Is the first semester really the hardest?

[leekaye]

I'm nearing the end of a very rough first semester mentally, emotionally and physically drained (literally sick with pneumonia from trying to push myself when I got bronchitis). I've lost 20+ pounds from stress since this semester began which NEVER happens (I can diet for weeks and drop 1 lb!) My kids are resentful and acting up because I haven't been there to help like I used to. My husband is whining that I'm never around, and my boss is complaining that I'm falling behind on work. Obviously, I knew I was taking on a lot, but I cut my hours way back and explained to the family that I needed to focus on school right now.

Clinicals have been horrible - drill sargeant clinical instructor, indifferent nurses, and I literally didn't learn anything since I only washed feet, changed briefs and scoured bedpans the entire semester. Lectures have been hard (my grades dropped when I caught pneumonia), and my lab instructor has been showing us incorrectly and I've nearly failed several test outs. (Yes, several of us have complained about the instructor but we're told that we can always read the book for the correct method. However, we're at a big disadvantage in that we don't get to SEE how it's done correctly like other classes.) So much lab practice seems fruitless such as being required to insert and reinsert an enema in a mannequin for 2 straight hours. Not that I mind the lab time, but why can't we spend some of that time practicing the skill areas we're weakest in?

I've gotten the "threat of expulsion" letter for missing two classes (although I have a doctor's excuse and annoyed all my classmates by coughing my way through 3 classes sick as a dog anyway), and I feel like I have no more to give. Does this mean I'm not cut out for this? Is this just the "weeding out" semester? Will the next semesters be easier or should I just expect the next few years to be horrible too? I've put in a hard 3 years just to get to this point and, I must say, I'm feeling very disillusioned. I've spent many hours wiping up C Diff diarrhea and giving foot rubs to some nasty looking feet with a smile and cheery talk. I've changed beds and emptied bedpans in rooms that weren't even assigned to me. I'm not afraid of hard, dirty work. But I do want to use my brain at clinicals, and I do want some recognition for literally busting my a** rather than being yelled at in front of everyone for not responding quick enough to a call bell because I was wiping feces off another pt at the time.

Just wondering if this is the normal experience for 1st semester or if I have a bad attitude?

[Nolalees24]

I am currently in my second semester. It is harder as the levels go on. It's harder for me just because there is sooooo much paperwork envolved with my clinical. First semester seemed hard because of the culture shock. Everything was so new and we needed to get all of our skills checked off....tiring yes....worth it....yes!! Right now, I am in your boat. Fiance is hating me because clinicals are taking up so much of our "us time" he has threatened to leave...even though we discussed all of the stresses of clinicals before I started...fun huh...and my son is acting out (he is 3) ....i feel like a bad mom....even though im not....joys of clinicals....i wouldnt change it though...i am not giving up on a wonderful future for me and my son....if the guy is in the picture....i guess we will see....sigh....hope you can find solace in knowing that others are struggling with you. All the best!!!

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Speaking as a senior BSN student, in my opinion-NOOOOOO...I mean its a lil hard getting used to a new way of thinking, new rules, and new to be treated very differently then you may have been treated previously in school but otherwise no... I think so far each semester has gottem harder. The one thing that I do feel gets easier is that everythign builds off the each other so I do think I can get away with studying less and still scoring well on exams :) Senioritis is real too lol and makes your senior year hard hahahaha

[Sunnyrah]

In our program, I would say first semester was the hardest. We had a total of 7 classes, the most in one semester (they were a variety of credit hours) so that was a lot to juggle, plus yeah I would agree that it really is learning a NEW WAY to think. Although the content gets more challenging later, it's easier to manage because you know what to expect and there are fewer classes. Also we had the most papers of any semester so far our first semester.

Regarding the clinical experience getting better --> it depends on your program and your individual instructor. During our fundamentals clinical first semester I felt like I was learning nothing, but later I came to think that that first semester was really all about getting oriented to the hospital environment and getting comfortable touching/assessing and interviewing patients. (Our program is a BSN that requires you to get general ed & pre-req classes and get a CNA license before starting the 2-year "nursing" program. so we already knew ADLs and vitals.)

[Sunnyrah]

In our program, I would say first semester was the hardest. We had a total of 7 classes, the most in one semester (they were a variety of credit hours) so that was a lot to juggle, plus yeah I would agree that it really is learning a NEW WAY to think. Although the content gets more challenging later, it's easier to manage because you know what to expect and there are fewer classes. Also we had the most papers of any semester so far our first semester.

Regarding the clinical experience getting better --> it depends on your program and your individual instructor. During our fundamentals clinical first semester I felt like I was learning nothing, but later I came to think that that first semester was really all about getting oriented to the hospital environment and getting comfortable touching/assessing and interviewing patients. (Our program is a BSN that requires you to get general ed & pre-req classes and get a CNA license before starting the 2-year "nursing" program. so we already knew ADLs and vitals.)

[RNEMT-P]

In the program I went through, each semester had a compelling argument for why it was hardest. In first semester, you are adjusting to a new lifestyle. I had been a paramedic for years, so the knowledge at that point was nothing new, but I was so unaccustomed to having a patient more than maybe an hour at a time. At one point in first semester, I had a talk with my clinical instructor about dropping out because I thought I was completely lost in the hospital setting. Fortunately, she convinced me to at least hang on for the semester. The very next clinical went awesomely and I did a complete 180.

Second semester was very heavy with pathophysiology. We were warned to pay attention because that semester was going to be the foundation of everything in 4th semester, and they were right. In our program, if you did well in 2nd semester, you were likely to do well in 4th semester, and they were right on about that.

3rd semester was our specialty rotations. Everyone in my class had at least one of the three that they struggled with. In peds, I was 1 question away from failing the class altogether on my final.

4th semester was a very high-level of knowledge. This was mostly critical care topics as well as leadership. On top of this, our instructor was a retired Army Colonel who expected a lot. She told everyone that we got 30 seconds of whining for the semester, and she actually kept track of the couple who did whine. But, she was awesome to learn from, so she ended up being my favorite instructor.

[tigerlogic]

It sounds like you are in the reality of balancing your health with school. If you can make the sacrifices necessary to keep yourself healthy, the next terms may indeed be easier. Prioritize. If your health isn't in the top 5, try again. It's the cornerstone to everything else that you are working to achieve and without it, you'll continue to be in miserable survival mode.

[ameliagal]

I sure hope my teachers will be like yours:x3:

[AngelKissed857, BSN, RN]

No teacher has the right to be abusive, and if that is happening, you need to go as far up the food chain as necessary. But it sounds like you're family is a big issue. If it is possible to quit your job, do it. But you can't quit your family, so maybe a big sit-down worth the hubby to have a reality chat about what you will both get out of this in the long run. He has to be on board to support you 100%, and then you both need to sit down with kids and discuss expectations on both sides at their level. I

I feel very blessed to habe all my family's support, and know I probably couldn't do this workout it. Best of luck to you.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

No teacher has the right to be abusive, and if that is happening, you need to go as far up the food chain as necessary. But it sounds like you're family is a big issue. If it is possible to quit your job, do it. But you can't quit your family, so maybe a big sit-down worth the hubby to have a reality chat about what you will both get out of this in the long run. He has to be on board to support you 100%, and then you both need to sit down with kids and discuss expectations on both sides at their level. I

I feel very blessed to habe all my family's support, and know I probably couldn't do this workout it. Best of luck to you.

The original post was written 3 years ago. The OP has either graduated or left the program a long time ago.