(just venting) Passed 1st semester, into 2nd and losing all motivation...

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I passed my first semester of NS, apparently I made thru the "gate keeping" semester with flying colors, but have lost all motivation to study, I seem to schedule time to study all week, and end up cramming for tests the night before. My last grade was a surprising 88 (I thought it was gonna be much lower). I keep thinking that my knowledge base is weak and I just get lucky picking the right questions on the tests. I feel like a farce and wonder if I will ever pass the national board... I don't know what's wrong with me, I had such hight aspirations when I started and now all is just "fizzling down"... I had a hunger for learning, now I just want to pass the tests and get the license. I start passing meds in a few weeks, and I'm so scared I will hurt a pt.... :crying2:

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You're not going to hurt a patient. Just read the label and give the right stuff to the right person. You'll get past that.

As for the loss of interest; I'm right there with you at this point. I just want the end to come. I really feel like we could've condensed all of this into a much, much shorter period of time by elminating a lot of fluff.

The tests and such aren't a big deal to me. I tend to do well on them with minimal effort. I'm lucky in that respect, but I have only my background to credit. If I were a new kid in nursing school without my prior exposure but with my current outlook I'd be in trouble.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

90% of what you learn in nursing school is useless.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.
90% of what you learn in nursing school is useless.

That's probably unfair. What I mean is... I felt like nursing school included a lot of fluff too. The fluff didn't hold my attention, and I only retained it long enough to pass the tests. So, I also felt like maybe my knowledge base was lacking, but as the last poster astutely put it:

You're not going to hurt a patient. Just read the label and give the right stuff to the right person. You'll get past that.

You know the important stuff, the stuff that will keep your patients safe, even if you think you don't.

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I'm in the same boat with you! Made it through the first semester - no problem. Now into my second (ADN program) and just want summer to come so I can get back to being myself! Winter break was too short!

I feel VERY comfortable with lecture exams and quizzes, unfortunately, I feel my clinical skills are soft. I had a professor last semester in clinical that was soooo NOT in your face and very sweet. I believe your clinical experience is what YOU make of it - and I did learn a lot. However, I never felt that "pressure" that most clinical instructors are happy to dish out. Well the honeymoon has ended and I have a professor for clinical that expects a lot and I'm afraid I really won't measure up.

All I can do is stay on top of my skills by getting lots of practice and staying on top of all my readings....but I'm burnt out!! And it's really hard to stay focused....but I HAVE to because the pressure is ON this semester!!!! :eek:

Good Luck! And know that there are plenty of us NS's with you on this one!!

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