Large dose of reality just received!

S.RN · Aug 30, 2012

I was so overwhelmed that my BP was pretty high by the time we practiced taking vitals on one another :/

SonOfStBenedict · Sep 3, 2012

lol 1st semester is the little league... wait until Med-Surg. READ before class or at least skim so you will have some idea of whats going on in lecture and won't be so lost. The reality is that in a lot of programs Funds is the weeder class and many will drop or fail but if you're serious and try to keep you you'll do fine. Just read and try to have fun while they put you through hell then perhaps reality wont check you too hard lol, good luck.

allnurses Guide · Sep 3, 2012

Read the chapter summary first; so when you are reading the chapter you know what is coming and what the authors thought was important enough to repeat in the summary.

Yes, it is a huge amount of information overload. But, degree programs limit the schools as to how many credit hours can be demanded for a particular degree (AAN ADN or BSN). So, everything gets crammed into classes that the faculty would be just as glad to have more time in, longer or more credit hours. Since we can't, you get stuck with lots of self study and reading in a relatively short amount of time.

Our health assessment is two credit hours, but we spend 2 hours in lecture then another 1 1/2 to 2 in lab. But people learn and succeed! If people weren't able to absorb all of this in the time given, none of the programs would succeed. There are a lot of new grads out there..... so something must be working right!

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Sep 3, 2012

I was sitting here decorating my binder, having happy thoughts about class this week, when a letter arrives.
Long story short it says this: READ CHAPTER ONE AND DO THE STUDY GUIDE BEFORE YOU EVEN COME TO CLASS OR YOU WILL FAIL. HAVE A NICE DAY.
Holy smokes! Guess it's true, I'm in the big leagues now!

I'm sorry, I view this differently.

#1 There is nothing wrong with the professor emailing the assignment in advance and giving instructions on what is to be done.

#2 However, it takes one arrogant, insensitive SOB that shouldn't be teaching nursing school to send that as a FIRST CONTACT to a student.

We got an incredibly motivating speech on our first day....that is how it should be.

Now, we know what is wrong with nursing schools.

Absolutely, unbelievable.

AmyinNC05 · Sep 3, 2012

I'm sorry, I view this differently.
We got an incredibly motivating speech on our first day....that is how it should be.
Now, we know what is wrong with nursing schools.
Absolutely, unbelievable.

I agree 100%. Scaring the crap out of students isn't going to help. We're already stressed and overwhelmed. Like you, we had a very motivating speech which included all the instructors introducing themselves and letting us know they all have an open door policy and to come to them at anytime.

Encouragement is necessary, and we already know we have to work our butts off to avoid failing. We don't need to be told such. It really makes me thankful for the instructors I have.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Sep 4, 2012

I agree 100%. Scaring the crap out of students isn't going to help. We're already stressed and overwhelmed. Like you, we had a very motivating speech which included all the instructors introducing themselves and letting us know they all have an open door policy and to come to them at anytime.
Encouragement is necessary, and we already know we have to work our butts off to avoid failing. We don't need to be told such. It really makes me thankful for the instructors I have.

I agree with you completely....I look at it this way.

If I were teaching the class, I would send out the assignment simply stating it should be completed. Then asked whoever didn't complete it to stay after class the first day...THOSE are the students that would need the reality check.