How was your first week in nursing school?

nurse_elyse · Aug 27, 2005

Well, my first week of class wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I show up to class on monday with no books,per my advisor since I only found out on Friday I made it into the program, and had a really lost look on my face when the instructor was going over everything.After classes I went to the book store to get my books, and wouldn't you know,they were out of one of them,that I needed for the week! Went to class on Tuesday and made it through with out any problems.Wends. I wrote the wrong time down and showed up a half hour late...and for a test of all days. Thursday no classes..today was a deer in the headlight look during lecture, but thankfully one of the girls in my class went over things with me again during our lunch break and I understand it now. I hope it gets better!

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Aug 27, 2005

Well, my first week of class wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I show up to class on monday with no books,per my advisor since I only found out on Friday I made it into the program, and had a really lost look on my face when the instructor was going over everything.After classes I went to the book store to get my books, and wouldn't you know,they were out of one of them,that I needed for the week! Went to class on Tuesday and made it through with out any problems.Wends. I wrote the wrong time down and showed up a half hour late...and for a test of all days. Thursday no classes..today was a deer in the headlight look during lecture, but thankfully one of the girls in my class went over things with me again during our lunch break and I understand it now. I hope it gets better!

What kind of things did you all lecture on this week? our lecture doesn't start until next week..I believe we are covering all the aspects of hygiene. My book is in the mail..hope I have it by Tues, if not Thur at the latest (well one of 12 LOL..our main textbook)

Mommy

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 28, 2005

I just finished my second week. I'm doing ok. I only had one babysitter fiasco, that ended up being helped by having a good babysitter. A friend volunteered to watch my son, during lectures on the days he doesn't have kindergarten ( he has kindergarten all day, every other day, yes what a nightmare). My friend got sick and has been bouncing to different ER's trying to get someone to fix her. Long story there. Anyway thanks for having a good all day babysitter, I called in advance and said that the other place he goes, the woman was not well, and could she be my back up. She agreed, and when time came he went to the babysitters.

Meanwhile at school, I passed my calculations test. I meandered through my Med-Surg II class, (I need a map to keep up with this teacher, soooo confusing) but all is well. I really like my clinical instructor. She seems pretty layed back. The only thing, is I don't know that she understands that fact that we need to stay on our schedule because of outside jobs, and sitters. We were suppose to leave the hospital at 12noon, and at a quarter till she said, "I'm going to take you guys off the floor in about 5 to 10 minutes and then we have to go to the other side of the campus for a little inservice. It'll take about 20 minutes are so." Which would make it around 12:30 that we make it to our cars to go home. Saved by the great babysitter again, she agreed to keep an eye out for the other kid's bus in case I did not make it home in time.

All in all I'm going to be just hanging back and getting stuff done. Only 14 weeks left till graduation!!!!! :bugeyes: :cheers: :smiley_aa

IvoryLena · Aug 28, 2005

My first week has been sooo busy 4 lectures, newborn assessment tests on Mon(have to pass or we fail), First math test wens(have to pass or we fail) and first general test is on the next monday. I was assigned to read 248 pages in one night (didnt happen), four chapters the next night(almost happened), had a pop quiz the third day which I scored higher than anyone I know in the class with a amazing 50! :eek: lol. But our teacher says the first two weeks is always the worst and dont panic if you get lost because most students do the first two weeks and then it starts to calm down. I also really like my instructors, It takes me a while to get skills down and my teacher took extra time to show me how to prep lines and start IV's more so than any of my previous teachers did, so now I finally got it down and am not terrified. :mad: Im also really excited about clinical cause I love kids and thats alot to say cause normally it is the part of nursing school i hate the most.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 28, 2005

I loved my Peds rotation. We had great instructors, that were really patient, and they both enjoyed kids. We got to go to the PICU to observe but the rest of the time was on the floor. Lots of sad cases, I could not believe how much cancer. WOW! It is sad. But the kids just keep moving along. Gotta love their strength.

rnang123 · Aug 28, 2005

LOL!
I hope I did not offend anyone... the lady parts itself was not giant, but the TV screen was. It was just not what I expected to see when I looked up at that moment.
I am sure it is just one of many I will see in the near future.

Hysterical! I was sitting there during those videos and wondering if the actors got a bonus for those scenes :rotfl: ! I had to do "peri care" in CNA training, and if you are talking with the patient etc. while it's going on, soon you realize it's done and it wasn't that big of a deal.

rorae · Aug 29, 2005

It was very overwhelming but exciting. After 3 years of waiting finally I am learning some nursing skills. I was suprised at the amount of reading. You just have to organize your time and remember to take breaks to ease your mind. It's a lot to learn. It look at it as trying to tie your shoes for the first time, it's all seems foregin to us but with time I've heard it gets better, you get used to it. We will alll be just fine, and one day (even though it seems forever away) we will be great nurses. Another tip from previous students is to try your best if you done get an A on your test don't beat yourself up for it, just be glad you passed. I've heard you'll go crazy otherwise.

MidnightTang · Aug 30, 2005

My first week was pretty relaxing actually. Reading posts from other stressed out students before I started had me really stressed out too. I learned and tested on bed making, handwashing, oral care and bed baths, a little tricky at first, but not too bad. Some of my classmates are already worried about remembering the lectures and reviewing the notes, but lectures have been over caring and communication, both use mostly common sense, so why worry so much??

Momto3andNurse2B · Aug 30, 2005

My first week was a little abbreviated, thanks to Hurricane Katrina! We didn't have school last Thursday or Friday. Unfortunately, since my kids weren't in school either, it was difficult to get all of my reading done (no AC either, that was fun.)

Anyway, the first few days were a little overwhelming. We didn't have an orientation, so we spent a great deal of time reading and signing policies and so forth. I felt like I was buying a house! But, we jumped right into lecture on Monday morning. My Monday schedule is crazy for now, with theory lecture 9-12, Pharm 1-3, and Math 330-6p. The math ends on 9/15, though, with a test that we must pass with a 90% in order to pass the class. It doesn't worry me so much because I love math, but I know quite a few of the other students are very worried.

Tuesday and Wednesday I have clinical skills lab until 9/27, when we are unleashed on real patients for the first time at the hospital. I'm very nervous about that, but also very excited.

We are doing the same thing a lot of you have described: moving/turning, bed baths, bed making, vitals, sterile fields, etc. We weren't required to have our CNA beforehand, but we did have to take a class where we learned many of these things already...I guess they're just reinforcing the skills. There has been LOTS of reading, and quite a bit of homework already.

We have our first test in lecture next Friday, Pharm 9/12, and Math 9/15, as well as several skills check-offs that must be completed before we go to the hospital.

I know a lot of people bring up the attrition rate at their schools...so far we've lost 5 people out of 36 in my class, and it's only been a week! The last day to drop with a refund is today, so I understand it, but we all waited 1 1/2 to 2 years for this, if I don't make it, it'll be because I was taken out by ambulance to the psych ward!

Good luck everyone...I have to get back to the books!

Nurseismade RN · Sep 16, 2005

I have noticed that some have started nursing school. How was your first week? let's share our experiences. Regarding supplies etc. what did you forget, that you wish you hadn't. :) I start in September....I will let you know.
Best wishes to all, class of 2007(ADN) and 2008/9(BSN)

Hi guys,

started NS school sept 7th. Yes it is all that i had expected and worse.

The work load is tremendous right away, and they give us tons of homework and reading assignments. :imbar

However, I remember when doing my prereqs at the same college...I would see the nursing students and dream about being one.....and now I am one So nothing comes easy....and our hard work will pay off. Plus I must say, so far my professors are great.

my advice is to stay on top of things....be very organized, go to practice lab often......perfect your clinical skills, practice practice practice. Tape your lectures and listen to them in your car, on the train....etc I just got a sony clear voice that plays regular size tape with double time, 180 mins. I am very happy with it....cost $29. (if you want you can also tape your notes on it, then listen)

Last, but not least and very important....find some new buddies to study and bounce ideas around with. I've already told one girl, that if she sees me slacking to get on me right away.

Had my first clinical skills checked off today..vital signs.........did not think I was ready, but one of my new buddies said go for it.......passed

hope all my other exams go as well. :) We have our first lecture exam on the 26th.

The posts on here have been very helpful....one that i will use is to debind my main text book and have it three hole punched. This way I can carry only the pages I need for lecture, lab and exams.

Best wishes to all us future nurses :)

Nurseinmaking

ADN class of 2007

Saved_by_Grace · Sep 16, 2005

i'm now at the end of 5 weeks in. i still stand by my statement after week 1....which was.... :eek:

it's doable and even fun (in a semi-sadistic way,) but just to clarify,my poor exhausted brain is on overload!

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 16, 2005

I do not know what to think right now. All I do is study, eat, sleep (some). I have not done anything else since my school started. I don't have time to do the basic household things, like cooking, washing or even watching TV. I did not think that nursing school was so hard. :sniff: I was so exited to start nursing, because that's what I wanted to do all my life. Now I am questioning myself if I can do it. I study 4 hours a day (every day), and still only make a B. We have our lecture exams every friday. That's tuff, especially if you have to study 11 chapters in a week! :crying2: I just don't know how all those nurses have made it. They must be super smart.