Not going to cut it in the real world

[theksmom, ADN, BSN]

I wanted to know if anyone every felt like this and how did they get over it. I am a 3rd semester student and I'm starting to feel that I don't have what it is going to take to be a nurse. I've passed all of my courses with B's and a few (very few) A's sprinkled here and there, but I have a hard time maintaining information from one subject and adding on the new information from the next subject. Not to mention I suck at critical thinking! I absolutely love being in clinicals, but I can't see myself graduating and passing the NCLEX (prayerfully) and not being able to think as quick as other do. I feel like dropping out and going back to something that is safe (like a regular desk job:(). Any advice or kicks in the butt will be greatly appreciated!

[GingerSue]

If you are close to finishing, then my thoughts are that it would be

a good idea to finish & give it a try.

You have invested a lot of time and effort already in your program.

[woknblues]

I wanted to know if anyone every felt like this and how did they get over it. I am a 3rd semester student and I'm starting to feel that I don't have what it is going to take to be a nurse. I've passed all of my courses with B's and a few (very few) A's sprinkled here and there, but I have a hard time maintaining information from one subject and adding on the new information from the next subject. Not to mention I suck at critical thinking! I absolutely love being in clinicals, but I can't see myself graduating and passing the NCLEX (prayerfully) and not being able to think as quick as other do. I feel like dropping out and going back to something that is safe (like a regular desk job:(). Any advice or kicks in the butt will be greatly appreciated!

WOAH! STOP!

Your lecture based stuff is just a background to what you are encountering in the setting.

I advise you to pick up some kaplan review stuff, or saunders comprehensive, and hit that once in a while, if you have time. You can start to hone and synthesize your quick recall techniques. check out suzanne's plan in one of the other forums. You can do it!

[RNgonewild]

You're almost there. You do realize that not all nursing jobs involve patient care. There are desk jobs out there for nurses. Besides once you know the job everything becomes routine. Maybe you are having a case of cold feet. Ease up on yourself. You will find your place in the nursing world.

[TopazLover, BSN, RN]

Lot's of times it takes that last semester to pull it all together. Facts by themselves are hard to work with. As you work with more real situations you will find many of the facts hidden away in your brain just waiting for a use.

Use all the review tools to try to refresh all the facts.

Your job right now is to complete your education and soak up info. You are in the home stretch now. You can make it.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

You say you love being in clinicals. That's what nursing is all about. Lecture is just background. Just think of it like this -- Once you graduate you'll be in clinicals every day! :wink2:

[SunnyAndrsn]

Take a deep breath and take it one day at a time.

I wanted to know if anyone every felt like this and how did they get over it. I am a 3rd semester student and I'm starting to feel that I don't have what it is going to take to be a nurse. I've passed all of my courses with B's and a few (very few) A's sprinkled here and there, but I have a hard time maintaining information from one subject and adding on the new information from the next subject. Not to mention I suck at critical thinking! I absolutely love being in clinicals, but I can't see myself graduating and passing the NCLEX (prayerfully) and not being able to think as quick as other do. I feel like dropping out and going back to something that is safe (like a regular desk job:(). Any advice or kicks in the butt will be greatly appreciated!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Sometimes I feel like I don't know whether I'm washing or hanging out. My wife (longtime nurse) tells me this is normal.

[mheyflower]

You're on your way. Good vibes

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

What you learn in school gives you a solid foundation to build your career on, it is not the be all end all...on the job training is important as well, and it's so much easier (for me at least) when I have actual patients to learn from as opposed to the book learning. Once you get a job and make it through that hellish first year, you'll be absolutely amazed at how well you're doing and how far you've gone. Your grades show that you are perfectly cabable of doing well. I don't know if it's unique to nursing or not, but it seems like we tend to get a lot of self doubt as we get closer to finishing up. I'm quite certain that the majority of us have been there!

You've invested so much time and energy already, finish it up and get that NCLEX out of the way. Good luck, good studying, and deep breaths!

[MoopleRN]

You'll be fine. You're doing well in school, you love the clinical aspect and the fact that you're scared/worried shows how important this is to you (and frankly, I'd be worried if a student wasn't worried about how well they'll do, an overly-confident new nurse is not a safe nurse!).

Learning to think critically is an ongoing process. Making quick decisions/knowing what to do comes with experience. You'll learn far more on the job than you did in school.

[dorselm]

You sound like me and half of my class. I felt the same darn way. However, I am doing my last clinical, which is called transitions, at a big hospital. I was terrified because I thought I didn't know anything, like everything I learned went right out the door when class is over. You will be surprised at how much you know when you hit the floor. It's so different than being in class and there are people who will help you if you have questions or are unsure about things. So continue on and get out there and be the best nurse you can be.