HELP!!!! im in nursing school! i need serious help!

SarasotaRN2b · Jan 21, 2007

What I would suggest, and while I know being tired you don't want to do anything, but get moving. The more you move and get oxygen into your system, the better you will feel. I found that when I was taking A&P and I needed to remember some concepts or needed to memorize something, walking helped me.

Also, unfortunately, this time of year, even in Florida, our immune systems are more prone to the viruses going around. I'm battling some upper respiratory tract bug, and other for this brief time looking at the threads, I've been lying down.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2007

well, I didnt work while I was in school, which allowed me to focus my time and energy specifically on school. It will feel overwhelming at first, but once you get used to it, it wont be as bad...I promise. I almost quit several times in the beginning. Nursing classes are so different than the core classes. I took a small recorder with me to the more difficult classes and would listen to the tapes whenever I could. I also would make note cards and tape them in places where I could study them while doing other things, like over the kitchen sink while I was doing dishes, over the bathroom sink while I was getting ready, etc. It will take almost all your time, but will be well worth it. Its good also to form study groups. We would make up our own tests with answers on another sheet and we would "take tests and see how well we did." We would also discuss things we didnt understand. Once you get your mind into the "nurse class mode" it will get better. I got so used to it, it felt STRANGE to be at home with no homework. I even caught myself telling my husband, I have to go study, then realize NO I DONT. lol. Keep us posted on how you are doing. YOU CAN DO IT, DONT GIVE UP.

Oh yes, and EXERCISE. Nothing benefits the body and mind like exercise, even if only 10 minutes a day doing stretches with at least 2 days a week of a good cardio workout to help stimulate the chemicals that give you energy and aid in memory.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 21, 2007

I work full time and am attending nursing school full time. Not fun. Anyway you will have your days of being tired and crying for odd reasons, it is part of the stress. Don't worry it will pass though especially as you get use to it. Normally I have 1-2 crying sessions per a semester...

swtooth

AnRNIam · Jan 21, 2007

Ftgirl I feel your pain! I was in school, working full time, and had three kids at the time. Thank God my wife was real supportive. One thing that I found worked well for me was study groups. I found a few people who were feeling the same way and had the same dedication I did and got together to study with them weekly. The catch was that we never studied at someone's home. We found a nice coffee shop that would allow us to study there. I found this refreshing because it 1.) Helped me keep focused, 2.) Gave me something to look forward to each week, and most importantly 3.) I had other people to commiserate with when things got tough.

I kept this up the entire last two years of school whether I needed to study or not. The neat thing about this is: Although all of our group moved to different areas of the state we still get together every other month at the same coffee shop to chat and vent if we need to.

This helped me keep from going insane. So, for right now, take a deep breath and do your best.

Batman24 · Jan 21, 2007

I am not in school, but you sound like everyone I know who went so hang in there!! Make sure you eat a good breakifast that includes some protein. Make sure you also keep the protein up throughout the day as that will help to keep you awake.

I will keep in mind all the other advice in this thread to help me out when I get there. Talking a walk, study groups, etc. all sound like wonderful ideas. And I know from studying right now for my entrance tests then when my brain gets too clogged up I need to stop for a few minutes and let my brain rest. Good luck!!

ann945n, RN · Jan 21, 2007

I never study at home. I go to a special place on campus that is my study zone, no tv no phone no computer so you can focus. Also make your study area as much like the classroom as possible, same lighting same chair ect. that will help you recall the info come test time. Also I use the CD roms that come with the book, they usually have test questions at the end, take them and see how well you are doing. Also never memorize anything in nursing, learn why instead then on the test you will know the answer cause you know why. for example left sided heart failure means less blood to the body so less tissue perfusion ect....

wildmountainchild · Jan 21, 2007

Get a good sleep routine. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning. While you are getting ready to go to bed drink some warm milk or cammomile tea (natural sleep aids) and read a chapter out of your pharmacology book (nothing puts me to sleep faster, but the info is always good to review).

You NEED at least 8 hours a night, so make it a priority to get it. I made a promise that I just will not get up early to complete homework or anything else. I get all my stuff ready for the next day the previous night so I get to sleep in as much as possible.

Get rid of your TV. I haven't had one in 5 years and I know it saves me so much time. I don't miss it at all. Instead of watching TV you can go for a walk (bring flash cards to get some studying in), read, or do something more productive. TV is such a time suck it's not worth it for you to have one.

If you need to, take a nap in the middle of the day. It's amazing what 15 minutes will do. I've got some secret spots on campus that are nice and quiet where I can snooze for a few while everyone else is at lunch.

Try to get all your homework done before leaving campus for the day. That way home is a relaxation area for you. Also find a good multi-vitamin and make sure you eat well. You could be so tired b/c you're not getting the nutrients you need.

Good luck.

futgirl · Jan 22, 2007

awww thanksss guys for your encoragement i will i promise i would not give up i will do wat ever it take and i will follow all your tips tnaks for taking the time u know i think its true i have found that as soon as i get home I CANT STUDY i just get to tired adn sleep of wait time!

NO TV! u know i do have 1 in my room but i havent turn it on since schoo started! amazing ! instead what i did i covered the tv with notecards just incase i get tempted ill remember STUDY STUDY STUDY!

my only trouble is SLEEP! i cant seem to catch enogh of that :I(*!

thanks guys u r amazing

nurse4theplanet, RN · Jan 22, 2007

Battling fatigue?

A good sleep routine, a healthy diet, and some excercise should do the trick.

Avoid caffeine and energy drinks, long study hours without breaks, etc.

If you continue to be fatigued and feel that you need help, talk to your doctor. Sometimes chronic fatigue is a symptom of a much more serious problem.

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

One instructor told us you have to have "non-negotiables". Meaning that regardless of what is going on in school - you WILL do these certain things. For some, time with family is #1 and gives them more energy than an extra couple of hours. For me it is sleep. On any non-test night 8 hours is my non-negotiable. On the nights before tests I can pull 6-7 without suffering for it because any other night I get my 8. I NEVER go less than 6 hours or I am a zombie and would flunk the test anyway! On days after those 6 hour nights I take a nice cat nap, usually 30 minutes, and I feel like a new woman!

Roseyposey · Jan 22, 2007

Make sure you have one thing you do for yourself - I'm in a performing wind ensemble, and that's my outlet. I also set aside one night a week - usually Friday - that homework is forbidden. We order pizza, rent a movie, and snuggle on the couch with the kids. Also, I usually don't study at home; I used to, but have found I can get much more productive studying done if I'm in a quiet place with no distractions, which my house with three kids definitely is not! I try not to work too much, and didn't work at all in my first two semesters. Lastly, I have to admit that I don't think I could have made it this far without lots of Benadryl for sleep and antidepressants. Not that I'm advocating the use of either, but it has helped.