Fustrated With My College Nursing Program

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I just finished my first semester of pre nursing. I feel relived and frustrated that I managed to pass. I don't feel supported by nursing advisor, professors, or and even the dean of the college in my nursing program. 

I've only met my advisor twice this whole semester, because they're barely in office. One professor didn't  provide any study guides or materials for the class besides the book. My emails and text messages are constantly ignored. I dread class labs because I get singled out for not knowing the how to do something right away. I just feel like another body that just goes for there to give them to check, but I don't feel like anyone actually cares about my education but myself. 

I could transfer to another university in my area, but I still have Anatomy, Nursing Fundamentals, and the TEAS to take next semester before I actually can get in the nursing program.

 I just feel insanely stuck, alone in my nursing journey, and it's making me question continuing college all together even though I have no other options left. 

My apologies for the long read, but I just had to get this out.

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On 12/12/2021 at 12:04 PM, MyOnlyOption said:

I just finished my first semester of pre nursing. I feel relived and fustrated that I managed to pass. I don't feel supported by nursing advisor, professors, or and even the dean of the college in my nursing program. 

I've only met my advisor twice this whole semester, because they're barely in office. One professor didn't  provide any study guides or materials for the class besides the book. My emails and text messages are constantly ignored. I dread class labs because I get singled out for not knowing the how to do something right away. I just feel like another body that just goes for there to give them to check, but I don't feel like anyone actually cares about my education but myself. 

I could transfer to another university in my area, but I still have Anatomy, Nursing Fundamentals, and the TEAS to take next semester before I actually can get in the nursing program.

 I just feel insanely stuck, alone in my nursing journey, and it's making me question continuing college all together even though I have no other options left. 

My apologies for the long read, but I just had to get this out.

I'm sorry that you're going through this. I just finished up my pre-nursing courses and I'm giving the application a second go. as far the advising situations, I am on the same boat, I not because they aren't in office though.  the thing is when you go to school, there are very few advisors whom actually care you're just a number. and when you're in applying for a program, there are so many applicants that  I guess there is a possibility that they don't really care. but the point is if you don't have a good support system you have to be your own cheerleader. the thing is too the dean of nursing is usually very busy and the advisors usually just make a plan ad type in numbers and letters. as for professors I find they can be a hit or miss but just put in as much effort as you can.

I had the same experience in lab as well a while back in ap1, but I think the most important thing is believing in yourself to be honest along with organization (for example I would have a notebook for lecture and another for lab, so I didn't get overwhelmed) and have my tabs labeled, highlighted ad ready to go.

as for the professor thingy, try to use resources online or close to the book for example, if your professor uses Pearson books then try to use the resources for that also again, I found wyzsci and anatomygmc to be the greatest tools to get me through the lab and lecture portions of anatomy. as for the TEAS, I can say the ATI study guide paired with the mometrix book helped a lot.

and when you feel like you're going through hell keep going, things will pay off in the end ❤️

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Thank you so much for your detailed and kind words, I genuinely needed that! I'm sorry you're going through the same as well. I will definitely use these helpful tips and resources. ❤

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Specializes in ICU + 25 years as Nursing Faculty.
On 12/12/2021 at 11:04 AM, MyOnlyOption said:

student-not-supported-by-nursing-educators-instructors.jpg.d53bd2c565c320cc6bd26f9ffc521ffb.jpg

I just finished my first semester of pre nursing. I feel relived and frustrated that I managed to pass. I don't feel supported by nursing advisor, professors, or and even the dean of the college in my nursing program. 

I've only met my advisor twice this whole semester, because they're barely in office. One professor didn't  provide any study guides or materials for the class besides the book. My emails and text messages are constantly ignored. I dread class labs because I get singled out for not knowing the how to do something right away. I just feel like another body that just goes for there to give them to check, but I don't feel like anyone actually cares about my education but myself. 

I could transfer to another university in my area, but I still have Anatomy, Nursing Fundamentals, and the TEAS to take next semester before I actually can get in the nursing program.

 I just feel insanely stuck, alone in my nursing journey, and it's making me question continuing college all together even though I have no other options left. 

My apologies for the long read, but I just had to get this out.

Interesting.  

1.  If during the first semester of PRE-nursing, you had any contact with the Dean of the nursing program... that seems worrisome to me.  The fact that you expect support from the Nursing Dean when you aren't even a nursing student is odd in several ways.  First the Nursing Dean is responsible for NURSING.  If you aren't yet a nursing student, you probably aren't the Dean's responsibility.  Even if you ARE in the Dean's scope of responsibilities, it is quite unlikely that you should have any contact with the dean.... unless you have exhausted getting help at all the subordinate levels (faculty, department head, etc)

2. At most schools the advisor's job is to help students select the proper courses to meet their stated goals.  If you met with your advisor twice in one semester, you probably got WAY more contact than most students.  Again, you seem to be expecting support from the wrong people.

3. A professor who did not supply study guides?  What is the problem here?  That is perfectly reasonable behavior from a prof.  You may not like it... but it is well within the authority of the prof to decide to provide study guides or not.  Again, you are expecting support that is not owed to you.

4. "I get singled out for not knowing the how to do something right away."  Well, the cure for that is to come to lab PREPARED.  If you have read the assigned material and used the internet to fill in any gaps (perhaps even watch a task video or two).... you will be FAR more likely to thrive in ANY class!

5. "I don't feel like anyone actually cares about my education but myself."  No one should care MORE about your education than YOU.  

This may be a shock... YOU are in charge of your education.  TAKE CHARGE of it!  Stop focusing on how others are supposed to support you... and focus on taking control of your education.... PREPARE, STUDY, WORK REALLY HARD.

This tool might help you take control of your education:

McGuire, S., & McGuire, S. (2018). Teach yourself how to learn: Strategies you can use to ace any course at any level. Sterling, VA: Stylus

The video linked below is by the author of the above book.  After watching this video I have had many students say:  "Why hasn't anyone told me this before?"

https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/245942/uiconf_id/19789012/entry_id/0_i04vfe2l/embed/auto?&flashvars[akamaiHD]={"loadingPolicy"%3A"preInitialize"%2C"asyncInit"%3A"true"}&flashvars[twoPhaseManifest]=true&flashvars[streamerType]=hdnetworkmanifest

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