New grad and re-learning patho/pharm

[Charsofman]

Hi everyone!

I have been visiting this site periodically for the past few years but find myself coming back more frequently now that I am an RN. I got my BSN in May of 2012 and started my first job in January 2013 on a IMC at a level 1 trauma center. I have certainly had my share of ups and downs, along with overwhelming anxiety and lack of motivation. I am constantly reminded that the first year is always the most difficult and to stick with it. However, I cannot help but feel like there is a huge learning curve between myself and my colleagues. I struggled with Pathophys and Pharm in college and ever since, I have felt very self-conscious about what I know. More often than not, I find myself over-analyzing where I went wrong with studying and how I could have done better. Somehow, even though I tried my best, it still didn't seem to be enough and I am afraid it is catching up with me. Does anyone have advice on reviewing pathophys and pharmacology? I just feel like I have forgotten so much, including Microbiology and A&P that I don't even know where to start.

I want to improve my knowledge base and retain the information because more than anything, I feel like I am misleading people to believe I understand more than I do. Does anyone else feel that way? Thank you for whatever advice or tips you have, if anything, I think I just need some reassurance that I am not the only one who has felt this way!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

This is a very powerful post. Very honest. I wish that it was required reading for all nursing students who feel that A & P are given too much focus in nursing school.

I recommend that you seek out CE courses related to the clinical problems / topics you are dealing with. These offerings are focused on "application" of knowledge to actual nursing practice, so you will find them much more engaging than the A&P classes you struggled with in school. There are many sources of quality CE. Some are free and others are available at a minimal subscription cost.

As an educator, I have found that concept maps are the best way to create the complex 'mental model' required to build clinical expertise. If you learned this technique in nursing school, it is fairly easy to apply it to new situations. If you don't want to do it by hand, there are some free software programs you can use- Google to find them.

Don't be self-conscious. Nursing practice requires continual life-long learning. Learning how to learn is the hardest part.