2nd Week Of School, Huge Work Load?

[2bNurse_Loah]

So the first week of classes, we had a unit test for 3 chapters in fundamentals. Plus a Test on 50 Med Abbrevs

Then we had A&P unit test for 3 Chapters plus a test on 25 prefix/suffix. I thought my brain would explode last week, but I passed them all.

This week (2nd Week) we have 2 A&P Unit Tests one is 3 chapters and the second is 3 chapters, Plus another fundamentals for 2 chapters and more prefix/suffix and med abbrev tests.

I so wanted to breathe this weekend, but it isnt happening. I spend the entire weekend studying and then about 4-5 hours after class each day burning it all into my head. And even then.... Im only making Low B's on the unit tests.

Is this pretty much normal routine until graduation? Im so stressed, and have already lost 5lbs in the first week

[nurseangel47]

Hey all who are delving into the wonderful world of nursing! When I was an ADN student, in a two year program...we were told, honestly and upfront by our professors, " ' you will eat, sleep, breathe, nursing for the next two years...' " literally. They were right. We all lived thru it. Some even graduated and have successful careers. I had a tough time because I was newly married, (three years into marriage) had an infant daughter plus a three year old daughter, my husband at the time traveled (in sales) mondays thru thursdays, had corporate meetings, etc all day on friday, couldn't help me out AT ALL with child care, etc. so had to depend on my MIL and M for that. I literally would fall asleep every school night with my huge three inch textbooks and notes on the bed with me as I tried to "relearn" how to study and what to try to retain. After all, the little "computers" in our heads canNOT possibly hold all the information that is forced into it during the two or three or even four years that we study nursing courses and pursue a clinical rotation of experiences in the major studies of the medical/surgical/psychiatric disciplines, can it?

I highlighted a LOT! I took extensive notes all during lectures. I would study the highlighted bits, even took to writing and rewriting them over and over to "get it" in my head, from pencil/pen to brain via the hand route! and of course studied my own notes I'd taken during the lecture part of the course between each and every quiz and test. That is what worked for me. Good luck in all that you do. One more thing: I took a minicourse at the same community college where I attended nursing school that actually "taught" us how to reserve and block off time to study each subject we were learning. It helped me see where huge amounts of time each day were going....and preparing better and staying organized for each and every day. Because that is what it takes to survive the massive volume of knowledge that you absorb in nursing school.....take it one day at a time. If that in and of itself is too overwhelming for you, then take deep breaths, regroup, and take it one hour at the time, literally! I did that all thru the two years. It made a huge difference when I was panicking because I hadn't had enough alone time to study enough in my opinion.

Good luck, take care of your physical needs, sleep, eat right, drink LOTS of hydrating fluids, preferably water, exercise moderately at least three times a week, study note cards while you're walking around the block, study while you walk!, stay focused while you're studying by "rewarding" yourself with whatever it takes! My personal reward was food, and whatever it took, that's what I'd reward myself with! I don't personally subscribe to that unhealthy rite these days, I of course gained WAY too much extra weight during the nursing school days....so be careful there if you focus on food for comfort as I did while stressed.

Cherish your down time. Reward yourself with fun things, even if it's something simple like listening to a favorite CD, watching a light hearted movie, soaking in tons of bubblebath while sipping fav bev., invest in a white noise machine, and be soothed to sleep at night or when you're stressed and need a power nap during the day, let things "go" that CAN be let go during nursing school. Housework, including those twice yearly top to bottom cleanings referred to as fall and spring cleaning. Dirt waits for all. If it doesn't grow legs and carry you off, then you're safe! It can't hurt you if it doesn't move, that sort of mantra as you step over the dirty laundry and/or dishes!

Be gentle to yourself. Be kind to you. You ARE going thru a sort of "boot camp" as someone else so succinctly remarked. You WILL survive. Then....the real work starts upon graduation. You CAN make a difference in the world.

[Ish7]

true.. that makes me feel less tensed about the whole experience ill admit im a slow learner.. so i will have to use my own study patterns so it all makes sense to me i have faith that i will make it once i get into nursing school!! thank you;)

[JoAnnS]

HI.. I started last thursday and had one quiz another one on friday and then a big test on monday for 7 chapters.

I too can not believe how fast this is going and I just started. I passed the 1st quiz with a 80% but was upset I did not get a 100%. The chemistry got me good. I totally don't understand it yet.... so I have test on Monday... will study all weekend and hopefully I will understand the chemistry part.....

Thanks for sharing.. I thought I was going crazy.... This program is only 10 months long... so the teacher goes so fast she makes my head spin real fast!!!!!!!!!!

hang in there everyone ..

WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[studentnurse67]

Hang in there! I just finished my first quarter (of a 5 quarter) of an LPN program.

Those first couple of weeks, I was beyond overwhelmed. It did get better, and we all got into a rhythm. Others have done it and YOU CAN DO IT!

Use your fellow classmates as support--you are all in this together! And remember, this is temporary...before we know it, we'll all have graduated!

It helps to have a support system at home, whether it be parents, friends, hubby, etc. My family has been great while Mom's changing careers.

Have faith in yourself. Just take it one week at a time.

Good Luck!

[DTC]

*Welcome to nursing school*

I feel your pain. Been there, done that, got the license to show for it. The one thing I had to keep reminding myself was,,,,Nursing School is the most important thing in my life right now. I can't be thinking about dating, shopping, hanging out, whatever. Significant others, kids and other family all realize it is best for you to devote all yor time to studying and hopefully rearrange things to help relieve you.

If I keep my eye on the prize,,I will suceed. Repeat a bazillion times daily, BELIEVE IT. You CAN do it!

Good luck! You are NOT alone.

[DelanaRN, MSN, APRN, NP]

I know how you feel. It's exhausting, frustrating, exhiliarating...all at the same time...and more!! When you start LPN school, you have to jump in with both feet. There is no "testing the waters". From the first week, until the last week, it feels like you have so much being pushed into your brain that it's almost mush and nursing lingo is leaking out your ears. LOL. I began the program I am in last June and July with self study A&P and Med Term classes. We would study by ourselves, then go into the school to test. We started a full class load last August 6 and truly, it hasn't let up at all. What has changed is learning how to study and what to spend extra time on....and deciding what you don't need to spend so much time on. You'll learn your instructors teaching style and become more comfortable with your own capabilities. Additionally, you'll get into a "groove" of sorts, where you know when you can take a breath and when to forge on. We have 10.5 weeks until graduation. I count down the weeks and days to remind myself how far I have come, and that I CAN do this. Sometimes I even remind myself I love all the things I am learning and how nice it will be to have a true "career" versus just a "job". We had tests over 12 chapters last week and 8 chapters this week. We also have 2 full days of clinicals with all the patho papers and drug cards that entails. It is still exhausting, but it does get easier.

Listen to me. You CAN do this. You just have to decide you want to do it and then tell yourself you will do whatever it takes. If you think you are falling behind, speak to your instructor. Ask them for recommendations and suggestions. Talk to your classmates and see what works for them. It won't be easy...but very rarely is anything that is truly worthwhile easy.

Hang in there. Take it one day, one week, one test at a time. Don't give up! Believe in yourself!! :redpinkhe

[L&D_2b]

Welcome to PN school. You get slammed! But, if you can survive this, you can survive anything.:welcome:

:yeahthat: