overwhelmed

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  • by TLC RN
    Specializes in CVICU.

I starting to do my reading first nursing classes, pharm and patho. I feel like it is a foreign language. Did you feel a bit overwhelmed with the material at first? It is not like taking chem and then seeing chemistry stuff in anatomy or biology because the sciences overlap so much. I mean the science stuff is familiar but the nursing stuff is a whole other story.

If you felt like this, how long did it take to get acclimated to the nursing material and not feel like it was so unfamiliar?

Imafloat, BSN, RN

1 Article; 1,289 Posts

Tooty, I think everyone feels that way at first. Just keep chugging through and one day it will make a little more sense. Have you had Physiology? That helps with Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. I just keep reminding myself of all the people that have made it through the program ahead of me, it keeps me grounded and helps me know I can do it.

cingulargirl21

67 Posts

i'm in my 3rd year of a 4 year BSN program and I always feel overwhelmed at some point or another and I feel like I'm learning a foreign language because I cant grasp stuff in the first reading but I remind myself that its new materal and it will tale time to learn.....I have learned that nursing school is unpredictabel and a challenge and you learn so much....even when you think you havent, later in clinical, you realize how much you learn ot when you are watching the news or something.....nursing school is tough but rewarding....Its tough at first. And at the middle. I havent reached the end yet but I'm sure its tough then too. But everything you are taking now will help you understand other things better. I promise....hang in there. It might not make since now but it will help you out in some way later! Nursing school will probably always be hard (to me anyway) but it gets better because you know what to expect and you get used to the work and weird questions.......I spent 2 years taking pre reqs......but this is my 2nd semester of taking pure nursing course and although I did well last semester, I feel scared and overwhelmed and like I'm learning a foreign language.........all over again! But as time passes........you will get used to it. And it wont seem soooooooo foreign to you! If you need to, ask your instructor to clarify soem stuff or make a study group with some of you classmates who have similar goals and you guys can help each other learn tough concepts.....good luck!

prmenrs, RN

4,565 Posts

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

It IS a foreign language! Write down every word you don't understand, and start looking them up in your Medical dictionary. If you don't have one, check online. Sooner or later, that piece will fit in. You can do it!!

Jen2

931 Posts

Wow I am supposed to graduate in May and I still feel like that. However I think it is even worse now becasue I am worrying about boards and I havn't even graduated yet. My best advice one day, one page, one lecture, one minute at a time. Good luck!

manna, BSN, RN

2,038 Posts

Is this your first semester?

Nursing school is definately... different. I think some of the earlier nursing classes are really laying a foundation for what will be learned later (for example the basics of med admin, assessment, care planning, hierarchy of needs, etc). I'm fairly certain that eventually it wil all begin to come together - like pieces of a puzzle - it's just the getting there that is time consuming and often confusing.

Things second semester are coming a little more naturally to me than first semester, and I'm guessing that trend will continue.

Good luck! :)

Tooty,

I just finished my first semester of nursing school (the second will start on Jan. 10th) and let me tell you, you are about to learn soooooo much. My advice to you will be to stay calm and take it one step at a time. Don't beat yourself up if you don't get it right away. All of my classes last year corresponded with each other, especially when we had to learn the nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation). It will get better and you'll look back later on down the road and be surprised at how much you've learned. You'll eat, breath, sleep Nursing (In a good way). Good Luck !

SarasotaRN2b

1,164 Posts

I was just about to write the very same reply!!! But you beat me to it! Although I have a background as a medical secretary/transcriptionist, I took a medical terminology course. I would suggest that for those students not yet in nursing school take advantage if there is such a class offered at their college. If not, see if you can find an online course whatever...it'll help alot and it can't hurt.

Kris

It IS a foreign language! Write down every word you don't understand, and start looking them up in your Medical dictionary. If you don't have one, check online. Sooner or later, that piece will fit in. You can do it!!

YoungWiseWoman

271 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

I feel overwhelmed too!!! I just started this week and I already feel like I am about to have a panic attack! I was reading today and I felt like I was just reading words on a page...no real sense of placement or understanding. I started to second guess myself...re-thinking the whole decision! In my city, it is sooo hard to get into any program, so I know I should feel grateful to have the opportunity. I bought my books and started wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into! Then to top it all off, most classes in my BSN program start with 60-70 people, and 15-25 graduate!:uhoh21: I know I can do it...I just have to keep reminding myself.

I need to get a better study routine down, so my time can be as productive as possible. Anyone have any advice on how to study ALL the material equally? OR any study tips for that matter on how to not get burned out?

TLC RN

575 Posts

Specializes in CVICU.

Thanks for reminding me I am not alone :)

kaseysmom, LPN

51 Posts

I am 19 years old with a 16 month old daughter. I started nursing school when my daugher was 4 months old (LPN because I feel that you get more clinical exp. and it was a lot easier because it was only 1 year and it would be done with in a short period of time - I do plan on going back). The first day we had foundations of nursing and anatomy and physiology - I thought that I was going to pass out in the back of the class. However, you learn that if you are REALLY lost - then you probably aren't the only one - and just keep asking questions until you get it! I sometimes would sit there and feel dumb because I didn't understand - but when I looked around - everyone had the same look on their face. Hang in there, it's well worth it. Nursing is an amazing profession and like I said, just keep asking questions and you'll get all the information you need to know. Good luck with everything!!

TLC RN

575 Posts

Specializes in CVICU.

It is too funny that there are about three of these type threads going right now. I start class tomorrow and started doing my reading over the last few days. I had a pda and bought tabers for it. It has been so helpful. I read and when there is a word I don't know I look it up in tabers on the pda.

I also got a flashcard program for my pda for all the vocab that is new for me. So when I go to work or am stuck in traffic, I can review the new vocab.

Sorry manna, I forgot to answer earlier. I am in a 12 month second degree program. The 12 months starts in May but we have to complete pharm, patho and a nursing nutrition this semester.

The funniest part is one second you have butterflies and the next, I realize tomorrow at 8am I will be sitting in my 1st nursing lecture :)

Thanks again for the encouragement everyone!

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