Mutualistic Symbiotic Relationships in Nursing School

[Fancychicken]

I was wondering if anyone out there has had success in finding a study group or maybe just one other person to help each other with weaknesses? I'm thinking of an older movie, "Feds" where Rebecca DeMornay's character is an ex-marine training at the FBI academy. She is excellent with the physical and field requirements, but struggles academically. Anyway, she gets together with another lady who aces all the written material, yet can't seem to handle the physical part.

Long story short, I'm the other lady. I just got accepted into the RN program, and worry that I will struggle with acquiring the needed skills. My program does not require us to have CNA certification, and I have never worked in any medical setting. Last summer, in Microbio, I was the only one without a lab partner, and I felt like a one-woman Laurel & Hardy show trying to do all the stains and microscopy. Nothing I did seemed to turn out right. I was glad our grade was based on lecture exams only and labs were graded on participation only. I know that nursing school will not be like that, and I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to "make the grade".

Despite my fears, I know that I just have to give this a whirl. I'm 42, and have wanted this for a long time. I guess I was just imagining it would be easier if I had someone to help me practice in lab, while I helped them study the lecture material. Has anyone else experienced this type of comaraderie with a classmate in nursing school? I know real life isn't always like the movies. :-)

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Why did you not have a partner in micro? By choice, or nobody wanted to partner with you? I ask because I'm saying don't isolate yourself, that's all.

I didn't have a huge amount of friends in school. I had one or two close ones. But they complimented my weaknesses and we had groove for testing. It helped me to talk about the material. Kind of teaching. They liked my review. So before each test, I would reteach the material.

[Fancychicken]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I am hoping I can have something similar. For my micro class, my lab partner ended up dropping right away. The instructor was adamant that there be no more than two students at a table, so he didn't want me to join another group of two. Otherwise, I would not have chosen to work alone. I enjoy meeting people and working with others. I am hoping I will be able to click with one or several of my classmates. Thanks for your response!

Why did you not have a partner in micro? By choice, or nobody wanted to partner with you? I ask because I'm saying don't isolate yourself, that's all.

I didn't have a huge amount of friends in school. I had one or two close ones. But they complimented my weaknesses and we had groove for testing. It helped me to talk about the material. Kind of teaching. They liked my review. So before each test, I would reteach the material.

[lakmom12]

I have a person who is my sanity check and I couldn't imagine going through this experience without her. But at the end of the day the skills have to be done by you. We're there to encourage each other and help with studying but we've never been paired up in a clinical setting. In fact my group changes every semester and I have to figure out how to work with a new set of people. This has been a great thing for me since it's broken me out of my shell and allowed me to work with a variety of people I normally wouldn't have picked for myself. As for being worried, try not to overly stress it. I come from a 12 year computer background where I didn't have a lick of medical know how and am doing wonderfully in the clinical setting. Remember each experience is what you make of it and you need to put yourself out there to learn everything you can. Clinicals are hands down my favorite part of school so just remember to believe in yourself and your skills. Good luck!!

[dorkypanda]

Yes, I have made a few buddies in class that I go over lecture maternal with and also practice skills with. It's good to find a few classmates with whom you get along and click with.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

I had study groups all throughout the program and it has ALWAYS been successful. Thing is, people did tend to gravitate to others their age, but for me being 24 at the time, I could care less. I just wanted to be in any group with people that cooperated, shared their knowledge, and had fun no matter how smart or lost they were. So yeah, I floated a lot, but by the end of the program I eventually had my own group.

But let me say, some of the smartest people I've came across in nursing school were the older ladies and gents. I enjoyed joining their groups because y'all full of life experiences so age does not matter!