Thoughts on 1st semester.

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I finished my first semester of nursing school today. It was really different. I was accepted with a 4.0 average without a sweat. (There were some students in my class with a 3.0). I thought i didn't have to work so hard to pass. I thought I'd pass without stressing even with a C, I would still be happy. If i only knew what i kniw now, things would be different. But our grades are in and I failed one of my classes by a few points. Now, I can't move on to next semester until I retake this class by itself. The feeling sucks, but oh well. I came into this program with my mind blank, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. But now I do, I'm ready to restart fresh, and positive. This is going to be the most stressful and energy draining time of my life. But it will be worth it at the end. 🎓

Does anyone want to share their thoughts about how their 1st semester was, and any tips for me?

As far as prioritizing and answering questions and my rationales! The test questions get harder and clinicals are harder... you do way more!! I still was thinking as I was in first or second semester! The expectations are higher third and fourth semester!

Are you in an accelerated program? An LPN? A 4-year BSN?

Sorry didn't read every post, but to the OP. What are some things you wished you would have done more previously to help you prepare for the 1st semester? I have a whole summer and plan on brushing up on certain things.

Specializes in LTC, SNF.

I'm in an accelerated program.

Specializes in LTC, SNF.

I wish I would have knew what a nurse does so I can study what a nurse does, instead of studying the diseases. To be prepared, Start learning the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, interventions/implementing, evaluations. Learn nursing interventions for medical problems like for example your pt is malnourished, so as a nurse what are some interventions to help the pt get healthier. Remember you can't prescribe them vitamins that's the doctor job, and you can't tell them to eat what they don't want to eat. You need to plan and see what works for the patient and assess the patient to see if it works. If not, what are you going to do? Start thinking like that. Also learn maslows pyramid in prioritizing. You need to know what's more important when taking care of pts. Learn about different cultures in healthcare, like how do different ppl respond to pain. Do they ask for meds or would they refuse meds? If they refuse meds, what would you do as a nurse to help them with pain. You can't encourage them to take the meds because it's against their culture. For clinicals look up what CNA does, you're going to need to know because that's what your going to do and the actual nursing stuff. Also look up youtube videos on how to do nursing assessments of a special body system, like cardiovascular nursing assessment. After you watch all the body systems assessments. Watch the head to toe assessment. You're going to have to perform assessments on pts and answer questions. Also learn all your lab values. What's normal what's not. If not What does it mean. And what values is an emergency/needs to be dealt with immediately. Know how to take vital signs and how often. Good luck!

Specializes in LTC, SNF.

You're going to do the CNA stuff in clinicals during first semester*

It's good to know patho of a disease knowledge base of the test and findings based on assessment ! But your right knowing nurse interventions to go along with managing or eliminating s/s is a lot of what you get tested on! You do basic care in clinical first but as you move up you will be doing sterile dressing changes, injections, hanging iv (not inserting) .. setting up enteral feeds.. flushing Iv ... catheters...inserting catheters....suctioning... patient education and a lot of other things so skills are paramount! You do have to know what CNA and LPN and RN can do so you can delegate the right task...a lot of delegation is usually on the boards.... remember you can do their job plus more.... they can't do yours.so you need to learn basic care before you build on skills!

One of the best nurses I know graduated with me from a top notch school. She failed her boards continuously. She was about to time out of a graduate nurse position (ICU!) when she flew out to the only state offering the board exam at that time. She passed and has been a valuable contributor to our profession.

Here's another motivating story. I worked very hard but was very successful in school. The boards were frightening but I passed. I almost didn't make it through orientation on my first job. The disconnect between academics and practice was profound. The good part is that I accepted instruction, followed everything the preceptor demanded and finished orientation, late but done. The rest of my career amounts to nursing being the best decision I've ever made.

One suggestion. If you don't have it, the students established a note service for our nursing classes. small fee to join and note takers rotated and were paid. Notes were distributed day after each class. This was a great help. I could focus more in class and get word for word notes even if I missed a class. Group study is fantastic but be selective. You want students at least as smart as you and as dedicated.

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