It seems that some students are not a good fit for nursing.

Nurse Leigh · Mar 3, 2016

I see you "changed" your name, OP. :rolleyes:

Kiki1970 · Mar 3, 2016

OP- I'm not trying to be rude, but by your posts I think you fit the title of this thread.

I don't claim to know everything as you do and I am so happy to have the ability to learn something new every day!

You appreciate when others are being humble, yet, I don't see any indication that you are... Like I said, I'm not trying to be mean.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2016

What I am seeing is a total lack of competition

I feel it is best to compete against oneself vs. one another; team work vs. being an outright busybody worrying about how others are doing or not doing (i.e. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!!).

Lady_J · Mar 3, 2016

This is more in line with some of the commenters, but I'm really starting to get that all this schooling is to just past the exam. (might be NCLEX for me by the time I graduate) Of course there are some basics that are important to learn, but a lot of the things I'm encountering in my classes are fluff. I can't wait until I can get out there and do some clinicals to really start learning how it goes.

In response to OP, I have found that many of my classmates find some of the courses more difficult than I, but some people will surprise you. Someone you may assume is not getting good marks, might actually be doing better than you are.

As they say, experience is the best teacher.

BonnieSc · Mar 4, 2016

Iron sharpens iron , so one man's continence sharpens another.
Thank you

Okay, that cracked me up, and while ordinarily I'm not big on making a big deal out of typos/spellcheck errors, maybe that will make you feel a little humble for a moment.

Your attitude is extremely off-putting and I agree with others who have said you should be worrying about yourself and that you don't have any idea what makes someone a "good fit for nursing". I don't think book smarts are ever a bad sign in and of themselves, but it doesn't mean people who struggle to learn academic material more than you do are less fit to be nurses. It's a mistake to underestimate anyone in nursing. I'm always in awe of things my co-workers know or remember.

I was also in awe of my fellow students, back in prereqs and nursing school, who were going to school while shouldering incredible outside responsibilities. I worked during pre-reqs, which I was taking part-time, but I was supported by my spouse during nursing school and we didn't have any children. Meanwhile, some of my classmates were taking a full-time courseload while being working single parents of special needs children. Granted, I don't know your situation, but anyone who has the ability to focus on school during school is coming from a place of privilege.

Now, while I know that my academic talents don't make me a better nurse than anyone else, I did respond to part of your post as I quoted above. In prereqs I wanted to dig in and learn the material thoroughly, because I had the privilege of a. learning quickly and b. having time to focus on more than just what was needed to pass the tests. I also just enjoy learning. After some time, I found other students in my prerequisites with whom I had those things in common, and we began to study together. We did help each other to understand the material more deeply and remember it more thoroughly.

Listen in class for those students who seem open to exploring the material more deeply. Make it a habit to sit near them, discuss the topics before and after class, suggest studying together, etc. You could even ask the professor to recommend some other students who might be interested in a study group. That way you can meet some of those students who are earning As but are not speaking up in class.

But there is no room in nursing for competition. Your classmates are not your adversaries, this is not a season of Top Chef. Leave it at "iron sharpens iron".

NanikRN · Mar 4, 2016

This post is just a bit of a rant so please take it with a grain of salt: I am finding MOST "pre-nursing" students I come across are not cut out for the gauntlet that is nursing school. It may be a maturity issue or an ignorance issue, I do not know. What I am seeing is a total lack of competition in my prerequs. I may just be an over competitive young man wanting to provide for his family, but I don't see anyone in my classes who is on another level kind of smart. Has anyone had this experience? I have a desire in my heart to know EVERYTHING so I am kind of constantly studying everything that has to do with nursing all the time, and I don't see anyone, really, that is knowledgeable at an elite level. It makes me sad because smart people motivate me to be better and I'm not getting any of that in my experience. please feel free to comment negatively or positively to this thread. I would love some feedback.
Thank you

Ugh. I would pick a nurse that sucessfully passed boards with less than stellar grades, an open heart and mind with a willingness to learn over an arrogant judgemental nurse ( who also passed boards) with 'stellar' grades any day.

Not your job to judge how 'fit' others are for nursing. I think you will learn when you get to nursing school that the instructors have that handled.

Banana nut, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 4, 2016

Okay, that cracked me up, and while ordinarily I'm not big on making a big deal out of typos/spellcheck errors, maybe that will make you feel a little humble for a moment.
Your attitude is extremely off-putting and I agree with others who have said you should be worrying about yourself and that you don't have any idea what makes someone a "good fit for nursing". I don't think book smarts are ever a bad sign in and of themselves, but it doesn't mean people who struggle to learn academic material more than you do are less fit to be nurses. It's a mistake to underestimate anyone in nursing. I'm always in awe of things my co-workers know or remember.
I was also in awe of my fellow students, back in prereqs and nursing school, who were going to school while shouldering incredible outside responsibilities. I worked during pre-reqs, which I was taking part-time, but I was supported by my spouse during nursing school and we didn't have any children. Meanwhile, some of my classmates were taking a full-time courseload while being working single parents of special needs children. Granted, I don't know your situation, but anyone who has the ability to focus on school during school is coming from a place of privilege.
Now, while I know that my academic talents don't make me a better nurse than anyone else, I did respond to part of your post as I quoted above. In prereqs I wanted to dig in and learn the material thoroughly, because I had the privilege of a. learning quickly and b. having time to focus on more than just what was needed to pass the tests. I also just enjoy learning. After some time, I found other students in my prerequisites with whom I had those things in common, and we began to study together. We did help each other to understand the material more deeply and remember it more thoroughly.
Listen in class for those students who seem open to exploring the material more deeply. Make it a habit to sit near them, discuss the topics before and after class, suggest studying together, etc. You could even ask the professor to recommend some other students who might be interested in a study group. That way you can meet some of those students who are earning As but are not speaking up in class.
But there is no room in nursing for competition. Your classmates are not your adversaries, this is not a season of Top Chef. Leave it at "iron sharpens iron".

Really great response thank you so much! That made my day :)

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2016

The judgmental attitude in your post is cringe-worthy. Are you even in a nursing program yet?

healwithlove · Mar 4, 2016

What mostly annoys me, though it does not get to in the way of my passion for learning, is all the people going into nursing without passion for it whatsoever! It seems like they are just trying it for the money, or some other unknown reason. If one had a real motivation for it, I feel that a person should have passion for it and look forward in a positive manner. Almost everyone I know in my pre-reqs are always worried and negative, instead of thinking, it's ok, I will work harder and do better next time! Because of this I hardly talk to others because their negativity just makes me wonder, how can you thing so low of yourself? How are you expected to love and care for others if you can't love or care for yourself properly? I do feel I am a bit exempt and without this feeling because learning is natural for me and I know a different language, so that helps me learn anatomy and math far easier than others, I believe. I also believe in myself, and have faith that God can help me through anything

Nurse Leigh · Mar 4, 2016

What mostly annoys me, though it does not get to in the way of my passion for learning, is all the people going into nursing without passion for it whatsoever! It seems like they are just trying it for the money, or some other unknown reason. If one had a real motivation for it, I feel that a person should have passion for it and look forward in a positive manner. Almost everyone I know in my pre-reqs are always worried and negative, instead of thinking, it's ok, I will work harder and do better next time! Because of this I hardly talk to others because their negativity just makes me wonder, how can you thing so low of yourself? How are you expected to love and care for others if you can't love or care for yourself properly? I do feel I am a bit exempt and without this feeling because learning is natural for me and I know a different language, so that helps me learn anatomy and math far easier than others, I believe. I also believe in myself, and have faith that God can help me through anything
I want to reply but some deep, calming breathing is necessary first.
In...
Out...
In...
Out...

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2016

What mostly annoys me, though it does not get to in the way of my passion for learning, is all the people going into nursing without passion for it whatsoever! It seems like they are just trying it for the money, or some other unknown reason. If one had a real motivation for it, I feel that a person should have passion for it and look forward in a positive manner. Almost everyone I know in my pre-reqs are always worried and negative, instead of thinking, it's ok, I will work harder and do better next time! Because of this I hardly talk to others because their negativity just makes me wonder, how can you thing so low of yourself? How are you expected to love and care for others if you can't love or care for yourself properly? I do feel I am a bit exempt and without this feeling because learning is natural for me and I know a different language, so that helps me learn anatomy and math far easier than others, I believe. I also believe in myself, and have faith that God can help me through anything
Eh, what annoys me is people thinking that a passionate nurse is better than a good, skilled nurse.
I would much rather have a nurse who knows what he or she is doing. I could really care less about his/her passion for the job.

BRing914 · Mar 4, 2016

Never judge a book by it's cover.

My first go at college I was poorly influenced, very low self esteem, an scared to go after what I truly wanted. So instead of going after nursing I pick a history degree. I was put on academic suspension twice. I took four years off, matured, did a crazy amount of living, and decided to go back. I am now a 4.0 student and am about to submit my application for my nursing program. All that to say just because someone does appear to be book smart doesn't mean they aren't.