I'm in my first semester of my BSN, not sure if I can do it.

lesuga · Feb 14, 2011

I haven't started a Nursing program yet, but hope to in the Fall. I already have a degree in Dietetics. You may feel like nothing is sinking in, but I wanted to offer you some hope and encouragement. When I was in school for my first undergraduate degree I felt completely lost, just like you but somehow, over time, everything starts to mesh together and in all actuality, you do retain it. Don't give up and keep on pushing! I know reading is important and I'm not sure of your class schedule, but I found it easier to read in between my classes. That way if I was confused with something, I could write down the page number and write down my question. Then, right before class I'd go to the professor and get clarification. This benefits you in several ways: 1) you show drive and determination - your prof will know you and will be more likely to go out of their way to help you; 2) it builds a great relationship for "networking" and 3) you get your answer! One more thing - a lot of things you'll learn better in the workforce. I've been out of college and working for 3 years and I do believe I've experience more "knowledge growing" out here working than in the classroom. The classroom provides you the "text knowledge" and you will store it for later use, I promise, but the workplace or a clinical rotation, is where you're going to be able to apply that information and see it's relevancy! I promise!

So, keep on truckin' and you'll definitely succeed. Take a step back, breathe, have a nice latte, and think of how far you've come! It's hard to get into school and you did it - the school wouldn't have taken you if they didn't think you couldn't do it! I'll be prayin' for you and GOOD LUCK! :)

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 14, 2011

Nursing school is difficult. It doesn't matter which program you are in, it still can be tiring and all-consuming. You do get used to all the work however.

In any new career (including that of being a student nurse) it's logical to feel intimidated and even incompetent. With success those feelings lessen. Yes, we learn things that aren't necessarily essential skills in the sense of how to do things. We also need to learn to think, and that's what the non-essential "skills" courses are for. Stretching the brain, thinking outside the box, problem-solving, etc.

To help you remember things, run them through your brain in more than one way. Read (so your eyes experience the information), read out loud (so your ears experience them), write (so your fingers experience them, and pay attention in class so you know what the teacher considers most important. I've found that in times there was no way I could read everything, it was helpful to read picture captions, tables, charts, headings, and also to answer the questions at the back of each chapter.

sameyjaney · Feb 14, 2011

You are not alone. Everyone feels this way. Except many of your classmates may not feel as overwhelmed because they choose not to even touch the readings. At the beginning nursing is like a foreign language if you have not had any experience in health care. I graduated RN, BSN without any prior health care experience. It is overwhelming at the beginning of the program, but it gets easier as you move along. You learn which classes require more time and which classes do not. As well as which readings you need to do and which books you may not even need to buy. Just keep doing what your doing. You will get the hang of it. I know this is probably the very last thing you want to hear, but I would also suggest getting a part-time job as a CNA or MA while in school just to get your foot in the door. However, you can put this off until you feel more comfortable with your schedule or if you have a long break sometime during school. Best of luck to you!!

netglow, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2011

you would be taking really the same courses for an adn. remember, bsn/adn = same licensing exam. i have another degree so, really there is a whole lot of fluff crap xtras in bsn. i feel for you. everybody here unless they are (rather) silly, has thought the very same as you. nursing edu is full of unecessary side-tracks. but, still until somebody out there intelligently dumps the whole kit and kaboodle and gets serious about nursing edu, you're stuck.

had enough of therapeutic communication? i sure did from the first sentence i read, lol!!!! give me a pamphlet or something, right?!

so, here is what i did. i felt all the reading wasted my time as well. so, i found some resources to hit and get my facts straight. if i had some time i opened the college nursing books. but, after a semester or two, i actually sold some of my college required books back to the bookstore. everybody is different in what ends up working, but see if you can find some of your own resources to study from. some books i used:

comprehensive review for nclex-rn, reviews and rationales by mary ann hogan

(great for getting down to it!!! i used throughout nursing school)

professional guide to pathophysiology, (disease processes, signs and symptoms, management, treatment effects, illustrations) lippincott williams & wilkins

fluids and electrolytes made incredibly easy, lippincott williams & wilkins

rapid interpretation of ekg's, dale dubin, md

youtube - hawknurse

assisted learning for all

apps for itouch:

medscape drugs - free

micromedex - free

davis drug guide - pay

epocrates - free student version

medcalc - nominal pay

instant ecg - nominal pay

radiology 2.0 - free

eponyms - nominal pay

i know i got more somewhere...

losgatos81 · Feb 14, 2011

Hello!

I am in my 1st semester of nursing school and I feel the EXACT same way-so do many of my class mates..Some days I feel like wow- I could be really good at this, I like this!,...and then, sadly, there are other days where I feel totally inept and that I am making a HUGE mistake. (I am in an ADN program at a community college. I really don't feel it would be any better for you...It seems every day we are being evaluated on something-the pace is crazy! What Lesuga stated was awesome advice (except I would personally recommend a DECAF latte, ..Yoga has also helped me a great deal..)

I take notes while I read the chapter to slow my reading down..it takes me a long time -but it helps me to retain info. My only other recommendation is to get with a study group. Only other nursing students know what it is like-so get with some people who will truly "get" your vent. Good luck to you, if you truly want it-don't let anything hold you back...and always remember the power of positive thinking!!:w00t:

Macbs4 · Feb 14, 2011

I was ready to quit after my FIRST day of classes in nursing school! The work load seemed overwhelming. But I made it, and you will too. Just take a deep breath and tell yourself there's lot of others before you that survived nursing school, and you can too.

My school had a counseling/resource center for students who taught people "how" to study. Find a resource like this. You absolutely can't read every line of the textbooks - learn to pick the main points out of the paragraphs and highlight them or write in the margins.

Use your lecture notes to know what to focus your study time on.

If you have a long commute to school, purchase a voice recorder and record your notes on it. Listen to it every chance you get - on the drive to school (PLEASE leave one ear free for driving), taking a walk, at the gym, etc.

Good luck to you.

ticklemenita · Feb 14, 2011

You have to ask yourself if you truly want to be a nurse. If the answer is yes. Then you have to tell yourself YOU CAN DO IT. You have to be your biggest cheerleader because you family and friends unless they are nurses do not understand. I cried my first two semesters of nursing school. I was much like you no experience, no background in medicine, and no family who was in nursing. My best advice for you if you do want to hang in there is 1) have a study group with people (no more than 3) you can relate to. I just finished nursing school and even though we graduated 2 months ago we all studied until last week for boards. So far they all passed and I go this week. 2) Get a faculty mentor tell them what you just told us and they will have practical advice on how to get through your specific program. 3) get a mentor in the program who is a class ahead of you so that way you have proof that it can be done. (aside from walking up to strangers and asking them you can join your schools NSNA and unoffically seek out your upper class men. Good luck and it does get easier =)

BrookeeLou_RN · Feb 15, 2011

I found my lecture notes were more pertainent to what I needed to learn then the book. I used the book to go deeper if the lecture did not give me enough. ADN/BSN nursing classes the same for starting. BSN alot more fluff... And please remember you do not have to be perfect.. not getting a "A" on every test will still let you become a nurse. Also if you need it set up a study schedule and stick to it,, this means include some time to relax, eat, sleep..

And you must change your mantra to "I can do it and I will do it" you are your own best cheerleader.. but do seach support wherever you can find it.

red2003xlt, LPN · Feb 15, 2011

I bought the study guide for each textbook. It's amazing how much it's helped.

sweetER · Feb 15, 2011

You're not alone. I just graduated with my BSN, but there were many times I felt completely overwhelmed by all of the things I had to do- multiple (hard) tests in the same week, papers due, clinicals. We've all been there. You WILL get the hang of it. If you don't already put all of your due dates and stuff straight from the syllabus in an organizer, start now. It will help you- and this is coming from a person who never liked using an organizer/calendar before. When you get further along with your clinicals, you will start to put things together easier (or I did anyway). I learn ok by reading. but am very much a hands-on/visual learner and I only really grasped things well when I had a patient with whatever problem we were going over in lecture at the time. You'll get it; just takes time to adjust. Good luck :)

brielle776 · Feb 15, 2011

Thank you everyone for the encouragement, it does help to know that other people have felt the same way as me. I will definitely try some of the study tips that were offered to me. And thank you onaclearday for all of the resources I will definitely check them out. :) Thank you all again for making me feel a little better...I do want to be a nurse and I will get through this!