently this individual's school has them do it during the program. I suspect their nursing program has a lot of people flunk out. But I would hesitate to post to anyone that they should just give up and do something else, even if they did have a learning disability. Part of not judging those who have learning disabilities, to me, is not telling them what they can or cannot achieve.