Do nursing student feel like they may fail EVERYDAY ?

booty911 · Jun 25, 2009

It is hard but not impossible. The first couple weeks I started school in my first year (now starting my last year of a 4 year program) I hated it. I was terrified every day, stressed to the max and just so overwhelmed with the work. But with hard work and good classmates ready to help you get through it too (because we're all in the same boat), you'll survive and be an excellent nurse.

Good luck!

mrflynn0907 · Jun 25, 2009

I think that is a completely normal feeling. I know I feel that way daily. I really struggled in the first semester. The 2nd semester was a little easier. I work full-time (thankfully telecommuting at home). I'm also a stepmother of two teenagers and my husband has full custody. If I can balance all of this almost anyone should be able to. It isn't easy but you will find what works for you in regards to studying.

FLmomof5 · Jun 25, 2009

I found that the material is not hard. What makes it difficult is the sheer VOLUME of information you have to cover! Our first Pharmacology test was 18 chapters! :eek: I am working FT and am oncall 24/7. Although I am a mom of 5 and stepmom to 4 more, most are adults so it isn't as challenging for me as it is for the mom's with young children. I am the second oldest in my class @ 47. (The oldest is only a month older!)

The first Pharm test had so much material that I "knew" I was not going to pass it. I did! The really stressful event was our second simulation exam. It was the sterile dressing change and foley insertion. It doesn't sound hard, but if you broke your sterile field twice, it was an automatic failure. 1 of every 2 students coming out of the sim room before me failed that sim! I was nervous as heck going in, but passed with flying colors! Because I allowed myself to be so overstressed that day, I was totally wiped out when I got home.

Honestly, the farther into the semester we get, the more confident I have become.

You'll do just fine!

Nepenthe Sea · Jun 25, 2009

The first Pharm test had so much material that I "knew" I was not going to pass it. I did! The really stressful event was our second simulation exam. It was the sterile dressing change and foley insertion. It doesn't sound hard, but if you broke your sterile field twice, it was an automatic failure. 1 of every 2 students coming out of the sim room before me failed that sim! I was nervous as heck going in, but passed with flying colors! Because I allowed myself to be so overstressed that day, I was totally wiped out when I got home.
Honestly, the farther into the semester we get, the more confident I have become.
You'll do just fine!

Yeah...practice, practice, PRACTICE those sterile techniques!! I could have done them in my sleep, and I still thought I was going to fail my final skills sim because my Foley equipment was defective, and I had to start the whole thing over three times. I about had a nervous breakdown! But I still got my overall 100, so it turned out fine.

goodstudentnowRN · Jun 25, 2009

Oh boy, those skills check. I like to talk while I am doing my skills, it makes it easier.

Seyma · Jun 25, 2009

I hate people that say "Don't work" during nursing school. That just isn't possible for some of us. I personally plan on studying my A@@ off and working my 40 hour night job and getting my license.
YOu can do it! don't let anyone discourage you or make you nervous.
:w00t::w00t:

I AGREE! The other day I went to meet with a rep from a hospital that's partnered up with my nursing school that offers financial assistance in return for a 2 year work commitment after we graduate. She told me how hard it going to be and how I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I explained to her I had a job that I worked 10 hours a week and that its extremely extremely flexible. And when I explained to her that I would be able to handle nursing school and my part-part time job she responded with "that's cute. you have no idea what you're getting yourself into" I WAS ******!!!!!!!!!!! She was condescending the whole time while speaking with her and the little insults just made it that much worse. I don't know how thousands of nursing students could possibly not work for 3 years while in school. I know they're trying to scare us and weed out the week but its really getting on my nerves.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 25, 2009

I luckily didn't have any daily feelings of impending doom. In our program, the instructors (for the most part) tried to help their students succeed.

Yes, there was plenty of stress from the volume & pace of course material in my accelerated BSN, but it was manageable.

LeesG · Jun 25, 2009

WOW...thanks so much for the advice and encouragment.

I know Im not the first nervous Nursing Student, and I wont be the last either !!

I do have incredible support at home. I have a wonderful boyfriend who wants me to succeed, even if that means he does dishes, cooks and runs my kids all over town !! ( hes one of a kind) and although I have 3 kids, 2 are teenagers so they do leave me alone when I have asked through all of the pre-reqs, even going so far as to text me on the phone before a test just to say good luck mom !!! so thats helpful, I do however find my kids repeating my own words back to me like " is that B the best you could do mom?" " dont you have a test coming ? shouldnt you be studying?" HAHA All things I have said to them through the years.

Im also lucky enough to live 1 mile from my school ( sorry for those that drive far ) so that means if the house gets crazy( kids and what not ) I could take a quick few hours at the library where its quiet.

I guess that as the time nears closer Im as scared as I am nervous. I was sharing my feelings with my boyfriend this AM and he of course encouraged me OVER AND OVER...then said to pick out the stethescope I want and hes going to get it for me as a good luck gift :nuke:

Thanks for everyones advise

curlylights06 · Jun 25, 2009

I think that is a completely normal feeling. I know I feel that way daily. I really struggled in the first semester. The 2nd semester was a little easier. I work full-time (thankfully telecommuting at home). I'm also a stepmother of two teenagers and my husband has full custody. If I can balance all of this almost anyone should be able to. It isn't easy but you will find what works for you in regards to studying.

Hi I will be entering the nursing program soon and I am currently looking for a job that i can do while in school ... I was wondering what is telecommuting at home ??? Sounds like something i could do Thanks

ciph2009 · Jun 26, 2009

How many students could get A in your class? In my program, although I am almost the top one, I only have two "A"s so far. I have finished two semesters. I feel worried about my GPA bc I wanna apply for RN-MSN program.

That was all just ADVICE! :) The first class is meant to be a "Weeder" course (I'm in my 4th semester now in an ADN program) so yeah, you might see your class shrink.
The first unit is your time to experiement with studying techniques. You're first test is a great indicator of what works and what doesn't. In our program you're allowed to tank one test and not fail. You fail more than one, better kick it into super high gear.
I do as much reading as I can, but I take really good notes. I've never recorded a class, and I won't lie I've never done ALL the reading. I do have friends in the class that do ALL the reading, make their own outlines of the chapter, all before lecture. I also have friends that just type all their notes during class on their laptops.
It's whatever you're comfortable with.
Good Luck!!!!
Everyday won't be cherry pie, but everyday is a learning experience.
Don't forget YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! It's only 2 years, and you will make the best friends you've ever had during those two years.

jdub3 · Jun 26, 2009

I just studied alot. I never tried to memorize anything, I just read my notes relentlessly. I also talked to previous grads about the particular instructor and how they tested. I never recorded anyting. I lived through the doubting wife "you don't need to study that much," I buried myself for a year and a half in my notes. I would make 96 on one test and a 76 on another. I came out w/a B avg though. I never said "I am going to graduate, I just would say I am going to do the best I can." I was extra nice to the instuctors too. I never went off on anyone or tried to doubt there opinion or questions. I stayed under the radar and just made myself a good student. I got to where I could critically think through some of the instructors notes after I got to kow em some.

Study hard, everyday is a study day. And when you think you have studied enough, study some more.

mrflynn0907 · Jun 26, 2009

Hi I will be entering the nursing program soon and I am currently looking for a job that i can do while in school ... I was wondering what is telecommuting at home ??? Sounds like something i could do Thanks

I work for Travelers Insurance company as a business analyst. I worked for the company for many many years before I became a telecommuter. Basically, I do all of the same work that I did in the office, only at home in my jammies if I so wish.