Nursing student struggling, needs tips on how to pass classes and succeed....

[Wheaties]

Nursing student struggling, needs tips on how to pass classes and succeed.

this is a nice forum by the way, i'm glad i found this page.

i'm a second semester nursing student, 21 year old. i'm on the BSN program at my university here near the bay area which is a 6 semester deal, and i'm on my 2nd semester.

Basically I am now feeling the pressure of how hard the classes are and the amount of "outside of the class assignments" that needs to be done especially the large amount of care plans that we need to do per week on clinical per patient.and i'm working 18 hours a week.

i'm actually thinking of quitting my job for now during the school year. when i get home i usually watch tv coz i am so tired to even read the books.

sorry if sound like i am whining here coz i know i am whining :) . I just started the 2nd semester this week. and everything is just orientation so far. but from what the teacher said what we needed to do, man i feel so swamped.

everytime i go do my skills test, the teachers check off to see if i did it right. but whenever i go up there to do it on the mannequin, i get so nervous that i forget some key steps and i get tachycardia and i get dizzy, and depressed afterwards coz i didnt do too well.

and i have no medical experience prior to entering the program never worked on a hospital whatsoever, i dont even know what certain medical supplies, materials are called. so whenever i do my clinicals a the hospital, i get nervous.

i just finished last semester, which is basic skills and i forgot half of what i learned in skills in the first semester.

for those who graduated already or are still nursing students, i just need some tips on how you got through the program. did u read all the assigned readings? what was your study style to do well in the class.

i got into the nursing program by fluke, somehow i got a lot of 87% on the prereqs, but the teachers let me slide with some A's. if it werent for that, i wouldnt have made it to the program.

also, any tips on how to improve communication skills? i am from asia and i got a strong accent and bad grammar that makes it difficult for my patients, or other nurses to understand me, plus i am a quiet person who cant start conversation and keep it going. i get a lot of "moment of silence" during a conversation with classmates or patients.

[Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN]

Wheaties,

I was in the last group to take the pen and paper NCLEX test. I worked ER for 10 years and coached many young people thru nursing school. I pointed out to many that the day would come when they would be overjoyed to get a C. And they were.

Make your reading count - everything in a box, anything in bold print and then the summary. Get RN magazine the articles they run can help.

You have the same problem with public speaking and testing that I have. I got so nervous during the TNCC that I could not even remember my name. I cried right there. The funny part was I was being tested on the things that I did every night when I worked a trauma. Sad isn't it.

I have two suggestions.

1 Always get a good nights sleep before a test written or oral. It is more important to sleep than cram. (Trust me on that one)

2. When you have to get up and do something first close your eyes take a deep breath in thru your nose and blow out thru your lips. Keep your mind on the breath then open your eyes and just do whatever you have to do. This has helped many people relax in tense situations.

Listen to the radio or TV and repeat what you hear. Do this when you are driving or cooking - whenever you are alone. So what is other drivers think your nuts - it will help.

I went back to nursing school 20+ years after high school. I had not taken any college classes when I started. If I could do it - anyone can. There is only one catch - do you really want to be a nurse? If you do, then you will be.

[sjoe]

It seems clear to me that there is nothing in your post that indicates you are willing to make the effort necessary for you to complete this program. Ain't nobody gonna let you "slide by" to get through this program. You're on your own. In for a dime, in for a dollar. Decide. Commit--if this is what you want to do. If not, don't continue to fool yourself. If you are willing, nonetheless, here are some suggestions that MAY well be necessary for you to follow in order to do so.

1) Right now--quit your job (no excuses or delays)

2) Today, right now: kill, sell, or give away your TV and all other forms of time-sink entertainment you use (no excuses or delays)

3) Read every assignment BEFORE the class starts, taking all the notes you will need to remember the information in it. Then classtime will be review for you, as well as a time to clarify some of the things you misunderstand (NO EXCUSES)

4) Before exams, review and condense, then study all your notes on the subject

5) No alcohol, no mind-altering substances, no time wasted with gossip or magazines or whatever you usually do to "relax"

It's completely up to you.

[SirJohnny]

Wheaties:

- Rule #1: Trash the T.V.

- Rule #2: Sleep instead of watching T.V.

- Rule #3: If can't sleep - go to gym and exercise for 30 min.

- Rule #4: Study, Study, Study!!!!!

John Coxey

[SirJohnny]

All:

Wow -- SJoe actually agreed with me on the T.V.

I hadn't read her post before sending in mine.

---------

Wheaties:

- If you need "entertainment". Then study at Barnes & Nobles and watch the folks walk around during your 5 min breaks.

- I go there to study and usually memorize about 30 min, then take a 5 min break and repeat the cycle. I have timer on laptop - so actually time myself.

- I do my note-taking, re-writes towards end of study session, as that is when my mind is too numb to do any more memorization. My mind may be numb, but I can still be productive.

- During the week, I make it a definite point to get enough sleep. Yeah, sometimes I go until 10 or 11PM, and then get up at 4:30AM. But you /I cannot keep up this schedule. So if I feel that I am getting too tired - I just make it plan to quit an hour earlier and get up an hour later -- ok to have a 9 hour sleep session.

- If things get really bad, I chuck the kitties (my two persians) out the bedroom, and lock the door. I am single (never married), so don't have a spouse to bother me.

-------

- Seriously, I am in the mode now that ALL I think about is school. Yes, I work full-time and teach 2 nights a week. I also have lab 1 night a week. So yeah, a full schedule.

- Essentially, what I did was get into a normal routine. It's the same routine every day. Only variance(s), how long I sleep, and whether I have class or teach class that particular night.

- You gotta gotta gotta make the time to study. It's not the prep time that counts, it's the memorization time that counts. And that's the name of the game.

--------

- And like SJoe said, chuck the boob-tube.

- My single luxury right now are my two persian kitties, and yeah, let's face it... they don't always get bathed when they are supposed to. And yeah, the big 15lb male guy has a few fur knots on his tummy. WIll get them out this weekend when time permits.

- Nothing like sitting on the commode, with cat in lap, brushing out knots at 4:30AM. That's my enterntainment for the day.

Good luck,

John Coxey

[Petite06]

Wow! It's understandable that we need to be real about our choice to be nurses, but the honesty is no holds barred here I guess. At least you are recognizing that this is an issue you want to fix and that is good you are being honest with yourself.

So, here's my rec's. First of all, you are not alone. I feel the desire to be a nurse but struggle with personal issues that I am having trouble resolving. I'm in the process of getting help but that is a side issue. Studying is hard for me. Foundation stuff was not solid and I've always had a problem with school/studying and making info retain. Long story...

What I've learned is this recently... Print out a calendar *i chose weekly ones*

Write out all of your MUST time commitments (i.e. your classes, clinicals etc). It will show you where your true FREE time is. Take a separate paper and write out your exam. The date it is, and plan from there. Identify what is going to be on the exam. Where is the info coming from? Just the text book? Notes? etc.

Then, plot what are priorities.

Go back to your calendar and fill those blank spots in with what needs to be studied. Only study for 45 minutes every time. Then give yourself a reward afterward that is whatever you want (I use it to put a load of laundry on, read a personal book, do dishes whatever). I set my alarm clock on the phone and that way when I hear the alarm, it's back to work. I get 15 mins off. I am not falling asleep in my books anymore, I am staying focused and not feeling guilty. I don't feel overwhelmed like I was. I just started this but it's giving me hope. We'll see how the test go now that I am trying it.

I hope this helps you.

Good luck. It's hard but we can do it.

[longjourneydream]

dear wheeties,

i myself am one half phillipino

(phillipines has good reputation in putting out good nurses)

you must stay focused

you must read assigned chapters

if instructors give areas of concentration (some schools will do that) then read all of those areas over and over until you understand.

yes learn to be a good note taker.

i felt that the power point notes that were given to us made many of us lazy, and falling asleep in class!

the act of writing always helps me remember. i find as an rn i am writing things down, most of the time i never have to look at what i have written, i just seem to remember what it was i wrote.

find out what type of learner you are?

are you a visual learner? then draw pictures, and look at many pictures that pertain to the learning.

do you you learn best by reading? then read over and over,until it is understood.

or

do you learn best by listening to the classes?

then tape the class, and play back, if you have time write down important points

i found out i was a combination learner but that i was highly visual, sometimes it was handicap.

writing along with listening helped me tremendously.

by the time i reached my last semester in nursing school i became a good note taker.

i would look around the class, and i would see sometimes i was the only one writing vigoursly.

always remember abc's as a nurse it will become your life

what priority is more importrant.

for an example: airway comes before breathing, you have to have an open airway in order to breathe. then circulation comes next, in order for the heart and the whole body to keep functioning.

abc pertains to everything when prioritizing.

what is more important to care for 1st?

the bleeder that comes in the er or the man who cannot breath?

have to think in steps,

you can stop the bleeding to apply pressure...

but the man who cannot breath, he may die quick, or he may need to have his airway open in order for hime to breath, so we are back to airway again.

an accent will improve with time as long as you continue to speak english. talk slowly, so that others can understand you. english is the most difficult language to learn, so this also will become an accomplishment.

yes it takes focus,determination and the desire to care for people.

yes, it does cut into your social life for a couple years,

but the couple years is worth a life-time of becoming an accomplished nurse.

good luck;)

nursing student struggling, needs tips on how to pass classes and succeed.

this is a nice forum by the way, i'm glad i found this page.

i'm a second semester nursing student, 21 year old. i'm on the bsn program at my university here near the bay area which is a 6 semester deal, and i'm on my 2nd semester.

basically i am now feeling the pressure of how hard the classes are and the amount of "outside of the class assignments" that needs to be done especially the large amount of care plans that we need to do per week on clinical per patient.and i'm working 18 hours a week.

i'm actually thinking of quitting my job for now during the school year. when i get home i usually watch tv coz i am so tired to even read the books.

sorry if sound like i am whining here coz i know i am whining :) . i just started the 2nd semester this week. and everything is just orientation so far. but from what the teacher said what we needed to do, man i feel so swamped.

everytime i go do my skills test, the teachers check off to see if i did it right. but whenever i go up there to do it on the mannequin, i get so nervous that i forget some key steps and i get tachycardia and i get dizzy, and depressed afterwards coz i didnt do too well.

and i have no medical experience prior to entering the program never worked on a hospital whatsoever, i dont even know what certain medical supplies, materials are called. so whenever i do my clinicals a the hospital, i get nervous.

i just finished last semester, which is basic skills and i forgot half of what i learned in skills in the first semester.

for those who graduated already or are still nursing students, i just need some tips on how you got through the program. did u read all the assigned readings? what was your study style to do well in the class.

i got into the nursing program by fluke, somehow i got a lot of 87% on the prereqs, but the teachers let me slide with some a's. if it werent for that, i wouldnt have made it to the program.

also, any tips on how to improve communication skills? i am from asia and i got a strong accent and bad grammar that makes it difficult for my patients, or other nurses to understand me, plus i am a quiet person who cant start conversation and keep it going. i get a lot of "moment of silence" during a conversation with classmates or patients.

[Anjann, RN]

Honestly, from what I am reading it sounds to me like you are paralyed by your lack of confidence in yourself. This will get you everytime, even if you do graduate. You have to teach yourself how to get through these situations.

First, I would go to the lab and repeat your weekly skill until you know it so well that the instructor CAN'T flunk you. practice it alone if that makes you feel better, or practice it with someone you run across in the lab. While you are doing your skill, you have to push everything else out of your mind and try to ignore the instructor's presence if it intimidates you to the point of doing your skill incorrectly.

At clinicals, the more you work yourself up, the more nervous and paralyzed you will become. You HAVE to tell yourself you can do it, and don't let the instructor intimidate you. They are looking for weaknesses and so you must show no fear, even if you are terrified.

Nursing school can make or break the best of us. Stop being so hard on yourself. It is an honor to be invited into a nursing program, and they would not have chose you if they could have given the spot to someone else they thought would do better. give yourself the credit you deserve for even getting in. I used to always tell myself it was an honor to be in NS, and if THEY believed in me, then I should too.

It sounds like you are worrying so much about how to study, that you are NOT studying at all.

I found it was better to know very well the material that I had time to get through, than to try to cover every single page and not absorb anything at all. For most of us, there is simply not enough time to cover EVERYTHING, so you must try to guess what the teacher will think is most important to know. They tend to give you clues in lecture. If they have SAID it, you better KNOW it. I went out and bought a cooking timer with a bell and set if for 15 minutes. I would dedicate 15 minutes to each subject and then take a timed 15 minute break. This helped me feel like I was covering more area's. Highlight what you are reading, that tends to help info "sink in". If you are allowed, I would suggest recording the lectures and taking notes again at home. You could use the language difficulty as a good argument for being allowed to record.

Use the textbooks as a supplement to what is actually said and notes in class, and get into a study group. Talking about the info and venting with each other will help alot.

Would using an English language course at home help you with your accent in a quiet space where you won't feel intimidated?

Finally: breathe! take one step at a time...stop worrying so much and break it into small, manageable pieces.

[llg, PhD, RN]

You probably didn't notice ... but the original post to this thread is 3.5 years old. I am sure Wheaties either found a way to succeed or has moved on to something else by now.

[Meri333]

Hey there... I'm also in nursing school.. I have 8 weeks left and I'll be done. All I have to say is I know exactly how you feel... but just hang in there. All you have to do is do one thing at a time to the best of your ability... and for the time being school is your life. If you feel the need to quit your job because it's enabling you to give 100% then quit... I know how stressed you are... I've been there... still there actually and working 40 hours a week... it sucks... plain and simple... but the further on you get the more things make sense and it truely does get easier... there's still a lot of work, but there has to be... people's lives are in our hands... we need this pressure because when your out working in the field, you're going to have to know how to deal with the same type of pressure. Anywho... just hang in there, find a friend to vent to... and stay active... if you're stressed, go for a run! Good luck!

[longjourneydream]

Oh Well,

Maybe someone else can learn from this, as you know the posts are not just for one person, they are for every one. Feel foolish for not realizing how old the original post was, but I'm sure there are more Wheaties out there... And again good luck.

You probably didn't notice ... but the original post to this thread is 3.5 years old. I am sure Wheaties either found a way to succeed or has moved on to something else by now.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

Oh Well,

Maybe someone else can learn from this, as you know the posts are not just for one person, they are for every one. Feel foolish for not realizing how old the original post was, but I'm sure there are more Wheaties out there... And again good luck.

Good point. Just for curiosity, I did a search for other posts by Wheaties, found one as a new RN, struggling through Med/Surg. Way to go, Wheaties! Also confirms my own suspicion that half of being a nurse is just being too dumb--or maybe just stubborn--to give up.

Call me nosy, but I'm thinking now it might be fun to search old posts of other members and see how they've progressed.

[Anjann, RN]

Geezy Peezy! How embarrassing! :trout:

Strike one for attention to detail!