Guidance for a new student.

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This is my first semester for the nursing program, I've passed all my pre reqs with A's and B's. However, now that I'm in the program, Im starting to wonder if I made the right choice to go into nursing. I've also been a CNA for about a year now, and have a feel for what taking care of patients might be like. Similar to other students in the class I feel like the program is a huge slap in the face; I'm not used to getting the grades I'm getting right now, and I feel sick in the stomach almost all of the time.

I've spend at least 7+ hours at the libary studying everyday when I don't have work, but I'm still stuggling hugely. Also, I've gotten rid of my TV a long time ago as well as other sources of distraction. Sometimes I'd take brief naps (due to getting marginal sleep) in my car since I'm a commuter between classes. There are days where I vary my studying to see if I'd do any better but no avail. Since entering college, I haven't been able to actually get a group of friends, and I feel rather alone when I'm in class. I just don't know if I'm cut out for nursing, I really want to go into the grad program after a few years of expereince, but I'm afraid I'm just not intelligent/talented enough to even get through this first year.

Can I get some advice from experience individuals? I just really need to hear words of advice from the wise to get my head back into gear. I feel very alone and lost. :crying2::uhoh3:

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Nursing school is daunting..especially in the beginning. When classes first started...I sat in the back of the room and was too shy or nervous to really talk to anyone. Over time...after having clinicals you start to get to know people. As far as the studying..maybe you are overdoing it. I would check to see if your college has a student assistance office like mine does...they might be able to give you some pointers for studying. I'm not sure how approachable your instructors are...mine have been very helpful with studying tips and reassurance so you could always talk to them to (if you feel comfortable). I know it's hard...but don't give up on it yet. You might turn a corner.

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What exactly do you feel like your struggling in? You need to assess both your strengths and your downfalls...

Nursing school is tough, and you will hear this a lot; most A students usually receive B's or C's in nursing school. C's are perfectly acceptable - they are a pass!! I know it's no fun, but the stress you are experiencing is greatly affected by your perceptions of your grades. My outlook is that I try for A's, but will accept B's. The more you put yourself down and think you are going to fail, well, you really will. One of my closest friends gets really upset when she receives B's and C's - but honestly, she doesn't put the work in and she knows it. If you are struggling with one particular subject, ask the teacher for advice, pick up some "___ for dummies/made easy" books, get a tutor, etc.

I study around 5-6 hours a day, depending. Keep up with your material, one of the best ways to learn is to go over your just-learned material within 3 hours of class. When I get new material, I will go over it, then go through all of the old material just to refresh my brain for that course. Bottome line is you need to find some studying techniques that work for you... There will be courses in Nrsg which you will excell in, and others no matter how hard you try, it just isnt your strength and you need to somehow accept you can't be perfect!

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Specializes in Oncology.

I think that in all honesty, a lot of the testing for nursing school revolves around learning how to do NCLEX type questions (if your school is like mine and tests this way) rather than cramming material into your brain. I do agree that knowing your stuff is important, but you can know all of the material and still do poorly if you don't know how to read the questions.

I would suggest doing a search on here or a search engine for NCLEX specific test taking strategies. I would also encourage you to make sure you're getting a decent amount of sleep. I spend some nights with very little sleep due to a ridiculous amount of classes/assignments/exams going on, but in all reality going without sleep in order to study a lot is not the way to go. If you're tired, you probably need to sleep more than you need to study.

Try recording lecture. If you are unsure of something in your notes, you can go back to what was said during lecture. I also use it as a way to study. You can put lecture on your mp3 player and listen to it on the car, or in-between classes, to reinforce the material. I have a really good recorder - Olympus Digital Voice Recorder (VN 6200PC). They have it for $36 on Amazon. I would post a link but I don't know if I can, but if you search for it you can find it.

Personally I think you should ask yourself what kind of effort you're making to your classmates. I'm not really shy, but I also take some time to open up to people and not be distant, so the longer I waited to get involved or let my classmates get to know me, the harder it was in the end when I was in my third semester and wished I had opened up to more people. I also got into a power struggle with a friend/group member over a project and the friendship went south, effectively dividing my options for friends down a bit. This semester I decided I wasn't going to worry so much about being in any particular friend group and just talk to people as they came. At some point I realized that I was just talking to my classmates when I saw them and we had time to talk, and that was nice, and made me feel connected. Some people party with their nursing classmates, but I'm settled down with my boyfriend and out of that stage. If that's what you're looking for though, then I'm sure you can find it as well. Other ways to feel more at home would be to get involved in a nursing organization on campus. We have nursing groups that do things with the alumni, raise money for graduation, etc. It's another way to meet people.

Just begin talking to people. Good times to interject into conversations revolve around assignments, exams, complaints about the lecture/lecturer/clinical, etc. Your classmates all feel a little off and out of place in the nursing world, too, and I think that it's the easiest way to connect with any of them. Everyone will usually readily discuss class material, so that's also a common place to start. For example, I'm in my OB rotation and we learned about molar pregnancies and everyone is curious yet mortified by them at the moment. Plenty of my conversations with nursing school friends this week have revolved around "mole babies". :yeah:

I went from having a 3.4 to a 3.1 GPA. Nursing school has been the first time I've gotten C's in college, and I cried my eyes out over them, but in the end you have to accept that C=nurse even if there are better scores possible. I know that the tests aren't going to matter in the real world. What is going to matter is my ability to utilize the information I've learned, and I've been great at any job I've been trained in. I don't expect this one to be any different. :)

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Hi kgen,

I think that I understand what you are feeling. I too am in my first semester of a nursing program and have, at times, felt discouraged regarding my level of achievement.

Prior to entering this program, I managed to achieve great marks. Exemplary undergrad marks were necessary to get into this competitive entry nursing program. I have had to adjust my attitude and focus on what is really important - being the best student nurse that I can be. I've learnt that this doesn't always mean having the best marks. I am learning to modify my personal expectations and enjoy the journey, one day I will be an RN.

I came across this quote that is helping me to adapt and change my attitude:

"A is excellent

B is very good

But remember C = RN

Promoting excellence but living with reality"

Don't give up....you can do this.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sounds like you're having trouble with school, not with nursing. Sure it's tough. Anything worthwhile is. Decide now that you will succeed and focus on "how" to get through, not "if". When you enter the professional world, you will get your life back, and it will be worth it.

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Specializes in Nursing school.

You sound like a nursing student to me! One of the biggest things I learned from being in nursing school is to have friends within the school that can help you out...not only academically with studying, but emotionally and mentally. One of the biggest things that most nursing schools lack is recognizing the need for mental and emotional (basically psychological) support in getting through the program. Remember, all you need is a C- you just need to pass the course. I too am a commuter to school, and took naps in the library or in my car. Nursing school consumes your life while you're in it but it will all pay off later. Just breathe... you CAN do it... do NOT get discouraged... Talk to some of your classmates, or instructors and find support within them...anyone to support you... Things are only as bad as you perceive. But, still be realistic.

--KH

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Specializes in OR.

I know what you mean. I was an A and B student (mostly) and nursing school is much more difficult. There are two pieces of advice I can give you that worked for me:

1. Find a way to study that works for you.

If you are reading a lot and not retaining it (like I do) then you need to try something else. My first degree is in fine art. So I finally broke down and figured out a way to study to help me learn in a way I would remember. I draw a patient and the S/S of their pathology. Then I draw the labs. I use symbols instead of words when taking notes. I look up procedures and equipment on google images. Find a better way to study that works for you.

2. Do not memorize info. Learn how it works and WHY!

I can't memorize info. For fluid and electrolytes, I had to break down the S/S of high/low electrolytes into the cellular mechanism to understand why they work (for example: high amounts of calcium block the influx of sodium into a cell. this makes the cell less excitable. this means when calcium is too high, cells, like muscle cells, need a stronger stimulus to be activated. So...hypocalcemia causes decreased deep tendon reflex and muscle weakness in skeletal muscles. It can also cause hypotension since cells will not respond to cause muscular contraction, leaving vessels dilated).

Not to be too wordy, but I just want you to know that there are more ways to study. But it does take time to figure out what works for you. And remember, while good grades are nice, you really need a way to RETAIN important information for when you are a nurse (and to pass boards!). So study to understand, not memorize.:spam:

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Specializes in PICU/NICU/ER.

This is a totally normal way to feel. In my program you have to get 80% (B) to pass. A lot of us are used to being A students and have learned the reality that you can't always get an A. That's great advice about not memorizing, but learning the "whys" of things. Also, try to make a few friends. I tend to shy away, but I must tell you, I've made a core group of friends and not only do we call, email and text eachother questions when we don't get something, but they are a HUGE support when I fail a check off or feel like quitting after a rough day at clinical. Good luck and chin up!

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Sorry for bringing this thread back up. But I'd like to say that I made it with 75 questions!

No more sleeping in my car, crying every week or living in the library. :)

Thank you for the support!

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Sorry for bringing this thread back up. But I'd like to say that I made it with 75 questions!

No more sleeping in my car, crying every week or living in the library. :)

Thank you for the support!

Awesome. Congrats to you. You did it.

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