How are we supposed to keep up?!?

Well, the first week of nursing school is officially gone and I thought I was going to have a panic attack.

Then came week #2, and if I have any word on how to sum it up, it would be **OVERWHELMED**!!!!! My first pathophysiology quiz was today and I literally felt sick to my stomach all morning and afternoon.

I consider myself to be one of the most anal-retentive and organized people I know (even my classmates are coming to me for ideas!), but I have no idea how I'm supposed to do all of this! To make matters worse is that I've been out of work all summer, and the job that I just started isn't working out and now I have to start looking again. As it is right now, my days go from 6:30am - about 1:00am/whenever I pass out, and all of it pertains to school. I even take dinner breaks and "relax" by watching those TLC shows like "Trauma in the ER" and "Maternity Ward" just to try to pick up extra knowledge.

Does anybody else have the same problems???

[mdwRN]

Slow down and take a couple deep breaths. Here is what I did to at least feel I was keeping my head above water:

Eat good, pack lunches and snacks for yourself

Organize your notes, study material, etc.

Have a good planner and keep it handy and jot down due dates, tests, and your planned things each day. (I would write daily tasks each day and it really kept me on top of my reading)

Give yourself breaks (walking did wonders for me)

Stay focused and try to get to know upper classman that you can trust so that you might get a heads up on which instructors to take

Remember..."Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking through the door...." Nursing is one step at a time. Conquer them in baby steps. Good luck!

[MtnMan]

Watch cartoon network instead of TLC shows take a real break I just did 3 1/2 hrs of hoework. My next class is at 1230 tomorrow I'm gonna go downtown and have a couple of pints.

[happystudent, RN]

BSN....Its going to be stressfull, but it is up to you to make the best out of it...this is your career.....You can do it. Forget about the TLC shows......instead get to know some of your fellow classmates and talk to each other...YOu will find that "they" understand what you are going thru and can be a means of support......You can do it!

[TeresaRN2b]

I could have wrote the same post! I feel your pain. I really haven't had time to read the board here lately or post a reply to anyone myself. I just wanted to tell you I completely understand. I feel like I am treading water, but I just keep telling myself it's sink or swim and just keep hanging on. Put one foot in front of the other and you'll get there. I guess what I have been doing is stop worrying about getting ahead. It ain't gonna happen. Just try and keep up. I have always been one of those people that like to be a little ahead on things, but giving that up for now. I play major catch up on the weekends and let everything else go to crap right now during the week. Whatever it takes to keep up. I also keep reminding myself that this is temporary. We won't be in nursing school forever. Hang in there.

Teresa

[kimmicoobug]

Try to be good to yourself. Pace yourself because you have a long road ahead of you. Don't overdo it now or you will burn out. Get the sleep you need. If you have a test and pull an all nighter, then come home and take a three hour nap regardless of what homework needs to be done. Give yourself at least one day where you do no schoolwork and if you can't do that, then at least one afternoon where you relax or do something fun. Get your exercise. I will recommend Pilates. I did this in school and I do it now after I come home from a hectic night shift. It relaxes your muscles and I just feel more in tune with my body (I know sounds cheesy).

I graduated in June. I was very anal about my grades, as well. Over the years in school that is what I found worked for me. I studied my arse off for hours every day, but I took breaks for my brain. After a while, your brain just gets a bit numb.

[Reesa23]

If your in nursing school and need flexable work the best place is a local hospital. If you have your CNA look for CNA jobs there. If not, look for unit secretary jobs. Figure out all the hospitals in your area and pull up all their websites. See if they have job opertunitys available. This will help you so much because hospital jobs have night and weekend hours to work around school, tuition reimbursement, and some have benifits for part-time workers. Some will let you work weekends only if thats what your looking for. And alot of people at the hospital are in school for some health care program. Great resources to fall on! Also make friends in your class and ask around. These will be the people that will tip you off to great summer nurse programs in the area and on who's hiring when graduation time rolls around. And hey, I watch those TLC shows if I'm doing private duty at the hospital and my paitent is sleeping. I'm waiting for that one about the med students doing their resisency and the camera follows them. Should be very interesting. But I have to say I've learned way more by working at the hospital as a CNA while in school than I'll ever learn from those TLC shows.