Just need to "talk".....

[sabee06]

Hi Everyone,

I am feeling pretty crappy...just took my first nursing exam and barely passed..really sad. I studied and apparently I need to work more on thinking like a nurse..but that's not the only reason I'm down. I am presently in a very tough program and working full-time. When I got accepted the program, they made it sound like it was possible to work and go to school in the evening (2 days, Sat. clin)...well it's crazy b/c I've come to realize that I am spending well over 5 days a week in the school (avg. 4 hrs sleep a night..fighting not to gain weight). What's beginning to bother me more is that I am doing this and will end up with an ADN..perhaphs I should have committed to an acc. BSN (12-15). My ADN will cost roughly $16,000 (this comes out of my ck). I am going to keep giving this a try..I really, really want this....really..but now I may have to re-think about how I'm going to achieve my goals...Thank you for "listening".

Now, I have a Fundametals of Nur. Psychology exam...please help. I am reviewing my note, brought books to do the study exams (I could always use more books)....don't know what else to do...

Sabee06

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I got my ADN in a very tough program while working part to full time (two to three 12 hr shifts a week).

We also had 12 hr clinicals, which were 60 miles away.

I remember the stress, exhaustion, and rarely getting enough sleep. I paid my way as I went through, so I would not be obligated to an employer when I got out.

And yes, I gained 25 lbs my last year, but have since lost it low carbing.

I made it through, and graduated without debt. It was rough, I sure would not want to go back, but I did it and you can too!

[Carolanne]

Nursing school takes a lot more time and effort than some people realize. The lab skills practice time, the studying, the papers, the reading, the care plans, and, of course, clinicals and lectures! It can be quite time consuming. But don't get discouraged, if you want it badly enough, you will do it. Every day that goes by brings you closer to your goal. And regarding the exams, it takes time to think like a nurse, or what they call critical thinking. A lot of us here swear by the NCLEX practice exam books. They help us prepare a lot for the tests in our classes. It's a skill, it takes time. Be patient with yourself, you'll get the hang of it. And yes, working while doing this is tough, I won't dance around that. But you'll learn the short cuts you can take and what's really important to take care of and what can sit on the back burner for awhile. Take each day at a time, try to get enough rest and eat right so you don't burn out. Best of luck with your courses!

:)

[Kiwi, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry, I know you'll do better. Keep studying and try to manage your time!

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

You may have barely passed your last exam, but you passed. There is a lot of work involved at school that the schedule doesn't make obvious. My schedule is Monday through Thursday, but I've spent the last 3 out of 4 Friday mornings at school in the skills lab practicing skills. I've opted out of every extracurricular activity that's crossed my sign up hand and every study group meeting that I've been invited to join, and I'm not even working.

The beauty is that one day, we will be real nurses and this will be but a memory.