New Student Needing Encouragement :(

aviatorgirl777 · Aug 13, 2011

Thank you ALL so very much for your kind and encouraging words. You made me feel a lot better. In order to manage my time I think I am going to set up a study routine so that I will feel more organized. Thank you again, Everyone!

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a FUTURE. -Jeremiah 29:11

hopeful_2013 · Aug 13, 2011

With God, all things are possible

studentnursepupmom · Aug 13, 2011

Thank you ALL so very much for your kind and encouraging words. You made me feel a lot better. In order to manage my time I think I am going to set up a study routine so that I will feel more organized. Thank you again, Everyone!
"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a FUTURE. -Jeremiah 29:11

Love that verse; it has helped me through many a tough time!

pockunit, ADN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

I have three kids, a spouse, a garden, a farm, and a life. It's not that bad. It can be really stressful when fifteen things are all due the same week, but it's all about time management, and you might as well get good at it now because that's never going to stop being critical.

It's not that bad.

mehlev · Aug 14, 2011

You can do it!! I did a one-year program and survived by the skin of my teeth! The advice I have is:

1) Make a study group, befriend people in your program - they'll be your biggest asset.

2) If you have too much work around a test, break up the study guide into sections among your group and have people cite the page they found the info on, so if you don't understand it, you can read more about it.

3) Don't kill yourself with textbook reading! Pay Very Very good attention in class, take great notes, and use the texts if you don't understand something fully. You can also tape the lectures and take notes later - that way you can just sit and listen (sometimes active listening helps you remember more than scribbling as much as you can get down does)

4) One thing I wish I did looking back is to watch the Hurst lectures before each subjects class lecture. They are extremely simplified and may help with understanding. And hint - if you're computer savvy, they can be found online.

You can do this, think positive thoughts! Good luck!!!

futurernfarmer · Aug 15, 2011

I'm halfway through my ADN, and I got the same speech. "You won't make it in this program if your family doesn't help you." "Studying will have to be your full time job." "You'll get no sleep the night before clinical." I'm pretty sure most of their warnings were to weed out the people who couldn't handle the stress inherent to the job. That being said, it's not easy! Keep your nose to the grindstone. If you pay attention, study effectively, and prioritize, you will do well.

Some tips:

Take pre-reqs first; it will ease the burden and prevent overload... Just remember to retain the information!

Don't procrastinate! Study/practice a little bit every day or it will overwhelm you.

Practice NCLEX questions every day or at least every week. The best way to go is to incorporate them into your study routine. Studying pharm? Practice related NCLEX Q's. Most books will be sectioned off conveniently.

Find a PCT job; it's like clinical you get paid for... except you'll be kept too busy to get much nursing insight. You will get some in passing, and it will still make clinicals easier-- allowing you more time to practice skills.

Reward yourself when you deserve it. Take time for yourself, and don't think you can NEVER go out during school. You just have to do it around school.

hopeful_2013 · Aug 15, 2011

Thanks, FutureRNFarmer :up:

DebLPN2B · Aug 15, 2011

I know your feelings, I start the Nursing Program today at 8:10. But I am more excited than nervous. I know we will do fine once we get in there and get to work.:pom:

mehlev · Aug 16, 2011

Hi, I can't seem to email you back! About your interest in Hurst, I liked the program and recommend it! Do a google of "NCLEX HURST NURSING VIDEO REVIEW" and look through the first page. Hope that helps ;-)

closetoyou21, CNA · Aug 16, 2011

I know exactly how you feel... It is going to be alright. First off, don't listen to any of the negative things people say. As long as you organize yourself and have really good time management skills you will be ok. In my opinion, the hardest part about nursing school was knowing what to study and finding the time to learn it all. In nursing school, most of the info you will learn in centered around the nursing process. For example, In fundamentals, they touch on a little of everything, like pain, medications, a little about what you will be learning in med surg, etc. Always know that for any disease, med, or medical problem your job is to assess, come up with a nursing dx,plan, implement/intervene, and evaluate. You should not go wrong with that. Also, remember that you may not be able to study everything so don't beat yourself over the head for that. In addition to that, try not to study more than 2 to 3 hrs at a time, take breaks(cook,take a walk,see how your husband and kids are getting along without you..lol,etc..). What i'm trying to say is try not to put too much pressure on yourself. I wish you the bests of luck!

cnmbfa · Aug 20, 2011

Yes, it is time management, plus realistic expectations, and self-discipline. And it is practical things. For instance, I bought us all extra socks (all matching plain ones) and underwear, so that if I got behind on laundry, it would be OK. I super-cleaned the house and had every piece of clothing we owned washed, ironed, put away right before we started, so I'd have less to do the first few busy weeks. Even now, I plan to put away most of my summer clothes by the end of August, and get out half my fall clothes and get them ready before classes start again (I teach nursing). The lower your standards and realize that the house will not be perfect, and will only get superficial cleaning again until Thanksgiving, and that this is not only OK, but is an investment in a better future.

By the way, your kids are definitely NOT too young to learn how to help with the laundry, put away their own things, etc. Go out and buy everyone their own certain color laundry basket, and a matching color-coded crate, including one for your husband. Put everything of theirs that needs to be put away in the crate, and then tell them they won't get to do ___________ (watch TV, go to the park, etc.) until you can see all the floors and everythinhg in the crate is back where it belongs. Think of all the things they CAN do: they can easily walk the dog, empty cat litter boxes, rake leaves, use a Swifter to clean the floors, set & clear the table, make beds, etc. Use the next two weeks to set up a schedule and to teach them how to do these things. Then pay them an allowance, but ONLY if they do these things. They will feel good about being helpful and needed, and will learn to connect work with rewards.

Think about easy meals, or things you can cook & freeze on Sunday for the rest of the week. When I was in school, I bought larger things of laundry soap, extra TP, etc. and thought up ways to not need to grocery shop as often to save time. If you make 3 grocery trips per month instead of 4, you will gain an extra 2-3 hours to use to write a paper. Get 90-day supplies of meds, etc. I made veggies that came in boiling bags, used cheapo paper plates on top of real ones, etc. so I'd have less dishes to do. I had something portable to read (articles, etc.) with me at all times, and read things as I was line at the bank drive through etc.

When you have to study, realize that you will be teaching them an enormous lesson--that working hard pays off. Add to that a bit of carrot though. Tell them that if they study or read alongside you (even coloring is OK), you will all do something fun on Friday evening. If this is not workable, do what I sometimes did: went to bed at 8:30 with them, then got up and studied for exams from 4-7AM, before I got them up for school. Go to the websites of your books and see if they have audio files of the book chapters, then download them and listen to them on your commute.

Being realistic means things like warning your kids that you will not be able to make Halloween costumes, and pre-arranging to put off any birthday parties for them etc. until you have a break. It means that you will need time over Thanksgiving to recover and to get school stuff done and to get ready for finals, so explain in advance to your family why you cannot be the hostess for the next two years, but will make it up to them later. Tell the school that you cannot volunteer for things after September, but would be glad to do something after finals, like help plan a holiday party, etc.

It's also realizing that you should keep a calendar of when everything is due, and to start early on things, and get ahead where ever you can. Start to read NOW, not the night before the exam. It means forming a study group of no more than 4 people, all of whom are serious, and splitting up the work. Ecah of you come prepared with three copies of an outline and a summary of one chapter to share with the others--things like that.

There is no such thing as a easy nursing program. We are forced to cram way too much in to get it all done, so be prepared. But being oprganized and self-disciplined is a BIG help. So is letting some things go, and realizing it is only for 14 weeks at a time, and that you can do anything you set your mind on doing.

Good luck with this new adventure.

mslannen · Aug 23, 2011

I am in my last semester of the BSN program. It is hard. It is scary(at times). It does drain your social life and family life. But JUST for a short amount of time. If you think of it, or if youre like me, I have dreamt of being a Nurse my entire life. My sister is an N.P. and a true inspiration. But that is NOT what keeps me going. Its the dream that I refuse to walk away from(though yes, I have been so upset I thought I should quit before). Dont kick your own spirit down before you give it a shot. If its what you always dreamed of, it is worth it. Hang in there.