...how did you "make" it this way? As in--how did you keep everything in check?
I want to know. Obviously--you are smart--that is a given. Some people do things with a lot more ease than others.
However, what baffles me is, I am still ALL over the place and I know I am "smart" per se. I scored in the 93rd/96th percentile for BOTH National Nursing Entrance Exams, and I have been in "gifted" classes since a wee child.
Now--I am NOT trying to brag at all. I'm "just sayin' ". And to be honest, I am pretty sure that most of us who are in the nursing program are pretty gifted. Not just any average joe can get in right ?
I am finding this nursing program manageable at times, and at other times--I believe I may be losing my head.
So let me be honest here--I struggle with ADHD, anxiety, and subsequently- depression. I am trying to go "natural" and have been off meds for quite a few years now. However, I am wondering it this just might be my culprit.
I am terrified to take more meds. I took Paxil and it worked like a DREAM--however--gained weight and no sex drive. I can fight the weight gain...but my dear sex drive? Hmmmm lol.
So this is why I am "here" asking you all for "tips". I have been taking/using as many tips as possible..but I really feel I am walking around like a zombie. It's like my brain goes on overload daily.. Not to be funny at all (even though it sounds funny) but my eyes start crossing on their own sometimes..when I am looking at a computer or driving. I sometimes run red lights because I am so zoned out. And these are on days when I am able to get 7 hours of sleep (even though most days I get about 5.5- boohoo). My brain feels fried.
I am ultimately frustrated with myself because I know this shouldn't be this hard. I look around at the "calm" people and envy them. Why do I short circuit so quickly? Academically, these nursing classes are something I should be able to fly through with at least around a 3.5-3.7 GPA without having to stress it. If I want to really stress...a 4.0 is definitely doable.
Ok--enough of that--see how crazy I am? I never stop thinking, talking, etc, etc, etc. Replies? :argue::chuckle:yawn:
Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.
Start with the basics. First, if you function better on an antidepressant, then get one that does not have sexual side effects; i.e. wellbutrin or pristique, etc.
In order to function properly, you must have adequate rest. It sounds like often you are getting enough sleep, but not getting RESTED. The antidepressant will likely help with that, especially if you take it at night. Then, use all the organizational techniques, FLASH CARDS, etc., and most of all, all the nursing examination review books that you can acquire. I did, and it helped tremendously. I watched some people use them, though, and they just ran through the questions and looked at the rationale for the right answer. Look at the ALL the rationales...including the wrong answers. Really see why each answer is either right or wrong. It teaches you how to think like a nurse, or at least think like you need to think for the exams. Learn when to call it a night. Don't attempt to continue to study after you have reached the point of diminishing returns. If you are tired, and you have been staring at the same paragraph for 10 minutes, it is time to either take a break, get something to drink or eat, or likely take a quick nap or go to bed for the night (depending on the time of day). I followed my own advice in nursing school, put everything else on hold, evaluated what times of day were my "peak energy times" and tried to study during those times. And finally I graduated, at the top of my class in my BSN program. You just have to be introspective and learn how to turn off or turn down your bad habits or things that lead you astray or distract you, and use your best energy times toward your goal. And get good rest. Also, I don't know if you are younger or older, but keep a check on your own blood pressure. It is amazing what the stress of school can do to raise a borderline blood pressure, and it can make you feel very fatigued. GOOD LUCK!
Specializes in Occupational health, Corrections, PACU.
I was an average student in high school, but got a 3.9 GPA in nursing school... I was older when I started, worked part time, school full time, two kids I took to and from two different schools, and a hubby that was out of town a lot, and when he was in town, didn't help a lot...
I just decided that dust bunnies were good pets, and mac and cheese was good dinner, etc. Then, I paid VERY close attention in school, did the study guides, read stuff out loud, then read it silently, then went over my notes... And the kids and I had school... I taught them everything I learned in school... They were 4 and 8.
But each way I absorbed the information used a different part of the brain, and teaching someone is a really good way to keep information in there...
Those are excellent learning techniques, and I used them too. I am so glad to see someone list those. Reading aloud, hi-lighting notes, and one thing you did not mention-flash cards are all effective memorization techniques. The best advice I ever had was from a friend who was working on her PhD, who told me at the very start of my pre-requisites for nursing school, that I MUST use flash cards. I whined when she told me, because I thought they were boring and SUCH a pain in the rear. She said, basically, "suck it up and get busy". So, I did. She told me to carry them with me in my car, so that at every traffic light, I could go through 3 or 4 while waitiing on the light. And I already knew to only make one card have one "chunk" of information-so that your brain can store that "chunk". Don't make flash cards with long sentences or paragraphs-just the nitty gritty basic info that you need to implant in your brain. And look at them over, and over, and over...at traffic lights, in elevators, in libraries, in doctor's offices, etc. And the mere act of writing those chunks of info. down on the index cards, makes you remember the information (I think it is called something like kinetic learning.) Good luck again.
I laughed out loud when you said that Nursing Students are "gifted". There are some nurses that are gifted intellectually, but in all honesty, most are not. I know this is difficult to hear, but it's the truth. I am a nurse, so it was difficult for me to realize, too.
Now onto my advice. Stop spending so much thought on who is smart, who is gifted, who is not, etc. etc. etc. I think your mindset is making things difficult for you. It doesn't matter who was in advance placement courses, who gets the better grades, and who has the study the least. You need to sit down in front of the chapter, read it slowly and carefully, put it to your memory bank by thinking about it constantly and religiously, and you will pass the class. No more of this garbage on who is smartest, too! It simply does not matter.
Everyone here has given excellent suggestions but I don't know if I read if you've tried some sort of counseling? While there are some who need meds to live a productive life there are a lot of ppl I see who take meds as a crutch for life. I'll admit I've tried many antidepressants thinking it would make life less stressful but I've quit worrying about all the what ifs and deal with it. Have you looked into support groups? One thing I learned was that exercise did wonders when I was feeling crummy. I do suggest you get some kind of help because IMHO working on the floor can be just or even more stressing than nursing school. Good luck to you!
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, Public Health.
Theres no shame in being a "B" grades nurse. Immediately after our first exam in nursing school, our clinical professor was laughing at us because we didn't get A's. She told us that after teaching nursing students for 20 years, she had arrived at the opinion that A grade nurses were so focused on the grades and the marks and getting 'everything right' that they paid no attention to the patients. A direct quote is "give me a B nurse any day to take care of me, they're the ones with compassion, who are going to actually take care of me, and not be so worried about their grades that they're going to miss something."
I may be mistaken... but in this economy I think GPA matters, because employers can be picky... where as it didn't used to matter, and I'm sure it won't matter anymore once again when the economy improves.
Also, to continue your education (if you are interested in that) there are certain GPAs to meet the requirements of the various programs.
One thing that really helped me de-stress in nursing school was doing things OUTSIDE of nursing school. Yes NS is important, but if you make it your whole entire life you will get tired of it. Whether that means going out with friends, spending time with family... whatever helps you relax! Good luck!
You are partially correct. The GPA does count regarding prereqs, and if one wishes to pursue an advanced degree, but for someone who wishes to be a staff nurse (or pharmacist, or physical therapist, or radiology tech, or whatever?) Probably not.
When I was in pharmacy school, I made sure not to live with classmates, and I also worked at a restaurant that for some reason never had any other pharmacy students working there in the whole 3 1/2 years I was there! When I started, there was a former pharmacy student who failed a class the first semester she was in the program, and she told me, "Get out now, while you still have brain cells." She got her bachelor's degree in something else and moved on, and I did not get out and have never regretted it. Regretted a few jobs, yeah, but not doing what was right for me.
Everyone here has given excellent suggestions but I don't know if I read if you've tried some sort of counseling? While there are some who need meds to live a productive life there are a lot of ppl I see who take meds as a crutch for life. I'll admit I've tried many antidepressants thinking it would make life less stressful but I've quit worrying about all the what ifs and deal with it. Have you looked into support groups? One thing I learned was that exercise did wonders when I was feeling crummy. I do suggest you get some kind of help because IMHO working on the floor can be just or even more stressing than nursing school. Good luck to you!
That's a great idea. If this person is at a college with a student health office, they may offer counseling or be able to refer him or her to a program. Believe me, they deal with this kind of thing all the time.
I don't want to play Doctor but could you perhaps be Bi_polar--the reason I ask is because all of the symptoms you describe my husband had until he was diagnosed as bi-polar--they put him on lithium which worked great and he has been fine since--as long as he doesn't forget to take his lithium. Just a thought.
I laughed out loud when you said that Nursing Students are "gifted". There are some nurses that are gifted intellectually, but in all honesty, most are not. I know this is difficult to hear, but it's the truth. I am a nurse, so it was difficult for me to realize, too.
Now onto my advice. Stop spending so much thought on who is smart, who is gifted, who is not, etc. etc. etc. I think your mindset is making things difficult for you. It doesn't matter who was in advance placement courses, who gets the better grades, and who has the study the least. You need to sit down in front of the chapter, read it slowly and carefully, put it to your memory bank by thinking about it constantly and religiously, and you will pass the class. No more of this garbage on who is smartest, too! It simply does not matter.
I agree with you!! The OP needs to worry about herself and not judge her performance based on anyone else.
Theres no shame in being a "B" grades nurse. Immediately after our first exam in nursing school, our clinical professor was laughing at us because we didn't get A's. She told us that after teaching nursing students for 20 years, she had arrived at the opinion that A grade nurses were so focused on the grades and the marks and getting 'everything right' that they paid no attention to the patients. A direct quote is "give me a B nurse any day to take care of me, they're the ones with compassion, who are going to actually take care of me, and not be so worried about their grades that they're going to miss something."
I'm one of those "B" nurses. I am currently 3 classes away from my MSN with a 3.96 GPA....Nearly 18 years of experience is helping me be an "A" nurse built upon the "B' nurse foundation.
...how did you "make" it this way? As in--how did you keep everything in check?
:argue:
:chuckle:yawn:
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When I started, there was a former pharmacy student who failed a class the first semester she was in the program, and she told me, "Get out now, while you still have brain cells." She got her bachelor's degree in something else and moved on, and I did not get out and have never regretted it. Regretted a few jobs, yeah, but not doing what was right for me.
Otessa, BSN, RN
1,601 Posts
I am concerned about the running red light situation. You are not sounding safe right now, sure wouldn't want you caring for me if I were sick.....
More sleep, medication, counseling, being Ok with a "B"?? All of these ideas might be helpful.
otessa