Really questioning myself-imput needed

RN 2005 · Jul 1, 2003

Cheryl,

Hang in there! I am quite sure if everyone was honest that the majority of students would admit to feeling the same way at one time or another! I am starting an ADN program this fall as well and I know how you feel. I am worried about everything! It sounds to me as if you are doing all you can to excel and succeed and there is nothing wrong in my opinion with having to put in alot of study time. It shows that you want to do well and that says alot. I have not taken Micro yet, but I cannot imagine that having a hard time with it will mean you also will find the nursing curriculum difficult. Just wanted to say hey and let you know that you are hardly alone in the self questioning of your abilities. There are alot of unknowns out there for us right now. I have to really try to take it day by day or I would never have the courage to go on! Good luck to you :)

dosamigos76, RN · Jul 1, 2003

Thanks for posting RN 2005, I appreciate it a lot!

Cheryl

AmyLiz · Jul 1, 2003

Sounds like you're not giving yourself enough credit. If you're doing well in the classes, you must be doing something right. :)

I would think that as you continue through your courses, many things will come up over & over again and that will drive them into your head. At least I've noticed that myself. For example, I might not "get" a concept in chemistry class...but the next term when in A&P that same concept is covered & all of a sudden...this time it makes sense!

If you are having a real hard time with something, utilize the tutoring center, open lab (if your school has them), and ask the instructor for help.

Hang in there...I'm sure it'll all come together for you!

dosamigos76, RN · Jul 1, 2003

AmyLiz-thanks! I am now friends with the biology tutor! In fact at the end of this semester I'm due to take her out to Red Lobster for all her help! LOL

Cheryl

TeresaRN2b · Jul 1, 2003

Um, I never did get microbiology. I didn't understand much of it at all, but I am not worried. I did good in A&P and chemistry and my other courses. I did not have a very good teacher. I wouldn't let this one class throw you. A lot of nursing programs don't even require microbiology.

Teresa

pedi-RN · Jul 1, 2003

Here's my $.02 for what it's worth...

In High school, I struggled through biology, not necessarily because it washard, but it was sooo boring and I HATED IT! Then I took Chemistry, which was MUCH harder, but I really liked it. Think that had to do with being lab partners with my best friend. I finished my first Assoc. Degree in 1996, and had to have two semesters of lab science for it. I took Geology, because it was the easiest. I've never been a science wiz, though I love medical science.

Fast forward to last fall, when I returned to school after 6 years at home with my children. My first class was A&P I. It was HARD, and the teached s*cked!!! It was her first class, ever, and she really wanted to be teaching genetics &/or nutrition, so that's what she taught, but she tested over the book. Go figure! I studied HARD and earned every point of the A that I got. In the Spring, I took micro. It was very hard! The teacher was much better, but there is just so much info covered in such short time. Again, I studied hard, and felt very proud of my B. I can't imagine taking that class in a summer session! I start A&P II next week, and I expect it to be very challenging, too.

My point is, that none of this "science stuff" comes naturally to me, and I'm sure it doesn't to most other people, either. I start the ADN program in August, and I'm sure those classes will be hard, too. But I know I will make a good nurse, and I just focus on that.

Good Luck! I bet you'll do fine!

Holli

PennyLane, RN · Jul 1, 2003

I hated Micro, too. In fact, I hated it so much I got a D the first time I took it. I retook it and got a B. I felt that I didn't "get it" either--all the new terminology was very hard. Plus my class was ENORMOUS (about 400 students or so).

On the other hand, I LOVED chem, physics, etc. All the math classes. I also loved A&P and got an A+ in both I and II.

I've talked to people who loved Micro, and others who hated it and struggled through. Don't worry--it's a unique class, for sure.

dosamigos76, RN · Jul 1, 2003

Thanks for posting. I appreciate you all taking the time to share your comments and thoughts.

Cheryl

LauraLou · Jul 1, 2003

I am also taking Micro this summer. I think part of the problem is that the class is so condensed in the summer term. There isn't a lot of time to understand a concept, because the class has already moved on to the next thing.

I think most people find science and nursing classes difficult. I doubt there are very many people who breeze through them. It sounds like you are very hard worker and, in the end, that is what gets people through nursing school.

Best wishes.

dsczephyr · Jul 1, 2003

Cheryl,

Your post really struck an empathetic cord with me. I've been sitting here feeling incredibly stupid because I "kind of got it" all the way through nursing school. I graduated from nursing school with high honors. Yet, on the practice NCLEX exams I've been taking, I only get anywhere from 60% to about 66% correct. When I read the answers, I think "Why can't I get it?"

And like you, people think I am smart and certainly expect me to pass the nursing boards - which I am to take tomorrow morning.

The reality is, we all feel this way at times all through nursing school. I know of very few people that don't somehow feel like they don't get it in various areas of nursing and related courses. We all probabably know successful nurses whom we don't think of as being brilliant, but they are good nurses.

Micro is part of the big picture in nursing. There is a whole section of the NCLEX that has to do with infectious disease and who can you put into the same room with another person if one has a certain type of disease, and what the precautions are regarding that disease. So I wouldn't minimize it's importance. But - it is easier to understand in the context of illness and the nursing care for that illness. That's what you get in nursing school.

As for the ability to learn what it takes to be a nurse, much of it comes from the motivation within. I wanted to be a nurse, and I know that if for some reason I don't pass my boards tomorrow, I will retest 90 days down the road. But - eventually I will be a nurse. It might be next week, it might be later this year. But even though I get frustrated at "not getting it" in the practice tests, I will get it right in the end. And if it's in your heart - you will too. Just do like me - keep working at it.

One last thing - when you get to your nursing boards, NCLEX is not based on knowledge and understanding of content. It assumes you know and understand the content. What it tests is your ability to use analysis and application of that knowledge. When you get to clinicals, you'll understand why.

I wish you all the best - Denise

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jul 1, 2003

Don't let it get to you. Also remember that summer classes are MUCH harder than a regular 16 week class. I am taking Chemistry this summer (8 weeks) and there is so much to learn in such a short amount of time I am only making a B and on some quizzes I have only made C's on (and I am an A student). I'm also taking Nutrition as well.

Just like anything in life, some things you will do well with and others you wont! Some things we excell at and other we squeek by....lol Nothing wrong with that.

And dont feel stupid. I tend to feel that way about myself a lot of times (and I have a high GPA and still feel that way). But then I look around my chem class for this summer and half the class has dropped out or flunked out and I have not, I think that says a lot. Most are getting C's and I at least am pulling a B so far (almost an A but not quite).

Anyways, dont beat yourself up about 1 class, its not worth your time or frusteration. Once it is over you wont think much about it except be glad it is over! lol

Summer classes suck anyways...lol I am feeling really burned out with them at this point.

Marilyn