Not sure I can handle BSN School.

[guest723]

Hi everyone.

I have a 4.0 GPA. I decided on Nursing because I love the healthcare field, and medical science. However, two weeks into the start of my Nursing program I feel completely overwhelmed. I can't do everything they want us to do - read all of the chapters, write papers, etc. on top of physiology and the demands for that class without dedicating every second of my life to studying. Don't get me wrong: I love the material and learning it. I just feel this low-grade chronic anxiety feeling because they want us to do 100% of everything in a small time-span. I feel discouraged, because I put my heart and soul into the pre-reqs to gain admission; however, I think I won't be able to hack it. Everyone else seems as though they have everything together and know everything going on in lecture before starting the class because they read the book beforehand. I did not because I am a slow reader and learner, and it takes me twice as much as everyone else to do the material and I find it discouraging :/.

My first exam is in a few weeks, for both Physiology and my other Nursing course on the same day. I am unsure as how I will do, but I won't be expecting to do extremely well on it compared to other students in my class. I just feel sort of discouraged because I spend ALL day studying and to do things on time requires me 24/7 to do it while everyone else seems quicker at it.

I'm just wondering if Nursing School is for me or not.

Thanks to everyone in advance!

[AnxietyMaven, BSN, RN]

I do pre-class reading (skimming) legit only 20 pages out of like 100+...there's just not enough time in the day to do all those pre-readings..

If you read my original post I did say "skim the material and delve into the important stuff". I read slow, so I couldn't possibly read it all and still eat, sleep, shower, or veg out a little. I need my veg time. Some classes are easier than others and I get by on just powerpoint slides for those. It depends on the class and the textbook. My patho text was crap, and my instructor excellent. Pharm book is great, instructor is just going through the motions. If I have a crap textbook and the instructor is subpar (which hasn't happened yet) I would just supplement with YouTube

[AnxietyMaven, BSN, RN]

Scorio,

Powerpoints are going to be a pretty good guide. I think you'll be okay if you base your reading off of them. The really big thing to trips people up is applying the information to the nursing process. You might find that some classes are going to be powerpoint only and others take more time.

[Lipoma, BSN, RN]

I'm actually agreeing with you. If you've made it this far, you can definitely survive nursing school. Just don't stress over all of the readings that are assigned.

[Wlaurie, RN]

It's hard for everyone. That should make you feel better knowing that we all felt that way so it's normal. I remember thinking that there must be some kind of mistake when I saw the workload. But you realize that others have done it before you and you'll do it too. You adapt change some priorities cry a little or a lot. I cried just about every day first semester. You tell yourself it's only a short time and it is. You get through it. Don't be afraid to take the chance that you'll fail. You proably won't and i know there is a lot of pressure not to fail but if you do figure what needs to change. I like study buddy's and i studied a lot and did real well. Went to school with a girl that hardly studied but was very smart and she did just as well. I always say I'm not the smartest but i try the hardest. You'll figure it out as you go. Good Luck!

[guest723]

It's hard for everyone. That should make you feel better knowing that we all felt that way so it's normal. I remember thinking that there must be some kind of mistake when I saw the workload. But you realize that others have done it before you and you'll do it too. You adapt change some priorities cry a little or a lot. I cried just about every day first semester. You tell yourself it's only a short time and it is. You get through it. Don't be afraid to take the chance that you'll fail. You proably won't and i know there is a lot of pressure not to fail but if you do figure what needs to change. I like study buddy's and i studied a lot and did real well. Went to school with a girl that hardly studied but was very smart and she did just as well. I always say I'm not the smartest but i try the hardest. You'll figure it out as you go. Good Luck!

Thanks for your advice and encouragement. I'm already having an extremely rough start. I have 2 exams, a case study, a quiz, and another assignment all due Monday back-to-back. I hate to say it, but I am seriously screwed. . For someone just starting RN school, I didn't know it'd be like this. I feel like they want us to know the information so fast that it's more like memorizing the material then learning it. It's like they don't even give us enough time. I feel super stressed and for the first time in all of my academic career, I've given up. I apologize if I sound like a quitter, but this workload looks too much for me to handle and I've already considered dropping out, since my Nursing professors saying it 'only get worse' as we progress through the program. I try my best at everything I do, but I feel as though I'm not offered to do my best when I have so much to do in such little time and that isn't the best approach for me to learn.

Sorry guys. I am probably just going to walk in on Monday, fail one exam, pass the other, and half-ass the other quiz and assignments and end up withdrawing. I didn't expect this sort of outcome but I didn't know it'd be this accelerated. Props to everyone on here who has completed any sort of Nursing program and excelled in it, but I don't believe I can and my learning style doesn't fit with the Nursing curriculum.

Thank you guys.

[Saraghawas]

I hope you can find a way to get through this, you're very determined. I feel I may end up the same way when I start nursing school