I need to vent about my Nursing program

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So i got accepted into a Nursing program a few months ago and i was super excited about it at the beginning but now im concerned about it because it is going wayyyy tooooo fast . so we are basically studying none stop to pass all these exams and quizzes without having a chance to think about what we just did , My grades are good..... VERY good : Health Assessment 98 % Pharmacology 1 96 % Dosage Calculations 99 % Fundamentals 97 % and i know with these grades you guys will probably say ( what is this stupid girl complaining about ) but i swear that i dont think im learning anything !! i study to pass these exams and i feel like ill be " that nurse " that doesnt know **** . Tell me this feeling is normal or not , i am worried about it , we have exams every single week , plus care plans plus before class assignments and did i mention that i work full time ? lol

Maybe im just freaking out :( but i need someone to talk to because my friends dont understand and they think im exaggerating because im still passing these classes so i should just be ok with that ....

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

More than likely, the reason you feel this way is because you haven't had much (if any) opportunity to APPLY any of it yet. Once you start applying what you've learned to clinical situations- you'll find it make much more sense.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I always scratched my head over the material in lecture. Once I started getting into clinicals where I can apply what I have learned and see it in action, it all made sense. My head was spinning trying to remember chem 7s, CBCs, ABGs and everything. Once I could get into a patient's chart and see the correlation between the lab values and what was going on with the patient, it was like a light turning on.

Don't stress too much, it will make sense (maybe not all, I still scratch my head about some stuff). Good luck!

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Sounds like most nursing programs. At least 1 test each week, pre class assignments, lots of care plans, papers, research assignments, etc... not to mention the expected reading!

I also do very well, and also feel like I don't retain much of it - while I am in the class. What the others have said it true though - more of it sticks than you realize and you will remember it when push comes to shove.

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Thank you so much , i did a little bit of crying earlier lmao but i feel better now .... by the way i saw your comment about you taking the fundamentals kaplan exit exam can you tell me what did you use as a study guide i have to take it also

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thank you so much i feel better to know that im not the only one that feels like this

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I always scratched my head over the material in lecture. Once I started getting into clinicals where I can apply what I have learned and see it in action, it all made sense. My head was spinning trying to remember chem 7s, CBCs, ABGs and everything. Once I could get into a patient's chart and see the correlation between the lab values and what was going on with the patient, it was like a light turning on.

Don't stress too much, it will make sense (maybe not all, I still scratch my head about some stuff). Good luck!

thank youuuuu

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oh wow... I'm about to start in Aug. and I'm glad that I was able to read some of these.. I don't know what to expect.. I also work full time and have a 3 year old. Is there anything that I can do before going?

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what i did and the reason for my good grades while working full time is being organized and not leaving things for last minute ,never underestimate nursing school even if you have a day off , STUDY , trust me you will always have something due the following week so just get yourself a nice calendar and plan your days :) before going INTO school enjoy time with your baby and family and try to take plenty of naps lol

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Specializes in NICU.

Nursing school can be very fast paced and very intense. All you can think about is surviving until the next semester. You do not have time to think about the information that you are gaining along the way.

I graduated from a 15 month ABSN program. It started in May and ended the following August. The only students during the summer were first semester and last semester ABSN classes. Each summer we participated in a disaster simulation. The first semester students were the victims and the last semester students were the first responders. These were large scale simulations with the National Guard Urban Search and Rescue. While you are going through the intense ABSN program, you do not realize what you have learned in the past year. During our final semester, we had our second disaster simulation. This time we were the first responders and the first semester class were the victims. After the simulation was over, a first semester student approached me and said "I am in awe of you guys and amazed that you were in our spot only a year ago and we will be you in another year". It made me realize the amount of information that was crammed in our heads and how much was still there ready to be used at a moments notice.

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

You are doing great! Agree with the other posters that it will all come together later. Right now you are learning the basics and learning to pass boards. Each semester is different but builds on the previous one. Don't worry, it will make sense later!! Even after graduation you will still have a lot to learn so take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Good luck!

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omg thank you so much this really helps a lot , i was really upset about this and cried lol

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