How is school going so far?

buster4 · Aug 30, 2008

I started this week, I am part time with 2 classes, nursing theory and epidemiology... I am scared... we have to write a rural concept paper and do a nursing theory paper and presentation.. My theorists is Betty Neumann. :clown: .. what classes do you have???

Christen, ANP · Aug 30, 2008

Hallo! I started my masters as well! I am an "undecided," though I am leaning towards CNS with the intention of obtaining my NP as a post-masters degree.

I am taking:

- Patho

- Theory

- Research

For my projects in theory, I've picked the concept of empathy for my concept analysis; emotional intelligence as a borrowed theory; and Florance Nightingale as my theorist, because I wanted to know more about her. I mean, she was pretty much "the one" in our profession.

allnurses Guide · Sep 4, 2008

How much do people study? It's the second week, and my classes are 2 nights/week. I was just wondering how many nights/hours people study this stuff.

VTBabyNurse · Sep 6, 2008

As far as studying....whenever I am not working my 24 hours a week, I am at home doing some type of work, whether it is reading, studying, projects, papers, etc. But, I am also taking 6 classes, so I feel like if I don't spend all that time doing things then I will get behind.

Christen, ANP · Sep 6, 2008

After studying for my upcoming patho test, I've decided I'll be studying that particular subject immediatly. The other two classes are mostly paperwork, so limited studying required!

psychonaut · Sep 15, 2008

Just starting week two with two classes: theory, and "roles". Both are online, and the only action seems to be postings in the "introductions" threads.

I've already posted my first assignment in the theory class, and made a couple of posts looking for clarification of the assignments for the "roles" seminar. Other than that, not much going on. I've read all of the assigned chapters for both classes, and I'm ready to get going!

psychonaut · Sep 15, 2008

For my projects in theory, I've picked the concept of empathy for my concept analysis; emotional intelligence as a borrowed theory; and Florance Nightingale as my theorist, because I wanted to know more about her. I mean, she was pretty much "the one" in our profession.

I'm with you on Nightingale; I'm going to do my theory paper on either her or Benner (the novice-to-expert stuff). Frankly, they are the only two nursing "theorists" I can stomach at this point.

EI can be a good theory to work with, I did some undergrad-level research in the subject for my psych degree. Tip: avoid the Goleman stuff, go straight to Salovey and Mayer, they did the original research that Goleman ripped off and "popularized." Also, you may want to look into the LEAS, it is a really interesting measure developed to measure some aspects of EI.

xos4eva · Sep 15, 2008

i feel as though i'm not studying enough. i'm taking 3 classes. advanced health assessment, selected topics in pathophysiology of the adult and an independent study. for the independent study i'm supposed to be looking at developing some type of policy and procedure regarding pts from the clinic being sent to the er or being admitted directly to the floor. i have no clue where to start and feel slightly overwhelmed. it's hard because i'm also working full time and have a part time job. keeping hope alive and just trying to take it one day at a time.

marachne · Sep 16, 2008

I'm with you on Nightingale; I'm going to do my theory paper on either her or Benner (the novice-to-expert stuff). Frankly, they are the only two nursing "theorists" I can stomach at this point.
EI can be a good theory to work with, I did some undergrad-level research in the subject for my psych degree. Tip: avoid the Goleman stuff, go straight to Salovey and Mayer, they did the original research that Goleman ripped off and "popularized." Also, you may want to look into the LEAS, it is a really interesting measure developed to measure some aspects of EI.

If you're interested in Benner, also check out Tanner -- she wrote with Benner but she has also developed a very interesting model based on the idea of nursing judgment (as opposed to the usual language of critical thinking, or nursing process). She's also done a lot of work on how to deal w/the nursing shortage (and she's an amazing phenomenological researcher)

This might be a good starting place if you're interested:

Tanner, C.A. (2006). Thinking like a nurse: a research-based model of clinical judgment. Journal of Nursing Education, 45(6), 204-211

and here's a little more about her and her publications: http://www.ohsu.edu/son/faculty/tanner.shtml

psychonaut · Sep 17, 2008

Thanks for the tip, I'll read up on her.

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2008

So how's everyone doing so far? I have had mixed results - first patho exam, I literally had no time to study for it as I got slammed when I was on call the week before, and I got a B. The first 2 statistics assignments, I somehow managed to get 100% for each (I have no idea how...).

The week's classes seem to roll around so fast, I can't believe this coming week will be week 6!! The term is almost half over! Midterm exam coming soon!

I am surprised that the work itself is not that hard though. It's a LOT of reading and recall, but not too much hard stuff. Yet. I think that comes next term, with pharmacology. Eek.