newbie

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2005

Good luck.

Are you talking basic courses or are you talking you're actually starting the nursing program.

Either way, just relax, you'll plenty to do and you need to cherish this time because life will change dramatically soon enough.

Welcome to allnurses!

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

Welcome!!!

Congrats with your goals.

You'll do fine...just don't get behind in school, do set your priorities, and let out a little steam every once in awhile.

Again, Welcome!

readytobeRN · Jul 4, 2005

Good luck.
Are you talking basic courses or are you talking you're actually starting the nursing program.
Either way, just relax, you'll plenty to do and you need to cherish this time because life will change dramatically soon enough.
Welcome to allnurses!

Thanks for the encouragement. I am starting to take classes I just wanted to know if there were any books I could read to help the time go by. Thanks again

readytobeRN · Jul 4, 2005

Welcome!!!
Congrats with your goals.
You'll do fine...just don't get behind in school, do set your priorities, and let out a little steam every once in awhile.
Again, Welcome!

Thanks I try to let as much steam out as possible but everyone agrees on one thing its going to be a rough road.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2005

It is a rough road. Many of my classmates, including me, felt like giving up at some point. I don't mean gave it a passing thought--I mean seriously contemplated quitting. I don't think everyone goes through it, but a lot do. The good news is that after the crisis, it gets better. Never easy, but once you say, "No, they're going to have to throw me out!" you begin to find ways to resolve whatever issue got you to that point.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your instructors want you to do well, for altruistic reasons and because it looks better for them if you do.

I strongly recommend finding a study group. It helps with studying, and the friendships you make are excellent moral support. No one understands what you are going through like another nursing student. I had to commute to school, so I got in a carpool with a couple of people who also commuted. Didn't know either of them before, but grew to love them both. We studied together as well, and often did test review in the car.

The only other thing I can think of is a little esoteric, but bear with me, please. An important thing to try to keep in mind is that nursing is an art, as well as a science. In the beginning, you may want to do everything by some formula, but that only gets you so far. You have to be ready to adapt to new problems and improvise solutions. It takes a good deal of creativity, at times. Getting the basics down pat is helpful, but to move beyond that you have to be open to ideas that come out of left field. Of course, you also have to be careful to evaluate these ideas--sometimes it sounds crazy because it is crazy, but the line between art and crazy can be a fine one, indeed. Listen to your instincts, and then verify them with science. (This may make more sense when the time comes.)

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2005

Thanks for the encouragement. I am starting to take classes I just wanted to know if there were any books I could read to help the time go by. Thanks again

Take my word for it... enjoy this moment of peace while you have it

Soon you will become familiar with that part of a nurses life that all students go through - the part where one realises that one doesn't have 'a life', so to speak. We become slaves devoted to nothing but book, mind numbing care plans, seemingly retarded proceedures and killer exams. :)

Yep! Happy days are ahead for you my friend :)

Ok, but I also got to add -- I doubt I'd have it ANY OTHER WAY! I think someone once asked me which was tougher - boot camp or nursing school.

Nursing school by a mile :chuckle

Remember, not everyone gets to call themselves a nurse Nursing school is a rite of passage....

Good Luck!:balloons:

readytobeRN · Jul 12, 2005

It is a rough road. Many of my classmates, including me, felt like giving up at some point. I don't mean gave it a passing thought--I mean seriously contemplated quitting. I don't think everyone goes through it, but a lot do. The good news is that after the crisis, it gets better. Never easy, but once you say, "No, they're going to have to throw me out!" you begin to find ways to resolve whatever issue got you to that point.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your instructors want you to do well, for altruistic reasons and because it looks better for them if you do.
I strongly recommend finding a study group. It helps with studying, and the friendships you make are excellent moral support. No one understands what you are going through like another nursing student. I had to commute to school, so I got in a carpool with a couple of people who also commuted. Didn't know either of them before, but grew to love them both. We studied together as well, and often did test review in the car.
The only other thing I can think of is a little esoteric, but bear with me, please. An important thing to try to keep in mind is that nursing is an art, as well as a science. In the beginning, you may want to do everything by some formula, but that only gets you so far. You have to be ready to adapt to new problems and improvise solutions. It takes a good deal of creativity, at times. Getting the basics down pat is helpful, but to move beyond that you have to be open to ideas that come out of left field. Of course, you also have to be careful to evaluate these ideas--sometimes it sounds crazy because it is crazy, but the line between art and crazy can be a fine one, indeed. Listen to your instincts, and then verify them with science. (This may make more sense when the time comes.)

Have you been worried about the other Female nurses. Do you get along with them. I have told friends what I want to do and they have all been supportive but I have had some female friends who said to be careful so I don't get singled out because I'm a male they say to lay low and do your work. What do you think about this?