Nursing is my passion but I feel like I am too dumb.

stupefyingjones · Mar 8, 2016

Not good advice, just because she was home schooled she shouldn't be a nurse, that's a pretty negative and lame excuse...... How about hire a tutor instead

LEMRN88 · Mar 8, 2016

Kaitlin,

i have been been a nurse for 6 years and I have followed all nurses for a while now but never commented on a post. I joined today just to comment on your post. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!! You are not dumb and please don't ever tell yourself that ever again!!

If you want to be a nurse, please do not give up. Nursing school is challenging and everyone struggles at some point. People from all walks of life with many different educational backgrounds become nurses, you can do it.

For me and many others, college was about learning HOW to study. It's not the content but more so HOW you learn the content. Developing good studying skills is something all new students in many fields struggle with.

Unfortunately A&P was a lot of memorization, but I always found that studying with a group to be helpful because it relieves some of the stress. When you are stressed you will block any ability to learn well. Plus, seeing how others think about something (whether it be a math problem, a disease process or an organ system) can help you think about something in a new way you might not otherwise. Talk to your class mates about what is working well for them, what techniques did they use to help make sense of difficult ideas or concepts. Sometimes we develop bad study habits that we don't realize are hindering us. Reach out to your classmates, a support group can make a huge difference.

I struggled a lot in nursing school. I always felt like I had to spend longer than my friends to understand certain concepts. It takes me a long time to read and process what I have read. I always felt like I had a hard time remembering things.

I had to put in more effort than others but in the end I graduated just like they did. ðŸ˜

PLEASE do not give up. Having a job you love is one of the most important things in life.

hannenurse2015 · Mar 8, 2016

Don't give up hope! And you ARE NOT DUMB. I took anatomy & physiology 3 times in college. The first time I got a D and had to retake it. I studied my butt off and got a B the second time.

The only reason I had to take it the 3rd time was because I transferred to another college and their curriculum was different (they offered the class in semesters instead of one, so I had to take the second portion)

So I guess my point is don't give up. I struggled with science courses the entire time I was in college. I graduated in August and passed my NCLEX on the first try in September, and started working as a RN in October. I still feel incompetent most days. But part of being a nurse is that we are constantly learning. I am reminded of things I've forgotten on an everyday basis. There's just so much information to retain, you have to find a simple way to remember the basic concepts and build from there. Speaking from experience, where there is a will there is a way. Don't give up!

PS- I never worked in the medical field before school. I was a hairstylist for many years before switching careers. If you want something bad enough you'll find a way. Best of luck!!

GaleSRN, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2016

You are smart enough. You just learn things differently from some other people. There is the Anatomy coloring book that is extremely helpful. There are other "books" and things that teach the same materials in a different way. What ever the subject matter is for that week, look for alternative ways to learn it.

Janetnzrn · Mar 8, 2016

I only just passed anatomy, rout memorisation isn't my strong point! If you are a visual learner, there used to be a colouring book for anatomy and watch YouTube and get a new tutor! Physiology was much better, made sense and things connected. You sound like you have a drive, don't give up. I did a CNA/LVN/RN program and did a year of working in between LVN and RN. It made the bridge easier as I had real experience to draw on.

TheHungryThing · Mar 8, 2016

I hear most of my students and new grads say exactly what you're saying. Don't get discouraged! You CAN do this!

Feeling "stupid" is all part of the process of learning. It's ok to feel stupid, but never forget that you're NOT actually an idiot!

The best advice I can give you (both for nursing school and clinical practice) is to get comfortable with to feeling "dumb" and learn how to lean into the discomfort and channel it into growth.

If nursing was easy, you wouldn't need school or clinicals or internships. Learning nursing is not easy. It takes a lot of studying & mentorship. Throughout nursing school, you will constantly come in contact with new and complicated information. Some skills/topics will take more time to feel like you really "get it," and that's ok!

Whether you've been a nurse for a day or a lifetime, you will still come accross situations, procedures, and diagnoses that are confusing and unfamiliar. If you can start developing some gentle compassion for yourself as you learn, and get comfortable with feeling "dumb," you'll have a much more rewarding career that allows you to constantly grow. Nursing school is the perfect environment to practice getting comfortable with discomfort and channeling a positive inner-voice.

It will all get easier with time, effort, and practice, and a year from now, you will be blown away by how confident you feel in these topics that you've been struggling with.

Good Luck!!

Carolll · Mar 8, 2016

I don't think you should give up.....and no, homeschooling doesn't have anything to do with it. You just need to learn a different way. Take a look at quizlet, youtube and anything that's free out there for you. There is an anatomy coloring book out there that I purchased because I thought I was going to have a problem. I also bought anatomy cards, they were of no help at all. The teacher can also make the difference, if they teach from the book, it's boring. I was taught by a chiropractor who danced across the room with her pregnant belly so we would remember the plantar fascia. We played Jeopardy and a couple of other games that I can't remember right now. I loved it and so should you. Get another teacher.

NightOwl0624 · Mar 8, 2016

Having a great teacher would really help! I might consider dropping the class for now and research better options if that is possible. But don't give up!!

Also, When I took anatomy, I used a lot of different resources: the Internet has many sites. I especially liked the interactive ones. I made lots of flash cards with pictures, too. I didn't find the huge textbook very helpful for actually learning the material.

We we also had a tutoring center that happened to have many of the models used in class. Being able to hold and touch the bones really made a difference!

I'm glad you have gotten (mostly) great advise and support! Many, many of us have struggled with these classes! You sound so mature and committed, and not at all "dumb". Wishing you the best!

MiniNurseintraining · Mar 9, 2016

You can become a licensed Clinical Social Worker or if you are up to the challenge a degree in public health. Try an introductory course in A&P, or a EMT course (not the crash course kind). If you can acclimate to these two previous suggestions, great, but if you can't you might be on a different learning curve. Theres nothing to be ashamed about that, not everyone who wants to be a nurse or doctor can handle the academic material necessary to enter these professions. Its the hardest thing to accept, but it may be a huge leap in your personal maturity to understand your own learning ability. I've tutored pre-health and pre-nursing students since 2010 and I love inspiring students with science coursework. The low wage i've earned as a tutor does not motivate me, its planting a seed of confidence in my students and seeing them pass or receive an A in a course they were struggling in. Find a new tutor or find a new professor. Do your homework on the professor and take some of the suggestions i've made. Shadow a nurse or doctor and take any inspiration you can receive. At the end of the day meditate or pray, collect your thoughts, and make a resolve to yourself that you'll give your goals a fair shot. If it doesn't work out, find something else to do. Goodluck, my door is open. By the way, check out Khan academy for A&P lectures, they've been very helpful for most of my students.

Hello,

I'm taking Ap 1 and college algebra this semester, both are thoroughly kicking my butt. I've been thinking about taking a break from nursing prerequisites and doing phlebotomy for a year or so.

My college has a medical campus and the phlebotomy program total for tuition, books, uniforms etc. Is around $1786 and one semester in which I've already taken intro to healthcare.

I like the job description of phlebotomist but their annual entry level wage scares me at $22,000-36,000. Other than the annually income I'm wondering if this will be a good career to enter into the health field, discover myself and mature.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance

mhodges · Mar 9, 2016

I don't know which textbook you're using for A & P but the one we used had great online resources that really helped me. See if there is a website listed in your book somewhere. Good luck!

lissetgonzalez · Jul 13, 2016

Hi! I will say to do whatever you want. You're not dumb and I believe you are capable in becoming a nurse.

Mosesabeidkilenza · Jul 13, 2016

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